An Information Technology MBA is a unique graduate degree that offers both technical training and business management knowledge. Society is becoming dependent on technology for everything from socializing to investing to researching to online shopping. This behavioral shift is impacting how companies run their businesses, manage their people and generate higher levels of revenue. Many companies are now searching for leaders who have both information technology and business management skills.
Degree Overview
The Information Technology MBA degree focuses on developing analytical, organizational and management skills for those leaders who are already working in technology related fields. This degree is popular among business professionals who are supervising IT staff, leading technology departments, managing IT resources and responsible for upgrading enterprise-wide information systems. The Information Technology MBA provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to properly handle advanced technology and business management programs, problems and people.
These degrees tend to develop system-wide, strategic thinking and critical analysis skills. The curriculum is usually hands-on and project-based in order to prepare students to immediately apply coursework to practical problems encountered every day in the business world. Most of these degree programs conclude with a few capstone courses that challenge students to apply technological proficiencies and management principles to solve, research or understand real world problems.
Common Courses
Information Technology MBA degree programs usually start out by talking about understanding and managing various information technology resources. These introductory courses highlight the key products, systems and challenges in the information technology industry. Students learn how to solve critical IT management issues through useful tools and techniques that manage IT functions. Other classes may focus on database development and popular applications.
Students will learn how to design database systems for finance, marketing, operations and HR systems. E-commerce classes will cover electronic transactions, online platforms and emerging technology. Studying business process analysis, design and execution will explore software infrastructures used by corporations. Students will learn how to align business processes with supportive systems and infrastructure. Learning about big data analytics will teach students about the technical processes of collecting and transforming data into useful insights. Students may learn about big data algorithms, methodologies and challenges.
Career Potential
Information Technology MBA degree program graduates will be able to secure leadership positions in companies with titles like chief technical officer and VP of information technology. These senior managers are responsible for the planning, direction and organization of all IT modeling, planning, research, monitoring, decision support and demand management. Employers want job candidates who have extensive experience in a field of technology. IT executives should be able to demonstrate knowledge of technology principles and practices related to their work experience.
Those who work for a corporation may be responsible for developing and managing technology used for accounting, logistics, production, human resources and environmental compliance. These IT leaders will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic business plans for technology divisions and departments. They may also oversee regulatory compliance activities for government regulations. This could be for things like SEC investment, OSHA reporting and DHS security compliance.
Related Resource: What Careers are Available with an MBA in Finance?
Information Technology MBA degree programs will most likely include an IT practicum that will help students learn to identify and resolve key management problems. These projects will help students apply what they have learned in their core classes regarding contemporary IT management challenges.