Online Degree: Information Technology

An online IT degree can springboard you into one of the fastest growing job markets. Computer networks and databases are commonplace in today’s work environments, and qualified information technicians are needed to maintain and upgrade these systems.

Types of Online IT Degrees

You can earn an IT degree online in two years if you choose an Associate of Arts in Information Technology degree. Associate degrees take two years to complete, and courses taken during an associate degree can often be transferred for credit toward a bachelor's degree.
 
Associate online IT degrees are popular because students can enter the workforce within two years. Colleges offer associate degrees in information technology that focus on specialized IT fields, such as networking or visual communication.
 
Bachelor degrees in information technology are generally four-year programs and are a prerequisite for admission into any master's degree program in IT. Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degrees may focus on specific subdisciplines of IT, such as:
  • business administration / information technology
  • business information systems
  • health administration / health information systems
  • Internet systems and software technology.

Administration and supervisory careers in information technology often require degrees at the master's or PhD level. An IT masters degree online, like a bachelor's degree, may be either a general degree or can be specialized in a specific area. Options when applying for an IT masters degree online include:

  • accounting and information technology
  • information assurance
  • information security
  • software engineering
  • strategy and governance.
The highest managerial levels in the field may require a PhD in information technology. Earning a PhD or IT masters degree online gives you access to some of the highest paying jobs in the industry.

Online IT Certifications

Information technology jobs deal with rapidly changing technology. To keep up with the latest changes, many IT employees enroll in online certification programs.
 
A certification program focuses on a very specific aspect of IT, such as software programming or new security developments. A certificate program can be completed in less than three months, depending on the subject covered.

What You Can Do with an Online IT Degree

Information technology is a vast industry, with a wealth of different jobs available. The IT industry can be broken down into three very broad categories:
  • Computer systems jobs revolve around the installation and maintenance of computer hardware, including upgrading hardware as needed.

  • Network systems positions call for technicians who can keep a computer network running and secure.

  • Programming positions call for the IT specialist to write in-house software for businesses.

The range of jobs within these three categories is remarkable. Here are just a few of the areas available with an online IT degree:

  • computer design
  • data mining
  • data storage
  • game design
  • information architecture
  • internet consultant
  • library technician
  • network security
  • programming
  • software design
  • systems analysis
  • technical support
  • Web development.
The starting salary for an online IT degree graduate varies, of course, but most graduates can expect annual earnings in the $45,000 range. IT managerial salaries can run as high as $85,000.

Earning an IT Degree Online

Online education offers a flexible schedule; while a course certainly has a set time limit, you can determine where and when you study. This makes online IT degrees popular with students already in the workplace.
 
While there are advantages to online degrees, keep in mind that not everyone is well suited to online study. The flexible nature of the course requires self-motivation and planning on the part of the student.
 
To successfully complete an online IT degree, you need the discipline to study without an instructor watching your every move. It’s all too easy to put off assignments and study time in favor of daily activities. Some people thrive within the flexibility of online study, while others are better suited to the more formal setting of the traditional classroom.
 
There’s no right or wrong here; whether you get your IT degree online or in a classroom, the end result is the same. Online IT degrees are simply another option open to students - one that people find increasingly attractive.
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