2011-2012 University Catalog 
  
2011-2012 University Catalog

Technology Management, MS


Banner Code:  BU-MS-TECM

Phone:  703-993-1880
Email:  techman@gmu.edu


The MS in technology management is designed to provide students with a graduate management education that will help them further their leadership careers in technology and technology-oriented businesses and organizations. With technology innovation and commercialization occurring at an increasing pace and industries becoming more networked and global, business success depends on the successful management of technology. Companies are succeeding with rapid innovation, insightful technology integration, creation of focused technology organizations, and skillful management of complexity. The program addresses how to succeed in this marketplace and emphasizes leadership and management; special considerations of technology innovation, commercialization, introduction, and integration; and methods and approaches of systems thinking.

Students are from the major firms and organizations in the Washington, D.C., region. They average 14 years of work experience, and almost 25 percent of the students already have graduate degrees. Approximately three-quarters of the students work for the private sector, while the remainder works for federal government agencies or departments.

Program graduates receive chief information officer (CIO) certification, in partnership with the federal CIO Council, in addition to their MS degree. The program satisfies the requirements for federal government CIOs that were developed in response to the passage of the Information Technology Management Reform Act. Mason is one of only six institutions certified to offer this qualification and was one of the founding university partners with CIO University.

The program, designed for working professionals, starts in January and lasts for 18 months. Classes are held on the Fairfax Campus on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The program is 36 credits and includes a capstone project and an international residency. The international residency is approximately 8 days abroad focusing on global topics in technology management. Previous residency locations included: Australia, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, India, Sweden, Belgium, England, Tunisia, Germany, Czech Republic and Ireland. Residency cost is included in the tuition.

Admission Requirements

Students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, a minimum of three years professional work experience, two professional references, and a GMAT score or other evidence that they can perform graduate-level work.