Beginning next fall, ACU will offer a Master of Science degree in Global IT Leadership. The program, a 36-hour, non-thesis degree, will provide advanced training for individuals seeking positions of leadership and administration within IT organizations, or those individuals whose career tracks may ultimately lead them to the position of Chief Information Officer, according to Dr. Tim Coburn, acting director for the School of Information Technology and Computing at ACU.
"We are excited about bringing this unique degree to those wanting to manage at this level," said Coburn. "Business and society are rapidly being driven by more technology. We want our students to be prepared for what they will face when they leave here."
The newly developed program has global appeal that has attracted the attention of many, including individuals from China.
"We have seen a lot of interest in this program, specifically from China," said Coburn. "We are anticipating an initial cohort of at least 20 students from China to enroll in the program this fall. By the very nature of the degree, we are expecting cultural diversity within this program."
According to recent government projections, by the year 2014, six of the top 10 jobs will be in the computing fields.
"ACU is one of only a few institutions across the nation to offer such a unique program," Coburn said. "Students participating in the program will be required to complete a global experience. This experience will address the challenges of an increasingly global economy and society."
The Global IT Leadership degree is interdisciplinary, combining management systems, communication and information technology. The curriculum emphasizes leadership, values and organization dynamics, as well as contemporary issues found in the IT arena, Coburn said.
Course content for this program includes a block of three courses focused on leadership and communication in multinational organizations, a block of three courses focused on management systems and organizational behavior, and six courses from the area of IT administration, such as IT services, innovation and entrepreneurship, information assurance and control, governance and enterprise architectures.
For more information about this program, visit the School of Information Technology website (in English) or visit www.itleader.org (in Mandarin).
If you are a member of the media who would like more information about this release, please contact ACU's Public Relations Office or call (325) 674-2696.
