McCombs’ MS in Information Technology and Management is an accelerated, 10-month program that combines advanced technical training with practical business strategy to prepare students for high-impact roles in today’s AI-driven economy. With world-class interdisciplinary faculty, valuable experiential learning opportunities, dedicated career support, and a prime location in Austin’s thriving tech hub, Texas McCombs’ MSITM program is a top choice for students who want to step into a high-impact tech career in less than one year.
This program produces students with a broad skillset who are able to articulate how to apply AI, because they’ve coded AI agents and worked on data platforms. They have knowledge that is, frankly, lacking in many companies.
Vlad Collak, Founder and CEO of NewTide.AI, MSITM Advisory Council Member
McCombs’ focus on the application of AI in business settings prepares tech professionals for a new job market. You won’t be left behind in the AI revolution — you’ll lead it.
It’s no secret that today’s job market is radically changing. While learning to code used to be a sure path to a high-impact career in tech, the widespread adoption of AI tools is making the path forward more challenging. That’s why McCombs offers an interdisciplinary curriculum centered around working with AI, where students learn the ins and outs of planning, building, and implementing AI and machine learning solutions to solve business problems. Our students graduate with a combination of hard technical skills and strategic business mindset that future proof their resume for an AI-driven economy.
✪ Job market insights
See what leading publications and experts have to say about how AI is shaping today’s job market. Our MSITM faculty have their finger on the pulse of what tech employers and recruiters are looking for right now, and are tailoring their curriculum to match their needs.
The MSITM curriculum combines technical skills with strategic business knowledge.
With the help of an advisory council comprised of industry professionals, our expert faculty designed a curriculum to equip students with the technical skills that employers are demanding the most. Over ten months, students design and deploy AI models, build scalable cloud-native systems, and integrate digital capabilities into organizational strategy. Through hands-on coursework and experiential projects, students don’t just learn the theory behind emerging technologies—they learn how to apply emerging technologies to real business problems, creating solutions that drive innovation and measurable value.
Compare: MBA vs. Computer Science vs. MSITM
Unlike more theory-heavy computer science degrees or broader MBA programs, Texas McCombs’ MSITM is a career-driven program built for students seeking roles at the intersection of technology and business. Students gain experience in areas employers are actively seeking—AI engineering, product management, data governance, cybersecurity, and ethical AI—guided by world-class faculty and strengthened by industry partnerships. Combined with Austin’s dynamic tech ecosystem and dedicated career management support, MSITM positions graduates for competitive, high-impact roles.
| MBA | Computer Science Master’s | MS in Information Technology & Management | |
| Program Focus |
Develops strategic leadership, management, and decision-making skills to drive organizational success across industries.
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Builds deep technical expertise in computing, programming, and algorithms to design and advance technology solutions. |
Bridges business strategy and technology by training professionals to design, manage, and implement tech-driven business solutions. |
| Ideal Candidates |
Professionals seeking to advance into leadership or management roles, broaden business acumen, and lead teams or organizations.
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Students or professionals with strong quantitative and programming backgrounds who want to deepen technical expertise or pursue software and engineering roles.
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Early-career professionals and recent graduates who want to combine business insight with technical skills to lead digital transformation initiatives. |
| Career Paths |
Management consulting, corporate strategy, finance, marketing, operations, general management, entrepreneurship.
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Software engineer, data scientist, machine learning engineer, systems architect, cybersecurity analyst, product developer.
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AI forward deployed engineer, technical consultant, machine learning/AI/data engineer, business analyst, technical product manager |
➢ Choose your career path
Career support for MSITM students
Another reason to consider pursuing an MSITM at McCombs School of Business is the top-tier career connections that McCombs offers students. We have long-standing relationships with recruiters across industries, and dedicated career coaching to help you define your career goals, market your skills, and ace the recruitment process. You’ll also have access to a powerful network of over 100,000 alumni, and an advisory councilof industry professionals.
Who hires MSITM graduates: Deloitte, Southwest Airlines, Capital One, Applied Materials, Ernst & Young, Google
Average salary for MSITM graduates: According to interim reports, $113,473 average starting salary for the MSITM Class of 2025. The final report will be published February 2026. Click hereto view full interim data.
MSITM prepares students for highly sought-after roles within top companies. Take a look at some of the types of roles you can go into with an MSITM degree, and explore more on our career managementpage.
Machine Learning Engineer
A machine learning engineer builds and maintains systems that learn from data, including designing models, preparing datasets, and deploying those models into production. They work at the intersection of software engineering and data science to ensure ML solutions are scalable, reliable, and effective for businesses.
Average starting salary in Austin, TX: $95,000 – $120,000 (Source: Final Round AI)
AI Forward Deployed Engineer
AI forward deployed engineers work closely with business clients to understand their business problems and then build, customize, and deploy AI and machine learning systems to solve those problems end-to-end.
Average starting salary in Austin, TX: $91,000 (Source: Salary.com)
Technical Consultant
A technical consultant works with clients to understand their business needs, then designs and implements technical solutions — often integrating software, data, or AI tools — to solve business problems and help clients meet strategic goals. They combine domain knowledge, technical skills, and communication to act as a bridge between engineering teams and business stakeholders.
Average starting salary in Austin, TX: $100,000 per year (Source: Indeed)
Technical Product Manager
A technical product manager oversees the development and delivery of software products — often bridging engineering, design, and business teams — especially when the product involves technical or AI-powered features. They help define product vision and requirements, prioritize features based on business value, and ensure the engineering work aligns with overall business or market goals.
Average starting salary in Austin, TX: $110,000 – $130,000 per year (Source: Indeed)
The McCombs Advantage
Wondering why you would pursue a technical degree program within a business school? McCombs works with industry professionals and expert faculty in business and engineering to ensure that we’re offering the most effective experience — from thoughtfully designing an interdisciplinary curriculum, exclusive recruitment and networking opportunities, a capstone project, and more.
Recruiter and Alumni Connections
Experiential Learning
Cohort Experience
Live and work in Austin, TX
✪ By the numbers: MSITM rankings
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