Smith School launches a fully online master’s to train tech-minded managers

An online degree built for working people and employer demand

The University of Maryland’s Smith School has announced a new Master of Science in Information Systems delivered entirely online. The school pitches the program as a way for people already working in technology or business to gain technical skills and management tools without pausing their careers. Smith says the degree is designed to bridge IT and business — so graduates can move into roles that require both coding and strategy, or lead teams that build and use data systems.

What the curriculum looks like and how students learn

The program mixes computer science fundamentals with courses on data, systems design, security and management. Students should expect classes on analytics, databases, cloud concepts and the business side of technology, taught by Smith faculty and industry instructors. The school emphasizes practical work: projects, case studies and team assignments that mirror problems companies face today.

Delivery is fully online and meant to fit a working schedule. That typically means recorded lectures you can watch on your own time, plus scheduled live sessions for discussions, group work or feedback. Assessments lean toward applied work rather than pure exams, and the format aims to let students balance jobs, family and study.

Who can apply, how long it takes, and what it costs

Smith positions the degree at early- to mid-career professionals: people with a bachelor’s degree and some experience or coursework in computing or business will find the program a natural fit. Admissions will likely look for a clear quantitative background or demonstrated ability to handle technical subjects.

The school frames the program as flexible in pace. Some students can complete it faster by taking a heavier course load, while others spread classes over a longer period to keep working full time. Smith also highlights career services and networking opportunities for online students, similar to what campus students receive.

On price, the announcement describes the program as competitive with other online master’s degrees from major U.S. business schools. Smith says it offers the same faculty and curriculum standards as its on-campus programs, but it did not position the online option as significantly cheaper. Financial aid, employer tuition support and limited scholarships are part of the school’s message to prospective students.

How this program fits the school’s reputation and the wider market

The Smith School already has a track record in business and management education, and this degree extends that work into a fully remote format. Online master’s degrees in information systems have become a crowded market, with several public universities and private providers offering similar combinations of tech and business training.

For rankings and outcomes, Smith points to its broader school reputation and alumni network as advantages for online students, saying graduates will have access to career services and employer connections. In that sense, the program looks positioned to compete on brand recognition and faculty quality rather than solely on price or speed.

What this means for students and for higher education

For students, the new degree expands choices: it promises a business‑school approach to technical subjects in a format that doesn’t require leaving a job. That fits a steady demand from employers for people who can translate technical work into business value.

For higher education, the launch is another signal that established business schools are betting on online programs as a long-term part of their offerings. Rather than a temporary response to remote learning trends, these programs are being built to coexist with on-campus degrees. Expect more schools to refine online formats, emphasize practical projects and lean on alumni networks to give remote students a comparable career lift.

Sources

• prnewswire.com