Technology Lex Index

Whether you plan to enter a master’s program right after college or you plan to return to school after years in the industry, choosing a technology management MBA program is the first step in securing your financial future. In addition to competitive salaries, this career field promises to offer stability, growth, and versatility.

Technology managers hold roughly 293,000 positions in the technology industry. During the next eight years, the workforce is expected to grow by 17%. This means technology management MBA graduates will have an opportunity to compete for more than 50,000 positions in the coming years.

According to JIST Works, earnings growth potential is expected to be “medium” and salaries will vary by industry. For example, technology managers in scientific & technical consulting services average $124,100 per year, while research & development professionals average $120,070 per year.

To start a career in technology management, you should enroll in an accredited technology management MBA program. You can earn your MBA in a traditional or online environment. Most MBA students work in the field, full-time. The flexibility and convenience of an online program allows students to keep their full-time jobs while earning a degree at night, on weekends, or just about anytime.

A large number of traditional colleges offer all or part of the MBA degree program online. All you have to do is check the school’s online division or check with the distance learning department. There are also a number of non-traditional colleges and universities that operate (for the most part) in an online environment. For the aspiring technology manager, online business schools, as well as traditional schools offer MBA programs with concentrations in operations management, human resources, labor relations, finance, and more. Information about where to find online business schools can be found at the end of this article.

Whichever format you choose, there are a number of things to look for in a quality technology management MBA program. First, the program must be accredited. The accrediting agency must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (Ed.gov). The top accrediting agencies for business schools include:

-Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
-Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
-Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
-Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)

You may also look for accreditation by a regional accrediting agencies. The following are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as well:

-Western Association of Schools and Colleges
-Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
-Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
-North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
-New England Association of Schools and Colleges
-Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools

In addition to accreditation, you should examine the technology management curriculum carefully. In addition to technology and information systems, the curriculum should include advanced courses in economics, finance, accounting, business strategy, marketing management, human resources, statistics, manufacturing and production, and operations management. Major courses should include:

-Analyzing the Corporate Financial Environment of Technology-Driven-Companies
-Data and Information Quality for the Information Executive
-Decision Making Tools for the Technology Manager
-Enterprise Information Modeling
-Global Aspects of Technology Management
-Information Systems Policy
-Leadership and Organizational Behavior
-Managing Organizational Change
-Managing Technology Projects and Operations
-Marketing Foundations for Technology Managers
-Strategic Technology Management
-Systems and Information Concepts in Organizations

When it comes to admissions, getting past the front door at top colleges is tough.

Admissions requirements for top universities include transcripts from all institutions attended, a B average or better, high scores on the graduate record examination (GRE), and recommendation letters. The school should also require a statement of purpose or essay and other supporting materials that demonstrate leadership ability and the desire to succeed. It is important to note that competition for MBA programs is intense. Average GRE scores for top MBA programs range from 529-626 (verbal) and 700-773 (quantitative),

When you are ready to begin your search for a online MBA program or campus-based program, visit Princeton Review online to browse rankings and ratings. You may also use Bing, Ask or Google if you have time to review dozens (if not hundreds) of results. Good luck!