| The W. Edwards
Deming School of Business
Master of Science in Information Technology - with
a concentration in Asset Management (MSITAM)
The online MSITAM program is designed for the information technology
(IT) management professional seeking the latest concepts, principles,
skills and strategies needed for informed decision making and
effective leadership in the IT arena. The program’s Asset
Management concentration defines the duties and responsibilities
necessary to be an IT Asset Manager and the resources and commitment
necessary to implement a fully functional IT Asset Management
Program.
Taft University's MSITAM program will prepare students
to be key contributors in defining the strategies for aligning information
technology with the organizational business drivers that promote
ROI, reduce risk, and increase productivity. The skills learned
will expose students to the capabilities necessary to advance their
careers into management positions in areas both within and outside
of IT.
The objectives of the Program are:
-
To develop the skills necessary to facilitate
IT professionals to transform into technology leaders.
-
To offer a program of coursework of graduate
level IT concepts and apply IT Asset Management (ITAM) concepts
that will improve the likelihood of success for its students
as IT leaders;
-
To explore the intricacies of management of
IT resources for businesses of varying size and structure and
teach students to think of IT as a core business practice, not
just a set of IT projects or applications.
- To enable students with the knowledge to bring key value to
the organization and the roles and responsibilities of those affected
by or responsible for all aspects of Information Technology within
a firm.
-
To employ faculty who are accomplished in their
respective fields from both an academic and practical perspective.
Successful graduates of the Program will demonstrate:
- A working knowledge of the concepts involved in identification
of business related problems and how to make appropriate technology
recommendations based on sound reasoning and analysis, all the
while being sensitive to the needs of the stakeholders and business
goals.
- How to select and employ effective and appropriate management
information systems that support business objectives.
- How to identify areas of risk within an organization’s
IT infrastructure.
- An ability to recognize the intricacies and the dependencies,
relationships and benefits of the key process areas found within
an effective IT Asset Management Program.
- How to define an ITAM program that is backed by sound corporate
policy and best practice processes uniquely designed for their
organizations.
- Advocacy and leadership while effectively managing team performance
in diverse organizational environments.
- Ethical behavior and global environmental awareness.
- Use of theoretical knowledge and contemporary research for evidence-based
decision-making.
The University acts to fulfill the purposes of the
MSITAM Program through appropriate coursework, coupled with continuing
direction, evaluation of student progress, and regular assessment
of student learning outcomes, supervised and administered by qualified
faculty.
The MSITAM Program is presented on a trimester basis. Students are generally enrolled in 10 - 13 units per trimester. Each trimester consists of a minimum time period of 16 weeks from the date study commences. Students not completing all trimester coursework in the 16-week period will be granted an automatic 2 month extension of time to complete the trimester. Students may take a leave-of-absence between trimesters. However, except in special circumstances, the entire degree program (3 trimesters) must be completed within 5 years.
Independent Study
The University's independent study modality recognizes that education
is an individual process where individuals with different learning
needs and study schedules can be accommodated. It emphasizes learning
that is meaningful, where individuals enjoy the learning process,
and acquire knowledge to better understand and manage their own
careers.
The Program’s faculty members recognize individual learning styles and needs, and emphasize the relevance of the material to the individual’s situation.
Each course in the Program contains a series of lesson
assignments generally consisting of reading requirements and research
projects. Students are evaluated through examinations and/or research
assignments which are submitted for faculty evaluation. Students conclude the Program with the preparation of a comprehensive capstone project.
All assignments are submitted electronically. As set forth in
the University's General Catalog, Internet access and minimum
computer requirements and skills are required as a condition
of admittance.
Curriculum
To earn the MSITAM degree, a student must complete the courses
outlined below with a cumulative grade point average of at least
3.00. The requirements may be completed in as little as twelve
months, and must be completed within five years from the date
of initial enrollment.
| First Trimester (10 units)
|
| MGT511 |
Managerial Perspectives |
4 units |
| MIS500 |
Management Information Systems I |
3 units |
| ITAM510 |
Hardware Asset Management |
3 units |
| Second Trimester (13 units)
|
| BUS602 |
Business Research |
4 units |
| MIS501 |
Management Information Systems II
|
3 units |
| MIS510 |
IT Security Procedures and Concepts |
3 units |
| ITAM500 |
Software Asset Management |
3 units |
| Third Trimester (13 units) |
| ITAM520 |
Program Management |
3 units |
| MIS520 |
Integrating Information Technology to Provide Competitive
Advantage |
3 units |
| MIS530 |
Modern Systems Analysis & Design |
3 units |
| BUS597 |
Capstone |
4 units |
Total Semester Units Required for Graduation: 36
Financial Information
The tuition for the Program is $225.00 per unit.
Current information on financial aid is set forth on the University's
website. Enrollment in the Program will generally qualify
students for payment deferrals on existing federally insured
student loans. Applicants seeking deferrals on existing student
loans should check with their lenders prior to enrollment.
Additional information on financial aid and tuition financing
can be found under Tuition, Financial
Aid and Financing.
|
| Application Fee |
$75
|
| Transfer Credit Evaluation Fee |
$55 |
| Portfolio Credit Evaluation Fee |
$100 |
| Registration Fee (Per Trimester) |
$50 |
| Graduation Check/Diploma Fee |
$75 |
| Computer Library Fee (Per Trimester) |
$45 |
Administrative Accounting Fee (Per
Trimester)
(Installment Payment Option Only) |
$25 |
| Transcript Fee (Two Provided at No
Cost) |
$10 |
Late Payment Fee
(Returned Check/Declined Credit Card/ACH) (Per Item)
|
$25 |
The cost of books and materials, other than each course syllabus,
is not included in the tuition. Most books and materials may be
purchased at local colleges, retail bookstores, directly from
publishers or over the Internet. The cost is estimated to average
approximately $125.00 per course.
Admission Policies and Requirements
Applicants who have earned a bachelor’s or first professional
degree from a college or university accredited by an accrediting
agency recognized by the United States Department of Education
may apply to the Program. The majority of applicants
to this Program are mature adults working in a variety
of professional settings. Many have not attended college for several
years. Consequently, prior class rank and grade point average
are not significant factors in the admission process.
To apply for admission to the Program, an applicant
must first complete the University's Application
for Admission Form along with the required application
fee. It is not necessary to submit official transcripts at
the time of application. However, official transcripts will
be required within 60 days of enrollment.
If the applicant is accepted for admission to the Program,
enrollment materials will be prepared and sent to the applicant
for review and signature.
All payments submitted for tuition and fees must be payable in
U.S. dollars. Payments may be made by MasterCard®,Visa®,
American Express® or personal/business check.
Foreign Applicants and Applicants with International
Credentials
It may be necessary for applicants who have attended colleges or universities outside of the United States to obtain an evaluation of their education from a credential evaluation service approved by the University. Upon request, the Admissions Office will provide a list of approved evaluators. In addition, applicants whose native language is not English and who have not earned a degree from an appropriately accredited institution where English is the principal language of instruction must receive a minimum score of 530 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or 71 on the iBT, or its equivalent.
For more information on TOEFL visit the website: www.ets.org/toefl
Transfer Credit and Portfolio Credit
The acceptance of transfer credits between academic institutions
lies within the discretion of the receiving college or university.
Credits earned at William Howard Taft University may or may not
be accepted by another institution depending upon its own programs,
policies, and regulations.
The University is committed to providing students the greatest
opportunity to apply previously earned credit toward their chosen
degree program. Subject to the limitations of state and accreditation
regulations and academic comparability, students may apply to
have credit awarded through completion of:
- Transfer Credit: Transfer credit toward a degree may be awarded for postsecondary courses completed by the student at other institutions if such courses are found to meet the standards and learning objectives of the specific course for which credit is sought. Transfer credit must be from an appropriately accredited institution.
- Portfolio Credit: Academic credit may be given for adequately documented and validated experiential equivalent learning of a postsecondary nature. Examples include credit for learning acquired through achievement of select certifications, college level equivalent tests, or other postsecondary level equivalent experience. Students with prior military experience may also apply to have military coursework evaluated for possible equivalent college credit.
MSITAM students may apply to transfer up to a total of 18 units
of Transfer Credit (or a combination of transfer credit and experiential
or equivalent credit). A maximum of 9 units may be awarded for
adequately documented and validated Portfolio Credit.
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Course Descriptions
BUS 597 Capstone (4 units)
The capstone course allows students to apply the knowledge gained
throughout the program to a work-related project. Students work
with a faculty member to select an appropriate project and outline
the course scope and deliverables. It is expected that the completed
project will deliver some business process improvement or other
benefit to the student's work environment if possible.
Prerequisites: All other courses.
BUS 602 Business Research
(4 units)
A fundamental key to successful management is information. Knowing what information is needed, when it is needed, how to collect it, and how to interpret it can be the critical process to success. More than basic decision making research; managers should be able demonstrate the capacity to add unique knowledge to the national body of knowledge of business. This course will focus on practical theory and processes that managers can use to assist in the decision making matrix. The processes include analyzing the information, evaluating the results, and developing a strategy that leadership can implement.
Prerequisites: MGT511.
ITAM 500 Software Asset Management (3 units)
This course focuses on the fundamentals of an ITAM program
supporting best practices in software asset management. The course
reviews the primary responsibilities involved in managing an organization’s
software assets and analyzes the in-depth knowledge, operational
knowledge, and competence required for this area. Identified are
methods for identifying and uncovering numerous opportunities
to increase the organization’s bottom line through
software distribution and compliance.
Prerequisites: ITAM510.
ITAM 510 Hardware Asset Management (3 units)
This course focuses on the fundamentals of an ITAM program
supporting best practices in hardware asset management. The course
reviews the primary responsibilities involved in managing an organization’s
hardware assets and analyzes the in-depth knowledge, operational
knowledge, and competence required for this area. Focus areas include maintaining
the lifecycle, tracking, and security of technology hardware assets.
Prerequisites: None.
ITAM 520 Program Management (3 units)
This course covers creating and managing an ITAM program within
an organization, focusing on how to align ITAM processes with
an organization's business practices. The primary objective
is to educate ITAM students to manage IT assets while aligning
with the organizational business drivers that promote ROI, reduce
risk and increase productivity. The course addresses Key Process Areas that empower
an organization and maximize the value of their IT assets. The core processes that encompass the ITAM Program
will be reviewed and the pertinent projects that will assist the
organization in building a productive and profitable business
unit will be addressed.
Prerequisites: ITAM500 & ITAM510.
MGT 511 Managerial Perspectives (4 Units)
This course focuses on managerial careers, development of critical
executive and managerial abilities, and the dynamics of organizational
environment and systems as they impact managerial progression
and work.
Prerequisites: None.
MIS 500 Management Information Systems I (3
units)
This course begins the study of comprehensive and integrative coverage of essential new technologies,
information system applications, and their impact on business
models and managerial decision making. At its core, a management information system (MIS) is
a system that provides information needed to manage organizations
effectively. Management information systems are regarded
as a subset of the overall internal controls procedures in a business,
which cover the application of people, documents, technologies,
and procedures used to solve business problems and assist in development of appropriate business
strategies.
Prerequisites: None.
MIS 501 Management Information Systems II (3 units)
This second Management Information Systems course concludes the
study of comprehensive and integrative technologies and information system applications, and their impact
on business models and managerial decision making.
Prerequisites: MIS500.
MIS 510 IT Security Procedures and Concepts
(3 units)
This graduate level computer security course looks at the systems,
technology, management, and policy side of information and technology
security. It offers students fundamental security concepts and
a working knowledge of threats and countermeasures with “just-enough”
background in computer science. The focus is on a broad understanding
of security threats and the management evaluation techniques necessary
to ensure the organization is addressing required security concerns.
Prerequisites: None.
MIS 520 Integrating Information Technology to Provide
Competitive Advantage (3 units)
This course emphasizes how the manager or entrepreneur can
strategically manage innovation and technology to enhance
firm performance. It helps students to understand the process
of technological change; the ways that firms come up with
innovations; the strategies that firms use to benefit from
innovation; and the process of formulating technology strategy.
Prerequisites: MIS500 & MIS501
MIS 530 Modern Systems Analysis & Design
(3 units)
This course covers the methods and principles of systems development,
using a practical, rather than technical, approach to help students learn
the latest trends, information, and practices in the discipline. The course
uses systems development life cycle methodology that addresses problems
identified in the traditional waterfall methodology. The student is also
introduced to several other methodologies in an effort to both familiarize
and compare and contrast the new with the more traditional methods.
Prerequisites: None.
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