The Master's of Business Administration degree got its start back in 1908 when Harvard University's Graduate School of Administration launched the first MBA. Over the past century, it has become the most popular post-graduate degree in the entire US. Throughout this time, the degree has evolved into a broad and dynamic program. This degree covers important foundational business and management topics, and then can branch off into numerous concentrations, specializations, majors, and certificates covering specialized topics in business. These specializations focus on a particular business sector or job specialty, and give students more focused guidance and hands-on experience for their future careers. Students can pursue MBAs in Economics, Marketing, Business Analytics, HR, IT, Supply Chain Management, and the list goes on and on. Online MBA Today explores different online MBA degree options, in order to give prospective students information on the multitude of fields and degrees available.
Let's explore the dynamic field of Information & Technology.
Information & Technology
As our personal and professional lives revolve around information and technology, this particular sector has become very important in the infrastructure of businesses. Technology has become the backbone of modern business function and operations, as well as the main mode of communication between businesses and their consumers. IT reaches into every part of business, including information systems, storage systems, software systems, hardware systems, communication technologies, financial transactions, and security systems. It is continually growing, getting more complex, and more integral to business success every day.
There has been astronomical growth over the past 20, and even 10, years. Twenty years ago, the internet has roughly 10,000 websites and was used by mainly scientists and scholars. Whereas today, the internet has grown to over 47 billion web pages. With this growth companies have been forced to expand and revolutionize the way that business has been done. Only 10 years ago, the iPhone was released. There are now over 2.1 billion people with smartphones, and people over the age of 15 use their phones anywhere between 260 to 380 times every day. Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram all are great examples on how businesses, big and small, are using online marketing and sales to generate revenue through social media. Facebook is now 13 years old and Pinterest and Instagram are only seven years old, and they are paving the way in E-commerce. In fact, this year, E-commerce is expected to hit revenues of over $353 billion.
Companies are not just charged with being relevant but staying competitive, and this means expertly crafting and maintaining IT to fulfill company goals. With this importance on Information and Technology, businesses are in need of knowledgeable and experienced managers and leaders with this area of expertise. These IT managers are responsible for planning, coordinating, directing, and problem solving computer-related/IT activities, systems, and teams to meet organizational goals. Career paths for IT professionals include: IT Managers and Directors, Information Assurance Manager, Enterprise Architect, Senior Business Analysts, IT Project Managers, Network Administrators, Technical Consultants, and Chief Information Officer.
Online MBA in Information & Technology
Companies need more than just professionals who understand technology and systems, they need leaders to manage teams and systems. An online MBA in Information and Technology can be a great program to give IT professionals knowledge and tools for leading IT within companies. Not only can it promote leadership growth, but it can be a profitable investment. According to PayScale, IT is the 9th highest MBA major this year. Graduates with an IT MBA report an early-career salary of $72,400 and a mid-career salary of $123,000. AACSB-International has conducted a survey of AACSB accredited MBA graduates, and the specialization with the greatest increase in salary over the past year was IT, at a 6.2% increase. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects a growth of 15% in Computer and Information Systems Managers, over double what the average growth rate for all occupations.
This growth breeds competition in the job market. One way to stay competitive in the job market is by pursuing an Online MBA in Information and Technology. This program has many benefits for the IT professional. This degree gives a flexibility that cannot be matched in an on-campus program, allowing for uninterrupted professional experience while pursuing the degree. Another great benefit of this program is that the very nature of the program is to integrate IT into another function of our lives. This program can give students hands-on experience in a professional virtual community that can only provide good experience for the future, especially in our global business environment.
Based on our latest ranking of the top online MBA programs in Information and Technology, here are the top five programs in the country:
#1 Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business
#2 Carnegie Mellon University's Tepper School of Business
#3 Oklahoma State University's Spears School of Business
#4 North Carolina State University's Poole College of Management
#5 University of Arizona's Eller College of Management
Action Item
If you are a professional interested in a management career in IT, an online MBA in Information and Technology can be a great next step. Now is a great time to start! First, research online MBA programs. Start prioritizing what you are looking for in a program and explore your options. List out the qualifications and deadlines required for the top programs in your list, and start applying. Good luck!
Other MBA Specialty Reviews:
Guide to Executive MBA degrees
Guide to Supply Chain Management MBAs
Guide to Online MBAs in Business Analytics
Guide to Online MBAs in Healthcare Management
Guide to Online MBAs in Marketing