IT Leadership

Master of Arts in IT Leadership
Department of Computer Information Systems

New Student Orientation

---

Welcome to the IT Leadership program. I'm sure you are excited to get started with your courses. Before you begin I have put together an online orientation module for you. This online training will help you become comfortable selecting and enrolling in your courses, where to go to take your courses and course materials, and how to stay informed throughout the program.

Below are some commonly asked questions. Please read through these and navigate through the site menu to view the information about the program structure and resources.

When do I start?
Classes are ready to begin by 8:00 AM the first Monday in the term. However, quite often you will have access to the courses the weekend before the term begins. Classes are typically setup on a weekly schedule so you will find your first week readings and assignments when you login during the first week. Since there are many discussion components in each course it is important that you log into the class as soon as possible at the beginning of each week.

What is my first class?
If you are beginning the IT Leadership program in the Fall semester you will enroll in CIS 6101 Leadership Communications during the Fall I term and CIS 6105 IT Strategy during the Fall II term. If you are beginning the IT Leadership program in the Summer semester you will enroll in CIS 6205 IT Ethics and Security during the Summer I term and CIS 6208 IT Project Management during the Summer II term. You can find the complete course schedule under the Schedule menu option on this page.

Which classes do I take?
You must complete six core courses, four elective courses, and the final applied project sequence in order to fulfill the graduation requirements. While the core courses are completed by each student, you have the opportunity to select four courses to take as electives. The elective courses can be chosen to meet the criteria for an optional concentration, or you may select any set of four courses that fit your interests. You can find the course and concentration descriptions under the Courses menu option on this page. I have also put together some sample course schemas that outline a schedule for each concentration option. You can find these schemas under the Course Schemas menu option on this page. You can refer to this schema to help determine your course schedule.

How do I enroll?
Each semester you will receive an email notification instructing you to register for your next semester classes.  You will register through the Colleges Banner system.  In order to register, you must know the Course Registration Number (CRN) for each class.  Each semester you can navigate to the IT Leadership Registration page for instructions, the CRN for each class, and the required materials for each class.  You can access this enrollment page by using the hyperlink above or by locating the link the Graduate Lounge (see below).

Where do I go for my first class?
All IT Leadership courses are delivered through our course management system. You will log into the system and be presented with a list of courses that you are enrolled in. Please find the course management system link under the Resources menu option on this page. I have also created a demonstration to give you a preview of an online class so you will know what to expect; you can find this preview under the Online Classes menu option on this page.

What materials do I need?
Once you are enrolled in your first course, you will access the IT Leadership Registration website. On the Registration Menu to the right hand side of the screen, you will select Course Materials. This page contains the course materials required for each course. I update this page before the beginning of each semester. So, please be sure to note the effective date of the course materials to ensure you have information that is up-to-date for the current semester. Course materials may be purchased through the college's bookstore and can be shipped, or through an outside vendor of your choice.

How can I keep informed?
Throughout your time in the IT Leadership program you will need continue to receive information about the program. Using the Graduate Lounge course, I have established a blog area where I post information that is relevant to the students in the graduate program. You will also find other discussion boards where you can communicate with other students outside of your classes. Be sure to look around in this Graduate Lounge area. You will find several resources that will help you throughout courses in the IT Leadership program.

Once you have navigated your way through the orientation site, please contact me to schedule a time for us to meet to develop a course schedule and to answer any questions you have.

Brandon Olson
IT Leadership Program Director / Assistant Professor
Department of Computer Information Systems
The College of St. Scholastica
1200 Kenwook Avenue
Duluth, MN  55811
(218) 723-6199
bolson1@css.edu