The future is digital, and the IT industry is at the heart of this transformation, with the US Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting 356,700 new openings annually. This demand is mirrored globally. In 2023, 10 million people worked as ICT specialists across the EU in 2023, with Germany employing over 21% of the total. Meanwhile, in Asia, Singapore leads the region’s tech growth, with tech jobs rising from 201,400 in 2022 to 208,300 in 2023.
However, the sector faces a big roadblock: a growing shortage of skilled professionals.
An International Data Corporation (IDC) survey revealed that nearly two-thirds of North American IT leaders attribute declining customer satisfaction to a lack of qualified professionals. This problem is expected to worsen; by 2026, over 90% of organisations worldwide will face the IT skills crisis, leading to US$5.5 trillion in losses. Europe faces similar challenges. Only 55.6% of the EU population currently have basic digital skills. At the current growth rate, the number of ICT specialists will reach just 12 million by 2030, well below the 20 million target.
Meeting the challenges of today’s tech-driven world calls for innovative education, like the programmes designed by Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Known for its academic excellence, the school integrates advanced research with high-impact teaching, preparing graduates for versatile careers in an increasingly tech-driven world.
Leading this effort is the new online MS in IT Management (MSITM). Previously offered in partnership with edX, the MSITM has been restructured to better equip graduates for leadership roles in technology. At US$25,500, it is Kelley’s most affordable graduate programme.
You will learn from faculty who deliver engaging and interactive classroom experiences. Source: Kelley School of Business
Study anywhere, succeed everywhere
Juggling a full-time job and pursuing a degree is no small feat, but Kelley School of Business’s MSITM makes it possible. Designed with busy IT professionals in mind, the programme’s flexible, asynchronous format — paired with optional live virtual sessions — makes it accessible to international students, no matter where you’re based.
Regardless of its online format, the programme is designed to foster a strong sense of community. “Despite attending the programme and earning my degree online, the professors foster an environment of community and belonging,” says Krithika Chandra Mouli from Bangkok. “I felt excited to attend classes and interact with my classmates and teachers. There’s a strong priority of learning and teamwork over simply achieving high grades.”
But this flexibility doesn’t come at the expense of quality. Dania Abuassy, a student from Dubai, calls the programme “the perfect balance of academic excellence and flexibility for professionals.” “What I valued most was the international experience, along with the expert faculty and a curriculum that prepares graduates to thrive globally,” she says.
Kelley faculty members are approachable and eager to share their expertise with you. Source: Kelley School of Business
Transformative learning for aspiring innovators
At Kelley, award-winning faculty members are deeply committed to driving student success. As Rebecca Slotegraaf, associate dean for research and professor of marketing, says, “Our programmes are consistently ranked among the best thanks to our faculty. Their dedication enables Kelley to better prepare students and help Indiana and US businesses remain competitive.”
Kelley’s professors bring industry experience into the classroom, offering students valuable insights into real-world business challenges. “The MSITM provided a curriculum filled with practical information and frameworks for the ever-changing technological landscape,” says graduate Jamie Boyes. “Most importantly, the programme demonstrates how, as IT leaders, we can connect Operations, Financial and all other business units, meaningfully, with technology and make great decisions.”
Another graduate Anthony Vilhauer agrees. “The MSITM was a game-changer for me,” he says. “The faculty had deep knowledge of what they were teaching, the students were eager to collaborate and learn, and the flow of classes from start to finish built expertise to understand IT through a business lens.”
The programme is structured around 10 courses that provide a comprehensive foundation in both technology and business. They include Introduction to Information Technology, Quantitative Methods, Enterprise Data Management, Cloud and Information Technology Architecture, Information Systems Security, Artificial Intelligence in Business, Business Applications of Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Generative AI for Business, Enterprise Resource Planning and Business Platforms, and Leading Information Technology.
This comprehensive curriculum prepares graduates to lead, innovate, and implement technology strategies that create lasting impact. Kelley’s reputation for producing confident, capable leaders has made its alumni highly sought after by top recruiters.
Andrea Welker, now at Microsoft as an Account Technology Strategist, credits the programme for giving her the advanced knowledge and strategic insights she needed to navigate today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape. “By integrating cutting-edge IT management practices with a deep understanding of industry-specific needs, I am committed to delivering value-driven strategies that foster growth, efficiency, and innovation for my clients,” she says.
For Megan (McGuinness) Garufi, the COO of Edenbrook Capital, the programme provided the tools she needed to stay ahead in an evolving workplace. With an updated skill set, she feels more confident navigating change as a seasoned accounting and compliance professional. “The access granted to such talented professors, in-depth articles and research, accomplished teammates, and new software is invaluable,” she says.
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