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Master of Science in Applied Information Technology Program Details

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Applied Information Technology (MAIT ) program is designed to prepare students for a career in IT. There are three tracks in the program which allow students to specialize in corporate IT, security, or web-development. Within each track there are three principle thematic areas:

1. Information technology foundations and tools (technical emphasis)
2. Systems engineering and project management (administrative emphasis)
3. Individual, group and organization success factors (communication skills emphasis)

Most organizations, whether for-profit or not-for-profit, use information technology to meet their operational and strategic needs. While the first two themes focus on the design and development of IT projects, the third theme complements the more technical program elements by developing the student’s ability to better understand the needs of the organization and its users. The sensitivity to the non-technology factors are developed through extensive project experiences incorporating oral, written and presentation skills both within the IT department and between the IT department and non-IT departments. Interpersonal skills, both individual and group are emphasized in order to better prepare the student for a successful career.  The program is called “accelerated” since two or three courses are taken each semester, and students can complete the program in about 20 months in a cohort based class structure.

A cohort model is employed in which all students take the same courses each semester thereby progressing through the entire program together. The program has a fixed sequence and there are no electives. Students work collaboratively on significant IT projects, and use the cohort model to get the most out of their studies. Some students, however, find the accelerated program challenging and prefer to “unaccelerate.” These students must contact the program director to have a custom schedule approved.

The program consists of 39 graduate semester hours offered two nights per week from 6-10 p.m.

Learning Goals

Upon completion of the MAIT program, graduates will have:

1. Developed the technical knowledge and skills to prepare for a career in IT
2. Gained the knowledge to facilitate the effective and efficient application of information technology
3. Gained sensitivity to the challenges and impacts of globalization on a local organization’s planning and operations
4. Acquired oral and written communication skills to describe and articulate their position on a wide range of technically oriented issues affecting their employer
5. Refined their skills to perform in team environments, resolve conflicts, provide motivation to others, establish team goals and provide direction

Requirements for Admission

1. Complete and sign the application form.
2. A non-refundable application fee of $25 is required from all prospective students (fee waived for Bellarmine alumni).
3. An official and acceptable GRE or GMAT score.
4. Two letters of recommendation (included in packet). In general, recommendations from persons who are able to evaluate either academic or professional potential are the most valuable.
5. Current Resume.
6. If your undergraduate degree is from an international institution, you were born outside the United States, or English is your second language, you will be required to submit an official TOEFLiBT (internet-based test) score and receive a total score of 80 or higher. We will also consider an equivalent score on the IELTS or MELAB tests. The Admission, Progression and Graduation Committee reserves the right to require a TOEFL score from any applicant.
7. Final official transcript(s) from each college or university attended should be mailed to the Office of Graduate Admission and not be marked “Issued to Student”.
8. If any transcripts or undergraduate degree(s) are from an international institution you must provide an official copy of a third party course by course credential evaluation. The following organizations offer this service and information regarding processes and fees are available at: www.aacrao.org, www.wes.org andwww.ece.org. The Office of Graduate Admission reserves the right to request a certified copy of the original transcript(s).
9. An undergraduate GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) or significant work experience in information technology.

International Applicants

Please complete the items under Requirements for Admission and submit the following:
U.S. law requires financial statements from a bank or other financial institution certifying the student’s ability to fund the cost of attendance for one academic year minus the amount of any scholarship dollars received. Figures should be in U.S. dollars and must be certified as an official document by the bank or financial institution. A sponsor may be used if the sponsor attaches a signed affidavit stating that he/she will financially support the student until completion of a degree at Bellarmine University. If a sponsor is used, the sponsor’s bank statement should accompany the letter. The amount that would need to be shown by program is $30,856. This amount includes tuition and fees associated with the program and an average cost for living expenses, books, supplies, health insurance, transportation and personal expenses.

All applications and correspondence relevant to admissions should be directed to:

Bellarmine University, Turner Wathen
Office of Graduate Admission
2001 Newburg Road
Louisville, KY 40205
502.272.8245
jwathen@bellarmine.edu

Requirements for Degree

Completion of 36 hours of graduate credit in MAIT, as specified in the curriculum below, 24 hours of which must be earned at Bellarmine University.

• Completion of 36-39 hours of graduate credit in MAIT courses as specified in the curriculum below, 24 hours of which must be earned at Bellarmine University.
• Students with any of the following prerequisites are not required to take AIT. 501, Introduction to IT and Computer Science, and will graduate with 36 hours of coursework.
  a) Undergraduate degree in computer science or information systems
  b) Undergraduate degree in a highly technical field such as engineering
  c) Significant work experience in information technology
• Maintenance of a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale throughout the program.
• Completion of all degree work within six years from date of entry.

Program Details

Prerequisite course (3 cr. hrs.) A prerequisite course is required of all MAIT students who do not have an undergraduate degree in computer science or information systems or a highly technical undergraduate degree such as engineering or significant work experience in IT.
AIT. 501 Introduction to IT and Computer Science (3)

Core courses (24 cr. hrs)
The following core courses are required of all MAIT majors, regardless of specialization.
AIT. 510 Web Development Using PHP and MySQL (3)
AIT. 520 Java 2 Programming (3)
AIT. 521 IT Project Management (3)
AIT. 524 Systems Analysis and Design (3)
AIT. 525 Professional Communications (3)
AIT. 526 Networks and Communication Infrastructure (3)
AIT. 530 IT Systems Project (3)
AIT. 540 IT Security (3)

Corporate specialization courses (12 cr. hrs)
AIT. 522 Business Foundations (3)
AIT. 528 Negotiations and Organizational Change (3)
AIT. 531 IT Planning and Service Management Using ITIL (3)
AIT. 544 Database Management (3)

Security specialization courses (12 cr. hrs)
AIT. 542 Network Security Concepts (3)
AIT. 544 Database Management (3)
AIT. 546 Security Risk Management (3)
AIT. 548 Wireless Network Security (3)

Web Development specialization courses (12 cr. hrs.)
ART. 548 Digital Color Imaging (3)
AIT. 552 2D Digital Animation Techniques (3)
MUST 554 Audio Technology & Soundtrack Design (3)
AIT. 556 Basics of 3D Animation (3)

Some students may have substantial experience with the content area presented in a course. In this case the student may get a “Pass” grade for the course by satisfying the portfolio option as described in the University catalog. Or, a student may instead substitute another course. The student should contact the MAIT program director for guidance concerning either of these options.

The MAIT program offers courses year-round, including the summer semester. The program consists of 36 graduate semester hours plus a prerequisite introductory course. The courses are offered two nights per week (Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday) from 6-10 p.m. The program is a fast paced and challenging way to revitalize your career or prepare for a new one in IT.

MAIT Program Cost

$620 per credit hour
39 credit hour program

Financial Aid

For information on financial aid, click here.

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