A specialization in database systems technology can help prepare you to meet the demand for data professionals who can manage complex databases for large organizations. You can develop expertise in relational and distributed databases and acquire the newest knowledge in data warehousing, mining, modeling, security, and other sought-after areas of database administration. The program can help prepare you for a number of certifications and work on real-world projects in a respected graduate program as you build your professional value in this fast-growing field.
These requirements are for students who enroll in the 2021–2022 academic year. For prior year academic requirements, visit our catalog archive.
About the Information Technology Master's Degree with Database Systems Technology Specialization
What You'll Learn
Through your coursework, you will learn how to
- Manage, mine, model, and warehouse data
- Utilize your database administration and security techniques and skills
- Use ETL for data warehousing
- Complete projects using Microsoft Project and Microsoft Visio
- Apply your skills in NoSQL, Oracle 12c, SQL, and UNIX to the professional environment
Coursework Examples
In past projects, students have had the opportunity to
- Create a distributed database solution
- Complete a database security project using Oracle 12c security features
- Create advanced databases using object-oriented modeling and NoSQL modeling for big data
- Create a database for a company to increase business proficiency, backup the database using Oracle tools, and monitor the database with different commands including UNIX/Linux commands
- Mine industry data to solve real-world challenges, such as using census data or Amazon public data to extract useful patterns and predict events regarding society, nature, commerce, and the world economy
Industry Certification
This program can help prepare you for the following certification exam(s):
Information Technology Master's Degree with Database Systems Technology Specialization Requirements
Our curriculum is designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars. You'll learn theories combined with real-world applications and practical skills you can apply on the job right away.
Master's - specialization Courses
Initial Requirement
- UCSP 615
(to be taken within the first 6 credits of study)
Core Courses
- ITEC 625
- ITEC 626
- ITEC 630
- ITEC 640
Specialization Courses
- DBST 651
- DBST 660
- DBST 652
- DBST 663
- DBST 665
- DBST 667
- DBST 668
Capstone Course
- DBST 670
Course Rules and Program Progression
- ITEC 625 and ITEC 626 must be taken as the first two courses.
- You must complete 6 credits of core coursework before beginning specialization coursework.
- DBST 651 is prerequisite for all other specialization coursework and may not be taken concurrently with other specialization coursework.
- You may take DBST 668 and DBST 670 concurrently. However, you must complete all other specialization coursework before taking DBST 670.
Other Requirements
- You must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher at all times.
- All degree requirements must be fulfilled within five consecutive years.
- Any transfer credits must have been earned within the five-year time frame to be applied toward a graduate degree.
Please review our overview of overall master's degree requirements for additional considerations.
Recommended Course Sequence
This is our recommended course sequence to progress through this program. This sequence incorporates course prerequisites and program requirements but does not list course alternatives that may be available. We recommend you take a maximum of 6 credits per term. You cannot take a prerequisite with its subsequent course during the same session. Your plan will be unique and dependent on multiple factors, including the number of credits you transfer to this program.
Contact an advisor if you any questions about this plan, course alternatives, or your course load limit.
| Sequence | Course |
|---|---|
| 1 |
UCSP 615 |
| 2 |
ITEC 625 |
| 3 |
ITEC 626 |
| 4 |
DBST 651 |
| 5 |
ITEC 630 |
| 6 |
DBST 660 |
| 7 |
DBST 652 |
| 8 |
ITEC 640 |
| 9 |
DBST 663 |
| 10 |
DBST 665 |
| 11 |
DBST 667 |
| 12 |
DBST 668 |
| 13 |
DBST 670 |
Career Preparation
This program is designed to help you prepare to manage complex databases for large organizations.
Experience Recommended for Success in the Program
We recommend you have a background in software programming. If you do not have experience or prior coursework in software programming, you may be required to complete UCSP 635. We recommend UCSP 605 if you'd like to improve your graduate writing skills.
Facts & Figures
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | "Earning and Unemployment Rates by Educational Attainment" | 2016
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | "Occupational Outlook Handbook" | 2015
Source: CareerBuilder | "Companies Planning to Hire More Recent College Graduates This Year and Pay Them Better" | 2015
What I really appreciate about the professors I have had the privilege of studying under at UMGC is the breadth and depth of their knowledge as it relates to real-life experience.
Jude O'Sullivan
Vice President of Operations, Carolina West Wireless
UMGC, it's awesome. It's very vet-trusted. All the professors are very helpful whenever a mission comes on and interferes a little bit with the studies.
Miguel Lopez
Veteran
Student Clubs and Organizations
Type: Student organization
Available To: Undergraduate and Graduate
The Computing Club aims to create a dynamic environment where members can work collaboratively, share innovative ideas, enhance their career-readiness, and gain marketable experience in their respective fields.
Type: Honor society
Available To: Undergraduate and Graduate
Upsilon Pi Epsilon is the international honor society for the computing and information disciplines. Formed in 1967, the purpose of Upsilon Pi Epsilon is to promote the computing and information sciences and to encourage the enhancement of knowledge in the field. Upsilon Pi Epsilon is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a degree in the computing and information disciplines.
About the Faculty
Our world-class faculty members combine academic credentials with a wealth of experience in the field.
Faculty members in this program hold or have recently held positions including
- Chief information officer
- Information and data architect
- Senior fellow
- Senior technical adviser
Our faculty work or have worked at organizations including
- Lockheed Martin
- MITRE Corporation
- National Institutes of Health
- U.S. Department of Homeland Security
