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Currently accepting applications for Autumn Quarter 2024! Prospective students are encouraged to schedule an advising appointment with Francis Nwagbara, our MSIT Graduate Recruiter.
Master of Science in Information Technology
The MS in Information Technology (MSIT) program at the University of Washington's Tacoma campus is designed to prepare students for successful professional careers that advance the information technology industries and communities both locally and globally.
Through a combination of specialized knowledge, hands-on practical experience, and theoretical applications, MSIT students will further their professional development and diversity their employment opportunities.
MSIT graduates will be qualified to serve as advanced IT experts and leaders in business, manufacturing, operations, healthcare, government agencies, and other organizations. Students who select the thesis degree-completion option may be eligible for a PhD program in Information Technology post-graduation.
The Need for IT Professionals with Advanced Degrees is Growing - Are you Ready?
IT is one of the fastest growing industries in the US and WA state. Over the next decade, job openings are predicted to increase by 22% (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Those with master's degrees in IT are well-suited for higher-paying, mid-to-senior level roles that involve leadership, management, strategic planning, and/or operations.
MSIT students will be prepared to navigate this rapidly expanding, competitive job market and bring high-demand skills to the table.
MSIT at a Glance
- Total quarter credits: 60
- Degree Completion Options: Thesis or Capstone Project
- Enrollment: Full-time (FT) or Part-time (PT)
- Start term: Autumn Quarter
- Length: 18-24 months (FT)
- Courses:
- Core (20 credits)
- Elective/Depth (30 credits)
- Thesis/Capstone (10 credits)
- Delivery: Hybrid (Saturdays in-person, weekdays online synchronous)
- Tuition estimate:
- Resident: $42,720
- Non-Resident: $74,124
- Minimum 60 credits
- Minimum grade of 2.70 is required in each course counted toward the degree
- Minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation
- Students must be registered for at least 2 credits in the quarter the degree is earned
- Students must complete all degree requirements within 6 years
Students may study full-time (10 credits per academic quarter) or part-time (2-9 credits per academic quarter) and have 6 years to finish their degree.
To accommodate working students, classes are typically held in-person, on campus on Saturdays and synchronously online on weekdays.
We cannot offer MSIT as a fully remote/100% online program.
Required Core Courses (20 credits)
All students take the following:
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TINFO 501: Data Structures and Algorithms for IT I (5 credits)
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TINFO 502: Data Structures and Algorithms for IT II (3 credits)
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TINFO 503: Computer Networks for IT (5 credits)
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TINFO 504: IT Project Management (5 credits)
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TINFO 598: Master’s Seminar (2 credits)
Depth/Elective Courses (30 credits)
Students select 6 courses (30 credits) from the following:
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TINFO 510: Cloud Computing (5 credits)
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TINFO 520: Cyber Forensics (5 credits)
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TIFNO 530: Machine Learning for IT (5 credits)
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TINFO 540: Wireless & Mobile Network Security (5 credits)
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TINFO 550: Human-Computer Interaction (5 credits)
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TINFO 560: Internet of Things (5 credits)
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TINFO 570: IT Automation (5 credits)
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TINFO 580: Homeland Security (5 credits)
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TINFO 590: DevOps (5 credits)
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TINFO 600: Independent Study or Research
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TINFO 701: Internship
Thesis/Capstone Project (10 credits)
All students take 10 credits in the course corresponding to their degree-completion option. Students can expect to take these credits over their last 2-3 quarters:
- TINFO 700: Master's Thesis (1-10 credits)
- TINFO 702: Capstone Project (1-10 credits)
We recognize that each student has unique professional, academic, and personal goals. That's why MSIT students can choose the degree completion option - thesis or capstone project - that's right for them and their goals.
Thesis
Intended for students considering a PhD program. Involves long-term, in-depth, advanced academic research, extensive academic writing, and original research contributions to their disciplinary field and/or scholarly communities. Requires one a Master’s Supervisory Committee of one Graduate Faculty Advisor and at least one Graduate Faculty Committee Member. Produces master’s thesis.
Capstone Project
Designed for students who want to focus on practical solutions to real-world problems – often related to the student’s employer, company, and/or industry – through the hands-on application of what they’ve learned. Emphasizes advanced experience, critical analysis, and the mastery of industry-relevant skillsets. Requires one a Master’s Supervisory Committee of one Graduate Faculty Advisor and at least one Graduate Faculty Committee Member. Research is less exhaustive and can produce a combination of deliverables.
Our MSIT graduate faculty members play several crucial roles. Their responsibilities encompass a wide range of activities, including master’s thesis and capstone project supervisor, teaching and curriculum development, and mentoring.
Dr. Bryan Goda, PhD | MSIT Graduate Program Chair, Professor
Research interests: Embedded systems; machine organization; systems analysis and design; cybersecurity; ethics and technology
Dr. Yan Bai, PhD | Professor
Research interests: Cybersecurity; privacy; cloud and edge computing; Internet of Things; blockchain
Dr. Hengshuo “Winston” Liang | Professor
Program Educational Objectives
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Develop a product or process by applying knowledge of programming, web structures, databases, human-computer interaction, networking, and security tools.
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Participate effectively as a member of a development team and undertake leadership roles when appropriate.
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Continue seeking knowledge and contribute to the IT body of knowledge.
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Make positive contributions to community and society by applying skills and abilities learned.
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Make decisions related to work that demonstrate an understanding of the importance of being an ethical computing professional.
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Apply communication skills to effectively promote ideas, goals, or products.
Student Learning Outcomes
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Be able to demonstrate an understanding of requirements analysis approaches and project management concepts.
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Be able to analyze user requirements and technology needs and document the scope, schedule, and resources needed for the project.
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Be able to develop efficient and effective systems solutions to safely secure information assets and intellectual property.
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Be able to design a solution to support implementation, modification, and review of IT systems.
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Be able to evaluate new approaches and technologies in information technology and justify if they are applicable to advance existing IT systems and management.
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Be able to describe IT professional responsibilities and apply in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
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Be able to perform as a team leader and support team members in IT projects.
Admission
BS in Information Technology, Computer Science, or related STEM field from a regionally accredited higher-education institution in the US with a minimum 3.00/B recalculated, admit-GPA or its international equivalent.
Proficiencies in:
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Networking
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Human-Computer Interaction
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Computer Programming
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Database Design
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Web technologies
Proficiencies may be demonstrated through a combination of previous undergraduate coursework, internship experience, research experience, and/or full-time, industry-relevant work experience.
Students with non-tech degrees who cannot satisfactorily demonstrate proficiencies in one or more of the above proficiencies may be ineligible for admission.
Non-tech degree? No problem. Meet with our Graduate Recruiter, Francis Nwagbara, about our Graduate Certificate in Software Development Engineering (GC-SDE) and possible pathways to transition into IT.
All non-native English speakers must demonstrate English language proficiency (ELP, Policy 3.2).
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Unofficial transcripts.
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Evidence of English language proficiency (ELP, Policy 3.2).
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One (1) recommendation letter from an appropriate academic and/or professional source.
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Resume or CV.
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Personal statement.
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$85 application fee.
Submitting GRE scores is optional and NOT required.
Students demonstrating ELP through TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores must arrange for the testing agency to deliver the official score report to UW Graduate Admissions. We unfortunately cannot offer conditional/provisional admission for the receipt of official ELP exam scores. (For details on this requirement, please refer to Graduate School Policy 3.2).
Our Graduate Recruiter and Graduate Advisor and here to support you through the application process.
Self-book an appointment with Francis or Victoria anytime online using the links below.
Francis Nwagbara, MS Project Management | MSIT Graduate Recruiter
Victoria Olive, MA Interdisciplinary Studies | MSIT Graduate Advisor
The admissions process for MSIT will adhere to the UW Graduate School Memo 3.1.
Each application will be reviewed holistically by a MSIT Faculty Committee.
NSF CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS)
CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) is a unique program funded by a National Science Foundation grant designed to increase and strengthen the cadre of information assurance professionals that protect the government’s critical information infrastructure.
The CyberCorps® SFS is open to graduate students in these specific programs:
- Master of Cybersecurity and Leadership
- Master of Science in Information Technology
Note that the application process for the CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service is separate from the SET scholarship and fellowship applications, and has different deadlines for grad and undergrad students.
A number of SFS scholarships are offered in partnership with the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Ph.D. in Security degree program. For more information, please contact Professor Yan Bai at yanb@uw.edu.
Eligibility
Students must meet these requirements to apply and receive the CyberCorps® SFS:
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Enrolled in, or applied for admission/transfer to Master of Science in Information Technology or Master of Cybersecurity and Leadership
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Meet selection criteria for federal employment, including obtaining a security clearance
Benefits
- Full tuition and academic fees for up to 3 years
- Annual stipend of $27,000 for undergraduate students and $37,000 for graduate students
- Annual professional allowance of up to $6000
- Eligible and well trained for full-time employment in federal government agencies
(UWT CyberCorps® scholars are responsible to apply for and obtain a position. The program can provide assistance with identifying employment opportunities) - Strong potential for progression into a cybersecurity doctoral program with SFS scholarship
Obligations
- Be a full-time student
- Maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA
- Complete a course of study in cybersecurity as approved by the program director. Though there will be some flexibility for individual student interests, most will be required courses.
- Participate in all University of Washington Tacoma CyberCorps® program activities.
- Maintain a lifestyle compatible with government agency requirements to maintain security clearance (e.g. no drugs/felonies, good financial stewardship, etc.).
- Participate in a summer internship with a government agency as approved by the program director between their first and second year in the program.
- Work for a federal executive agency in a qualifying position, upon completing academic degree requirements. PhD students can also work as educators in the field of cybersecurity at qualified institutions of higher education. Length of service depends on length of scholarship support-one year of service for each year of support.
Application Process
The following documents are required to apply:
- Copy of unofficial transcript (from all attended colleges or universities)
- Resume
- Two letters of recommendation from faculty or employers
- Statement of purpose describing professional, personal, and academic goals; commitment to the SFS program, and how the SFS program will help you achieve your goals
Contact
Yan Bai, Ph.D.
Program Director
Email: yanb@uw.edu
Interested in applying?
Be a part of the first MSIT cohort!
- Francis Nwagbara - Graduate Recruiter
Want more information about the MSIT program, need help with your application, or just want to get in contact with us? Fill out this brief Prospective Student Inquiry Form, and your Graduate Recruiter will reach out to you within 1-3 days.