3-6-3 Curriculum Structure: Define Your Future at Stevens
To respond to the changing needs of our students and industry, the Howe School is launching a new curriculum structure, coined “3-6-3” for its Master of Science degree programs. Changes are effective in Spring 2012.
The new structure is truly transformational and is designed to enable you to “define your own to destiny” by providing flexibility, convenience, and specialized educational electives (career options or concentrations), that will allow you to tailor your degree to better align with your individual career goals.
The new structure follows this 3-6-3 format:
- 3 required business core courses
- 6 required courses in the MS degree area
- 3 electives (career options or concentration areas).
The final three courses provide in-depth knowledge to prepare you for your chosen career. These courses may be taken as a concentration in your chosen degree, in an industry of your choice, or in an exciting new area such as Business Intelligence & Analytics, Advanced Technologies, Global Business, or Technology Leadership. You also have the flexibility to take courses in other disciplines throughout the University.
Additionally, we are excited to introduce NEW graduate programs in 2012:
Graduate Curriculum design
The modular “3-6-3″ curriculum design for our masters degrees provides a broad range of career-oriented concentrations for students and facilitates a rapid response to changing industry needs. Master of Science programs will implement the new 3-6-3 structure (with the exception of BI&A, MBA, EMTM these programs will follow a slightly different structure).
The new Howe School Graduate Curriculum:
- Aligns the Howe School’s research and educational programs with industry needs.
- Provides a flexible educational environment that allows students to design programs of study that satisfy their individual career goals.
- Offers students a more diversified experience.
- Offers a new Finance major in the MBA program.
- Introduces entirely new areas of study such as:
- Technology Leadership
- Social Networks
- Business Intelligence and Analytics (BI&A)
- Advanced Technologies
Below are the Graduate Master Degree Programs that Howe offers:
- NEW! Master of Science in Business Intelligence and Analytics (MS) – Spring 12’ – Click here to find out more about the program
- NEW! Master of Science in Enterprise Project Management (MS) - 12‘
- Master of Science in Information Systems (MSIS)
- Master of Science in Management (MSM)
- Master of Science in Telecommunications Management (TELECOM)
- Master of Technology Management for Experience Professionals (EMTM)
- MBA in Technology Management (Flex-MBA, EMBA – Experienced Professional MBA are also offered. MS-MBA, dual degree option
Graduate Curriculum STRUCTURE
Each 12-course (36 credit) MS degree program will have the following structure:
- Business Core (3 courses)
- Degree Requirement (6 courses)
- Concentration or Career Option (3 courses)
(With the exception of MBA, BI&A and EMTM programs)
Business Core
Business success is increasingly dependent on the strategic development, management, and use of technology. Therefore, as a business school it is essential that our students leave our program with a solid and foundational understanding of business management. The curriculum developed for the degrees and programs within the Howe school are built upon a foundation based on a commitment to quality teaching that requires rigor and a thorough exploration of the application of business and technology knowledge in an ever-changing business environment.
Therefore all students must complete 3 business cores as part of their studies, which include:
- MGT 609: Introduction to Project Management
- MGT 689: Organization Behavior & Design
- MGT 615: Financial Decision Making
Degree Requirements
All students must satisfy the 6 course degree requirements for their respective degree programs. In some instances courses may be substituted with the approval a faculty advisor or Program Director.
Career Options
After taking the core business courses and satisfying the requirements for their chosen degree, students can design a program to fit their career by taking an additional nine credits in any of the following ways:
- A three-course “concentration” in their chosen degree.
- Three approved courses offered by another school within Stevens.
- Three courses providing in-depth knowledge in an industry (e.g., finance or the pharmaceutical industry.)
- Three “Career Option” courses in an area such as global business, technology leadership, business intelligence or social networks.
- Any three elective courses, possibly including a master’s thesis or project.
What this means for students
The Wesley J. Howe School of Technology Management at Stevens Institute of Technology is proud to announce changes to its graduate curriculum, which are designed to streamline the School’s course requirements, increase its interdisciplinary focus, and provide a path to greater business and technology breadth
What This Means for Current Students
Current students who are currently on a path to graduate in any of the existing majors may simply stay on that path and will graduate on time. Current students also have the option to transition into one of the new revised curriculum options. Please see your faculty adviser or Program Director for additional information.
What This Means for Incoming Students
All students must satisfy the 6 course degree requirements for their respective degree programs. In some instances courses may be substituted with the approval a faculty advisor or Program Director.
Career Options
The new graduate curriculum is available to students who enter into a graduate program during or after Fall Semester 2011. The innovative modular “3-6-3 structure” for the Howe School Master of Science degree programs increases efficiency and flexibility with even more choices for our students. Additionally it enables Stevens to be more responsive to changing technology and industry demand.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why did Howe change the curriculum?
The new curriculum changes are intended to improve the student experience and produce graduates better equipped to be future business and technology leaders. The changes better align our educational programs with the changing needs of business and to provide a flexible educational environment that will allow students to design programs of study that satisfy their individual career goals.
What are the primary highlights to the curriculum change?
Three primary features of the School of Business’ curriculum have been restructured to achieve a highly efficient education model: streamlined curriculum requirements that provide students with greater choice and flexibility; new academic content partnerships with other University departments; and simplification of the Master of Science degree requirements across all graduate programs offered at the Howe School.
In addition under the new curriculum, new areas of graduate program study will be offered for 2012, to include:
- Master of Science, Business Intelligence & Analytics (spring 2012)
- Master of Science, Enterprise Project Management (2012)
- New Finance concentration has been added to the MBA program
- New areas of concentration in Advanced Technologies, Business Intelligence & Analytics, Social Networks and Technical Leadership
When will the new curriculum take effect?
It will take effect starting in the fall semester of 2011, with some elements phased in during spring 2012 (including a number of new courses.) All students beginning their programs of study in fall 2011 or later will be required to complete the new curriculum.
Which study plan should I use?
Students who enrolled in a Howe School graduate program before fall 2011 should continue to use their existing study plan. Students enrolling in a Howe School Graduate program should use a study plan designed for the new curriculum. (Select the “Study Plan” tab below to access the study plans.)
How am I affected if I enrolled in a Howe school graduate program prior to Fall 2011?
All courses that you have taken to date in your program can be used to satisfy your degree requirements. Continuing students can chose to pursue the old curriculum or to transfer to one of the new concentrations/majors. To do so, please prepare a new study plan with your advisor.
Will this new curriculum affect my graduation date?
No. Current students will be able to follow their present study plans and complete their degree as planned.
If I am a current student, how do I switch to the new majors?
Consult with your faculty advisor, who will help you develop a new study plan.
Which of the new majors is best for my career plans?
To answer this question, please consult with your faculty advisor. The new curriculum provides increased flexibility and introduces several new areas of study such as:
- Technology Leadership
- Social Networks
- Business Intelligence and Analytics (BI & A)
- Advanced Technologies
A new finance major is also added to the MBA program.
How will changing my major affect my core course requirement?
Changing your major will not change your core course requirements. However, you should consult with your faculty advisor on any such changes.
Will all courses required for the old curriculum continue to be taught?
Yes, but some courses will be phased out over several semesters allowing continuing students to meet major requirements. After the courses are phased out, equivalencies will be established to allow students to satisfy the requirements of the old majors by taking new courses in the new majors. During the phasing out of the old courses students continuing in the old majors should make the effort to take these classes before they are phased out.
Can any courses from the old curriculum be used to satisfy requirements for new courses in the new curriculum?
Yes – please consult your academic advisor.
Does the new curriculum affect undergraduate majors?
The requirements to obtain an undergraduate degree are not impacted by the introduction of the new graduate curriculum.
Who can I contact if I have additional questions for my program?
Please feel free to contact your academic advisor or the Program Director of your degree program for any questions.