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The world of information technology (IT) is constantly evolving. As the field grows, skilled professionals have the opportunity to play an important role in companies of all sizes and in myriad industries. As the foundation of modern communication, business, data systems, and technological innovation, IT is essential to our increasingly digital world. 

An information technology degree is focused on providing students with the advanced technology and cybersecurity skills to work at the forefront of the IT sector. By completing an advanced degree, such as an executive master’s degree in IT and cybersecurity, graduates can deepen their knowledge of the latest industry systems as well as the leadership and communication skills required for senior roles. 

Why Pursue an Information Technology Degree?

Technological innovations are at the heart of modern business and our growing digital society. However, in a 2025 report from Robert Half, 90% of IT hiring managers expressed difficulty finding the skilled and qualified candidates they needed. While online certifications in IT and technology are more accessible than ever, not all accreditation is equal. Many candidates who complete online courses or boot camps find that they’re useful for honing specific skills but don’t offer the depth of a degree program. 

In addition, with candidates able to apply for positions worldwide, graduates’ soft skills, especially their ability to communicate, can be as important as their technological expertise. What an information technology degree is aimed at teaching goes beyond exclusively practical qualifications. Executive degrees address the latest trends and innovations in IT and cybersecurity, as well as the interpersonal skills graduates need to become effective leaders. 

What Will You Learn in an Information Technology Degree Program?

Executive master’s degrees in IT are designed to improve students’ advanced technology and information security skills, as well as their approach to organizational leadership and program management. Students are expected to already have a foundation of education or workplace experience in IT systems and processes. In an executive IT degree program, students may complete courses such as the following:

• Computer, network, and database security 
• Policy, law, ethics, and compliance
• Cybersecurity planning and management
• Cloud computing
• Ethical hacking
• Digital forensics
• Leadership and communication in IT

For future IT leaders ready for senior roles, a well-rounded education can be key to competing for top positions. By developing both technical and leadership skills, graduates can prepare themselves for diverse roles in IT and cybersecurity. 

Information Technology Careers: Salary and Outlook

The work that IT professionals do drives technological and information systems of all kinds. From nonprofit organizations to for-profit businesses, cybersecurity firms, and start-ups, leadership opportunities are available to skilled IT graduates across multiple industries. A degree can prepare future IT leaders to step into a wide range of roles with confidence and the versatile skill set they need. 

Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts oversee and protect an organization’s data. By identifying where systems are vulnerable and establishing protocols to prevent data breaches, respond to crises, and ensure that an organization is complying with security protocols and standards, information security analysts can help businesses safeguard their assets. 

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for information security analysts was $120,360 as of May 2023, and employment for information security analysts is projected to grow by 33% between 2023 and 2033, significantly higher than the average for all occupations. 

Computer and Information Systems Manager

Computer systems are often at the center of an organization’s operations. Responsible for planning, coordinating, and directing all of an organization’s computer-related systems and programs, computer and information systems managers help identify and implement a company’s IT goals. 

The median annual salary for computer and information systems managers was $169,510 as of May 2023, according to the BLS. The bureau has also projected a 17% increase in employment between 2023 and 2033, much higher than the national average for all occupations. 

Chief Information Security Officer

As a key executive role within IT and departmental security, chief information security officers (CISOs) oversee a company’s digital and physical safety. Handling both cybersecurity and risks of physical intrusion, CISOs work with other department heads and IT management to identify risks, design and implement security programs, and ensure that departments have the resources they need to safeguard the organization’s data and physical assets. 

What an information technology degree is aimed at teaching graduates is the knowledge and skills they need to pursue executive roles like that of CISO. The BLS reports that the median annual salary for chief executives, including CISOs, was $206,680 as of May 2023. The median annual salary for CISOs was approximately $178,000 as of January 2025, according to Payscale.

Become an Innovator with an Information Technology Degree

Working as an IT professional is an opportunity for skilled graduates to be at the forefront of business, technology, and product innovation. An IT degree helps students develop the practical skills they need to become innovators and valuable members of IT teams. In a program such as the Executive Master of Science (MS) in Information Technology (IT) and Cybersecurity from New England College, students can invest in themselves and their future in IT. 

A hybrid program based on the pillars of the Association of Computer Machinery (ACM) Code of Ethics, the Executive MS in IT and Cybersecurity from ºÚÁ϶ÌÊÓƵ was designed with the demands of modern technology in mind. Teaching students how to identify technologies and trends; understand, design, and implement security solutions; and implement cryptography or ethical hacking procedures, the program prepares graduates for the real-world challenges of technology. 

Find out how you can become an IT leader with an advanced degree from ºÚÁ϶ÌÊÓƵ. 

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