Study Options

Degree Requirements

Core Curriculum (21 Credits)

CIT 600 CIT Foundations: Leadership, Profesion, and Society 3 Credits   This course is the foundations class for the CIT program. The objective of the course is to provide both a leadership and a technical foundation for the program. It surveys the broad current and emerging technical trends and the key competencies necessary for professional success. Prerequisite: Admission to the MS in CIT CIT 601 Information Technology Fundamentals 3 Credits   This course is designed to facilitate an understanding of how information is created, stored, and moved across various types of networks. We will focus on the fundamental application of systems engineering, emerging wireless networks, cloud architecture, security fundamentals, TCP/IP fundamentals, with research work focused on student interests. Prerequisite: Admission to the MS in CIT CIT 602 Human Computer Interaction UI/UX 3 Credits   This course is designed to introduce students to the principles of user interface and user experience design. Students will learn various design patterns and how to apply them to the creation of storyboards, mockups, and prototypes for web and mobile applications. Prerequisite: CIT 601, 680, or by permission CIT 603 Finance in Technology Management 3 Credits   This course is focused on the ways in which new technologies are disrupting the financial services industry and driving material change in business models, products, applications, and customer user interface. Students will gain an understanding of the key technologies, market structure, participants, regulations, and the dynamics of change being brought about by FinTech Prerequisite: CIT 601, 680, or by permission CIT 604 Policy and Regulation 3 Credits   This course is focused on public policy and the regulation of technology industries from a historical perspective, and how emerging technologies will challenge current regulatory policy. Specific topics covered include privacy, ethics, General Data Protection Regulation (GDRP), and other legal issues tied to the industry Prerequisite: CIT 601, 680, or by permission CIT 605 Introduction to Project Management 3 Credits   Students in this course will develop the competencies and skills for planning and controlling projects and understanding interpersonal issues that drive successful project outcomes. Focusing on the introduction of new products and processes, we will examine the project management life cycle, defining project parameters, matrix management challenges, effective project management tools and techniques, and the role of a project manager. Prerequisite: CIT 601, 680, or by permission CIT 606 Quantitative Analysis for CIT 3 Credits   This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of business analytics and the data used to drive decisions in organizations. Students are introduced to modern software tools for conducting analyses using quantitative methods. Case studies from a variety of settings are used to illustrate ways these topics lead to modern practice in data science. Prerequisite: CIT 601, 680, or by permission

Electives (9 Credits Total)

Cloud Computing CIT 621 Cloud Computing Foundations 3 Credits   This course is designed to provide an overall understanding of cloud computing concepts, independent of specific technical roles. It provides a detailed overview of cloud concepts, cloud core services, security, architecture, pricing, and support. Prerequisite: CIT 601, 680, or by permission CIT 622 Cloud Solution Architecture 3 Credits   Students will learn how to deploy, manage, and operate scalable, highly available, and fault tolerant systems onusing cloud technology. The course delivers an overview of monitoring and reporting in a network environment and moves on to deployment and provisioning, high availability, storage and data management, security and compliance, and networking. Prerequisite: CIT 621 or by permission Cyber Security CIT 631 Cybersecurity Regulation and Law 3 Credits   The course is designed to guide students through the intricacies of securing information and assets according to government and industry cybersecurity acts, rules, and regulations. Prerequisite: CIT 601, 680, or by permission CIT 632 Cybersecurity Gateway 3 Credits   This course provides students an understanding of the fundamental tenets of networking and covers the general concepts involved in maintaining a secure network computing environment. Prerequisite: CIT 631 or by permission Data Analytics CIT 641 Data Warehousing 3 Credits   The main objective of this course is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the design and implementation of database warehousing and analytics database systems. Prerequisite: CIT 601, 680, or by permission CIT 642  Data Mining and Business Intelligence 3 Credits   The goal of this course is to give students a solid understanding of the opportunities, techniques, and critical challenges in using data mining and predictive modeling in a business setting. Prerequisite: CIT 601, 680, or by permission Business and Project Management CIT 613 Capstone 3 Credits   This is the capstone residency for the program. Students will synthesize what they have learned and demonstrate their ability to apply theoretical concepts in real world settings. Prerequisite: CIT 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606 CIT 651 Organizational Behavior 3 Credits   This course is an introduction to the basic concepts and topics in organizational behavior and management. The course focuses on organizational behavior at three levels: individual, interpersonal, and collective. Prerequisite: CIT 601, 680, or by permission

Program Schedule

Students accepted to the Alma College M.S. in Communication and Information Technology can start studies in either the Fall or Winter academic semester, with classes also offered in the summer semester. Core curriculum classes will be offered during both Fall and Winter. There is no program requirement to participate in classes in consecutive semesters.

Program Structure

CIT offers a flexible course of study. The CIT program is offered online to allow students the flexibility to learn when it fits into their lives and will also have regular touch points with classmates and faculty to ensure mastery of class material.

What you will you learn?

Upon leaving the program, CIT students will be able to demonstrate:

1. Multi-disciplinary communication and information technology problem solving
2. Technical leadership and strategic decision making
3. An understanding of the current technology landscape, industry trends, and best practices
4. Human-centered design ideology and practice
5. Fundamentals of data and database design for business intelligence
6. Project management fundamentals
7. Business and technology leadership skills