Information technology (IT) is the use of any computers, storage, networking, and other physical devices, infrastructure, and processes to create, process, store, secure, and exchange all forms of electronic data.1 Basically, IT ensures that computers work well for people.
High salaries, low unemployment rates, and the possibility of working from home are some of the biggest draws for these careers.2
Graduates with a degree in information technology are qualified to work in a wide range of computer and network infrastructures in small to large-sized enterprises in such positions as web or software developer; hardware, network, cloud, virtualization technician or engineer; IT support specialist or consultant; help desk, network, or IT project manager; security or forensic analyst; and systems, network or database administrator in all sectors of business, education, manufacturing, healthcare, non-profit, and government.3
See Information Technology in Action at Kent State University!
The Division of Information Technology (IT) at Kent State University is responsible for the strategy, planning, and delivery of information technology across all eight Kent State University campuses and their respective satellite locations.4 They are instrumental in enabling the day-to-day activities of our University community.
See information technology in action at the Kent State University Information Technology (IT) website, by visiting https://www.kent.edu/it.
Kent State University Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
Kent State’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) provides students with an applied approach that focuses on supporting end-users in a variety of workplace settings by utilizing a range of computing technologies. The degree program gives students the tools to support computing and networking infrastructures and the needs of individuals and organizations, write programs necessary to help them render their tasks more efficiently on their desktop or mobile devices, utilize databases, and write the web-based interfaces to pull the data, and code and deploy applications across the cloud.
Areas of Concentration:
- The Application Development concentration provides students with the ability to program in languages typically utilized in contemporary business environments. Students will code in applications such as Visual Basic, C++, Java, C#, and other industry-standard applications to develop programs employing event-driven and object-oriented techniques.
- The Cybersecurity and Forensics concentration places an emphasis on the security of computer and network systems, including forensic work to prevent and/or determine and correct security issues utilizing cybersecurity devices, procedures, tools, and solutions.
- The Database Design and Administration concentration focuses on skills needed to become a database manager. Topics include relational database design; working with database servers, users, and permissions; SQL statements used for queries and reports; and incorporating databases into programming used in web-based and desktop forms.
- The Health Information Technology concentration provides students with the tools to install, manage, troubleshoot and secure hardware and software systems in healthcare environments. The course of study includes health IT privacy, security, EHR Implementation and support, mobile device management, technology and application life-cycle management, organizational behavior, medical business operations, and regulatory requirements.
- The Integrated Information Technology concentration is ideal for students who want a flexible course of study for positions that require IT staff to perform a wide range of technical duties.
- The Internet/Multimedia concentration focuses on scripting, server-side form handling, web database integration, and interactive and dynamic multimedia Internet development.
- The Networking concentration focuses on configuring and maintaining network information systems and components in various network operating systems and cloud computing environments that are prevalent in today’s businesses. The emphasis is on network administration (i.e., managing Active Directory and network services), servers, workstations, virtualization, security, troubleshooting, installation, and maintenance.
For more information on Kent State Online’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and all available concentrations, visit https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/degrees/bachelor-of-science-in-information-technology.
Kent State University Associate of Applied Business in Information Technology
Kent State’s Associate of Applied Business in Information Technology provides students with a core curriculum of programming, operating systems and networks, website development, hardware, security fundamentals, and workgroup productivity technologies.
This degree program articulates to the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree and the certificate in Computer Forensics and Information Security.
An Associate of Applied Business in Computer Technology prepares you for immediate entry into a computer-technology field in a variety of different capacities.
Some examples of available jobs include:
- Computer operations manager
- Database manager
- E-commerce network administrator
- LAN manager
- Manager of Internet/Intranet technology
- Manager of voice and data communications
- Network administrator
- Technical Support Manager
- Web architect/developer
For more information on Kent State Online’s Associate of Applied Business in Information Technology and all available concentrations, visit https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/degrees/associate-of-applied-business-in-information-technology.
1 Retrieved on March 9, 2021, from https://searchdatacenter.techtarget.com/definition/IT
2 Retrieved on March 9, 2021, from https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/information-technology-bachelors-degree
3 Retrieved on March 9, 2021, from https://www.kent.edu/geauga/information-technology-bsit
4 Retrieved on March 10, 2021, from https://www.kent.edu/it/welcome
