Master in Enterprise Architecture

An MEA, or MEBA as we sometimes call it, is a Master in Enterprise and Business Architecture and is a unique program preparing professionals to become leaders in business transformations. Why is this unique you ask? We look at the organization as a hybrid organism, where business and IT work together to reach strategic goals and beyond.

Going beyond is truly important because there's a lot more to this story than the traditional business/IT alignment story. We look at the power digital can bring, but always with a fit-for-purpose mindset: adopting technology for the sake of technology has no purpose. Different forces inside and outside of the organization can cause it to either succeed or fail in achieving its ambitions. In our MEA, you will learn how to identify, structure, and leverage those forces and create a plan that will help the organization succeed in a sustainable and resilient way.

Of all the tools in the manager's toolbox, EA is the one that can provide you the cohesion necessary to align the entire organization and ensure that the state of flux becomes a story of coordinated evolution in order to manage and guide a constant transformation. What matters most is not having the best strategy, but rather, how you implement and refine the strategic choices you’ve got.

An accredited Master of Science

IC Institute is unique in Europe since it is the only private company that is officially recognized by the government as an institute for higher education and our Master in Enterprise Architecture is accredited by the NVAO.

Graduates will receive an official Master’s degree ‘Master of ICT Enterprise Architecture’ and can use the international ‘Master of Science (MSc)’ title.

Program structure: what does an MEA Program look like?

This Master's is the only academic program that specifically focuses on the actual role of the enterprise architect: a true transformation leader. By balancing theory and the practical side of enterprise architecture, we prepare first-class architects, ready for the future. Course topics are presented by no less than 40 local AND international experts, about 50% of whom are academics from various universities and 50% practitioners. We focus on Enterprise Architecture 2.0, with an eye for concepts related to business, IT, change, innovation, governance, strategy, portfolio management, and more. Enterprise Architecture is about the whole enterprise, not just a part of it. Another unique aspect is the location of our institute. Situated in a beautiful park, we provide the setting to stimulate focus and inspiration. Furthermore, with our modular system, you can spread the program over multiple years. In the modern age, we go for a modern type of education!

Timing and flexibility

The courses are organized during weekend sessions. This Master consists of 17-course weekends (32 ECTS), where each module covers a specific topic. They are organized from September until June, after which you can continue to work on your master thesis (28 ECTS).

A high degree of flexibility is perfectly possible in following this Master's. For instance, you can opt to follow one or more modules during the first year and the other modules in subsequent years in order to complete the entire program (over 2 to 3 academic years) and it's not necessary to start with the first module! Also, you can follow one or more modules separately and obtain a certificate upon completion.

Modules

• Module 1: Foundations of Strategy
  Kick-off by gaining a broad view of the foundations of strategy
• Module 2: Introduction to EA
  Get to know EA and learn all about layered architectures.
• Module 3: From strategy to EA (Enterprise Design)
  How to connect both worlds? Discover how strategy translates to EA.
• Module 4: Business Architecture
  Before we even think about IT, let's talk Business!
• Module 5: Functional Architecture
  The bridge between Business and IT: let's align.
• Module 6: Software & solution architecture part 1
  Software, solutions, integration: learn the basics here.
• Module 7: Software & solution architecture part 2
  Software, solutions, integration: there's more to discover!
• Module 8: Architecture Trade-off (ATAM) & Attribute driven design
  Quality attributes, trade-off's & assessments: let's see if IT is delivering.
• Module 9: Data & information architecture
  The core foundation of it all. No processes, ICT, or AI without data!
• Module 10: Enterprise Security
  Data needs to be protected, but how? Learn the basics here.
• Module 11: Technology Architecture
  Infrastructure & technology: to cloud or not to cloud? And more!
• Module 12: Exponential Technologies
  Welcome to the future! Artificial Intelligence, IoT, Blockchain: how will they impact our enterprises? And how to deal with these technologies as an Enterprise Architect?
• Module 13: Portfolio Man. & Leading transformations
  How to take the lead in transforming organizations?
• Module 14: Enterprise Governance part 1
  Alignment and control: governance is crucial for sailing straight.
• Module 15: Enterprise Governance part 2
  Alignment and control: EA at the board level.
• Module 16: Put it all together in practice!
  You've learned a lot, now let's bring it all together and put it into practice!
• Module 17: Research & presentation techniques
  Learn how to conduct thorough (academic) research and how to become a better storyteller and presenter.
• Completion of Master's Thesis
  After the completion of the classes, you'll have 12 more months to complete your Master's thesis.

‘What’s in it for me’, you wonder? Well, here are three reasons why an MEA is valuable to professionals looking to become a leader in business transformations.

1. personal growth. In the program, we focus on knowledge, skills, and attitude which are crucial for true leaders.
2. boost your career. It allows you to become an expert of business transformations and a real trusted advisor for your management and the enterprise as a whole.
3. by understanding what internal and external forces drive the enterprise and how the different components work together, you will be able to truly understand other people’s needs and responsibilities in transformations and together help the organization succeed in a sustainable and resilient way.

Our MEA is for professionals who wish to increase their impact on their organization’s competitiveness and innovative character via enterprise architecture.