Currently accepting applications for Autumn Quarter 2024! Prospective students are encouraged to schedule an advising appointment with Francis Nwagbara, our MSIT Graduate Recruiter. 

Self-book your advising appointment with Francis today!

 

 

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
MSIT Degree Requirements
  • 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 
Curriculum

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:

  • TINFO 501: Data Structures and Algorithms for IT I (5 credits) 

  • TINFO 502: Data Structures and Algorithms for IT II (3 credits) 

  • TINFO 503: Computer Networks for IT (5 credits) 

  • TINFO 504: IT Project Management (5 credits) 

  • TINFO 598: Master’s Seminar (2 credits) 

Depth/Elective Courses (30 credits) 

Students select 6 courses (30 credits) from the following: 

  • TINFO 510: Cloud Computing (5 credits) 

  • TINFO 520: Cyber Forensics (5 credits) 

  • TIFNO 530: Machine Learning for IT (5 credits) 

  • TINFO 540: Wireless & Mobile Network Security (5 credits) 

  • TINFO 550: Human-Computer Interaction (5 credits) 

  • TINFO 560: Internet of Things (5 credits) 

  • TINFO 570: IT Automation (5 credits) 

  • TINFO 580: Homeland Security (5 credits) 

  • TINFO 590: DevOps (5 credits) 

  • TINFO 600: Independent Study or Research 

  • 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) 
Degree Completion Options

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.  

Graduate Faculty Members

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 

godab@uw.edu 

Research interests: Embedded systems; machine organization; systems analysis and design; cybersecurity; ethics and technology 

Faculty website 

 

Dr. Yan Bai, PhD | Professor 

yanb@uw.edu 

Research interests: Cybersecurity; privacy; cloud and edge computing; Internet of Things; blockchain 

Faculty website 

 

Dr. Hengshuo “Winston” Liang | Professor 

Educational Objectives & Learning Outcomes

Program Educational Objectives

  • Develop a product or process by applying knowledge of programming, web structures, databases, human-computer interaction, networking, and security tools. 

  • Participate effectively as a member of a development team and undertake leadership roles when appropriate.  

  • Continue seeking knowledge and contribute to the IT body of knowledge. 

  • Make positive contributions to community and society by applying skills and abilities learned.  

  • Make decisions related to work that demonstrate an understanding of the importance of being an ethical computing professional.  

  • Apply communication skills to effectively promote ideas, goals, or products.  

 

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Be able to demonstrate an understanding of requirements analysis approaches and project management concepts. 

  • Be able to analyze user requirements and technology needs and document the scope, schedule, and resources needed for the project.  

  • Be able to develop efficient and effective systems solutions to safely secure information assets and intellectual property.  

  • Be able to design a solution to support implementation, modification, and review of IT systems.  

  • Be able to evaluate new approaches and technologies in information technology and justify if they are applicable to advance existing IT systems and management.  

  • Be able to describe IT professional responsibilities and apply in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.  

  • Be able to perform as a team leader and support team members in IT projects.  

Admission 

Admission Requirements & Prerequisite Courses

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:

  • Networking
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Computer Programming
  • Database Design
  • 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).

Required Application Materials

Apply now! Start your Autumn Quarter 2024 MSIT application.

  • Unofficial transcripts.
  • Evidence of English language proficiency (ELP, Policy 3.2).
  • One (1) recommendation letter from an appropriate academic and/or professional source.
  • Resume or CV.
  • Personal statement.
  • $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

Schedule an advising appointment.

Victoria Olive, MA Interdisciplinary Studies | MSIT Graduate Advisor

Schedule an advising appointment.

Admissions Process

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.