Information Technology, Master of Science

Admission

Admission to this program is selective. This program enrolls new students in the fall, spring, and summer terms. Applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree with foundational knowledge or experience in computer programming and computer networks. A candidate who is found to be lacking the proper foundational knowledge may be accepted into the program, but will be required to take the additional 3-credit MSIT foundation course:

INFT 6122Essentials of Information Technology3

Application

Please see the Graduate Admissions pages of this catalog for a complete listing of materials required to complete a graduate application.

Program Curriculum

The MSIT, at its start, will have four core courses and two concentrations from which to choose. The core will emphasize fundamental information technology skills in computer security, and web technology, including a project based capstone and hands-on, real-world practices in the student’s field of interest. The Cybersecurity concentration will allow students to focus on information security and digital forensics skills, while the Web Technology concentration offers instruction in web programming including client and server site technology, and cyber security. The MSIT program may be completed within two years.

*PLEASE NOTE: The cybersecurity concentration will no longer be offered after the Fall 2023 term through this program. Students who wish to pursue this field of study may apply for SUNY Empire's Master of Science (M.S.) in Cybersecurity which will begin in Spring 2024.

All concentrations follow this curriculum and the enrollment sequences below:

Foundation Course
INFT 6122Essentials of Information Technology 13
Core Courses
INFT 6127Information Technology in Organizations3
INFT 6132Network Administration3
INFT 6137Enterprise Systems Architecture3
INFT 6142Computer Systems Security3
Concentration Courses12
Students take the 4 designated courses of the Cyber Security or Web Technology concentrations. See the full enrollment sequencing for each concentration below.
Electives6
Students choose two elective courses to reflect their interests and to reinforce the individual focus of their degree.
Capstone Course3
The capstone a student is required to take will depend on the concentration they have chosen. See the full enrollment sequencing for each concentration below.
Total Credits 33-36 1
1

Applicants to the MSIT program who can not demonstrate foundation knowledge in computer programming and computer networks will be required to take the additional 3-credit course INFT-6122 Essentials of Information Technology. This will result in a 36-credit degree as shown in the enrollment sequences.

Enrollment Sequences

Cybersecurity Concentration (Part-time schedule)*
 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
INFT 6122 Essentials of Information Technology 1 3
INFT 6127 Information Technology in Organizations 3
INFT 6132 Network Administration 3
 Credits9
Spring
INFT 6137 Enterprise Systems Architecture 3
INFT 6142 Computer Systems Security 3
 Credits6
Summer
INFT 6045 IT Security Policies & Procedure 3
Elective 1 3
 Credits6
Second Year
Fall
INFT 6055 Digital Forensics 3
INFT 6147 Enterprise Information Security Management 3
 Credits6
Spring
INFT 6157 Data and Application Security 3
INFT 7005 Cyber Security Integration Strategies (Capstone) 3
 Credits6
Summer
Elective 2 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits36
1

Applicants to the MSIT program who can not demonstrate foundation knowledge in computer programming and computer networks will be required to take the additional 3-credit course INFT-6122 Essentials of Information Technology. This will result in a 36-credit degree as shown in the enrollment sequences.

Web Technology Concentration (Part-time Schedule)
 

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
INFT 6122 Essentials of Information Technology 1 3
INFT 6127 Information Technology in Organizations 3
INFT 6132 Network Administration 3
 Credits9
Spring
INFT 6137 Enterprise Systems Architecture 3
INFT 6142 Computer Systems Security 3
 Credits6
Summer
INFT 6040 Advanced Internet Application Development 3
Elective 1 3
 Credits6
Second Year
Fall
INFT 6015 Database Design and Management 3
INFT 6152 Enterprise Web Systems 3
 Credits6
Spring
INFT 6050 Mobile Systems Development 3
INFT 7010 Web Systems Integration Strategies (Capstone) 3
 Credits6
Summer
Elective 2 3
 Credits3
 Total Credits36
1

Applicants to the MSIT program who can not demonstrate foundation knowledge in computer programming and computer networks will be required to take the additional 3-credit course INFT-6122 Essentials of Information Technology. This will result in a 36-credit degree as shown in the enrollment sequences.

Upon successful completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Disciplinary Knowledge: Identify and apply IT principles, method and frameworks for the business enterprise and the relevant technology;
  • Professional Decision Making: Strategic analysis, design, implement and evaluation of computer technologies, systems, processes, components and/or programs appropriate to a defined task, while analyzing the impact on existing systems and potential future applications;
  • Master of Methods and Tools: Critically evaluate relevant technical and business information and emerging industry trends from multiple sources;
  • Capacity for Innovation and Collaboration: Implement effective IT solutions that demonstrates appropriate consideration of alternative computer technologies, including networks, servers, programming languages and database systems; Develop, analyze and defend solutions to networking and security problems that demonstrate an appropriate balance among security needs, business concerns, confidentiality, availability and system integrity; and
  • Ethics and IT Compliance: Acknowledge and adhere to the Law and Policy Regulation, standards of ethics, including relevant industry and organizational codes of conduct, in the design of technology.