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.
The Information Technology Leadership and Strategy (MPS) also offers an Accelerated Master's Pathway for Undergraduate students to complete their Graduate studies in a fifth year. Further details of the AMP, including the suggested sequence of courses, can be found under the Curriculum tab.
Related Programs
Curriculum
Thirty (30) credit hours are required to complete the degree.
Besides the traditional Master's program, the Information Technology Leadership and Strategy (MPS) is also offered as an Accelerated Master's Pathway where exceptional students can complete the program in a fifth year. A suggested sequence for the AMP can be found below.
| 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 |
| Select three (3) ITLS Electives 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 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.
Traditional Master's Program
| 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 | |
Accelerated Master's Program
Students can take up to 12 credit hours in the senior year with admission to the AMP. These credits are shared between the Bachelor's and Master's programs.
| Senior | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| ITLS 447 | Cybersecurity Governance, Planning, and Incident Response | 3 |
| ITLS 453 | Developing Strategic Plans | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| ITLS 445 | Introduction to IT: Networking, Cloud & Security | 3 |
| ITLS 449 | Advanced Topics: Emerging Technologies | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Master's | ||
| Fall | ||
| Choose two from the list of Electives | 6 | |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring | ||
| ITLS 451 | Human-Centered Management | 3 |
| COMP 417 | Social and Ethical Issues in Computing | 3 |
| Choose one from the list of Electives | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Summer | ||
| COMP 477 | IT Project Management | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Guidelines for Accelerated Master's Pathways
In Accelerated Master’s Pathways, students share limited, authorized credits between their Undergraduate and Graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees in a shorter amount of time. Shared credits are Graduate level credit hours (400-level or higher) taken during the Undergraduate career and then applied both to the Undergraduate degree and towards Graduate program requirements.
Admission and Matriculation
Accelerated Master's Pathways are designed to enhance opportunities for advanced training for Loyola’s Undergraduates. Admission to these programs is competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the Graduate program. Accordingly, the admission requirements for these programs may be higher than those required if the Master’s degree were pursued entirely after the receipt of a Bachelor’s degree.
Students enrolled in an Accelerated Master's Pathway who choose not to continue to the Master’s degree program upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree will face no consequences.
Ideally, a student will apply for admission to an AMP program as they approach 90 credit hours in their Undergraduate career.
Students will not officially matriculate into the Master’s degree program and be labeled as a Graduate student by the university, with accompanying changes to tuition and Financial Aid (see below), until the Undergraduate degree has been awarded. Once admitted to the Graduate program, students must meet the academic standing requirements of their Graduate program as they complete the program curriculum.
Advising and Registration
Students in their final Undergraduate year will work with Advising in the home School of their Bachelor's program(s), as well as the Graduate Program Director of the Master’s program. Any 400-level or higher courses that the student plans to enroll in should be reviewed by both advisors to ensure that these courses will complete requirements for both degrees.
Registration in Graduate level courses during the Undergraduate year may require assistance from the Graduate Program Director and/or the student’s current academic advisor to enroll.
Shared Credits
Only courses taken at the 400-level or higher will count toward the Graduate program. At the Undergraduate level, students are restricted to enrolling in and sharing up to the number of Graduate level credits explicitly indicated in the catalog for their selected AMP program.
In general, Graduate level coursework should not be taken prior to admission into the Accelerated Master's Pathway. Exceptions may be granted for professional programs where curriculum for the Accelerated Master's Pathway is designed to begin earlier. On the recommendation of the program’s Graduate Program Director, students may take one of their Graduate level courses before they are admitted to the Accelerated Master’s Pathway if they have advanced abilities in their discipline and course offerings warrant such an exception.
Degree Requirements and Conferral
Undergraduate degree requirements are in no way impacted by admission to an Accelerated Master’s Pathway. Students should not, for example, attempt to negotiate themselves out of a writing intensive requirement on the basis of admission to a Graduate program.
The program’s Graduate Program Director will designate credit hours to be shared through the advising form and Master’s degree conferral review process. Graduate credit hours taken during the Undergraduate career will not be included in the Graduate GPA calculation.
If students wish to transfer credits from another university to Loyola University Chicago, the program’s Graduate Program Director will review the relevant syllabus or syllabi to determine whether it meets the criteria for a 400-level course or higher.
Programs with specialized accreditation requirements that allow programs to offer Graduate curriculum to Undergraduate students will conform to those specialized accreditation requirements.
Degrees are awarded sequentially. All details of Undergraduate commencement are handled in the ordinary way as for all students in the School/College/Institute. Once matriculated in the Graduate program, students abide by the graduation deadlines set forth by the Graduate program. Students in these programs must be continuously enrolled from Undergraduate to Graduate degree program unless given explicit permission by their program for a gap year or approved leave of absence. In offering the option of an Accelerated Master’s Pathway, the university is making possible the acceleration of a student’s Graduate degree completion. It should be understood that students may not request deferral of their matriculation into the Master’s degree program. If students would like to delay their Graduate studies after earning the Undergraduate degree, they may apply for admission to the traditional Master’s degree program. Any application of Graduate credit earned while in the Undergraduate program is subject to the policies of the Graduate degree granting school.
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 supersede 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.