There are many reasons people in the IT industry choose to pursue further education. It could be because of the pursuit of knowledge wanting to get ahead of the trends. Or it could be because of the financial aspect – the promise of a promotion or a higher pay that comes with the master’s degree.
The financial aspect of having a master’s degree is undoubtedly rewarding. IT managers with a master’s in Information Technology are earning a median salary of US $146,000 a year. If you are looking at going back to school to pursue a graduate degree, here are some of the latest trends that you can expect and some tips on how to leverage them.
Online and blended learning
The traditional model of learning is no longer confined to learning on campus. A lot of schools and universities have expanded their offerings online through video conferencing and other methods. In addition to purely online learning, some universities are offering a blended program. This blended program targets people who want an on-campus learning experience but can’t commit to a full-time study. Blended learning combines the digital element with the face-to-face teaching approach.
These diverse options for learning mean that you have plenty of options to choose from that will fit both your professional schedule and goals. If you are still working and want to study, you can easily do it with online learning, or if you have some time, you can choose online blended learning.
Using artificial intelligence in education
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an emerging technology that created buzz when it entered higher education. Many universities are already using AI to streamline their admin tasks, improve their IT process, and even enhance the learning experience for their students. An excellent example of using AI for this purpose is an AI named Jill Watson at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Made by Professor Ashok Goel and his team, Jill Watson has the duty of a teaching assistant. Essentially a chatbot, Jill responds to questions frequently asked by students in a master’s level AI class.
The introduction of AI is undoubtedly an exciting time for education. Universities are excited for the role AI will play 10 to 15 years into the future. However, because of its cost and intricacy of deployment, only a few universities are robustly implementing AI so far.
International student enrollment
The number of international students enrolled in the United States has dropped significantly. According to a report of IIE in 2020, 51% of higher learning institutes in the US reported a decrease in international students. However, another report by IIE said that other countries like Canada and Australia reported significantly higher enrollment rates.
Global competition, the ever-changing political and social climate, price and visa concerns are the main drivers for this change. So, what does this mean for you? If you live in the US, this could mean more options for your choice of school since, for sure, they have a lot of slots to fill. And for students outside the US, it means more quality choices of schools nearer your home countries should you decide to study abroad.
New emerging courses
University degrees programs are updating to meet the needs of our ever-evolving world. Because of this, new fields of study have emerged to give you and fellow students more options to choose from.
Some of the newer fields that are slowly becoming popular are masters in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), Biostatistics, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence and Urban Planning. These courses have a direct impact on how we live today and provide excellent work conditions for professionals. Of course, master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Business Education, and Mechanical and Electrical Engineering remain popular choices.
This wide ranges of options present an excellent opportunity to choose a master’s program that is relevant and focused on your current job. For example, if you are working as an IT manager, you can choose to do your master’s in Cybersecurity to level up your knowledge. Or, if you are managing an IT firm, you can choose a master’s of business administration to help you run a company better.
Using virtual reality in learning
In addition to AI, schools are using Virtual Reality (VR) for deep learning in the science and medical fields. For example, Arizona State University uses VR to let remote students take part in lab exercises. San Jose State University and the University of Illinois also are using this technology.
The takeaway
Having a master’s degree in IT or any field will help advance your career. But more than that, it introduces you to a host of knowledge and education that is just as valuable as the financial rewards that come with it. With all of these new trends in graduate education, make sure that you have access to the courses that will give you the most benefit.
Editor’s note: For additional learning resources for aspiring IT professionals, find out about ISACA®’s Information Technology Certified Associate™ (ITCA™) credential.