100% Online MS in Applied Information Technology

Located in Virginia. Serving the World.

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Overview Curriculum Careers

#8 Master’s in IT Online1

Competitive Tuition

Financial Aid Available

Lifetime Access to Career Services

Develop the Expertise You Need to Advance in the Top IT Fields

In a world driven by innovation, businesses can go only as far as their IT leaders can take them. With the Master of Science in Applied Information Technology from George Mason University, you can prepare to oversee multidisciplinary teams with a laser focus on achieving strategic IT goals. Mason optimized each online course to provide the IT skills that top organizations seek today, helping you become an innovator and leader in the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

Mason’s MS in Applied Information Technology program includes 10 courses that provide experience for solving day-to-day IT challenges and harnessing emerging technologies. You can choose from three concentrations to gain advanced talents for careers in cyber security, data analytics, and machine learning.

Ranked among the best online master’s in information technology programs by U.S. News & World Report2 and one of the most affordable by Value Colleges.3

Discover the rich online learning experiences available exclusively from Virginia’s largest research university. Plus, capitalize on the proven career and advancement achieved by graduates of Mason’s online programs.

  • Recognized as the 8th best online master’s in information technology program by Successful Student4
  • Placed among the Top 10 universities offering master’s degrees with the highest return on investment5
  • Named the 20th most innovative school by U.S. News & World Report6
  • Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

Select the IT Concentration for Your Career Goals

Mason’s applied information technology program helps unlock your potential in these in-demand areas:

Gain experience in protecting individuals and organizations from cyber security threats. You’ll receive guidance from research faculty in Mason’s Department of Information Sciences and Technology and the Center for Secure Information Systems, learning industry best practices and real-world processes harnessed by cyber security professionals.

Learn a rich array of methods for analyzing data and converting it into actionable intelligence for business decisions. Mason’s expert faculty will immerse you in courses focusing on statistical methods, data mining, and other concepts at the intersection of IT and data analytics.

Delve into interpretable and applied machine learning concepts backed by courses in big data and natural learning processing. You can also select electives that instill relevant knowledge of deep learning.

A World-Class Education Within Reach

George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. We welcome students from all walks of life, and we’ve designed our programs with that in mind. Our modern curriculum, responsive faculty, and innovative solutions combine to produce a six-year graduation rate that exceeds the national average, with no disparity based on ethnicity or economic status. We’re proud to be continuously recognized – and ranked – for offering an education that is affordable, accessible, and valuable.

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Rigorous Academic Standards. Flexible Online Format.


At Mason, we curate online programs that offer innovative experiences to further your ambitions in a way that works with your schedule. Like our on-campus students, you’ll benefit from our commitment to academic rigor and integrity while learning from the same renowned faculty.

We’ve been recognized as a top university for non-traditional learners, and our commitment to your success goes beyond graduation. After you’ve earned your degree, you’ll maintain lifetime access to our career services.

Online Courses Designed with IT Employers in Mind

Mason developed the MS in Applied Information Technology with guidance from leading employers in our community. As a result, you’ll experience an online IT education that instills expertise sought by organizations across the public and private sectors. You’ll learn about emerging areas of information science and technology, gaining skills for deploying ethical, secure solutions to global IT challenges. And if you’re a Mason Engineering alumnus, you can select our Fast Track option to graduate faster.

The core and concentration courses include:

Fundamentals of Computing Platforms

Get an overview of the OS and networking elements of information systems, examining the issues relating to mobile devices, cloud networks, and other platforms.

Cloud Computing Security

Survey the security and privacy risks found in cloud computing while learning best practices for securing these systems.

Big Data Essentials

Explore emerging concepts and technologies used in big data analytics, along with methods for applying them in real-world environments.

Interpretable Machine Learning

Prepare to implement and evaluate the major machine learning models and learn how prediction models work.

Unlock Rewarding Opportunities for Your IT Career

Technology hiring is increasing faster than most occupations, as projections indicate IT employment will grow 15% from 2021 to 2031. With that demand comes increased earning potential, as the median IT salary exceeds $97,000 per year, more than double the average pay for all jobs in the U.S.7

5 Information Technology Careers With Impressive Salaries

  • Information Security Analyst: $102,600 per year8
  • Computer Network Architect: $120,520 per year9
  • Software Developer: $109,020 per year10
  • Computer Systems Analyst: $99,270 per year11
  • Information Systems Manager: $159,010 per year12

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Sources:

  1. Best College Reviews. Best Master’s in Information Technology Online. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://www.bestcollegereviews.org/.
  2. U.S. News & World Report. Best Online Master’s in Information Technology Programs. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://www.usnews.com/.
  3. Value Colleges. Top 25 Cheapest Online Master’s Degree in Information Technology. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://www.valuecolleges.com/.
  4. Successful Student. The Best Online Master’s in Information Technology. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://successfulstudent.org/.
  5. OnlineU. Best Online Master’s Programs: Online Master’s Degrees with the Highest Return on Investment. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://www.onlineu.com/.
  6. U.S. News and World Report. George Mason University Rankings. Retrieved September 13, 2022, from https//www.usnews.com/.
  7. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Computer and Information Technology Occupations. Retrieved September 13, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/.
  8. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Information Security Analysts. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/.
  9. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Computer Network Architects. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/.
  10. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Software Developers, Quality Assurance Analysts, and Testers. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/.
  11. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Computer Systems Analysts. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/.
  12. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Computer and Information Systems Managers. Retrieved June 16, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/.