Explore all Executive Programs

Executive Master's in Information Technology

The chance to build on what you've learned in your IT career thus far so you can explore a new direction in the field, build career-specific skills, and prepare for potential leadership opportunities.

man in computer room looking at iPad
man in computer room looking at iPad

Types

Executive Master

Location

Hybrid

Credits

31

Cost

$549/credit hour

As the IT landscape continues to grow, we can help you grow along with it.

It's time to further your exploration of the rapidly expanding IT field. Since technology changes constantly, IT professionals must evolve with the industry, build the skills to lead organizations into the future, and address new challenges in areas like cyber security and information security.

As the information technology field expands, businesses seek experts with advanced knowledge of IT management and leadership. In addition, there’s increased demand for professionals with skills in cloud computing, big data, information security, and other growing areas of IT. Earning your executive master’s degree in IT could be one way to stand out from the competition and gain an edge in your career.

Anchor: Stats

By the Numbers

$102,240

Average Salary

10%

Industry Growth

#1

in U.S., Affordable Master's

100%

Accredited Program
Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

Executive Master of Science in Information Technology

Take your IT career to the next level by earning a Master of Science in Information Technology degree. This degree program from University of the Cumberlands builds on what you learned in your related bachelor's degree and offers the computer science, data intelligence, analytics, and security insights you need to prepare for advanced employment opportunities in virtually every sector of the economy. 

Curriculum for the online master’s in IT program will engage you in theories, strategies, and tactics for critical fields, including business intelligence, IT management and leadership, data mining, and information security. You'll dive into subjects like cloud computing, business intelligence, and data mining, all with a focus on how this knowledge can be applied in real-world scenarios.

Course Requirements

*All online students who are seeking to earn this degree must take this course in lieu of INTR 599, in addition to meeting all program degree requirements. Executive format students can substitute the required INTR 599 course in lieu of ITS 699 as part of their program degree requirements. 

** Executive format programs have an applied learning component (internship or practicum) that is an integral and essential part of the established curriculum. Due to the applied learning component required for the degree program, Executive format students must enroll in INTR every term of enrollment. 

Anchor: Executive Student Resources
Executive students walking toward graduation ceremony

Executive Student Resources

UC's Department of International Graduate Services enjoys providing support resources for our international students. Find tutorials and information regarding offices and policies for the International Graduate Students and programs.

Executive Program Format

Our Executive Programs include hybrid course days designed for international graduate students studying in the U.S., or domestic students seeking a hybrid-format program.  We strive to incorporate professional experience and real-world application of course curriculum into our programs to enhance the learning experience.  Practical Training is an integral part of program coursework and available to all students.  At the University of the Cumberlands our degree programs focus on quality education at an affordable price.

Executive Program students take three (3) courses per semester.  The program semester is based on the existing UC semester calendar, with three (3) annual semesters: fall, spring, and summer.  Two of the courses each semester focus on the specific program content.  Additionally, students will be required to attend an intensive residency weekend as part of their course enrollment each term.  The third class includes an Applied Learning Practicum, in which students apply what they are learning in their other two courses to the real world via work or internship experiences.

Residency FAQs

Residency Session dates are determined by the course that you are registered for. It is very important that you make note of the class you registered for, as well as the designated residency weekend for that course as each course will only meet one weekend for the duration of the semester.

Even though we will only be meeting one weekend per semester, we will have the same number of contact hours with you. This will enable the instructors to make residency weekends much more valuable. This change will allow us to have meaningful projects on residency weekends.

You can view your semester schedule in your self-service portal in your Student Profile. Once you log into your MyUC account, click on Academics, then click on Current Schedule. Your schedule details will indicate the date and location of your residency weekend.

You can find information on the residency site locations on our website.

Yes, all three days are mandatory, and requests to arrive late or leave early will not be approved. Should you not be in attendance for the full session, you will be counted absent for the entire session. Please plan travel accordingly!

Attendance to each executive residency class session is mandatory. Students may make up no more than one (1) residency session throughout the duration of their academic program. Missing a second residency will result in the student being dismissed from the university.

A missed session will result in the student attending a make-up session, and paying a $300 residency make-up fee. In addition, the student may be asked for documentation from the program department providing an explanation as to why the scheduled residency session was missed. Make-up sessions must be completed prior to the end of the term. Noncompliance with this policy will result in dismissal from the executive program.

Make-up residency sessions will be held at our campus in Williamsburg, KY. You will be contacted with the time and dates after your absence is reported. There will only be one (1) residency make-up session offered each semester. Failure to attend all days of the makeup session will result in receiving a failing grade for the course, as well as potential dismissal from the University, and SEVIS termination. 

If you cannot be in attendance for all three days then you will be counted absent for the entire residency weekend and be required to attend the make-up residency and pay the $300 make-up fee.

The Department of International Graduate Services will contact you via your UC student email as registration for the next term approaches. Please remember that you are required to register for (one) main class, (one) online class, and Applied Learning Practicum each semester in order to maintain your F1 status – late registration will not be accepted and can result in the termination of your student status. 

Once you register for a class you will want to make note of the residency weekend that your class is scheduled, as that is the only session for that class that will be scheduled for the semester. You will need to be sure to plan your travel accordingly to ensure that you are in attendance for the full residency session.

Registration is done on a first-come, first-serve basis. Once a course is full, there will not be additional seats added, as we cannot exceed classroom seating capacity; therefore, it is advised that you register for classes as much in advance as possible. As a reminder, students cannot register for future semesters until their current tuition balance is paid in full.

*Please note all times are in local time zone*

Friday

Facility will open at 4:00 p.m.

Saturday

Facility will open at 7:00 a.m.

Sunday

Facility will open at 7:00 a.m.

We ask that you please take note of the above-mentioned times and schedule your travel accordingly.

*These dates have been set; however, if any changes are made, they will be made prior to registration for that semester. Not all dates are available at each residency location.

Fall 2023 (August 28 – December 15)

  • September 29 – October 1
  • October 6 – 8
  • October 13 – 15
  • October 20 – 22
  • November 3 – 5
  • November 10 – 12
  • November 17 – 19

Spring 2024 (January 8th – April 26th)

  • February 9 – 11
  • February 16 – 18
  • February 23 – 25
  • March 1 – 3
  • March 8 – 10
  • March 15 – 17
  • March 22 – 24
  • April 5 – 7

Summer 2024 (May 6th – August 23rd)

  • May 31 – June 2
  • June 7 – 9
  • June 14 – 16
  • June 21 – 23
  • June 28 – 30
  • July 12 – 14
  • July 19 – 21
  • July 26 – 28
  • August 2 – 4

Fall 2024 (August 26th – December 13th)

  • September 27 – 29
  • October 4 – 6
  • October 11 – 13
  • October 18 – 20
  • October 25 – 27
  • November 1 – 3
  • November 8 – 10
  • November 15 – 17
  • November 22 – 24 

Take the Next Step

Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

The mission of the executive master's in information technology program at Cumberlands is to help you boost your IT credentials and accomplish your professional goals. This program will prepare you to:

Use predictive analytics to identify cyber threats and make data-driven policy changes.
Recognize and prevent exploitation due to hardware, software, and network vulnerabilities.
Analyze issues involving data, cloud computing, systems, and organizational IT operations.
Understand the functions of IT leadership roles across various fields and industries.
Stand out in the IT industry.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

Information Technology Careers & Outcomes

All stats from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Computer Programmer: $97,800

Computer Programmer: $97,800

Computer programmers write, modify, and test code and scripts that allow computer software and applications to function properly.

Information Research Scientist: $136,620

Information Research Scientist: $136,620

Computer and information research scientists design innovative uses for new and existing computing technology.

Computer Systems Administrator: $90,520

Computer Systems Administrator: $90,520

Network and computer systems administrators install, configure, and maintain organizations’ computer networks and systems.

Computer Support Specialist: $59,660

Computer Support Specialist: $59,660

Computer support specialists maintain computer networks and provide technical help to computer users.

Computer Systems Analyst: $102,240

Computer Systems Analyst: $102,240

Computer systems analysts study an organization’s current computer systems and design ways to improve efficiency.

Computer Network Architect: $126,900

Computer Network Architect: $126,900

Computer network architects design and build data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Intranets.

Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions

Earning a master’s doesn’t have to put your career on pause. The executive master’s in information technology at University of the Cumberlands was designed for working adults. You can study in an executive format, enhance your skillset, and prepare for new professional challenges — all while keeping your current job. 

Many organizations prefer to hire IT managers — including chief information officers (CIOs), IT directors, and IT security managers — who hold a graduate degree. These career paths may become increasingly complex as businesses rely even more on digital platforms and cloud computing. In addition, cyber security has become a growing concern, calling for expertise in protecting business technology from unauthorized access. Earning a master’s could help you prepare for these and other challenges and opportunities in a leadership role.

You could boost your earnings and job security. Master’s degree-holders earned a median annual salary of nearly $12,475 more than bachelor’s degree-holders in 2021. In addition, those with a master’s degree had an unemployment rate of just 2 percent, compared to 5 percent for the working population as a whole.   

Some IT pros earn a master’s to explore a new area of the information technology field or even pursue a career change. For instance, many information security analysts start out in another IT career path, such as network or computer systems administrator. After gaining experience and learning relevant skills, they attain a role in IT security. Earning an executive master’s may be the perfect way to bridge gaps in your skillset and take your career in a new direction.

- 36% of Computer Network Architects

- 29% of Database Architects

- 17% of Computer Systems Engineers

- 17% of Systems Software Developers

- 16% of Applications Software Developers

- 14% of Computer and Information Systems Managers

- 14% of Computer Systems Analysts

- And many others

All programs at University of the Cumberlands are offered at some of the lowest rates in the nation – and we even include free textbooks through our One Price Promise! For more information on how affordable this program would be for you, visit our Financial Aid page.

A group of Graduate students entering during the processional at Commencement.

Executive Program Admission Requirements

All students in our executive programs are required to meet a standard set of admissions requirements for graduate students.

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts

Learn more about the professors you will interact with in the Department of Information Technology.

Dr. Chris Ford

Dr. Chris Ford

Adjunct Professor
Information Technology Sciences

Dr. Chris Ford

Contact Information

christopher.ford [at] ucumberlands.edu
Remote
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