| Would you like to advance your knowledge | | | | Computing, Project Management |
| in Information Technology (IT)? If you | | | | Operations, Health Informatics and |
| are, I believed that you have already | | | | Electronic Commerce, Computer and |
| found out more information about them. | | | | Network Security and Capstone Project. |
| But do be extra careful that you should | | | | As you can see from the curriculum, the |
| only consider those schools that are | | | | course has covered a wide spectrum of |
| accredited. University of Maryland, | | | | areas. |
| Baltimore County (UMBC) is one of such | | | | As IT advances every day in a rapid |
| schools that award a Master of Science | | | | manner, what was known to be the best |
| in Information System and is fully | | | | six months ago may not be applicable |
| accredited by the Commission on Higher | | | | today. Similarly, the knowledge and |
| Education of the Middle States | | | | skills you have acquired before may not |
| Association of Colleges and Schools. | | | | be relevant today as well. In order for |
| UMBC is recognized as one of the top | | | | you to keep pace with the relentless |
| research universities in the nation. | | | | changes in the IT environment, you will |
| Completing a graduate program with them | | | | need to upgrade your existing knowledge |
| will certainly give you an added | | | | and skills. This can be done through |
| advantage over your peers. | | | | attending conferences, reading journals |
| The completely online program is | | | | or even taking up an advance course such |
| designed for professionals working in | | | | as the one offered by UMBC. Whatever |
| the IT field who want to advance their | | | | mode you may choose from, or a |
| career. The schools welcome those into | | | | combination of them, it will certainly |
| the program with or without prior | | | | equipped you will new knowledge and |
| experience or education in information | | | | skills to tackler challenging problems |
| systems. | | | | and providing effective solutions. |
| The program covers three levels. In | | | | The ever changing IT environment and |
| Level 1, you will have to take | | | | technology will make you redundant if |
| fundamental subject such as introduction | | | | you still rely on your existing skills |
| to information systems. In Level 2, you | | | | and knowledge. It is always timely for |
| will have to take the core courses will | | | | you to upgrade your knowledge to stay on |
| cover management information system, | | | | with the race and keep yourself |
| networks, database management systems | | | | competitive. Do not be displaced by |
| and structured systems analysis and | | | | technology but replace technology with |
| design. In Level 3, which is the | | | | your skills. You can obtain more |
| Advanced Courses, you will have to | | | | information at Distance Learning |
| complete at least six courses choosing | | | | University. |
| from Interaction Design, Enterprise-Wide | | | | |