MBA in Computer Science
B-School Search
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 118 schools in our BSchools.org database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
“Dive down into these technology articles and understand what the inner workings are…Don’t just be content to ‘know’ what it is. Know how it works by experiencing it yourself.”
Christian Sonnenberg, PhD, Associate Professor, Florida Institute of Technology
For students who wish to pursue an MBA, the first thing that they need to consider is the concentration or specialization offered by the MBA program. They would want to choose a specialization that aligns with their career interests and their desired field.
Engineering students may be wondering whether to pursue an MS and MBA, as both these programs can offer various specializations that can combine their interests in business administration and science. One such specialization is an MBA program in computer science that integrates computer science aspects with the management field.
Both these disciplines (business administration and computer science) have intertwined with the arrival of information technology. A computer science MBA can equip students with a detailed understanding of management aspects, software systems, and information technology. Students are prepared to plan, design, and implement different software systems and computer applications in several industries. By obtaining this degree, graduates will be able to apply to a range of positions and can strengthen their business as well as technical skills that are necessary for handling leadership positions within the management field.
The curriculum of an MBA in computer science includes several subjects from both disciplines, including database management, visual programming, programming in Java, enterprise resource planning, e-commerce, management information systems, cyber laws, and programming language, among others.
After completing this specialized degree, graduates will be ready to explore various opportunities. Some popular careers may include database administrators, IT engineers, computer scientists, computer systems analysts, software engineers, technology managers, and information systems managers.
Notably, positions related to computer science are in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025), the field of computer and information systems management is expected to grow 17 percent between 2023 and 2033, adding approximately 106,900 jobs nationwide. The median annual wage for jobs in the field was $169,510.
A host of universities and colleges in the United States offer MBA programs specializing in computer science or other related allied programs. For this specialization, several MBA programs might offer other variants, such as information technology and other related fields. This piece profiles seven such universities that offer MBA programs in computer science.
| Featured CS & IT Management Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Southern New Hampshire University | Online MBA In IT Management | View Full Profile |
| University of Illinois Springfield | MBA - Cybersecurity Management | View Full Profile |
| University of Illinois Springfield | MBA - IT Project Management | View Full Profile |
| University of West Florida | MBA - Cybersecurity Management | View Full Profile |
| Florida Tech | MBA - Information Technology Management | View Full Profile |
| Florida Tech | MBA - Project Management (IT) | View Full Profile |
| UNC Wilmington | MBA - Information Systems | View Full Profile |
|
sponsored
×
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we have 118 schools in our BSchools.org database and those that advertise with us are labeled “sponsor”. When you click on a sponsoring school or program, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details. |
||
Meet the Expert: Christian Sonnenberg, PhD
In addition to his leadership role as the associate dean of online and off-campus programs, Dr. Christian Sonnenberg serves as an associate professor in information systems for the Nathan M. Bisk College of Business at the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida. However, Dr. Sonnenberg’s academic titles don’t exactly describe the research he’s conducted in a field that these days affects us all.
Dr. Sonnenberg is an expert on handheld and mobile device usability—one of the hottest areas of computer science research and a discipline increasingly crucial for many of us who now spend hours every day with smartphones and tablet computers. Ever since Steve Jobs introduced Apple’s revolutionary iPhone user interface in 2007, mobile usability has experienced progressive advances. Dr. Sonnenberg compares these techniques in one of his research articles, “Mobile Media Usability: Evaluation of Methods for Adaptation and User Engagement,” published by the Journal of Media Management and Entrepreneurship in 2020.
In this study, Dr. Sonnenberg identifies the factors that determine the success of content distributed via mobile platforms, which are now the primary means through which consumers interact with internet media. He then compares responsive design approaches with newer adaptive frameworks used by major brands that want to provide a well-defined mobile presence. At such household-name adaptive sites like Instagram, Facebook, Google, YouTube, and Amazon, servers generate custom templates optimized for each class of mobile devices. He also correctly predicted today’s widespread adoption of haptic feedback, where devices now encourage engagement by delivering a range of vibrations and sensations in response to touch.
Dr. Sonnenberg holds a master’s degree in software engineering along with a PhD in computer science, both from Florida Tech. And like many of our readers here at BSchools, he worked full-time while studying for his advanced degrees. Dr. Sonnenberg worked as a software engineer for the Harris Corporation’s Government Communications Systems Division (GCSD), also in Melbourne and not far from the Kennedy Space Center, from 2003 to 2013 when he earned his PhD.
At Bisk—one of Florida’s STEM-designated business schools for its science, technology, engineering, and mathematics coursework—he’s launched four new degree curricula. Those programs include cybersecurity, enterprise resource planning (ERP), database administration, and project management.
BSchools.org: How has an MBA with this concentration enhanced your students’ careers?
Dr. Sonnenberg: Earning a degree in our IT management or cybersecurity MBA programs rewards students with a number of different skills, both in the areas of business and technology. For example, for technical skills, they might learn about the normalization of databases. When you are normalizing a database, you are essentially making it more efficient, getting those results back faster, and leading to faster response times on a website (and happier customers). This, in turn, will lead to higher productivity and more efficiency at the company level.
On the business side, students learn about topics like project management and the steps along the system life cycle, as well as the identification and management of risks, plus how to deal with the costs and scheduling personnel.
In addition to those topics, students also learn general skills and soft skills such as teamwork, communication, ethics, and leadership. The important factor is that our MBA students experience both the technical side of things along with the business side.
BSchools.org: What’s one piece of advice you would give to a prospective MBA student?
Dr. Sonnenberg: A real key in the information technology realm—and across the entire MBA curriculum—is being up-to-date. It’s a very fast, constantly evolving field to be in, and technology affects all aspects of a business.
I advise researching as much as you can outside the classroom. We try to keep all our content as relevant as possible, but a lot of it requires students to go out and conduct research for themselves. Many of our courses are designed to explore beyond the classroom, meaning that our students have to go find articles, journals, and books about the content.
Get familiar with how to research. Look at different sources, for example, IEEE Spectrum and the publications offered by the ACM, the Association for Computing Machinery. They have different journals and periodicals that are relevant to the industry.
Dive down into these technology articles and understand what the inner workings are. And when you find something that interests you, try it out in practice. Don’t just be content to “know” what it is. Know how it works by experiencing it yourself.
For example, if you really want to know how an LLM works—an artificial intelligence large language model like ChatGPT—you’ll need to get your hands dirty with a programming language like Python, or the free software environment for statistical computing and graphics known as R, plus a little coding. It’s not required that an MBA student knows all the inner workings, but it really does help to grasp the underpinnings so you can make better decisions as a business leader. This approach will help you overall, not only in the classroom, but throughout your career as well.
Featured Schools with MBAs in Computer Science (and Related Fields)
Purdue Global offers an online MBA in information technology. Core courses include business perspectives; business communications; business analytics; financial accounting principles and analysis; measurement and decision-making; strategic human resource management; marketing management; economics for global decision-makers; financial management; designing, improving, and implementing processes; managing the value chain; strategic management; ethics in business and society; leadership strategies for a changing world; and an MBA capstone.
| Location: West Lafayette, IN |
| Accreditation: Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
Campbellsville University’s online MBA offers several concentration options. One such concentration is in computer science. This program will help students sharpen their business and technical skillset to bring maximum value to their organization. Managers who lead teams of software developers, engineers, and computer scientists must have a technical foundation for the smooth progression of projects. This program will equip students with the necessary knowledge to lead teams and develop new technologies.
Made up of 36 credits, the program includes management courses such as managerial accounting; marketing management; management information systems; organizational theory; human resource management; and business ethics, among others. The computer science track includes courses such as web concepts for managers; web 2.0 and beyond; and robotics for managers.
Graduates of this program can expect to take up various positions, such as computer and information systems managers and chief technology officers.
| Location: Campbellsville, KY |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
Southern New Hampshire University’s online master of business administration program in information technology management helps students get ahead in today’s rapidly changing technological environment. The program’s solid technology and business management background positions students for high-level careers in digital commerce, IT management, telecommunications, and e-business.
Consisting of 30 credits, the program includes core courses such as leading people and organizations; organizational strategy in a global environment; innovation and strategy for high-performance organizations; measuring success in an organization; optimizing brands; and leading organizational change. The information technology management concentration includes courses such as advanced information technology; management of information technology; and enterprise resource planning.
Business professionals with IT expertise are in high demand. Graduates of this MBA concentration are prepared for several employment opportunities, including computer and information systems managers, systems analysts, business analysts, data processing managers, directors of information technology, and chief information officers.
| Location: Manchester, NH |
| Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 months or more |
The University of West Alabama offers an online master of business administration (MBA) program providing students with the advanced skills and knowledge required for taking the next step in their career and increasing their earning potential. This fully online MBA features several concentration options.
This computer information systems emphasis provides students with the educational background required for entering an occupation in applied information systems in government, business, and non-profit organizations toward solving various problems. The concepts included in this program show how managers can be more efficient and effective when assisted by computer-based information systems.
Comprising 33 credits, the program’s core curriculum consists of 24 credits, including coursework in managerial accounting; the foundations of business; comparative business law and ethics; research methods and design; emerging technologies; managerial economics; and financial management. The 9-credit concentration in computer information systems includes courses such as globalization and technology; social and organizational issues in information systems; and knowledge management and business intelligence.
| Location: Livingston, AL |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 months |
The University of Michigan in Flint, MI offers an online MBA in multiple formats to accommodate students’ diverse needs. According to their preference and schedule, students may choose to earn their MBA degree in an online, hybrid, or on-campus format. This program’s MBA classes are centered around team-based projects encouraging teamwork and experiential learning. Through these hands-on projects, students will be empowered to deepen their skills and knowledge and apply practical skills to current business issues.
Just like the University of West Alabama, the University of Michigan also offers a concentration in computer information systems. Focusing on developing students’ specialized knowledge in information system management, advanced software engineering, and project management, this MBA concentration is ideal for students who wish to pursue managerial roles in engineering and IT.
Comprising 33 to 45 credits, the program includes core courses such as financial management; marketing management; operations management; global dimensions of management; and organizational communication and negotiation, among others. Courses in the computer information systems concentration include knowledge management in information systems; advanced data warehousing and business intelligence; and enterprise computing and systems integration.
| Location: Flint, MI |
| Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB International) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
DeSales University’s online MBA with a concentration in business analytics prepares students to become well-rounded business leaders with important digital systems knowledge. Combining core business courses with data analytics coursework, the program provides students with an in-depth perspective to achieve positive business outcomes in today’s digital era. The program also includes a capstone course that allows students to integrate what they’ve learned into a culminating activity.
Admission requirements to the program include an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited institution, a completed application, official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended, a personal statement, two professional references, and a current resume.
The program requires students to complete seven core courses, four concentration courses, and a capstone course. Core courses include financial and managerial accounting; business and society; marketing management; organization management; financial management; executive skills development; and business computing. Courses in the information systems concentration include computer architecture; application development; software engineering; and cybersecurity management.
| Location: Center Valley, PA |
| Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
Florida Institute of Technology offers an online MBA with a concentration in information technology management, providing students with high-level business and technical knowledge for meeting complex business and technology challenges. Students in this fully online program will be navigating the issues of data management in a global environment and will also be addressing management and policy issues surrounding information systems, including organizational impact, project management, and strategic use.
The program comprises 36 credits, including core courses such as managerial economics; financial management; managerial accounting; organizational behavior; essentials of business development; and marketing management. Courses in the concentration include management information systems; global information technology management; database management technology; and strategic management of technology & innovation. The program also requires students to complete a capstone course in strategic management.
Graduates will be prepared for positions such as chief technology officers, IT directors, information technology management consultants, and management information systems directors.
| Location: Melbourne, FL |
| Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 24 months |
Western Governors University’s College of Business offers an online master of business administration program in information technology management that is designed to move students forward in this lucrative and exciting field. The program offers key learning in project management, leadership, technology strategic solutions, financial management, and information technology management preparing students for anything that can come their way as information technology managers.
To be considered for admission, applicants need to submit a transcript verifying the receipt of their bachelor’s degree from a recognized, accredited institution. GRE or GMAT are not required for admission.
The program consists of 11 courses, including a capstone course in information technology management. Other courses include managing organizations and leading people; IT project management; managing human capital; marketing; IT strategic solutions; accounting for decision makers; ethical leadership; financial management; data-driven decision-making; and global economics for managers.
Graduates of the program will be ready to take up roles such as project managers, chief technology officers, computer and information systems managers, directors of IT services, senior systems administrators, and technical services managers.
| Location: Millcreek, UT |
| Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU); Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) |
| Expected Time to Completion: 12 months |
Admissions Requirements for Online MBA in Computer Science Programs
Admissions requirements for online MBA in computer science programs will vary from school to school and program to program. There are many common admission requirements for the programs mentioned above and other online MBA programs in computer science. They include:
- Completion of prerequisite management, business, and technology courses
- A competitive GPA from a bachelor’s program in a related field
- GMAT or GRE scores; some schools require scores, some do not, while others may waive the requirement under certain conditions
- Letters of recommendation
- A personal statement of objectives and goals
- A few years of work experience (preferred)
- TOEFL or IELTS test scores for international students
Accreditation and State Authorization of MBA in Computer Science Programs
Accreditation affirms that educational programs are teaching relevant and high-quality material. Accrediting agencies perform regular evaluations on accredited institutions to ensure that they meet industry-wide standards of excellence. The accreditation process is performed by a third-party accreditation agency. Several organizations accredit computer science management graduate programs.
The two main accreditation organizations for business education include the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (AABSP) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Both groups verify that correct, industry-relevant information is being delivered, and ensure that business programs (or schools) have other assets such as career placement, qualified faculty, and alumni and community support.
Finally, if a student wishes to enroll in a program offered by an online university outside their state of residence, it is important to ensure that the intended university has the authorization to provide education in their home state. Students can learn this information by checking the program’s website, speaking to an admissions officer, or researching if their intended program participates in universal state reciprocity as delineated by the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
