The MS in Applied Information Technology is the very best graduate education in IT for high-potential leaders, especially those working on IT solutions that affect the federal government, industry or non-profit. Its objective is to graduate individuals of competence and character who can lead multidisciplinary teams in the design, justification, development, management, and sustainment of mega-systems from data to decision in the private and federal sectors. The MS in AIT provides a high quality curricula for students seeking to pursue their careers in the leading IT areas including Cyber Security, Big Data Analytics, Knowledge Mining, Data Analytics in Social Media, and Cyber-Human Interaction.

The MS AIT program offers the Cyber Security, Data Analytics and Intelligence Methods, and Machine Learning Engineering concentration fully online. For the online program, courses are offered in a condensed 8-week format, with students taking one course at a time. Content of courses, objectives, evaluation methods, and outcomes are identical to those for the on-campus program. Only the delivery format is different. The online program is intended to be completed in about 2.5 years. Request additional information for the online program, learn more, or apply.

At the doctoral level, the department offers a concentration in the INFT PhD program.

Admissions

Applicants must have completed a baccalaureate degree from one of the Mason-recognized U.S. institutional accrediting agencies and earned a GPA of 3.00 or better in their 60 highest-level credits. They must be experienced in the fundamentals of IT and quantitative methods. Application Requirements and Deadlines are available from https://cec.gmu.edu/admissions/graduate-admissions/application-requirements-and-deadlines.

High achieving Mason Engineering alumni who has shown exemplary work in an undergraduate degree may consider our Fast-Track graduate admission process which requires fewer supplementary admission materials.

Banner Code: EC-MS-AIT

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 30

Completion of the MS program requires a minimum of 30 approved graduate credits (10 courses). To provide a common background in the fundamentals of information sciences and technology, all students are required to complete four core courses. In addition to the core courses, students must choose a concentration within the program by taking six courses from one of the concentration areas listed below.

Students interested in the PhD in IT program must pursue the Cyber Security, Data Analytics and Intelligence Methods, Human-Computer Interaction, or Machine Learning Engineering concentrations. They are required to meet with an advisor before applying to the program. In addition, students must take AIT 602 and one of the following courses: AIT 699, AIT 799, or AIT 796, while they are completing their MS AIT degree.


Students in all concentrations may take other CEC graduate-level courses not listed below as part of their MS technical electives subject to prior advisor approval.

Core Courses

Required Core Courses12
For students in all concentrations except the IT Management concentration:
Algorithms and Data Structures Essentials
Database Management Systems
Fundamentals of Computing Platforms
Information: Representation, Processing and Visualization
For students in the IT Management concentration:
Database Management Systems
Fundamentals of Computing Platforms
Project Management Concepts and Methods
Information: Representation, Processing and Visualization
Total Credits12

Concentrations

Available Concentrations

Cyber Security (CYBR)

Foundation
Select four courses from the following:12
Cyber Security Fundamentals
Cloud Computing Security
Secure Software Development
Network and Systems Security
IoT Security
Incident Handling and Penetration Testing
Electives
Select two courses from the following:6
Programming Essentials
Topics in Applied Information Technology
Introduction to Research in Applied Information Technology
Interpretable Machine Learning
Advanced Information Security Risk Management
Identity and Access Management
IoT and Edge Systems
Advanced Topics in Applied Information Technology
Research Project
Cyber Security: Emerging Threats and Countermeasures
Applied Biometric Technologies
Applied Machine Learning
Applied Deep Learning
Advanced Special Topics in Applied Information Technology
Master's Thesis
Total Credits18

Data Analytics and Intelligence Methods (DAIN)

Foundation
Select four courses from the following:12
Analytics: Big Data to Information
Metadata Analytics for Big Data
Big Data Essentials
Intelligence Analysis Methods
Data Analytics in Social Media
Electives
Select two courses from the following:6
Programming Essentials
Introduction to Natural Language Processing
Topics in Applied Information Technology
Introduction to Research in Applied Information Technology
Rapid Information Systems Prototyping
Knowledge Mining from Big-Data
Interpretable Machine Learning
Interaction Design and Accessibility
Interactive Visualization and Data Analytics
Advanced Topics in Applied Information Technology
Research Project
Rapid Development of Scalable Applications
Advanced Human Computer Interaction
Theories and Models in Geo-Social Data Analytics
Natural Language Processing with Deep Learning
Advanced Web Analytics Using Semantics
Applied Machine Learning
Applied Deep Learning
Advanced Special Topics in Applied Information Technology
Master's Thesis
Total Credits18

Human-Computer Interaction (HCI)

Foundation
Select four courses from the following:12
Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction
Introduction to Interaction Design
Introduction to Research in Applied Information Technology
Interactive Visualization and Data Analytics
Advanced Human Computer Interaction
Electives
Select two courses from the following:6
Programming Essentials
Interactive Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
Interaction Design and Accessibility
Advanced Topics in Applied Information Technology
Research Project
Advanced Special Topics in Applied Information Technology
Master's Thesis
Accessibility and Assistive Technologies
Total Credits18

IT Management (ITMG)

Foundation
Select four courses from the following:12
Analytics: Big Data to Information
Determining Needs for Complex Big Data Systems
Cyber Security Fundamentals
Capstone Seminar
Electives
Select two courses from the following:6
Programming Essentials
Metadata Analytics for Big Data (Select two courses from the following:)
Topics in Applied Information Technology
Rapid Information Systems Prototyping
Big Data Essentials
Advanced Information Security Risk Management
Cloud Computing Security
Identity and Access Management
Intelligence Analysis Methods
Law and Ethics of Big Data
IoT and Edge Systems
Advanced Topics in Applied Information Technology
Total Credits18

Machine Learning Engineering (MLE)

Foundation
Select four courses from the following:12
Introduction to Natural Language Processing
Big Data Essentials
Interpretable Machine Learning
Applied Machine Learning
Electives
Select two courses from the following:6
Programming Essentials
Advanced Topics in Applied Information Technology
Theories and Models in Geo-Social Data Analytics
Data Analytics in Social Media
Natural Language Processing with Deep Learning
Applied Deep Learning
Advanced Special Topics in Applied Information Technology
Master's Thesis
Total Credits18

Applied Science, BAS (Cyber Security Concentration)/Applied Information Technology, Accelerated MS

Overview

Highly-qualified students in the Applied Science, BAS, Cyber Security Concentration have the option of obtaining an accelerated Applied Information Technology, MS.

For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

Admission Requirements

Students in the Applied Science, BAS, Cyber Security Concentration program may apply to this option if they have earned 60 undergraduate credits with an overall GPA of at least 3.30. They may begin taking graduate-level courses once they have earned 75 undergraduate credits. Criteria for admission are identical to criteria for admission to the Applied Information Technology, MS program.

Accelerated Option Requirements

Students must complete all credits that satisfy requirements for the BAS and MS programs, with up to 12 credits overlapping from the following courses:

AIT 512Algorithms and Data Structures Essentials3
or AIT 580 Analytics: Big Data to Information
AIT 524Database Management Systems3
AIT 542Fundamentals of Computing Platforms3
AIT 660Cyber Security Fundamentals 13
AIT 664Information: Representation, Processing and Visualization3
1

This course is only applicable to the CYBR and ITMG concentrations in the MSAIT. Students planning to pursue CBHS or DAIN should select a different course.

Note: When selecting between AIT 512 and AIT 580, students should select the course that aligns with the MSAIT concentration they intend to pursue.

Degree Conferral

Students must apply the semester before they expect to complete the BAS requirements to have the BAS degree conferred. In addition, at the beginning of the student’s final undergraduate semester, students must complete a Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form that is submitted to the Office of the University Registrar and the VSE Graduate Admissions Office. At the completion of MS requirements, a master’s degree is conferred.

Applied Science, BAS (Data Analytics Concentration)/Applied Information Technology, Accelerated MS

Overview

Highly-qualified students in the Applied Science, BAS, Data Analytics Concentration have the option of obtaining an accelerated Applied Information Technology, MS.

For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

Admission Requirements

Students in the Applied Science, BAS Data Analytics concentration may apply to this option if they have earned 60 undergraduate credits with an overall GPA of at least 3.30. Students may begin taking the master's level courses once they have earned 75 undergraduate credits. 

Accelerated Option Requirements

Students must complete all credits that satisfy requirements for the BAS and MS programs. Students may select up to 12 credits to overlap from the following options. Students should consult with both the BAS and MSAIT advisors. 

AIT 512Algorithms and Data Structures Essentials 13
or AIT 580 Analytics: Big Data to Information
AIT 524Database Management Systems3
AIT 542Fundamentals of Computing Platforms3
AIT 664Information: Representation, Processing and Visualization3
1

When selecting between AIT 512 and AIT 580, students should select the course that aligns with the MSAIT concentration they intend to pursue.

Individualized Study, BIS/Applied Information Technology, Accelerated MS

Overview

Highly-qualified students in the Individualized Study, BIS have the option of obtaining an accelerated Applied Information Technology, MS.

For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

Application Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. Mason undergraduate students in the BIS Program can apply in the semester in which they will have completed 90 or more credits (including 15 Mason resident credits) applicable toward the BIS. Students must have an overall GPA of at least 3.30 to apply to the program.

Reserve Graduate Credit

Students may take up to 6 additional graduate credits as reserve graduate credit. These credits do not apply to the undergraduate degree. The ability to take courses for reserve graduate credit is available to all high achieving undergraduates with the permission of the department. Permission to take a graduate course for reserve graduate credit is normally granted only to Mason seniors within 15 hours of graduation.

To apply these credits to the master's degree, students must request that the credits be moved from the undergraduate degree to the graduate degree using the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form.

Accelerated Option Requirements

Students in the accelerated master's option must maintain a minimum 3.30 GPA in the undergraduate segment until they have satisfied all requirements for the BIS degree. On completion and conferral of the undergraduate degree they submit the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition Form and are admitted to graduate status.

As graduate students, accelerated master's students have an advanced standing. Students must complete all credits that satisfy requirements of the BIS program and those of the MSAIT program, with two courses overlapping from the courses necessary to earn the BIS with a concentration IND (individualized), applied information technology emphasis as listed below.

AIT 524Database Management Systems3
AIT 542Fundamentals of Computing Platforms3
Total Credits6

Information Technology, BS/Applied Information Technology, Accelerated MS

Overview

Highly-qualified students in the Information Technology, BS have the option of obtaining an accelerated Applied Information Technology, MS.

For more detailed information, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

Admission Requirements

Students in the Information Technology, BS program may apply to this option if they have earned 60 undergraduate credits and take graduate level courses after completion with an overall GPA of 75 credits with an overall GPA of at least 3.30. Criteria for admission are identical to criteria for admission to the Applied Information Technology, MS program.

Accelerated Option Requirements

Students must complete all credits that satisfy requirements for the BS and MS programs, with a minimum of 3 credits (maximum 12 credits) overlapping from the following courses:

AIT 512Algorithms and Data Structures Essentials (satisfies the IT 306 requirement in the BS INFT program)3
AIT 524Database Management Systems (satisfies the IT 314 requirement in the BS INFT program)3
AIT 542Fundamentals of Computing Platforms (satisfies the IT 342 requirement in the BS INFT program)3
AIT 580Analytics: Big Data to Information (satisfies the IT 322 requirement in the BS INFT program)3
AIT 664Information: Representation, Processing and Visualization (satisfies the IT 415 requirement in the BS INFT program)3
AIT 682Network and Systems Security (satisfies the IT 366 requirement in the BS INFT program)3

Students also have the option to take up to 6 additional credits of graduate coursework on reserve, which can be used for the MS degree only. See AP.1.4.4 Graduate Course Enrollment by Undergraduates.

Degree Conferral

Students must apply the semester before they expect to complete the BS requirements to have the BS degree conferred. In addition, at the beginning of the student’s final undergraduate semester, students must complete a Bachelor’s/Accelerated Master’s Transition form that is submitted to the Office of the University Registrar and the VSE Graduate Admissions Office. At the completion of MS requirements, a master’s degree is conferred.

Mechanical Engineering, BS/Applied Information Technology, Accelerated MS

Overview

Highly-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a Mechanical Engineering, BS and an Applied Information Technology, MS in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 139 credits.

See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.

Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.

BAM Pathway Admission Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degree policies. 

Mechanical Engineering, BS Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits, and additional unit-specific criteria.

Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits and course-specific pre-requisites.

The criteria for admission are identical to criteria for admission to the Applied Information Technology, MS program.

Accelerated Pathway Requirements

To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:

Advanced Standing Courses

Students must complete all credits that satisfy requirements for both the BS and MS programs. Up to four courses (12 credits) of approved master’s level courses taken as part of the undergraduate degree may be applied to the graduate degree.

AIT 524Database Management Systems3
AIT 542Fundamentals of Computing Platforms3
AIT 664Information: Representation, Processing and Visualization3
AIT 512Algorithms and Data Structures Essentials 13
AIT 580Analytics: Big Data to Information 23
1

This course should be selected for all concentrations except for the IT Management concentration

2

This course should be selected for the IT Management concentration

While still in undergraduate status, a maximum of 6 additional graduate credits may be taken as reserve graduate credit and applied to the master's program. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with a graduate advisor to select reserve graduate credits. Reserve graduate credits do not apply to the undergraduate degree. 

Degree Conferral

Students must apply the semester before they expect to complete the BS requirements to have the BS degree conferred. In addition, at the beginning of the student's final undergraduate semester, students must complete a Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form. At the completion of MS requirements, a master's degree is conferred.