Degree Title: Master of Information and Telecommunication Systems

Program Name and Number: Information and Telecommunication Systems - MI5366, MI5367

Department/Unit: J. Warren McClure School of Information and Telecommunication Systems

Delivery Mode: Athens Campus [MI5366], Online, Distance [MI5367]

Terms of Entry: [Fall | Spring]

Program Mission: The Master of Information and Telecommunication Systems (MITS) is a professional or research interdisciplinary degree focusing on the technical and strategic issues related to telecommunication and information technologies, systems, and services.

Program Learning Objectives:

• Students will be able to explain the theory and principles of information and telecommunication technologies.
• Students will be competent in the professional practices associated with information and telecommunication technologies.
• Students will be able to read and comprehend complex communication technology and policy research and reports.
• Students will be able to conduct information and telecommunication technology research and will be able to write technical reports. Those electing the thesis option will be able to write scholarly papers.
• Students will have the skills to be key decision makers in professional settings such as those associated with telecommunications carriers, information systems providers, equipment suppliers, or IT departments.

Program Overview:

The J. Warren McClure School of Information and Telecommunication Systems offers the Master of Information and Telecommunication Systems (MITS), a professional or research interdisciplinary degree focusing on the technical and strategic issues related to telecommunication and information technologies, systems and services. Principal focus is on voice and data networks, with special emphasis on the interaction of technology and management/policy issues in the successful design, deployment, and operation of complex networks and information systems.

Technology topics includes network theory and infrastructure, quality of service, network assurance and security, network services and IT integration, broadband, and wireless communications. Management/Policy topics include strategy, lifecycle management, IT governance and compliance, government regulation, competition and market structure, international telecommunications, and social/ethical issues. Perspectives include those of network system and service providers, consumers, policy makers, and IT managers. Industry perspectives include telecommunication carriers, communication system equipment vendors, and enterprise voice and data network providers.

The degree is offered in two formats:

• Residential program MI5366
• Remote attendance program MI5367

The residential program is taught to students attending class at Ohio University’s main campus in Athens, Ohio. The remote attendance program is taught to students who login remotely to specific ITS residential classes from an internet connected device.

Opportunities for Graduates:

Employers value the comprehensive nature of the MITS degree, and graduates are pursuing careers as network engineers, computer network specialists, utility analysts, project managers, software engineers, and telecom analysts at a host of companies.

MITS graduates have found opportunities at such companies as AT&T, Verizon Business, Cisco Systems, Progressive Insurance, Time Warner, Microsoft, PowerNet Global, HSBC Bank, and the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio. Graduates have also moved on to further graduate study after completing the MITS.

Link to Program: http://www.ohio.edu/mcclure

Link to Program Handbook: Contact Dr. Hans Kruse (kruse@ohio.edu)

Graduation Requirements:

1. 36 semester credit hours minimum
   1. 4 Core Courses (16 credit hours)
   2. 3 Electives (12 credit hours)
   3. Cognate (minimum of 4 credit hours)
      These hours may consist of additional ITS elective hours, or courses taken outside the department, e.g., engineering, mathematics, business, economics, etc.
   4. Culminating Experience (4 credit hours)
2. Culminating Experience: one of
   1. Professional Project, or
   2. Comprehensive Exam, or
   3. Research Thesis
3. Expected time to complete the degree
   1. MI5366: full-time study: 3 regular semesters plus one summer
   2. MI5367: students can take 2 courses per semester and finish after 4 semesters plus one summer. Students taking one class per semester can finish after 3 years.

Culminating Experience: A brief description of the capstone or culminating experience, including options.  Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Exam – Comprehensive Exam based on a list of advanced readings.
• Project/Report – A professional project can be completed on-campus or as part of an internship. A proposal showing the deliverables of the project must be approved by the student’s committee.
• Thesis

Admission Requirements:

• Undergraduate course work which includes the study of Information and Telecommunication Systems, or Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Engineering, Economics, Public Administration, Political Science, or related areas is strongly recommended. Undergraduate coursework should include at least one statistics course.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) earned for all undergraduate or graduate course work.
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Section. (The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) can be substituted for the GRE if taken prior to the application date). The GRE can be waived for established professionals (contact the School for details); however, GRE/GMAT scores are mandatory if an applicant wishes to be considered for financial assistance.
• A Personal Goal Statement
• A Resume
• Three (3) letters of recommendation.