Information Technology (Cyber Defense) - Master of Information Technology (Online)

The objective of this professional Masters of Information Technology (M-IT) program is to provide opportunities for working professionals and traditional technology students to increase their knowledge and skillsets in the growing field of Information Technology. This M-IT degree is a non-thesis, 100% online, professional development degree offered by the Department of Engineering Technology and Surveying Engineering (ETSE) in the NMSU College of Engineering. This degree is designed for working IT professionals and students interested in pursuing an advanced technology degree. Topics include system architecture, computer networking, development and application of software tools, cybersecurity, and virtual systems in the context of enterprise IT decision-making.  

Advanced Information Technology topics are also included and differently emphasized according to the selected degree concentration:

Prefix Title Credits
Program Course List
Common-Core Required Courses9
Enterprise Architecture I3
Enterprise Architecture II3
Capstone Projects in Information Technology3
Cyber Defense Concentration Required Courses12
AI and Cybersecurity Risk in Critical Infrastructure Systems3
Advanced Enterprise Security3
Risk Management for IT Managers3
White Hat System Testing3
Elective Courses (Choose 3) 19
Recommended Electives:
Special Topics in Information Technology3
Virtualization3
Development and Operations3
Advanced Computer Networking3
Mobile App Programming and Development3
Other Pre-Approved Electives: 1
Information Systems Analysis and Design3
Database Management Systems3
Business Analytics I3
Business Analytics II3
Database Management Systems I3
Bioinformatics Programming3
Artificial Intelligence I3
Introduction to Data Mining3
Applied Machine Learning I3
Advanced Engineering Economy3
Topics in Engineering Administration3
Advanced Quality Control3
Total Credits30
1

For guidance on selecting elective courses outside the department or college, or to request consideration of additional electives, please contact your faculty advisor.

The plan of study below was created with working professionals in mind. You will find guidelines for part-time students taking two courses per semester, including summer. Please note that the Masters of Information Technology program can be completed as a full-time student in one calendar year if that is your preference. Contact the program director or faculty advisor for other plans of study options and for further information. The program website is located at https://engr.nmsu.edu/Academics/pmp-it.html.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
E T 551 Enterprise Architecture I 1 3
E T 539 Advanced Enterprise Security 2 3
 Credits6
Spring
E T 515 AI and Cybersecurity Risk in Critical Infrastructure Systems 2 3
E T 562 Development and Operations 3, 4 3
 Credits6
Summer
E T 585 White Hat System Testing 2 3
E T 595 Capstone Projects in Information Technology 1 3
 Credits6
Second Year
Fall
E T 552 Enterprise Architecture II 1 3
E T 555 Virtualization 3, 4 3
 Credits6
Spring
E T 540 Risk Management for IT Managers 2 3
E T 577 Advanced Computer Networking 3, 4 3
 Credits6
 Total Credits30
1

Masters of Information Technology required core course

2

Cyber Defense Concentration Required Course

3

Recommended Elective

4

Refer to the list of other pre-approved electives. For guidance on selecting elective courses outside the department or college, or to request consideration of additional electives, please contact your faculty advisor.

New Mexico State University's Master’s Accelerated Program (MAP) provides the opportunity for academically qualified undergraduate students to begin working on a master’s degree during their junior and senior years while completing a bachelor’s degree. Typically, a bachelor’s degree requires four years to complete, and a master’s degree requires an additional two years. The master’s accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to complete a graduate program in an accelerated manner. You can also check NMSU’s catalog for additional information about our programs. 

Please talk to a faculty advisor about your MAP plan and develop a course plan in consultation with the advisor. The faculty advisor should preferably be from the area of your interest. 

MAP Requirements

  • The Graduate School allows qualified junior or senior students to substitute its graduate courses for required or elective courses in an undergraduate degree program and then subsequently count those same courses as fulfilling graduate requirements in a related graduate program.
  • Undergraduate students may apply for acceptance to the accelerated master’s program after completing 60 semester hours of undergraduate coursework, of which a minimum of 25 semester credit hours must be completed at NMSU.
  • The grade point average must be at a minimum of 2.75.
  • Students must receive a grade of B or higher in this coursework to be counted for graduate credit. If a grade of B- or lower is earned, it will not count toward the graduate degree.

Accepted MAP Courses

The following pre-approved courses are accepted for use in the MAP program. Additional technical or field-related courses numbered 450+ (old numbering) or 4500+ (new numbering) may be considered with advisor approval. To apply such courses toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees, an exception must be made in the degree audit process.

Prefix Title Credits
ICT 450Ethical Hacking3
ICT 457Information Security Principles3
ICT 458Web Development and Database Applications3
ICT 460Advanced Software Development Concepts3
ICT 463Enterprise Linux Network Administration Tools3
ICT 467Communication Network Security3
ICT 477Computer Networking II3
ICT 487Data Security3