Who should apply?
This program is designed for individuals who desire to become knowledgeable in the technical aspects of IT and to focus their career on the use and management of IT resources. In this program, you will learn to apply information technology to support business processes, gain strong problem solving abilities, and develop your communication skills.
Why choose George Mason?
- You will follow an industry-validated curriculum at Mason with a focus on current principles and practices in information technology and its applications. Upon completion of the program, you will be able to confidently meet the existing and emerging needs of the IT industry.
- Mason’s program will prepare you for graduate studies in topics such as information security, information systems, telecommunications, and other related IT fields.
- Coursework will help you gain an appreciation for the global influence of IT on society and an understanding of the ethical and social responsibilities of IT professionals.
- Student support services, including phone consultations, are available to help you stay connected with the university and keep you on track to graduate.
- Most courses are offered in an online format. With guidance from the online program coordinator, you will be able to complete the majority of courses from anywhere.
- This program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
- In 2016, this program was ranked #3 among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in Information Technology by Best Colleges and HigherEducation.com.
Program requirements may change; please refer to the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.
Requirements: 120 credits total
- 21 credits foundation courses
- 33 credits core courses
- 7 credits capstone sequence courses
- 15 credits concentration courses
- 14-15 credits other required courses
- 21 credits additional Mason Core courses
- 8-9 credits elective courses
Sufficient courses are offered to complete most course requirements online. Online courses offerings vary by semester and are usually delivered asynchronously.
A minimum of 45 credits must be upper-level courses (300-level or above). Each semester, please contact Daniel Garrison (dgarriso@gmu.edu) to discuss your course completion plan.
You can find a degree worksheet for the BS in Information Technology here and a four-year graduation plan here.
Foundation Courses (21 credits)
- IT 102 Discrete Structures | 3 credits or MATH 125 Discrete Mathematics | 3 credits
- IT 104 Introduction to Computing | 3 credits
- IT 105 IT Architecture Fundamentals | 3 credits
- IT 106 Introduction to IT Problem Solving Using Computer Programming | 3 credits
- or IT 109 Introduction to Computer Programming | 3 credits
- IT 206 Object Oriented Techniques for IT Problem Solving | 3 credits
- or IT 209 Introduction to OO Programming | 3 credits (possible future online offering)
- IT 216 Systems Analysis and Design | 3 credits (future online offering)
- STAT 250 Introductory Statistics I | 3 credits
Core Courses (33 credits)
- IT 207 Applied IT Programming | 3 credits
- IT 213 Multimedia and Web Design | 3 credits
- IT 214 Database Fundamentals | 3 credits
- IT 223 Information Security Fundamentals | 3 credits
- IT 300 Modern Telecommunications | 3 credits
- IT 304 IT in the Global Economy | 3 credits
- IT 341 Data Communications and Networking Principles | 3 credits
- IT 342 Operating Systems Fundamentals | 3 credits
- IT 343 IT Project Management | 3 credits
- MBUS 300 Managing Financial Resources | 3 credits
- SYST 469 Human Computer Interaction | 3 credits
Two-Semester Capstone Sequence (7 credits)
- IT 492 Senior Design Project I | 3 credits (hybrid online course; online option available in fall semesters, only)
- IT 493 Senior Design Project II | 4 credits (hybrid online course; online option available in spring semesters, only)
Concentration Courses (15 credits)
Complete four courses from your chosen concentration and a fifth course from any concentration. All five IT concentrations can be completed fully online.
Database Technology and Programming (DTP)
- IT 306 Program Design and Data Structures | 3 credits
- IT 308 Event-Driven Programming | 3 credits
- IT 314 Database Management | 3 credits
- IT 322 Healthcare Data Challenges | 3 credits
- IT 344 Information Storage and Management Technologies | 3 credits
- IT 410 Java Web Programming | 3 credits
- IT 414 Database Administration | 3 credits
- IT 499 Scalable Web Applications | 3 credits
Health Information Technology (HIT)
- HAP 360 Intro to Health Information Systems | 3 credits
- IT 322 Healthcare Data Challenges | 3 credits
- IT 324 Electronic Health Records | 3 credits
- STAT 362 Intro to Computer Statistical Packages | 3 credits
Cyber Security (CYBR)
- IT 357 Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing | 3 credits
- IT 366 Network Security I | 3 credits
- IT 462 Information Security Principles | 3 credits
- IT 466 Network Security II | 3 credits
Network and Telecommunications (NTEL)
- IT 366 Network Security I | 3 credits
- IT 441 Network Servers and Infrastructures | 3 credits
- IT 445 Networking Principles II | 3 credits
- IT 455 Wireless Communications and Networking | 3 credits
- IT 488 Fundamentals of Satellite Communications | 3 credits
Web Development (WDEV)
- IT 331 Web I: Web Development | 3 credits
- IT 332 Web Site Administration | 3 credits
- IT 335 Web Development Using Content Management Systems | 3 credits
- IT 415 Information Visualization | 3 credits
- IT 431 Web II: Advanced Web Development | 3 credits
Other Major Requirements (14-15 credits)
- Students must take 7 credits of Natural Science for Mason Core (including at least one 4-credit lab course)
- COMM 100 Public Speaking | 3 credits
- IT 293 Applied IT: Junior Transition | 1 credit
- MATH 108 Introductory Calculus with Business Applications | 3 credits or MATH 113 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus | 4 credits
Additional Mason Core (21 credits)
Students must complete all Mason Core (general education) requirements not fulfilled by major requirements. Not all Mason Core courses are offered online. Requirements for Quantitative Reasoning, Information Technology, Natural Science, Synthesis, and Oral Communication are often satisfied by completion of major requirements.
Electives (8-9 credits)
Students must complete additional coursework to reach a total number of 120 credits.
Tuition (2021-2022)
| TUITION CLASSIFICATION | COST PER CREDIT HOUR |
| Virginia Resident | $408.15 |
| Non-Virginia Resident | $1,415.00 |
| Mandatory Student fee | $150.25 |
| Total Cost Per Credit for Virginia Residents | $558.40 |
| Total Cost Per Credit for Non-Virginia Residents | $1565.25 |
| Undergraduate New Student fee | $350.00 for new students, $275 for transfer students (non-refundable, one-time fee charged to all students) |
Please Note: In addition to the tuition and fees described above, various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled. Please refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees.
Financial Aid
Scholarships currently available for Information Technology students include:
- Armed Forces Communications Electronics Association Scholarship
- Harbitter Family Endowed Scholarship
- Nortel PEC Solutions Inc. Scholarship
- Steven M. Scholrling Ph.D. Endowed Scholarship
- IMC Inc. Suneeth Nayak Scholarship
For information on other loans, scholarships, and other types of financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid.
Career Opportunities
Graduates of this program find jobs that focus on the application of IT in an increasing number of emerging sub disciplines, including network administration, information security, information systems, telecommunications, web development, and computer graphics.
As a Mason student, you may also contact University Career Services for more career information and counseling.
Further Studies
Graduates of this program may also consider Mason’s fully online MS in Applied Information Technology with a concentration in Cyber Security.
Prerequisites
- Receive undergraduate student admission to Mason
- Preference is given to students who have four years of high school mathematics courses, including pre-calculus
Application Materials
Undergraduate application
- Application fee
- High school transcripts SAT or ACT scores (students who graduated from high school more than five years prior to enrollment at Mason are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores)
- TOEFL scores (for non-native English-speaking applicants)
- Optional “Personal Statement”
Declaration of major form
Mason Online