Bachelors in Information Technology
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines information technology as “the technology involving the development, maintenance, and use of computer systems, software, and networks for the processing and distribution of data.” This definition covers a vast ground — from physical hardware to computer applications, data networks, server storage and much more. It has grown to include the architectures and methods used for processing, storing and accessing data as well as the regulations that govern their use.
There are applications to IT in virtually every field which means you may be able to turn your interest in all-things IT into a career. For example, if you are interested in healthcare (but don’t really want to be on the medical side), you may be able to work in the healthcare software and data management industry where, according to a report by Deloitte, blockchain technology and artificial intelligence are creating waves.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that computer and information technology occupations may add 557,100 new jobs in the decade leading up to 2026 and seven of the ten occupations related to this field require a bachelor’s degree in information technology.
An online information technology degree can help you enter this field which is growing at a faster-than-average speed. Online colleges offering a bachelor’s degree in computer and information technology make it convenient for busy students to earn this degree online with multiple starting dates and a curriculum that can help you build the technical and business skills you need to succeed in this career. The variety of concentrations or majors offers students a wide range of choices from cybersecurity and health information technology to network management and information systems.
Online Bachelor’s Degree Program in Information technology
Prerequisites:
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical Duration:
Four years of full-time study
No. of online colleges offering this program:
19 Best Online Bachelor’s In Information Technology Degree Programs
The large number of online information technology degrees available can make choosing a college or a program difficult. The best colleges offering bachelor’s in information technology degrees typically offer good tuitions, career services, low student-to-faculty ratios and a variety of related programs. Looking at each factor individually can be difficult which is why we’ve done the legwork for you and prepared an unbiased list of the top colleges for information technology degrees so you can make an informed choice from the accredited online IT bachelor degree programs out there.
We also know that receiving a high quality education is important so we’ve included information such as if the program is certified by Quality Matters which demonstrates that the college has undergone stringent assessments to ensure online bachelor’s in information technology degree programs meet the high professional standards required for student success. We’ve also looked at the college’s participation in programs like the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) which can help students reduce costs and gain access to a variety of educational offerings that cross state borders.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 98% | Retention Rate 87% | No. of Online Programs 160 | Tuition Fees $7,360 |
Online Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology. The program is designed to produce academically sound and functionally competent IT professionals who can build and deploy networks, databases, web properties, and other IT-related assets.
- Fully online program
- Asynchronous
- Programs may have monthly start dates and are delivered in eight-week or 16-week formats
- The American Public University System is a SARA-approved institution
- It is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
- APUS has received five Effective Practice Awards since 2009 from the Online Learning Consortium. The university also received OLC’s Ralph E. Gomory Award for Quality Online Education in 2009
- 120 credit hours
- A maximum of 90 transfer credit hours earned from programs with grades C or higher from accredited institutions may be accepted
- Various electives on offer are arts and humanities, civics, political and social sciences, history, mathematics and applied reasoning and natural sciences with lab
- Students may be required to complete a capstone project
- Optional concentrations include — e-commerce, mobile computing, programming, web development using .NET
- Credits can also be awarded through testing and examinations, for military service, recognized professional training and for other prior learning experiences
- Access to online scholarly materials, reference resources and self-help tools, as well as research and reference guidance
- Academic advising, career coaching services and program specific online career development resources are available
Private, not-for-profit
A few of the scholarships the university offers to those who qualify are:
- The Brady Cobin Law Scholarship
- Adrian Rubin Scholarship
Please visit the website for more information.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 92% | Retention Rate 78% | No. of Online Programs 63 | Tuition Fees $7,791 |
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. The program aims to help students in building a foundation in programming, network systems, systems analysis, and software tools. The students may explore the business use of information and how to help an organization apply technology to enhance overall operations.
- Available fully online
- Granite State College is a SARA-approved institution
- It is regionally accredited by the New England Commission on Higher Education, Inc.
- A minimum of 120 semester credit hours
- A maximum of 90 credits may be transferred from previously attended accredited institutions from programs with grades of C or higher
- Option of completing an independent research project, internship or practicum, or a work-related or other applied project
- Students may receive credits for prior learning through equivalency testing, participation in validated training programs, an experiential learning portfolio based on work experience and military training
- Access to scholarly materials 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Access to research help and guidance
Public
A few of the scholarships the university offers, to those who qualify, include:
- Unique Endowment/Allocation Program
- Dollars For Scholars
For details, please visit the school website.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 98% | Retention Rate 76% | No. of Online Programs 23 | Tuition Fees $36,740 |
Online Bachelor’s of Science in Information Technology Security. The purpose of this program is to provide education and training in information technology management emphasizing the changing role of IT in the 21st century, introducing the fastest-growing educational program in information assurance, emphasizing its role in personal and corporate computing, and educate students about intelligence creation, storage, and distribution to take challenges created by new positions in IT industry.
- Fully online program
- Campbell University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- 124 credit hours
- A maximum of 64 semester hours may be transferred from previously attended institutions
- Electives on offer are literature, mathematics, humanities and social sciences
- Optional concentrations include fundamentals of IT, internet applications, programming language, database management, system analysis, design and develop
- Access to online scholarly materials
- Professional advisors are assigned to students
- Academic advising and student support services are available
Private, not-for-profit
- Presidential Scholarship
- Scott-Ellis Scholarship
Visit the school website for more information. Scholarships are offered to students who qualify.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 74% | Retention Rate 56% | No. of Online Programs 48 | Tuition Fees $3,248 |
Online Bachelor of Applied Science in Digital Information Technology. The program aims to prepare students for beginning management level jobs in information technology departments of business and industry.
Fully online
- Great Basin College is a SARA-approved institution
- The college is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
120 credit hours
- Students may complete an experiential capstone project to develop their professional skills
- Access to library resources such as research help, online databases, media, and e-books
- Academic and exploratory advising, online counseling resources and career development guidance are available
- Credits can be earned through testing and examinations and for university-level learning they have gained through employment, volunteer service or other life experience
Public
For those who qualify, the university offers scholarships such as:
- Warde Dixon Scholarship
- Nevada Promise Scholarship
Please visit the school website for more details.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 100% | Retention Rate 76% | No. of Online Programs 31 | Tuition Fees $32,490 |
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Systems. The program fuses computer science fundamentals and business concepts to create the ultimate foundation for a successful career designing, building and implementing solutions to organizations’ information technology needs around the world.
- Fully online, flexible format
- Classes are offered in an accelerated format for the convenience of working adult students
- LeTourneau University is a SARA-approved institution
- It is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- A total of 126 credit hours
- Transfer credits may be accepted from previously attended accredited institutions in programs where the student has acquired a minimum of grade C
- Students may be required to complete a capstone project
- Transfer credits may be acceptable from previously attended accredited institutions or may award credits for prior learning examinations
- Access to various digital library
- Advising, career counseling, professional development guidance and various online resources are also available
Private, not-for-profit
Options are available for those who qualify. Some of the awards given by the university are:
- Bruce McMilan Jr. Endowed Scholarship
- Columbia Energy Endowed Scholarship
- Rhonda Brock Memorial Endowed Scholarship
To view the complete list, please visit the school website.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 94% | Retention Rate 89% | No. of Online Programs 72 | Tuition Fees $6,565 |
Online Bachelor’s in Information Technology. The program prepares graduates to excel in a world increasingly focused on information technology. The students get the opportunity to advance knowledge and earn one of the most in-demand bachelor’s degrees with a curriculum that includes courses in programming, software development, information systems, database development, computer networking, operating systems and more.
- Fully online program
- The program starts in the fall, spring or summer
- The classes are not self-paced and may require adherence to submission deadlines. Some may also require online group projects.
- Florida International University is a SARA-approved institution
- It is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- 120 credit hours
- A maximum of 90 credits may be transferred from regionally and nationally accredited institutions
- Electives on offer are system administration, application development, network administration and database administration
- Fully online students can also join and graduate through the FIU Honors College, a much-respected accomplishment
- Access to library resources, e-books and e-journals
- Advising, success coaching, career services, counseling services are available
- Each student may be assigned a personal success coach for guidance
Public
The university offers several institutional scholarships to students who qualify. A few of these are:
- Harvey L. Young Family Foundation Scholarship
- Dean’s Advisory Board Scholarship
- Lucille E. Snaith Memorial Scholarship Endowment
Visit the university website for more details.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 96% | Retention 79% | No. of Online Programs 11 | Tuition Fees $6,657 |
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. The program aims to provide students with the core skills needed to enter and be successful in the IT profession. Students may have the opportunity to learn the foundations of networks, servers, storage, mainframe/enterprise systems and cloud environments.
- Fully online
- North Carolina A & T University is a SARA-approved institution
- It is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- 120 credit hours
- Transfer credits may be accepted from previously attended accredited institutions in programs where the student has acquired a minimum of grade C
- The program has a focus on mainframe education
- Specializations included are high performance computing, cloud architecture and mobile application development
- Transfer credits may be acceptable from previously attended accredited institutions or may award credits for prior learning examinations
- Access to various digital library
- Advising, career counseling, professional development guidance and various online resources are also available
Public
Incoming freshmen scholarships, currents students and transfer student scholarships are just some of the options available to those who qualify. To view the complete list, please visit the school website.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 97% | Retention Rate 72% | No. of Online Programs 19 | Tuition Fees $6,241 |
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. The program aims to provide students with a combination of knowledge, hands-on experience, and application of theory to support their employment in the field of information technology.
- Fully online
- Columbus State University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- A total of 123 credit hours
- Transfer credits may be accepted from previously attended accredited institutions in programs where the student has acquired a minimum of grade C
- Electives on offer are customer relationship management, IT policy and law and IT seminar
- Credits can also be awarded through testing and examinations, for military service, recognized professional training and for other prior learning experiences
- Access to online scholarly materials, reference resources and self-help tools, as well as research and reference guidance
- Academic advising, career coaching services and program specific online career development resources are available
Public
- Columbus State University Honors Scholarship
- Scholarships by Merit or Interest
Scholarships are offered to those who qualify. To view the complete list, please visit the school website.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 99% | Retention Rate 81% | No. of Online Programs 137 | Tuition Fees $21,587 |
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. The program aims to prepare students to identify, address, and determine solutions and take on real-world projects in the field of technology.
- Fully online program
- Eight-week courses, eight different start dates each year, and no set login times
- American Public University is a SARA-approved institution
- Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
- 120 credit hours
- A maximum of 90 credit hours may be transferred from previously attended institutions for programs for which the student has acquired a 2.0 grade point average
- Specializations include application and database development, data networking and security, gaming design, and web and mobile programming
- Transfer credits may be acceptable from other regionally accredited colleges and universities. Students may also earn credit through testing, exams and prior learning assessment, and for military training
- Access to a variety of online scholarly materials and research assistance
- Guidance and resources from the writing center and personal counseling services are also available
Private, not-for-profit
For those who qualify, the university offers the following scholarships for online students:
- First Responder Discount
- Heroes Fund Scholarship
- Word of Life Employees
Visit the school website for details.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 86% | Retention Rate 29% | No. of Online Programs 55 | Tuition Fees $12,624 |
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. The program equips you with the mission-critical skills employers are looking for in the areas of network and systems administration, infrastructure management, information security, database administration, and IT project management.
- Fully online program
- Franklin University is a SARA-approved institution
- It is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
- A minimum of 120 credit hours
- The university may accept up to 90 semester hours in transfer credits from accredited institutions in programs where the student has acquired a grade of C or higher
- Major electives on offer are introduction to analytics, communication and network security, security risk management, advanced project management, data center design and management, and windows and data administration
- Transfer credits may be acceptable from other regionally accredited colleges and universities. Students may also earn credit through testing, exams and prior learning assessment
- Access to a variety of scholarly materials and research assistance
- Access to online writing assistance, one-on-one tutoring, career counseling and resources to aid in professional development
Private, not-for-profit
A few of the scholarships the university offers to those who qualify include:
- Undergraduate CBusStudentHack Scholarship
- Choose Ohio First Scholarship
Visit the school website for more details.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 91% | Retention Rate 79% | No. of Online Programs 46 | Tuition Fees $4,341 |
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. The program aims to meet the high demand for professional degrees in the strategy, development and administration of integrated computing, management, and information technology systems.
- Fully online
- Also available in hybrid format
- Classes are held in 8-week or 16-week sessions
- Kennesaw State University is a SARA-approved institution
- It is regionally accredited from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- 121 credit hours
- The university may accept transfer credits from previously attended accredited institutions in programs where the student has acquired a grade of C or higher
- Concentrations on offer are enterprise systems, information assurance and security, mobile and web, and health information technology
- Students may complete a capstone project as an opportunity to gain practical experience in a professional environment
- The university may accept transfer credits earned from other regionally accredited colleges and universities. They may also earn credit through testing and examination or for military training, corporate training and life experience
- Various scholarly materials, services and facilities are available to online students through the library website
- Guidance and resources from the writing center, online tutoring and personal counseling services are also available
Public
- President’s Emerging Global Scholars Program
- Dasher-Spruell Scholarship
- Great Books Cohort
Visit the school website for more information. Please note that the scholarships are awarded to only those who qualify.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 93% | Retention Rate 30% | No. of Online Programs 28 | Tuition Fees $9,240 |
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management. Through this program, the students can gain a solid foundation in the function of information systems in management and the social and technical components of IT systems. The program focuses on a case-based approach which allows for real-world application of the key information and skills learned in the program.
- Available fully online
- Trident University International is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- A minimum of 120 semester credit hours
- A maximum of 90 credits may be transferred from previously attended accredited institutions from programs with grades of C or higher
- Students may be required to complete a capstone project
- Students may receive credits for prior learning through equivalency testing, participation in validated training programs, an experiential learning portfolio based on work experience and military training
- Access to scholarly materials 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Access to research help and guidance
Public
A few of the scholarships the university offers, to those who qualify, include:
- Alumni Referral Scholarship
- Trident Extended Family Scholarship
For details, please visit the school website.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 99% | Retention Rate 74% | No. of Online Programs 33 | Tuition Fees $5,515 |
Online Bachelor of Science in Information and Communication Technology. The curriculum covers topics and concepts that are required to design, implement, and manage a variety of computer-based information systems.
- Fully online program
- A maximum of 90 credits may be transferred from accredited institutions
- New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher learning Commission
- The program is accredited by Commission for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
120 credit hours
- Transfer credits may be acceptable from previously attended accredited institutions or may award credits for prior learning examinations
- Access to library resources, e-books and e-journals
- Support services include advising, success coaching, career services, counseling services
Public
- Hadley Honors Scholarship
- 1888 Leadership Scholarship
- Pete’s Opportunity Scholarship
Crimson Success Scholarship
Visit the school website for more information. Scholarships are awarded to only those who qualify.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 97% | Retention Rate 73% | No. of Online Programs 64 | Tuition Fees $17,544 |
Online Bachelor’s in Computer Information Systems. The program aims to prepare students to become developers who understand the processes necessary to succeed in any business environment.
- Fully online program
- Davenport University is a SARA-approved institution
- It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
- 120 credit hours
- A maximum of 90 transfer credit hours earned from programs with grades C or higher from accredited institutions may be accepted
- Various specializations on offer are web and mobile development specialty, programming specialty, database and analytics and secure software development
- Electives on offer include intermediate algebra and pre-calculus
- Transfer credits may be acceptable from previously attended accredited institutions or may award credits for prior learning examinations
- Access to various digital library
- Advising, career counseling, professional development guidance and various online resources are also available
Private, not-for-profit
- Gerald R. Ford Memorial Scholarship
- Davenport University President’s Scholarship
Scholarships are available for those who qualify. Visit the school website for more information.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 76% | Retention Rate 87% | No. of Online Programs 34 | Tuition Fees $9,060 |
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. The program aims to prepare students to apply IT to support business processes by gaining strong problem-solving, writing, and communication skills. The graduates may be able to compete for technical employment and can be prepared for advanced study.
- Available fully online; hybrid option is also available
- George Mason University is a SARA-approved institution
- It is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges
- The program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
- A minimum of 120 semester credit hours
- A maximum of 90 credits may be transferred from previously attended accredited institutions from programs with grades of C or higher
- Concentrations on offer are database technology and programming, health information technology, information security, network and telecommunications, and web development and multimedia
- Students may be required to complete two capstone projects
- Students may receive credits for prior learning through equivalency testing, participation in validated training programs, an experiential learning portfolio based on work experience and military training
- Access to scholarly materials 24 hours a day and seven days a week
- Student support services, including phone consultations, may be available
Public
A few of the scholarships the university offers, to those who qualify, include:
- George Mason University Alumni Association
- Mason Merit Scholarships — Incoming, First-Time and Freshman Students
For details, please visit the school website.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 100% | Retention Rate 54% | No. of Online Programs 41 | Tuition Fees $30,000 |
Online Bachelor’s in Information Systems Management. The program aims to prepare students to successfully manage information systems innovation, design, development, and operations.
- Fully online program
- Six-week classes offered
- Southwestern College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
- A minimum of 124 credit hours
- A maximum of 64 credit hours may be transferred from previously attended institutions for programs for which the student has acquired a 2.0 grade point average
- Areas of specialization include security, enterprise, data management, and decision support
- Students may complete an experiential capstone project to develop their professional skills
- Credits can also be earned through testing and examinations and for prior learning such as through work experience or training, military training and prior learning portfolio assessment
- Access to scholarly materials and various online resources are available for research
- Students may avail of online tutoring and assistance
- Access to online career exploration, webinars and other resources
Private; not-for-profit
- New Learner Scholarship
- Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant
Please note that scholarships are awarded to eligible students only. Please visit the school website to see details.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 100% | Retention Rate 76% | No. of Online Programs 21 | Tuition Fees $29,980 |
Online Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology. With a strong focus on entrepreneurship and technological business solutions, the program may give you the tool building skills you need to work for a large organization — or start your own business.
- Fully online program
- 8-week classes offered
- Point Park University is a SARA-approved institution
- Regionally accredited by the Middle State Commission on Higher Education
- A total of 121 credit hours
- A maximum of 90 credit hours m transferred from previously attended institutions for programs for which the student has acquired a 2.0 grade point average
- Concentrations include data analytics, mobile development, and software development
- Students may get internship opportunities, enabling them to build their portfolio and gain a competitive edge in the field
- Credits can also be earned through testing and examinations and for prior learning such as through work experience or training, military training and prior learning portfolio assessment
- Access to scholarly materials and various online resources are available for research
- Students may avail of online tutoring and assistance
Private; not-for-profit
These are just a few of the scholarships that the university offers to those who qualify:
- Presidential Scholarship
- Founders Scholarship
- Point Park Opportunity Grant
Visit the school website for details.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 99% | Retention Rate 61% | No. of Online Programs 21 | Tuition Fees $22,053 |
Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management. The program’s unique focus on the management of technology effectively aims to prepare students for successful careers in the dynamic and fast-paced information technology marketplace.
- Fully online program
- Berkeley College is a SARA-approved institution
- It is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education
- The program is accredited by the international Accreditation Council for Business Education
- A total of 120 credits
- Up to 90 credit hours may be transferred from previously attended institutions
- Students may gain practical experience by completing an internship in a supervised work environment
- They may also be required to complete a capstone senior project involving research
- Credits can also be awarded through testing and examinations, for military service, recognized professional training and for other prior learning experiences
- Access to online scholarly materials as well as research and reference guidance
- Academic advising, career coaching services and program specific online career development resources are available
Private, for-profit
A few of the scholarships the university offers to those who qualify are:
- Achievement Award
- Alumni Legacy Scholarship
- Corporate Learning Partnership Scholarship
Please visit the website for more information.
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Percent Receiving Financial Aid 99% | Retention Rate 76% | No. of Online Programs 55 | Tuition Fees $22,275 |
Online Bachelor of Arts in Information and Technology Management. The program aims to connect the technical and business aspects of a company’s daily operations. Students may gain broad insights into business fundamentals that help streamline operations, improve efficiency and grow profit margins.
- Fully online program
- Blended format is also available that combines face-to-face and online learning methods
- Concordia University – Saint Paul is a SARA-approved institution
- ??It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
- 120 credit hours
- A maximum of 90 credit hours may be transferred to fulfill the credit requirements for the degree
- Includes an elective practicum experience
- Online resources from the library can be accessed 24 hours a day and seven days a week
- Student support services such as academic advising, tutoring, counseling and career and professional development services are available
Private, not-for-profit
- CSP Academic Scholarship
- CSP Talent Scholarship
- CSP Scholarships for Transfer Students
- CSP Scholarships in Partnership
To know more, please visit the school website. Scholarships are awarded to eligible students only.
Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2018-19, National Center for Education Statistics, http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/
What Are Some Of The Specializations Offered In An Online IT Degree Program?
Choosing a specialization offered during the course of your online degree program can help you gain the qualifications necessary for information technology jobs in fields that interest you the most. Specializations may be cover broad aspects of the field like network administration which looks at computer networks in general or more focused like cybersecurity which looks at how computers and networks are kept secure. You can have a more detailed look at the specializations you may be able to choose from on our Online Degrees in Information Technology page.
What Courses Would I Likely Encounter In An Online IT Degree Program?
The coursework in an online bachelor’s degree in information technology is just as rigorous as that of a traditional brick-and-mortar program. Courses can vary depending on your specialization but there are certain foundational courses that can be common across most online information technology degree programs. Foundational or core courses can include topics like information systems, information security and programming languages.
How To Choose An Online IT Degree Program?
Apart from looking at the factors we’ve mentioned in the section covering the top colleges for information technology, another important factor is accreditation. Accreditation can play an important role while applying for federal financial aid, scholarships and the transfer of credits. Accreditation can be regional or national and may be offered by professional bodies. The Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is the main accrediting body for online information degree programs.
What Can I Do After Earning An Online Bachelor’s Degree In Information Technology?
Although there are numerous careers including you can pursue with a bachelor’s in information technology, we describe below how to become an information security analyst which is ranked among the top 5 occupations in IT with the highest pay, according to BLS.
Fastest-Growing Occupations | Annual Median Wage | Job Growth |
---|---|---|
Information Security Analysts | $99,730 | 32% |
Software Developers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $107,510 | 26% |
Computer and Information Systems Managers | $146,360 | 11% |
Computer Occupations, All Other | $88,550 | 10% |
Computer Systems Analysts | $90,920 | 9% |
Personal Service Managers, All Other; Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling; and Managers, All Other | $110,630 | 6% |
Computer Network Architects | $112,690 | 5% |
Becoming An Information Security Analyst
Information security analysts can be critical to protecting an organization’s data, networks and systems. They ensure that malicious attacks are prevented and recommend security enhancements as required. Information security analysts need to constantly be on their toes and stay at the cutting edge of technology to ensure the systems and data they are in charge of remain secure.
Step 1: Needed prerequisites:
The College Board states that people working in IT need to be flexible and adaptable problem solvers. The BLS agrees adding that cybersecurity professionals need to apply ingenuity toward anticipating and preventing cyberattacks. It is also important to be able to pay attention to minute details as some viruses can be extremely hard to detect.
Step 2: Education / work experience required:
Information security analysts need a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in information technology or a related field according to the BLS, although some employers may prefer hiring professionals with a master’s degree. Prior work experience in a related field can be desirable. For example, a job as a network security analyst may require work experience in network administration or those in database security may have worked as database managers.
Certifications
IT certifications may not be mandatory but they may help you advance your career or secure better jobs by demonstrating your proficiency n a particular aspect of the field. Employers may prefer hiring candidates with certifications as they can be indicators of their competencies and their willingness to keep up with the latest developments in the field. Certifications need not take ages or cost a packet either with the recent trend in micro-certifications. According to a survey by Linux, 94 percent of companies said that micro-certifications gave potential employees a distinct advantage over candidates with no certifications in their portfolio.
Apart from general competency-based certifications, certifications can be vendor specific as well. Some employers may prefer their employees to hold certifications in the products they use. Certifications may have requirements like work experience for a number of years or minimum qualifications to determine eligibility. Certifications usually need to be renewed periodically through continuing education courses and/or examinations. Visit our Online Degrees in Information Technology page for more on certifications.
How Can I Get Financial Aid Or Scholarships For An Online Bachelor’s Degree In Information Technology?
There’s no getting around the truth, tuition can be expensive and any students leave college with large debts. Thankfully though, there are plenty of scholarships and financial aid programs available for eligible IT students through federal financial aid programs, educational foundations, professional bodies, universities and even companies. The advantage scholarships have over educational loans is that they do not need to be paid back. Some scholarships to help you get started are:
Where Am I Likely To Find A Job After Earning An Online Bachelor’s Degree In Information Technology?
With many of the tech companies situated in Silicon Valley, the BLS reports California as the top state for the highest employment level in software development, followed by Texas and New York. Take a look at the table below to see salary figures of software developers in various states and metropolitan areas.
State | Employment | Anual Mean Wage |
---|---|---|
Washington | 99,630 | $ 138,400 |
California | 249,700 | $ 137,620 |
New York | 83,330 | $ 122,300 |
Virginia | 73,310 | $114,440 |
New Jersey | 50,320 | $113,510 |
Texas | 109,510 | $107,940 |
North Carolina | 42,020 | $105,060 |
Illinois | 54,700 | $103,760 |
Florida | 59,880 | $99,840 |
Ohio | 43,210 | $95,920 |
Metropolitan | Employment | Anual Mean Wage |
---|---|---|
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | 104,470 | $ 123,600 |
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 92,710 | $ 140,930 |
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | 77,900 | $ 157,480 |
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 75,910 | $ 119,920 |
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | 64,310 | $ 144,740 |
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | 60,310 | $ 118,360 |
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | 57,950 | $ 119,940 |
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | 52,490 | $ 111,180 |
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | 47,040 | $ 107,920 |
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | 41,810 | $ 105,050 |
Career Advancement After A Bachelor’s Degree In Information Technology
Advancement can come with experience or advanced degrees. Individuals with bachelors’ degrees in information technology may start their careers off at entry-level roles and move on to lower-level managerial positions after a few years of experience and so on. Managerial positions at smaller companies may require fewer years of experience than larger ones.
Earning a graduate degree in information technology can also help secure better jobs and bigger pay checks. A master’s degree in IT, which usually takes up to 2 years of study, can help you move into managerial positions faster. Doctoral degrees, often taking up to 7 years of study, can allow you to work in executive positions or carry out cutting-edge research. Visit online degrees in information technology for more information on these degrees.
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