Information Technology Leadership and Strategy (MPS)
This fully online and application-oriented master’s degree will provide students with a professional background in Information Technology (IT) and technology related professions, including cybersecurity, software engineering, tech support, etc. to gain the leadership, strategic thinking, and critical thinking skills necessary for advancing in their career IT leadership tracks within small, midsize, and large organizations, with an emphasis on eventually reaching executive positions in the IT field.
Curriculum
Thirty (30) credit hours are required to complete the degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| COMP 417 | Social and Ethical Issues in Computing | 3 |
| COMP 477 | IT Project Management | 3 |
| ITLS 445 | Introduction to IT: Networking, Cloud & Security | 3 |
| ITLS 447 | Cybersecurity Governance, Planning, and Incident Response | 3 |
| ITLS 449 | Advanced Topics: Emerging Technologies | 3 |
| ITLS 451 | Human-Centered Management | 3 |
| ITLS 453 | Developing Strategic Plans | 3 |
| Three elective courses - 400-level or above 1 | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
- 1
Electives will be selected from existing graduate courses (400 level or higher) at Loyola University Chicago. They will typically be chosen from SCPS (and may include courses in all graduate programs housed in SCPS) and the Computer Science Department. Electives will be determined in conjunction with the program director.
Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| COMP 403 | Operations Management | 3 |
| COMP 420 | Software Systems Analysis | 3 |
| COMP 422 | Software Development for Wireless and Mobile Devices | 3 |
| COMP 424 | Client-Side Web Design | 3 |
| COMP 441 | Human-Computer Interaction | 3 |
| COMP 443 | Computer Networks | 3 |
| COMP 447 | Intrusion Detection and Computer Forensics | 3 |
| COMP 448 | Network Security | 3 |
| COMP 449 | Wireless Networking and Security | 3 |
| COMP 488 | Computer Science Topics | 1-4 |
| INDN 420 | Instructional Design Theories and Models | 3 |
| INDN 421 | Design & Development of Instructional Materials | 3 |
| INDN 430 | Performance Improvement in Organizations | 3 |
| INDN 431 | Fundamentals of Learning Analytics | 3 |
| INDN 440 | Applications of Human Centered Design Principles | 3 |
| MPP 400 | Policy Design and Analysis | 3 |
| MPP 401 | Analytical Tools in Public Policy | 3 |
| MPP 403 | Public Budget and Finance | 3 |
| MPP 404 | Public Policy Process | 3 |
| MPP 405 | Statistical Methods & Analysis for Public Policy I | 3 |
| MPP 406 | Statistical Methods & Analysis Public Policy II | 3 |
| MPP 410 | Special Topics in Public Policy | 3 |
| MPP 413 | Intergovernmental Relations | 3 |
| PSLD 400 | Introduction to Public Service | 3 |
| PSLD 401 | Ethical Leadership in Public Service | 3 |
| PSLD 402 | Foundations of Global Strategic Communication | 3 |
| PSLD 403 | Program Management and Development | 3 |
| PSLD 404 | Data, Visualization and Evaluation | 3 |
| PSLD 405 | Design Thinking in Mitigating Complex Social Problems | 3 |
| PSLD 430 | Understanding and Mitigating Poverty | 3 |
| PSLD 431 | Foundations of Social and Sustainable Development | 3 |
| PSLD 432 | Gender Diversity & Sustainable Social Development | 3 |
| PSLD 433 | Social Analysis Inequality Poverty and Development | 3 |
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| ITLS 445 | Introduction to IT: Networking, Cloud & Security | 3 |
| ITLS 447 | Cybersecurity Governance, Planning, and Incident Response | 3 |
| Choose two from the list of Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| ITLS 449 | Advanced Topics: Emerging Technologies | 3 |
| ITLS 451 | Human-Centered Management | 3 |
| COMP 417 | Social and Ethical Issues in Computing | 3 |
| Choose one from the list of Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| ITLS 453 | Developing Strategic Plans | 3 |
| COMP 477 | IT Project Management | 3 |
| Choose one from the list of Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supercede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
Upon degree completion, graduates will be able to:
- Evaluate key policies, processes, and ethical decision making involved in the oversight of information technology within an organization in real world case studies.
- Apply project management principles to ensure successful implementation of core IT functions, such as network management, system administration, infrastructure integration, and mobile computing in coursework.
- Create business plans that incorporate IT strategies, employing creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking to identify opportunities, address challenges, build strong relationships, and drive organizational success.
- Analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the impact of IT management on organizational performance in written assignments and case studies.