MS in Information Technology and Management (MSITM)Program Overview

What is the Plus One Pathway to McCombs Master of Science programs?

The Plus One Pathway is an exclusive, invitation-only conditional admission program for exceptional UT Austin undergraduate students. It provides a seamless path from their UT undergraduate studies into a specialized Master of Science Program at the McCombs School of Business. This is a unique opportunity for students to earn a top-ranked McCombs Master of Science degree and strengthen their competitive edge in the job market.

What is the benefit of going immediately from an undergraduate degree into a graduate program?

A McCombs Master of Science degree can help students pursue stronger career opportunities, advance faster, and enter the workforce with higher credentials and earning potential. Continuing directly from undergraduate study can also make the transition to graduate coursework easier. Each degree offers a technically advanced curriculum, which prepares students to build, understand, and effectively use the AI and analytics tools that companies are increasingly relying on. The Plus One Pathway also provides hands-on experience through collaborative projects, a required internship, and a culminating capstone project.

What McCombs Master of Science programs can I enroll in through the Plus One pathway?

Students admitted to the Plus One Pathway may choose from four specialized master’s programs: the MS in Business Analytics and AI (MSBAi), MS in Business Technology and AI (MSBTAI), MS in Finance (MSF), or MS in Marketing (MSM) program. Students must complete the prerequisites for their selected MS Program. Explore program-specific prerequisites here.

How long does it take to complete a master’s degree through the Plus One Pathway?

The Plus One Pathway allows students to complete a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in succession. The total time to complete both degrees depends on the speed at which the undergraduate degree is earned. A student completing their undergraduate degree in four years would complete the master’s degree in one additional year, for a total of five years for both degrees. In some cases, students may have advanced placement or similar credits that would apply toward their undergraduate degree program, allowing them to complete their undergraduate degree in three years. For these students, the total time to earn both degrees would be four years; three years for the undergraduate degree plus one additional year for the master’s degree.

In all cases, students are expected to take MS Program summer courses the summer before their final year of undergraduate study and to complete an internship in the summer after completing their undergraduate degree.

What if I will graduate early from my undergraduate degree?

Completing your undergraduate degree early does not affect your eligibility for the Plus One Pathway. Students who complete their undergraduate degree in three years can earn both degrees in four years: three years for the undergraduate degree and one additional year for the master’s degree.

All Plus One Pathway students must complete MS Program summer courses during the summer after their junior year and an internship the following summer. For the pathway, “junior year” means the academic year immediately before the final undergraduate year. Students must also have completed at least 90 undergraduate credit hours to enroll in the MS summer courses.

How is the Plus One Pathway different from other conditional admission options such as the Bridge program?

The MS Bridge Program is also open to UT Austin undergraduates, but the Plus One Pathway is unique in that it is invitation-only, early admission into an MS Program, and allows earlier access to admissions staff, McCombs’ event programming, and faculty for exceptional UT Austin undergraduate students.

Admissions

How and when do I apply for the Plus One Pathway?

During your undergraduate application to The University of Texas at Austin, you have the option to indicate that you would like to be considered for the Plus One Pathway. There is also the option to indicate your interest when applying as an internal transfer to the McCombs School of Business. Indicating your interest at these stages allows the Master of Science Programs admissions team to use your initial undergraduate application or internal transfer application. No additional application or materials are required at this initial stage.

If you are offered conditional Master of Science program admission through the Plus One Pathway, you will be prompted to submit required documents to the McCombs admissions team during junior year of your undergraduate studies.

When do I need to decide which Master of Science program I am interested in joining?

The Plus One Pathway students formally select their MS Program during their junior year. For the purposes of the Plus One Pathway, junior year is defined as the academic year immediately preceding the final undergraduate year. Since each MS Program has specific undergraduate prerequisites, it is important to meet regularly with the MS Program’s admissions team and faculty program director to discuss program fit and track progress toward meeting requirements. These conversations help ensure students stay on track and choose the program that best aligns with their career goals before they formally select their MS Program.

How do I meet the requirements of conditional graduate admission?

Admission to an MS Program through the Plus One Pathway remains conditional until you complete your bachelor’s degree and meet all MS Programs and Graduate School requirements for formal admission. This includes:

• Complete the required prerequisite courses for your selected MS Program and maintain excellent academic standing.
• Meet annually with the MS Programs admissions team to review your academic progress.
• Participate in at least one designated Plus One Pathway event each academic semester.
• Complete foundational MS Program coursework during the summer before your final undergraduate year.
• Participate in a faculty interview during your junior year to confirm program readiness and alignment. For the Plus One Pathway, “junior year” is the academic year immediately preceding the final undergraduate year.
• Complete an approved internship during the summer immediately following undergraduate degree completion.
• Complete all formal UT Graduate School admission requirements.

What are the prerequisites for McCombs Master of Science programs?

Plus One Pathway students complete program-specific prerequisites during their undergraduate studies that are designed to prepare them for success in their chosen MS Program. Explore the prerequisite requirements for each MS Program here.

Is there a required internship?

Yes, each Plus One Pathway student is required to complete an industry-focused, approved internship during the summer after they complete their undergraduate degree. Students find these required internships to be valuable opportunities for experiential learning. Plus One Pathway students receive exclusive access to McCombs’ internship boards and career coaches when they begin the MS Program summer coursework. Access to McCombs’ career resources continues through your final year of undergraduate study and through your MS Program. Many summer internships begin recruiting in the fall, so the search to secure an internship begins immediately following the completion of the summer MS Program coursework.

What is the Plus One Pathway to McCombs Master of Science programs?

The Plus One Pathway is an exclusive, invitation-only conditional admission program for exceptional UT Austin undergraduate students. It provides a seamless path from their UT undergraduate studies into a specialized Master of Science Program at the McCombs School of Business. This is a unique opportunity for students to earn a top-ranked McCombs Master of Science degree and strengthen their competitive edge in the job market.

What are the tuition and fees for the MS Programs?

Plus One Pathway students pay the tuition and fees associated with each semester that they are enrolled in the Master of Science Program courses.

Career Support

What career support is available from the MS Programs?

The MS Programs have a dedicated career management team to support students in their journey from graduate school into their professional career. Specialized career coaches lead tailored career workshops and provide personalized career advising, resume and interview preparation. The career team hosts weekly events to support networking opportunities and provide access to employer recruitment pipelines. MS Programs students have exclusive access to McCombs’ job board.