Information Science and Technology MS

About the Program

The MS in Information Science and Technology (IS&T) program is designed for students without a background in programming and/or computer science to gain the skills to be prepared for careers in computing and information technology. This program allows students with undergraduate degrees from non-computing fields to add technical expertise in order to pursue the interdisciplinary career paths of the future. Students learn skills applicable to computer networking, database management, information security, mobile app development, software engineering, software testing and quality assurance, and web development. As preparation for studying these advanced topics, fast-paced, rigorous, introductory classes with a strong foundation in algorithms, data structures and programming are offered to MS in IS&T students.

Applicants to the MS in IS&T can choose between the on-campus and online programs, both of which follow the same curriculum and content. However, the delivery formats differ, as described below:

The on-campus format is designed for students who prefer access to campus activities and live interaction with instructors and fellow students. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. While some courses may be offered online, most of the coursework is delivered in person over a full 16-week academic term during evening hours.
The online format is designed for students who prefer the flexibility of online learning. Students can enroll full-time or part-time. Most courses are structured to include asynchronous assignments plus a once-a-week synchronous online class meeting.

The MS in IS&T program is designed for applicants with limited or no past experience in computer science. Candidates with some preparation and/or an undergraduate major in Computer Science or a closely related field should apply to the MS in Computer Science or MS in Computational Data Science programs.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 5 years

Campus Location: Main and Online

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.

Interdisciplinary Study: Students may take up to three graduate IS&T-related courses in other departments. All such course clusters require prior approval of the MS in IS&T Program Director.

Areas of Specialization: Research interests of faculty include:

Communication and networks
Data warehousing, filtering and mining
Enterprise system development and resource management
Ethics and social issues related to technology
Knowledge management
Management information and database systems
Security and privacy
Software engineering
System development and process management
Usability engineering

Job Prospects: Graduates often find employment in computer networking, database management, information security, mobile app development, software engineering, software testing and quality assurance, and web development. Many become involved in the design and implementation of new applications software or the planning and evaluation of computer-based systems. Prospective employers include the government, universities and colleges, and nonprofit agencies, as well as information technology organizations, computer centers or computer manufacturers in industry.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students are permitted to take a maximum of two graduate-level CIS courses.

Financing Opportunities: Assistantships provide a stipend and full-time tuition to qualified students, but are typically reserved for doctoral students.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

On-Campus Fall Admission: January 15
On-Campus Spring Admission: November 1; August 1 international

Online Fall Admission: March 1
Online Spring Admission: November 1

Applications are reviewed as they are received. Late applications may be considered for admission.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 2

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with academic competence. If out of school for an extended period of time, the applicant should request letters from supervising employers or professional colleagues who can speak to academic abilities, communication skills and/or professional competence.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration: Applicants are expected to have some interest in and exposure to programming (e.g., through free online coding tutorials in C/C++, Java, and/or Python).

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree is required.

Statement of Goals: In approximately 500 to 1,000 words, describe your specific interest in Temple's program, research goals, future career goals, and academic and research achievements.

Standardized Test Scores:
GRE: Not required.

Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

TOEFL iBT: 79
IELTS Academic: 6.5
PTE Academic: 53
Duolingo: 110

Resume: Current resume required.

Transfer Credit: Graduate-level IS&T coursework completed no more than five years prior to the student's matriculation in the graduate program may be transferred into the MS in IS&T program. The student must have earned an "A" in the course, and must submit a rationale for applying the credits to the current graduate program. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 30

Required Courses:

Course List
Code	Title	Credit Hours
Core Courses
Select three from the following:		9
CIS 5002	Database Design & Programming
CIS 5015	Scripting for Sciences and Business
CIS 5016	Data Structures and Objects
CIS 5017	Operating Systems and Architecture
Electives		21
Select seven from the following: ¹
CIS 5107	Computer Systems Security and Privacy
CIS 5208	Knowledge Management
CIS 5210	Seminar in Information Science and Technology
CIS 5221	Introduction to Mobile Application Development
CIS 5274	Software Quality Assurance and Testing
CIS 5275	Software Project Management
CIS 5301	Advanced Database Management Systems
CIS 5303	Usability Engineering
CIS 5304	Network Technologies
CIS 5306	Software Engineering
CIS 5405	Introduction to Digital Forensics
CIS 5410	Advanced Seminar in Information Science and Technology
CIS 5590	Topics in Computer Science
Total Credit Hours		30

Seven electives are typically selected from the identified CIS elective courses. Alternately, the core course not taken above may be completed or other graduate-level CIS courses or courses outside the department are taken with the approval of the MS in IS&T Program Director. Note that a maximum of three courses may be taken from other departments.

Culminating Event: Students satisfactorily complete coursework to earn the MS in IS&T degree.