Information Technology/Computer Science (BA/MS)
The Information Technology (BA)/Computer Science (MS) program is an accelerated program giving students the opportunity to pursue admission to and begin classes for the M.S. while an undergraduate student. This program reduces the total number of courses needed and the total time needed for the combined degrees.
CURRICULUM
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
Information Technology Major Curriculum | ||
COMP 170 | Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming | 3 |
COMP 251 | Introduction to Database Systems | 3 |
COMP 271 | Data Structures I | 3 |
COMP 317 | Social, Legal, and Ethical Issues in Computing | 3 |
CPST 250 | Foundations of Organizations | 3 |
CPST 291 | Dynamic Programming Languages | 3 |
CPST 310 | Accounting Principles and Application | 3 |
CPST 325 | Data Processing, Analysis, and Visualization | 3 |
CPST 342 | Introduction to Web Application Development | 3 |
CPST 343 | Software Development for Mobile Devices | 3 |
CPST 345 | Introduction to IT: Networking, Cloud & Security | 3 |
CPST 349 | Project Management | 3 |
STAT 103 | Fundamentals of Statistics | 3 |
SCPS Courses | ||
CPST 200 | Introduction to Degree Completion | 3 |
CPST 201 | Civic Identity and Development | 3 |
CPST 397 | Capstone | 3 |
Core Requirements | ||
The number of hours remaining toward Core requirements can vary due to transfer credit. | ||
Mission Specific Requirements | ||
Mission specific requirements can vary from 0 to 15 credit hours based on your prior credit. | ||
General Elective Requirements | ||
Students may have some general elective coursework to complete if their transfer credit and remaining required hours (Core, mission specific, major, etc.) do not total 120. | ||
MS Information Technology Curriculum | 30 | |
COMP 417 | Social and Ethical Issues in Computing | 3 |
Select Three (3) courses in Track/Major Requirements. 1 | 9 | |
Six (6) COMP Graduate Level Electives 2 | 18 | |
Total Hours | 108 |
- 1
Courses can be substituted at the discretion of the Graduate Program Director. Substitutions will usually be limited to special-topics courses (COMP 488 Computer Science Topics) which have learning outcomes closely related to other courses in the track in question.
- 2
Electives can be any COMP 400 level class, except the preparation courses (COMP 400A, COMP 400B, COMP 400C, COMP 400D, COMP 400E). Students may take up to a maximum of 6 credit hours of COMP 490 Independent Project and/or COMP 499 Internship. You can go here for a list of COMP 400-level course descriptions.
Track Requirements
Data Management (DM) Track
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
COMP 405 | Database Administration | 3 |
COMP 406 | Data Mining | 3 |
COMP 425 | Rapid Applications Development | 3 |
COMP 453 | Database Programming | 3 |
COMP 488 | Computer Science Topics | 1-4 |
Technology Management (TM) Track
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
COMP 403 | Operations Management | 3 |
COMP 404 | Organizational Development | 3 |
COMP 420 | Software Systems Analysis | 3 |
COMP 477 | IT Project Management | 3 |
IT Security (IS) Track
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
COMP 401 | Computer Security | 3 |
COMP 440 | Computer Forensics Investigations | 3 |
COMP 447 | Intrusion Detection and Computer Forensics | 3 |
COMP 448 | Network Security | 3 |
COMP 449 | Wireless Networking and Security | 3 |
COMP 452 | Introduction to Computer Vulnerabilities | 3 |
Enterprise Networking (EN) Track
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
COMP 443 | Computer Networks | 3 |
COMP 448 | Network Security | 3 |
COMP 449 | Wireless Networking and Security | 3 |
COMP 451 | Enterprise Networking | 3 |
Additional Requirements fo the BA/MS Program
Students in the BA/MS program are permitted to take up to 9 credit hours of 400-level courses that would apply toward their MS program requirements while completing their undergraduate degree. If you have general elective hours to satisfy for your undergraduate degree, your 400-level courses can be courses taken in addition to your undergraduate major courses. Additionally, there are three 400-level courses that can be applied both toward your BA and MS Information Technology program requirements:
- COMP 477 IT Project Management
- COMP 422 Software Development for Wireless and Mobile Devices
- COMP 417 Social and Ethical Issues in Computing
The following are required to complete the BA/MS dual degree program:
- Successful completion of the BA Information Technology within the School of Continuing & Professional Studies.
- 30 credit hours of 400-level graduate courses, including those counted while an undergraduate, completed with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Please note only 400-level courses will apply toward graduate requirements. Additionally, a student with credit for a 300-level COMP course that has an equivalent 400-level COMP course may not take the 400-level course for separate credit. Example: COMP 317 and COMP 417 are equivalent courses and credit can only be earned once.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The School of Continuing and Professional Studies provides a high-touch advising model in order to incorporate the professional and educational outcomes of the student as well as any transfer credit accepted. In order to provide students with maximum flexibility in their education and because everyone’s academic background will vary, advisors will work directly with students to determine an appropriate sequence of courses starting at admission into their respective program based on their needs and expected time to completion.
Students in the BA/MS program are permitted to take up to 9 credit hours of 400-level courses that would apply toward their MS program requirements while completing their undergraduate degree. There are three 400-level courses that can be applied both toward your BA and MS Information Technology program requirements and these are listed below.
If you have general elective hours to satisfy for your undergraduate degree, your 400-level courses can be courses taken in addition to your undergraduate major courses and not have overlap with your major requirements.
Guidelines for Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s Programs
Terms
- Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs: In this type of program, students share limited credits between their undergraduate and graduate degrees to facilitate completion of both degrees.
- Shared credits: Graduate level credit hours taken during the undergraduate program and then applied towards graduate program requirements will be referred to as shared credits.
Admission Requirements
Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs are designed to enhance opportunities for advanced training for Loyola’s undergraduates. Admission to these programs must be competitive and will depend upon a positive review of credentials by the program’s admissions committee. 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. That is, programs may choose to have more stringent admissions requirements in addition to those minimal requirements below.
Requirements:
- Declared appropriate undergraduate major,
- By the time students begin taking graduate courses as an undergraduate, the student has completed approximately 90 credit hours, or the credit hours required in a program that is accredited by a specialty organization,1
- A minimum cumulative GPA for coursework at Loyola that is at or above the program-specific requirements, a minimum major GPA that is at or above the program-specific requirements, and/or appropriate designated coursework for evaluation of student readiness in their discipline.2
Students not eligible for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program (e.g., students who have not declared the appropriate undergraduate major) may apply to the master’s program through the regular admissions process. Students enrolled in an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program who choose not to continue to the master’s degree program upon completion of the bachelor’s degree will face no consequences.3
Ideally, a student will apply for admission (or confirm interest in proceeding towards the graduate degree in opt-out programs) as they approach 90 credit hours. Programs are encouraged to begin advising students early in their major so that they are aware of the program and, if interested, can complete their bachelor’s degree requirements in a way that facilitates completion of the program. Once admitted as an undergraduate, Program Directors should ensure that students are enrolled using the plan code associated with the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program. Using the plan code associated with the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program will ensure that students may be easily identified as they move through the program. 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.
- 1
Programs that have specialized accreditation will adhere to the admissions criteria provided by, or approved by, their specialized accreditors.
- 2
The program will identify appropriate indicators of student readiness for graduate coursework (e.g., high-level performance in 300 level courses). Recognizing differences between how majors are designed, we do not specify a blanket requirement.
- 3
If students choose not to enroll in the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, they still must complete all of the standard requirements associated with the undergraduate degree (e.g., a capstone).
For more information on Admissions requirements, visit here.
Curriculum
Level and progression of courses. The Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs are designed to be competitive and attractive to our most capable students. Students admitted to Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s programs should be capable of meeting graduate level learning outcomes. Following guidance from the Higher Learning Commission, only courses taken at the 400 level or higher (including 300/400 level courses taken at the 400 level) will count toward the graduate program.1,2 Up to 50% of the total graduate level credit hours, required in the graduate program, may come from 300/400 level courses where the student is enrolled in the 400 level of the course. Further, at least 50% of the credit hours for the graduate program must come from courses that are designed for and restricted to graduate students who have been admitted to a graduate program at Loyola (e.g., enrolled in plan code that indicates the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program, typically ending with the letter “D”).3
In general, graduate level coursework should not be taken prior to admission into the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program. Exceptions may be granted for professional programs where curriculum for the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program is designed to begin earlier. On the recommendation of the program’s Graduate Director, students may take one of their graduate level courses before they are admitted to the Accelerated Bachelors/Master’s program if they have advanced abilities in their discipline and course offerings warrant such an exception.4 Undergraduate degree requirements outside of the major are in no way impacted by admission to an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program.5
Shared credits. Undergraduate courses (i.e., courses offered at the 300 level or below) cannot be counted as shared credits nor count towards the master’s degree. Up to 50% of the total graduate level credit hours, required in the graduate program, may be counted in meeting both the undergraduate and graduate degree requirements. Of those shared credits, students in an Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program should begin their graduate program with the standard introductory course(s) for the program whenever possible. So that students may progress through the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s program in a timely manner, undergraduate programs are encouraged to design their curriculum such that a student can complete some required graduate credit hours while completing the undergraduate degree. For instance, some of the graduate curriculum should also satisfy electives for the undergraduate major.
The program’s Graduate Director will designate credit hours to be shared through the advising form and master’s degree conferral review process. Shared credit hours will not be marked on the undergraduate record as having a special status in the undergraduate program. They will be included in the student’s undergraduate earned hours and GPA. Graduate credit hours taken during the undergraduate program will not be included in the graduate GPA calculation.
- 1
If students wish to transfer credits from another university to Loyola University Chicago, the program’s Graduate director will review the relevant syllabus(es) to determine whether it meets the criteria for a 400 level course or higher.
- 2
Programs with specialized accreditation requirements that allow programs to offer graduate curriculum to undergraduate students will conform to those specialized accreditation requirements.
- 3
In rare cases, the Graduate Director may authorize enrollment in a 400-level course for a highly qualified and highly motivated undergraduate, ensuring that the undergraduate's exceptional participation in the graduate class will not diminish in any way the experience of the graduate students regularly enrolled.
- 4
For example, if a particular course is only offered once every 2-3 years, and a student has demonstrated the necessary ability to be successful, the Graduate Director may allow a student to take a graduate level course to be shared prior to the student being formally admitted to the graduate program. See, also, footnote 3.
- 5
Students should not, for example, attempt to negotiate themselves out of a writing intensive requirement on the basis of admission to a graduate program.
Graduation
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 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 Bachelor’s/Master’s program, 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.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Students will be able to:
- Demonstrate a high level of proficiency in making informed and strategic decisions, applying quantitative analysis, and implementing project management strategies to effectively impact organizational goals. [BA Information Technology]
- Demonstrate knowledge of legal and ethical considerations in information technology and apply technical and ethical solutions. [BA Information Technology]
- Apply foundational knowledge of IT systems, computer networking, and security, including cloud computing concepts, TCP/IP model, packet-based networking, wireless networking, and cybersecurity principles. [BA Information Technology]
- Organize data in ways to emphasize relationships to elicit information from a database that allows data to be mined, visualized and graphically display via web interfaces. [BA Information Technology]
- Develop programs using fundamental programming constructs, data structures, and algorithms, while demonstrating the ability to choose appropriate solutions and justify their selections. [BA Information Technology]
- Apply object-oriented principles (abstraction, delegation, inheritance, and polymorphism) and design patterns, and demonstrate proficiency in programming, testing, and debugging using a mainstream object-oriented language. [BA Information Technology]
- Students in the MS Computer Science program will gain familiarity with the broad outlines of computer technology and will gain specialization in one of the track areas (Data Management, Technology Management, IT Security and Enterprise Networking).