Boost Your Career with MCIT Online

What can you do with a master’s degree in computer information technology (MCIT)? 

The possibilities are endless. Whether you’re planning to use your computer skills in your current field or pivot to an entirely new career, Penn’s MCIT Online program will position you to thrive.

The opportunities for graduates with an MCIT degree are the same as those who pursue a Master of Science in Computer Science. Our first career report tells the story. Each year, we will survey our graduates to create a snapshot of their career plans. Here are some key takeaways from this year’s report. 

Jobs in Computer Science

So far, the  majority of MCIT Online graduates are pursuing careers with technology-focused companies such as Amazon, Google or Microsoft, where they land roles with titles like data scientist, senior software engineer, IT director and systems analyst. That’s not surprising, given that the Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates 22% growth by 2030 for many careers in computer science. 

If you’re not familiar with these types of jobs, here’s a quick overview: 

• Software engineers write and test computer programs. Among other tasks, they may design software solutions, provide technical support, determine the source of software errors and solve them.  
• Data scientists collect data from a variety of sources, analyze the data, and leverage the results to discover insights and opportunities for change. In essence, they’re people who have both the technical skills to interpret data and the soft skills to know what to do with it. 
• Systems analysts solve business problems using information technology. Working as consultants or within a company, they analyze existing issues, design new solutions, and integrate new features into existing systems.  

These jobs have a lot in common besides anticipated growth. They’re also fascinating career paths —and with MCIT online you don’t need an undergraduate degree in computer science to work in this field. You can build the necessary skills in just two years through our MCIT Online program, even if you have yet to take a single computer science class prior to admission into the program. 

Beyond Computer Science

While many of our graduates end up in the tech sector, others use their new CS skills to grow with their fields of expertise like medicine, finance, pharmaceuticals and beyond. In a world that is increasingly interdisciplinary, MCIT graduates have a rare superpower since many of them pair an extensive non-technical background with a comprehensive and thorough understanding of the foundations of computer science. This combination of knowledge and skills is highly unique and prized in nearly every discipline.

Ready to advance your own career?  Contact us, view one of our on-demand webinars, or sign up for an advising session with an admissions counselor. We look forward to hearing from you!