Information Technology Major: What It Includes, Classes and Careers

An Information Technology major focuses on setting up, running and supporting the computer systems organizations depend on. Information technology programs are more applied than computer science.

An Information Technology major includes coursework in networking fundamentals, windows and Linux administration, cloud computing, databases, and information security and more. You build skills such as troubleshooting, network configuration, system administration, and customer support. Typical degrees: certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees.

Typical courses include networking fundamentals, windows and Linux administration, cloud computing, databases, information security, and IT support and service management. Exact course names and requirements vary by college, and most degrees also include general education courses.

It depends on the level. Information Technology is offered as certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral awards at U.S. colleges; certificates take from a few months to about two years, an associate degree usually takes about two years of full-time study, a bachelor’s degree usually takes about four years of full-time study, a master’s degree usually takes one to two years after a bachelor’s, and a doctoral or professional degree takes several more years beyond that. Part-time study takes longer.

Certificate, associate and bachelor's degrees. In the latest federal data, 616 colleges reported certificate awards, 692 colleges reported associate awards, 358 colleges reported bachelor’s awards, 147 colleges reported master’s awards, and 14 colleges reported doctoral awards.

Career paths connected to information technology include IT support specialist, network administrator, network technician, computer repair technician, database administrator, computer systems analyst, and IT manager. Some roles need additional training, experience, certification or a license.

Examples include it support specialist (typical training: 3–6 months), network administrator (typical training: 1–4 years), network technician (typical training: 6 months–2 years), computer repair technician (typical training: 3–12 months), database administrator (typical training: 4 years plus experience), and computer systems analyst (typical training: 4 years).

Information Technology majors build skills such as troubleshooting, network configuration, system administration, customer support, and security basics.

Good pairings include Cybersecurity (builds security skills every IT role now needs), Business (prepares you to manage IT budgets and teams), and Project Management (helps you lead upgrades and rollouts).

It can be a good fit if you are interested in the work it leads to, such as IT support specialist, network administrator, and network technician, and enjoy subjects like networking fundamentals and windows and Linux administration. No major guarantees a job, so compare the coursework, the careers and the education each career requires before deciding.

How hard it feels depends on your strengths. Core coursework includes networking fundamentals, windows and Linux administration, and cloud computing; if those subjects interest you, the major is likely to feel more manageable. Reviewing a college’s course list and talking to current students helps you judge.

1,130 U.S. colleges reported awarding degrees or certificates in this field in the latest federal (IPEDS) data. Programs can have different names at different schools.

California (127), North Carolina (70), Texas (56), Illinois (55), and New York (55), based on the colleges that reported awards in this field.

980 of the colleges that offer information technology also report offering at least one program entirely online, though not necessarily this one. Use the college search with this major and “Offers fully online programs”, then confirm with the school.

Information Technology focuses on setting up, running and supporting the computer systems organizations depend on. Computer Science studies how computers and software work and how to design programs that solve problems. Information Technology leads to careers such as IT support specialist and network administrator, while Computer Science leads to careers such as software developer and web developer.

Information Technology focuses on setting up, running and supporting the computer systems organizations depend on. Cybersecurity teaches you to protect computer systems, networks and data from attacks. Information Technology leads to careers such as IT support specialist and network administrator, while Cybersecurity leads to careers such as cybersecurity analyst and network administrator.

Yes. Short online career training can help you understand a specific job and build practical knowledge alongside your classes. It does not replace your degree or any required license.

No. Career Education Institute is not a college and does not award degrees. It offers short, non-credit online trainings about jobs connected to information technology, such as IT Support Specialist Training.