Graduate Certificate Program in Information Technology for Management

Course details

Technology is dramatically changing our economy and our society. Today’s decision-makers need a firm grasp of information technologies so as to function maximally within traditional business disciplines. The successful manager must be in command of the requisite tools to access, monitor, analyze and apply company information and knowledge--technologically. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics points to very strong call, and only to grow stronger, for leaders across fields with significant technical skills. The University of Atlanta’s program is designed for any individual in a management role (middle, senior, executive levels) who seeks a better understanding of Information Technology applications and who will, as a result of these complementary skills, be empowered to manage information in a more pliable fashion tied to maximized outcomes.

The program is based on the firm and documented contention that information technology is one of the key drivers of business in the twenty-first century, providing new sources of revenue and opportunity to change dramatically a firm’s cost structure. In brief, IT has become inextricably intertwined with corporate strategy.

Program objectives

The Graduate Certificate in Information Technology for Management is designed to complement your current level of IT experience and improve your leadership and management skills within the corporate (or organizational) environment. Advanced level courses are interdisciplinary to meet the needs of a diverse industries, while focusing on several core competencies. The Program (including the final, intensive project) is designed so that graduates will ideally:

• Understand the basic structure, driving forces of change, performance characteristics, and strengths and weaknesses of the current Information Technology within the management arena.
• Improve critical thinking and communication skills in framing, analyzing, and interpreting the meaning and consequences of strategy and decision-making based on enhanced knowledge of, and access to, IT data and other IT applications.
• Develop the ability to compare, contrast, and appreciate diverse interpretations of IT as it impacts performance, structure and management.
• Recognize and analyze current and emerging trends in IT that directly impact management, leadership and change.
• Be prepared to address many of the major issues and challenges faced by management and which IT can readily facilitate, if not resolve.
• Employ appropriate problem assessment and resolution tools – that is in the application of IT knowledge to the managerial realm.
• Recognize the applications and limits of analysis and decision-making models, with and without IT components.
• Begin to develop the ability to structure decisions bearing on structure, efficiency, models and productivity based on the applications of augmented understanding of IT within the managerial arena