IT Management Degrees for Military and Veterans

An IT Management Degree allows students to bridge the gap between business and tech, blending core IT subjects like networking and cybersecurity with business administration elements like project management and finance.

IT professionals of all kinds are in demand as businesses rely more and more on technology for everyday operations and strategic growth. An IT management degree prepares students with the know-how to manage complex IT systems and meet an organization's needs and challenges.

Using the GI Bill and Tuition Assistance for an IT Management Degree

If you’re interested in pursuing an IT Management Degree and need financial help, the GI Bill, a military education benefit for service members in the Air Force, Space Force, Navy, Marine Corps, Army, and Coast Guard and their eligible dependents, covers tuition and fees, provides a monthly housing allowance, and offers additional money for books and supplies.

The GI Bill assists veterans in transitioning into civilian life by offering them opportunities to further their education, acquire new skills, and find better jobs.

Using Spouse Tuition Assistance (STAP) and MyCAA for an IT Management Degree

Spouse Tuition Assistance

When seeking an IT Management Degree, military spouse tuition assistance programs help military spouses (and sometimes dependent children) pay for their education, whether in the U.S. or elsewhere in the world.

All military branches once offered programs following Spouse Tuition Assistance (STAP) guidelines or created something similar.

Today, while the term STAP is used interchangeably to describe various offerings by military relief organizations, the programs can differ. STAP refers to the education benefits offered by military aid societies, many of which are not run by U.S. military branches or the federal government. Instead, they are private, nonprofit organizations, and what they provide varies.

These organizations include:

Army Emergency Relief
Air Force Aid Society
Navy/Marine Corps Relief Society
Coast Guard Foundation

MyCAA

The workforce development program MyCAA, known formally as the My Career Advancement Account Scholarship, provides financial assistance of up to $4,000 ($2,000 over two years) to eligible military spouses pursuing or maintaining an IT Management Degree, certification or license to gain employment.

As long as an individual and the program meet the requirements, MyCAA may pay for individual spouses pursuing an occupation or career, if they are obtaining an Associate’s Degree or a license, certificate or certification.

Careers With an IT Management Degree

Someone looking for a managerial position in IT should at least have a Bachelor's Degree with experience or courses in math, programming, or software development. Many companies also require IT managers to have a Master’s Degree. It’s not unusual for someone in this field to spend up to a decade in IT before being promoted to a managerial position.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), states that the IT sector is one of the fastest growing—it is expected to expand 32 percent by 2032. IT management is needed in every industry, but some industries handle more data than others. These include but are not limited to healthcare, manufacturing, finance or government.

What To Expect From a Military-Friendly IT Management Degree Program

While coursework varies from school to school, IT Management programs are a mix of IT courses and business administration classes. According to Rasmussen University, its program combines project-based coursework and hands-on learning with the express goal of teaching students how they can help companies solve their issues with a smoothly-running IT network.

Students are “exposed to everything from organizational support and risk management to enterprise applications support.” The curriculum covers many topics, including IT Operations Management, Management Security, Project Management Tools, and Infrastructure and Hardware.

Select Yellow Ribbon Colleges with IT Management Degree Programs

Troy University: Troy University offers a Bachelor’s Degree in IT Project Management
Marist College: Marist College offers a Master’s Degree in Information Technology Project Management.
Syracuse University Online: Syracuse University Online offers a Bachelor’s in Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management.
Indiana Wesleyan University: Indiana Wesleyan University offers a Master’s Degree in Information Technology Project Management.

Select Military-Friendly Colleges with IT Management Degree Programs

Alabama State University: Alabama State University offers a Master's Degree in Computer/Information Technology Services Administration and Management..
Rasmussen College-Land O Lakes: Rasmussen College-Land O Lakes offers a Bachelor’s in Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management.
Western Governors University: Western Governors University offers a Master’s Degree in Information Technology Management.
https://app.collegerecon.com/arizona-state-university-tempe: Arizona State University offers a Bachelor’s Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology.

Online Programs

Some larger schools, like Syracuse University and Arizona State University (listed above), have online options for earning an IT Management Degree no matter the level.

IT Management Degree Paths Using the GI Bill

Certificate in IT Management

IT management certificates are credentials that validate a student’s knowledge in specific areas. Certificate courses are shorter and more focused than degrees and may be attained independently or in addition to a degree.

Associate’s Degree in IT Management

According to San Diego City College, an Associate's Degree in IT Management prepares students for careers in technical support and systems security and administration and allows them to transfer into four-year IT programs.

Your Future with an Associate’s Degree in IT Management

IT Help Desk Specialist- In this role, individuals provide assistance to an organization's employees and resolve basic IT problems.
Network Support Specialist- This person troubleshoots network issues, sets up new devices and otherwise maintains a company’s computer network.
Junior IT Analyst- A person in this role assists senior analysts with documenting IT processes, researching new tech, and providing data analysis for various projects.

Bachelor’s Degree in IT Management

Students earning a Bachelor’s Degree in IT Management study a blend of business and tech coursework. Through it, they learn to manage an organization's IT systems through networking, security, project management, and leadership classes.

Your Future with a Bachelor’s Degree in IT Management

IT Manager: This role is responsible for a company’s systems and oversees IT operations, budgets, and staff.
Information Security Analyst- An information security analyst protects companies against cyberattacks by setting up firewalls, pinpointing network weaknesses, analyzing threats and other suspicious activity, and maintaining the network to prevent cyber attacks.
IT Project Manager- This individual plans, executes, and delegates responsibilities during IT projects from start to finish.

Master’s Degree in IT Management

Students study the major subfields of IT Management at this level to pursue a doctorate or work in higher level jobs in related fields. According to Western Governors University, coursework “explores technological foundations and concepts, as well as how to manage those systems.”

Your Future with a Master’s Degree in IT Management

IT Director- This role leads IT departments by making decisions and handling administrative changes to do with software, equipment and technical procedures.
Chief Information Officer (CIO): A CIO manages and implements a company’s information and computer systems.
IT Consultant: A person in this role advises organizations on their IT strategy, security, and new tech.

Doctoral Degrees in IT Management

Doctoral programs in IT are few and far between but they do exist. They are designed for individuals who want to become IT management teachers or researchers. Students going for their PhD should expect a significant amount of original research culminating in a dissertation.

Your Future with a PhD in IT Management

University Professor- A Doctorate qualifies a person holding this degree to teach, conduct advanced research, publish works, and contribute to academia via conferences and collaborations.
Research Director- A person in this role leads a team of researchers who analyze and publish findings that contribute to further knowledge of IT management.
Chief Technology Officer (CTO)- A person in this role oversees a company’s IT department and integrates its business needs and requirements into that department’s operations and planning.

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