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Information Technology Degrees: What You Need to Know

Almost any business has a need for someone in Information Technology. People in this type of career work to monitor and manage computer hardware, software, and networks within a company or an organization.

Information Technology is the application of technology to solve business or organizational problems on a broad scale. They work to solve all technical problems, big and small.

Master’s Degree in Information Technology

Getting your master’s degree in information technology will allow you to expand your knowledge of concepts and techniques used in the IT industry. Students will learn project management, problem-solving skills, analytical skills, troubleshooting, and more.

The classes you would take would depend on the program and the school that you attend. You may take classes on computer programming, software development, data science, internet technologies, algorithms and data structures, and computer and network security.

A master’s program typically takes 1-2 years, maybe longer if you go part-time. You can attend online or in-person depending on what programs are offered and what would work best for your situation.

Those in a master’s program would need to pick a specialization such as computer science, network security, computer networking, cybersecurity, systems management, or IT management.

Highly Rated Online Information Technology Master’s Programs

For in-person programs, The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The University of Washington-Seattle, and The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign all have highly rated programs.

Jobs with a Master’s Degree in Information Technology

Doctorate Degrees in Information Technology

The Doctor of Information Technology, DIT, is a research-oriented professional doctoral degree. The research would focus more on industry practice than on theoretical framework. Having this degree would also allow you to pursue a career in teaching at the college level. Having a PhD. in IT covers research on the business, economic, and organizational implications of digital and information technologies. Graduates can also become senior consultants, systems administrators, lead systems analysts, and IT directors. Unicaf University, Nova Southeastern University, and George Washington University all have highly rated programs.

Related Majors: Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, and Data Processing.

Scholarships for Information Technology Majors

Getting your degree in information technology means you can apply for certain scholarships that specialize in information technology, computers, or similar degrees. Here are a couple of them:

The Lilly/BDPA Scholarship

The Lilly/BDPA Scholarship is from the BDPA Education and Technology Foundation. The scholarship is for any graduating high school student or current college student who is a minority, with an interest in information technology. They will also need to be someone who has made significant contributions to society. Students must excel academically, show exceptional leadership potential, and make an impact on their communities. The award is given to multiple students at the amount of $4,000, to be used to pursue an IT-focused degree at an accredited 4-year college or university.

Aspiring Tech Pro Scholarship Program

The CompTIA Scholarship Program honors aspiring technology professionals that are positively impacting local IT communities. Applicants must be a paid CompTIA Student Member. The CompTIA Rising Star Scholarship offers 10 awards, at $2,000 each. The scholarship is open to students looking to pursue a career in technology. It is also for student chapter members who are contributing significantly to the success of their student chapter and their local IT community, making a lasting and valuable impact on their school’s technology program or the IT industry.