Athabasca University's graduate program coordinator in the Centre for Computing and Information Systems says work towards the September 2001 program opening began two years ago with the input of and collaboration by industry, government, IT professionals, employers, and academics at other universities. Applications for the program are now being accepted.
Admission is based on a combination of academic qualifications and IT-related work experience.
This is particularly appropriate in the IT field where many professionals hold their current positions based on experience rather than on formal qualifications. The MSc IS program is designed primarily to serve the needs of working IT professionals and the organizations that employ them. It is delivered and supported using a variety of Web-based technologies, allowing students the flexibility to study when and where they want, and eliminating the need to forego employment while upgrading their educational qualifications for career advancement. In this way, they will be optimally positioned to apply new knowledge and skills in the IT workplace immediately, and to affect change in their organizations. The many and varied outcomes of this program are largely dependent on the students, the nature of their commitment, and the focus of their course work.