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Master's Program
Rensselaer’s Master of Science in Information Technology balances the study of management strategies and technology leadership with advanced course work in an IT concentration.
Students complete a suite of Core and Capstone courses, and also select three to five additional courses to complete their Concentrations. Eight Concentrations are currently available.
The M.S. in Information Technology program prepares students for leadership roles in the IT industry. For MS in IT graduates, the top starting salary to date was $110,000. The average starting salary was $74,000. In addition, student interaction with Rensselaer faculty who are working on leading edge IT research has encouraged a significant number of master's students to seek an IT-related Ph.D. at Rensselaer. The success of the M.S. in IT and its graduates has drawn the attention of one of the top IT publications, Computerworld magazine. The publication named Rensselaer 's degree one of its top 10 leading edge graduate programs with particular mention of its relevance to the rapidly changing IT workplace. To learn more, go to: http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleid=9912620
Programs are individually tailored to accommodate a variety of entering backgrounds and career goals. The M.S. in IT can be completed with two terms of intensive study. A three-term option with a paid internship is also available.
Breadth of Experience — the IT Core
Master’s students take one required course from each of the five Core areas listed below to gain a breadth of IT knowledge.
- Database Systems
- Networking
- Software Design
- Management of Technology
- Human Computer Interaction
Details of Core courses
Depth of Experience — the IT Concentrations
Concentrations are designed to provide an in-depth experience in the application of information technology. Students choose one of eight concentrations and complete a minimum of 3 courses in the Concentration:
In addition to Concentration courses, students choose one elective that adds depth to the degree and is subject to advisor approval.
Capstone Course
The M.S. in IT Capstone course integrates the knowledge and professional practice of IT Core and Concentration courses. The Capstone utilizes an Information Technology Team Project with a real organization to practice the major concepts of the IT Master's degree.
The Team Project involves strategic and business planning, systems development, and technology implementation. Expertise in database systems, networking, software design, decision sciences, management of technology, human computer interaction, and ethics are applied within a framework of global business strategy.
IT Research as part of the Ph.D
Rensselaer currently offers numerous Ph.D. degrees with significant IT related research, e.g. computational chemistry and physics, science and technology studies, decision sciences, applied mathematics and human-computer interaction. Once admitted to the PhD in another department, students may work their
PhD advisor and the advisor to MS in IT students to determine if
completing the MS in IT as part of the PhD is possible.
Degree Requirements
All students develop a Plan of Study with their IT Advisor which includes a minimum of 10 courses (30 credits), a minimum of six courses (eighteen credits or more) at the 6000 graduate level, and no more than 5 courses from the Lally School of Management and Technology (prefix MGMT).
Students must have the prerequisite knowledge for each course as given in the course description in the university catalog http://www.rpi.edu/academics/catalog/index.html
Duration of Study
Core Courses are generally taken in the fall and Concentration courses in the spring. Full-time students may begin the program in the fall term and take five courses in the fall and five in the following spring to complete the program.
Students may also choose to use three terms to complete the degree, taking four courses per term and completing two full concentrations. The three-term option may include a three-month or longer paid internship.
Part-time students typically complete the program in two and one half years of continuous study.
Rensselaer undergraduates with advanced standing are sometimes able to complete the master’s with one additional term.
Available on 2 Campuses
The IT program is available through the Troy, N.Y. campus (this site) and Rensselaer at Hartford in Hartford, Conn.
Admissions Requirements
Students seeking admission to the MS in IT must have academic records that indicate their ability to excel in graduate study, submit scores from the GRE exam, and have completed basic prerequisite computer science course work.
The application deadline for the M.S. in IT differs from the university's
deadline of January lst. For the M.S. in IT, applications are accepted
until the new class is filled, usually by March. However, applying early
remains strongly recommended since the class size is limited.
Program Costs & Financial Aid
For the 2008-2009 Academic Year, tuition is $34,900. Room, board, fees, and books are estimated at an additional $12,100. Costs of Attendance change each year. For the most current
information, go to Graduate Admissions web site. Applicants with top academic records and/or experience will be considered for Teaching Assistantships. Many applicants who see the master’s as an investment in their future careers will fully self-fund the degree using low interest loans and personal resources. For additional loan information, please visit Student Records & Financial Services.
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