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Big Data Analytics and Information Technology, MS

Big Data Analytics and Information Technology Master’s Degree

In our increasingly complex digital society, we generate data in great supply. Now, we need to know how to collect it, manage it and leverage it effectively and ethically. The University of Central Missouri’s AACSB-accredited Big Data Analytics and Information Technology master’s degree program prepares you to do just that.

In big data analytics courses, programming classes and others, learn from expert faculty who are leaders in fields such as:

  • Artificial intelligence
  • Big data engineering
  • Cloud computing
  • Deep learning
  • Predictive analytics

They not only teach the technical skills you need to perform the work itself but also instruct you on project management and business intelligence. This ensures you know how to put your skills to use in a business context.

UCM’s affordable Big Data and Information Technology MS

If you want to advance your career by deepening your knowledge base, you’ll benefit from UCM’s high-value degrees. Between the low cost of tuition and the high salary prospects for big data analytics jobs, information technology jobs and opportunities in other related fields, you can get a big return on your educational investment. 

The Big Data Analytics and Information Technology master’s degree is offered on both UCM campuses in Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit for flexible options in completing the graduate program.

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Accredited by ABET and AACSB

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17:1 program student-to-faculty ratio

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100% graduate employment rate

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A STEM-classified program

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#1 Missouri Information Tech College

What you will study

All big data analytics courses at the University of Central Missouri are designed to ensure you learn the latest tools and trends in this ever-changing field. 

In fact, our advisory board — composed of top IT leaders in the Kansas City area — reviews all Big Data Analytics and Information Technology MS program courses to provide feedback on which topics would benefit graduate students in the program most. This ensures you learn skills that help you advance your career and build your expertise.

Get ready for big data analytics jobs, advancement in the IT industry and technology leadership. You’ll master topics in deep learning and AI, cloud computing, big data engineering, data visualization, programming, predictive analytics and data mining among others. 
Big data analytics courses you may take include:

  • Applications Development Using Java
  • Big Data Architecture
  • Business Application of Machine and Deep Learning
  • Business Intelligence and Analytics
  • Data Resource Management
  • Project Management

 

Excellence in Big Data and Information Technology

  • UCM's Big Data Analytics and Information Technology master’s degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) and AACSB International.
  • #1: Most Focused Colleges for Information Technology in Missouri (College Factual, 2022)
  • #1: Most Focused Colleges for Computer Science in Missouri (College Factual, 2022)
  • #1: Most Focused Master's Degree Colleges for Computer & Information Sciences in Missouri (College Factual, 2022)
  • Named a Best Value Master's Degree Colleges for Information Technology (College Factual, 2022)
  • #1: Most Popular Master's Degree Colleges for Computer & Information Sciences in Missouri (College Factual, 2022)
  • #1: Most Popular Colleges for Computer Science in Missouri (College Factual, 2022)

 

Unique learning opportunities in the Big Data and Information Technology MS program

Put your learning into practice through a variety of experiential and extracurricular learning activities offered to students in the Big Data and IT master’s program.

  • Career coaching: Work with your faculty mentor and the CIS program’s advisory board to develop a career plan that reflects your academic and job goals. They'll work with you to make sure you’re focusing in the right areas and taking the right classes to get you there.
  • Graduate research: In addition to writing a research paper for every course in UCM’s IT and Big Data degree program, you have the opportunity to do research with your faculty mentors. Our program faculty frequently publish and present their work at national and international conferences for professionals in big data analytics jobs and the IT field.
  • Student life: Take part in learning opportunities around campus in Warrensburg or Lee’s Summit. UCM frequently hosts guest lecturers who are leaders in information technology. Past speakers have worked at companies such as Microsoft and spoken on data mining, where the educational technology field is headed and other timely subjects. In addition, meet with other graduate students and mentor undergraduates in the Computer Information Systems Student Organization (CISAO) student group.

 

What can you do with a Big Data and Information Technology master’s degree from UCM?

Find success seeking information technology jobs, data analytics jobs and other roles in the field as a graduate of UCM’s Big Data and IT master’s program. You can also leverage your new expertise and experience to qualify for promotions at your current place of employment.

Past graduates of UCM’s Big Data and Information Technology MS program work as big data engineers, AI specialists, business intelligence analysts and other roles at leading organizations such as:

  • Amazon
  • Apple
  • Boeing
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • IBM
  • Target

You can also continue learning in a Ph.D. program and work toward teaching the next generation of students about this exciting field of study.

Information technology and big data analytics jobs and opportunities

Use the interactive tool below to learn more about job opportunities, salaries and other career data for graduates with a Big Data and Information Technology master’s degree from UCM.

 

 
 


 

Financial assistance options for your Big Data and Information Technology MS degree

The University of Central Missouri makes it easy for you to get started in the Big Data and IT master’s program. We offer a variety of ways for you to finance your graduate degree, so cost isn’t a barrier to your educational and career goals. Financial aid options include loans, grants, graduate assistantships and scholarships. 

In fact, UCM sets aside some scholarships specifically for students in the Computer Information Systems and Analytics discipline, including: 

  • Boeing Company Scholarship for Computer Information Systems
  • Chelsoft Solutions Company – CIS and IT Scholarship
  • Richard and Gertrude Innes Scholarship

 

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Make yourself more marketable.


Gain a greater edge in the job market. Enhance your education and experience in the Big Data and IT master’s program with a graduate certificate.

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Explore programs related to big data and information technology.

 

If you enjoy big data analytics courses, want to pursue information technology jobs or plan to enter a career in data, you may want to explore one of these other master’s programs at UCM.

 

MS in Big Data Analytics and IT Admission Requirements

Admission is granted on the basis of person's academic aptitude and potential evaluated through academic record, work experience, and test scores. Courses completed prior to receipt of an undergraduate degree cannot be used toward the Big Data  Analytics and IT degree.

  1. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.5.
  2. GRE/GMAT is optional with 2.5+ years of work experience in IT field.
  3. GRE/GMAT is optional for people with degree in CIS/IT from AACSB accredited program with high GPA.
  4. A minimum GRE score of 290 or GMAT score of 500. Exception may be made on a case-by-case.
  5. Acceptance into the BDA & IT program is limited and highly competitive.

MS in Big Data Analytics and IT Degree Requirements

MS in Big Data Analytics and IT is a 30-hour program. At least 15 hours must be taken at 5000/6000 level. For more information contact Dr. Sam Ramanujan at (660) 441-0496 or via email.

Graduate Core (15 hrs)

 

Course #  Course Title Credit Hours
CIS 5760 Advanced Applications Development Using JAVA 3
CIS 5650 Managing Information Security in Organizations 3
CIS 5660 Legal Environment of Information Systems 3
CIS 5675 Project Management 3
CIS 5690 Advanced Systems Project 3
  Total Hours 15

 

Students must complete any 4 of the following courses. (12 hrs)

 

Course #  Course Title  Credit Hours
CIS 5750 Big Data Architecture 3
CIS 5780 Data Resource Management 3
CIS 5680 Business Intelligence and Analytics 3
CIS 5681 Big Data Solutions for Business 3
CIS 5685 Information Visualization for Big Data Analytics 3
CIS 5686 Business Applications of Machine and Deep Learning 3

 

 

MS in Big Data Analytics and IT (3 hrs)

Due to the applied nature of this program, students are required to participate in curricular practical training during the first year of studies based on appropriate courses. A student is expected to take CIS 5670 - Internship in CIS (3) to meet the elective requirements. If the student does not receive a paid internship, any other graduate level CIS course approved by the advisor, may be taken.

 

Course #  Course Title  Credit Hours
CIS 5606 Advanced Applications Development Using Visual C# 3
CIS 5610 Internet for the Enterprise 3
CIS 5670 Internship in CIS 3
CIS 6610 Readings in Computer Information Systems 1-3
ECON 5005 Economic Analysis for Business Decisions 2

 

Required Undergraduate Background Courses (0-15 hrs)

The following undergraduate courses (or equivalents) are required. Some of the requirements may be waived for the Computer Information Systems area. Undergraduate work already completed may be used to satisfy undergraduate background requirements.

Course #  Course Title  Credit Hours
CIS 1625 Programming in Visual C# 3
CIS 2665 Principles of Data Comm. & Local Area Networking 3
CIS 3625 Bus. app dev with Java 3
CIS 3650 Database Management Systems * 3
CIS 3660 Analysis & Design of CIS ** 3
FIN 2801 Business Statistics I *** 3

 

*This course has a prerequisite (CIS 1600). Student should take this course or an equivalent.

** This course has a prerequisite (CIS 3630). Graduate students can have this prerequisite waived by the department chair.

***This course has a prerequisite (Math 1111 or equivalent).

 

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