Information Technology Specialist

Information Technology Specialists work in a variety of businesses, offices, or call centers. Depending on your area of specialization, you have the potential to work in a variety of fields, including Customer Support/Help Desk Technicians, Programmers, Computer and Network Security Specialists, Entry-Level Database Administrators, or Computer/Network Sales Associates.

Salaries start at $15 per hour with potential to earn $30 per hour.

Your first year of study will prepare you to provide technical support to computer users and help troubleshoot software and hardware problems. During your second year, you will be able to focus your studies on programming, network and security, database management, or a combination of these areas. Many of your classes will be hands-on courses.

All of the courses in this program can be taken entirely online allowing you the flexibility of completing your degree from home. The program allows you to customize your degree, diploma, or certificate as a full or part-time student.

Program Learning Outcomes
1. Define and discuss foundational topics of information technology, including programming languages, setting up a secure network, managing databases, and data backup.
2. Demonstrate foundational customer support skills, service concepts, and operations of the help desk industry.
3. Demonstrate foundational computer support skills, including installing, upgrading, and maintaining hardware, software, and application systems.
4. Develop and demonstrate project management skills, including cost estimates, scheduling, and team building.
5. Demonstrate advanced technical competencies of programming, including flowcharting, loops, truth tables, and logic constructs. (Programming Emphasis)
6. Explain and implement programming languages, including Javascript, Java, C++, or C#. (Programming Emphasis)
7. Demonstrate advanced technical competencies of networking, including planning the layout, making implementation decisions, and troubleshooting operations on a network. (Network and Security Emphasis)
8. Explain and implement computer and network security skills, including intrusion detection systems, threat assessment, and disaster recovery planning. (Network and Security Emphasis)
9. Demonstrate advanced technical competencies of database management systems, including creating tables and forms, running queries and reports, and writing executable SQL statements.