What IT Degrees Are Available Online?

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Behind the scenes of the high-tech world we often take for granted are hundreds of thousands of Information Technology (IT) professionals employed across the globe. They might develop new or support essential business technologies — or distill information-related findings to non-technical teams, helping them make data-driven decisions. These IT pros work in a variety of business settings in for-profit or nonprofit companies or governmental agencies. They all have what many industry experts would say are unlimited career opportunities due to the demand for their valued expertise.

Best Online Degrees for IT

While you may be able to get an entry-level job in IT without a college degree, the competition for open positions is stiff. Having a degree under your belt — or actively working toward one — is a great way for you to be more marketable, catching the attention of the human resources and IT managers reading your resume.

University of Cincinnati Online (UCO) is a leading, fully accredited institution with more than 20 years of experience in online education. TheBestSchools.org ranks UC Online as #1 in Ohio and #16 nationally as an online college leader — and we work hard each day to retain and better these commendations.

UC Online focuses on the needs of students who are busy, active and career-minded and don’t have the time (or desire) to relocate or commute to a college campus. We make it enjoyable and rewarding to obtain a degree with diverse programs designed to meet you wherever you are in your IT career and educational background — just starting out or with more experience and schooling.

Our fully online IT degree programs include:

Associate of Applied Business in Business Applications Technology – In this program, you’ll study how today’s businesses use data and information and grow your understanding of how to manage projects, facilitate scheduling, provide information to customers, vendors and co-workers, organize and maintain files, work with data and more. The curriculum places more of an emphasis on “front office” IT support vs. “back office” (e.g., computer programming) and helps you develop skills that include office software proficiency, communication and presentation skills, critical thinking, analysis and business problem-solving.
Associate of Applied Business in IT – This program provides you with a broad foundation of understanding software application development (web, enterprise and desktop), networking and systems administration (including technologies for data centers and storage), database management (design and administration), digital media (development of digital images, audio and video to support IT solutions) and cybersecurity. When you graduate, you’ll be ready for a career as an information systems professional.
Bachelor of Science in IT – In this online program, you’ll study all aspects of computing technology, focusing on information technology as an academic discipline — one that’s distinct from computer engineering, computer science and management information systems. You’ll grow your understanding of what’s required to meet users’ needs within organizational and societal contexts through the selection, creation, application, integration and administration of computing technologies.
Master of Science in Information Technology – This graduate degree program focuses on user experience design, mobile applications, network forensics, cybersecurity and more. University of Cincinnati is one of only a few U.S. institutions to have National Security Agency-sponsored National Centers of Academic Excellence in cyber defense and cyber operations. We’re also home to the Ohio Cyber Range Institute, a virtual environment where you can practice defending networks against threats of all kinds.

How to Decide Which Online IT Degree Is for You

With four online IT degrees to choose from, you might be wondering which one to set your sights on. It depends on where you are in your IT journey — and where you want to go. But you don’t have to make the decision alone. Our IT degree specialists can help you understand the advantages of each online program and which one fits best with your educational background, work experience and career goals.

You’ll be in good hands at UC Online because we’re focused on meeting the needs of today’s modern students — just like you — who want to take advantage of the best online education available with tuition that’s affordable.

We’re proud to be part of the University of Cincinnati and a 200-year history of serving the people of Ohio, the nation and the world. As a premier, public, urban research university, UC and UC Online are dedicated to undergraduate, graduate and professional education, experience-based learning and research.

What are the roles and responsibilities of information technology?

If you already researched the industry or know people who work in IT, a job title such as a computer programmer or web developer may come quickly to mind. But what you might not know is how broad the field of IT is and some of the lesser-known positions that are available today.

One thing to know is that jobs in IT run the gamut from entry-level to more experienced and executive-level positions where education, experience and the applicants’ career interests play a role in who gets hired for what job.

Career Outlook for People Who Work in IT

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in computer and information technology occupations is estimated to grow 11 percent between now and 2029. That’s a much faster rate than the average for all occupations.

The BLS also reports the demand for IT-industry workers will come from the greater emphasis on cloud computing, the collection and storage of big data and information security — areas you’ll be familiar with if you’re up to speed on all things IT.

Here are seven IT jobs and their typical responsibilities:

Digital projects coordinator – Facilitates the communication and execution of various digital initiatives and programs (e.g., website updates and online advertising campaigns).
IT project manager – Develops and manages schedules for technology projects, including coordinating tasks, monitoring timelines and communicating milestones.
Information specialist – Manages secure files and data, helps coordinate various processing systems and interfaces with departments company-wide (for example, IT, operations, customer service, legal, etc.).
Software developer – Software developers are the creative minds behind computer programs. Some software developers create the applications that allow people to do tasks on a computer or other similar devices.
Health IT technician – Collects, manages and protects patient data in a hospital or doctor’s office setting or may work at a software company developing a records-collection system.
Information security analyst – Plans and carries out measures to protect computer networks and systems and the organization’s sensitive data from security breaches from domestic and foreign hackers.
Chief data officer – Oversees all data-related roles and functions, such as data management, data governance, data quality and business intelligence and analytics, serving in a senior leadership position.