Information Technology (Associates)
The online Associate of Applied Business in Information Technology from Kent State provides a strong foundation in IT fundamentals. Covering key areas such as networking, cybersecurity, and software development, this program prepares students for entry-level roles in the fast-evolving tech industry. Graduates emerge with practical skills that are in high demand across diverse business and technology sectors.
Information Technology Associate of Applied Business Degree Program Overview
The Associate of Applied Business degree in Information Technology provides students with a core curriculum of programming, operating systems and networks, website development, hardware, security fundamentals, and workgroup productivity technologies.
The degree program articulates to the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree and the certificate in Computer Forensics and Information Security.
The Information Technology major comprises the following concentrations:
- The Application Development Technology concentration prepares students for various professional certifications and positions such as computer programmer/application developer using industry-standard languages and technologies.
- The General Technology concentration prepares students for various professional certifications and entry-level positions in which the computer staff are expected to perform a wide variety of technical duties.
- The Network Technology concentration prepares students for various professional certifications and positions in tech support and networking including the design, installation, and improvement of computer networks and related hardware/software.
- The Web Development concentration prepares students for various professional certifications and positions in web development, social media and digital media.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate core IT competency in networking and convergence; servers, storage and virtualization; client computing and user support; digital media and immersive technology; database and information management; and programming and application development.
- Function effectively as a member of a diverse team to accomplish common goals.
- Read and interpret technical information, as well as listen effectively to, communicate orally with, and write clearly for a wide range of audiences.
- Engage in continuous learning as well as research and assess new ideas and information to provide the capabilities for lifelong learning.
- Exhibit professional, legal and ethical behavior.
- Demonstrate business awareness and workplace effectiveness.
Information Technology Associate of Applied Business Degree Program Admissions Requirements
The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.
Kent State campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, and the Twinsburg Academic Center, have open enrollment admission for students who hold a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the Coursework tab.
International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning a minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score, minimum 47 PTE score or minimum 100 DET score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive English Program. For more information on international admission visit the admissions website for international students.
For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.
Program Courses
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
| IT 11004 | SURVEY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| IT 11005 | INTRODUCTION TO OPERATING SYSTEMS AND NETWORKING TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| IT 11006 | INTRODUCTION TO WEB SITE TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| IT 11009 | COMPUTER ASSEMBLY AND CONFIGURATION | 3 |
| IT 12000 | INTERMEDIATE OFFICE PRODUCTIVITY APPS | 3 |
| IT 13000 | APPLIED SECURITY ESSENTIALS | 3 |
| IT 15000 | FUNDAMENTALS OF PROGRAMMING FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| IT 21002 | NETWORK SETUP AND CONFIGURATION | 3 |
| IT 21003 | SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONALS | 3 |
| IT 21007 | CYBER ETHICS IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| IT 21009 | SEMINAR IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| IT 21010 | WORKGROUP PRODUCTIVITY SOFTWARE | 3 |
| Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) | ||
| UC 10001 | FLASHES 101 | 1 |
| Kent Core Composition | 3 | |
| Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning | 3 | |
| Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts | 3 | |
| Kent Core Social Sciences | 3 | |
| Kent Core Basic Sciences | 3 | |
| Concentrations | ||
| Choose from the following: | 9 | |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 61 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
| IT 20030 | VISUAL AND OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| IT 21006 | DATABASE PROGRAMMING | 3 |
| IT 21036 | WEB SCRIPTING I | 3 |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 9 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
| Information Technology (IT) Electives | 9 | |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 9 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
| Information Technology (IT) Elective | 3 | |
| Concentration Electives, choose from the following: | 6 | |
| IT 21100 | LOCAL AREA NETWORK TROUBLESHOOTING | |
| IT 21110 | NETWORK ROUTING AND SWITCHING | |
| IT 21200 | ETHICAL HACKING | |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 9 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) | ||
| IT 21006 | DATABASE PROGRAMMING | 3 |
| IT 21011 | TECHNIQUES OF MULTIMEDIA WEB DESIGN | 3 |
| IT 21037 | WEB SCRIPTING | 3 |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 9 | |
Information Technology Associate of Applied Business Degree Program Tuition and Fees
Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
$335.57 Lower Division Courses $393.35 Upper Division Courses | $1,006.71 Lower Division Courses $1,180.05 Upper Division Courses | $15,800 full-time1 |
Non-Ohio Residents
| Per Credit Hour | Per 3-Credit Course | Approximate Tuition Cost |
$345.57 Lower Division Courses $403.35 Upper Division Courses | $1,036.71 Lower Division Courses $1,210.05 Upper Division Courses | $16,400 full-time2 |
1The flat-rate semester fee of $3,692.65 for LOWER division courses applies to full-time Ohio resident undergraduate students taking between 12-18 credit hours per semester. The approximate tuition for Associate degrees is calculated at 4 semesters using the lower division course flat rate $14,770.60, and 3 additional credits $1,006.71 ($15,777.31).
2The flat-rate semester fee of $3,692.65 for LOWER division courses applies to full-time non-Ohio resident undergraduate students enrolled in a fully online degree program and taking between 12-18 credit hours per semester, PLUS a surcharge of $10 per credit hour of actual credit hours taken (between 12-18 semester credits or $120-$180). The approximate tuition for Associate degrees is calculated at 4 semesters using the lower division flat rate $14,770.60, 3 additional credits $1,006.71, plus the surcharge ($150 x 4 = $600).
For part-time semesters: The $335.57 per-credit-hour tuition rate for LOWER division courses and $393.35 for UPPER division courses applies to part-time Ohio resident undergraduate students, PLUS a $10 per-credit-hour surcharge for non-Ohio resident undergraduate students, taking fewer than 12 credit hours per semester.
An additional Distance Learning fee for all students enrolled in a distance learning course is $15 per credit hour. Program tuition and costs are estimated and subject to change.
Actual tuition costs may vary based on a student’s chosen academic plan. For a complete listing of tuition rates for approved online programs, please contact Kent State’s Financial, Billing & Enrollment Center at 330-672-6000 or via our website Contact Us link.
The total program costs are estimates and are not final or binding. Program costs are based on standard fees, but fees may vary based on the actual classes taken. Kent State University disclaims any liability arising from the use of or reliance upon these program cost estimates by any person. Program costs are subject to change without notice.
Careers
Computer user support specialists
- 8.0% much faster than the average
- 687,200 number of jobs
- $52,690 potential earnings
Computer network support specialists
- 6.4% faster than the average
- 195,100 number of jobs
- $65,450 potential earnings
Web developers and digital interface designers
- 8.0% much faster than the average
- 174,300 number of jobs
- $77,200 potential earnings
Additional careers
- Database support technician
- IT support specialist
Concentration-specific careers
- Application Development Technology
- Application support analyst
- Junior software developer
- Network Technology
- Network support specialist
- Systems administrator
- Web Development
- Front-end developer
- Web content manager
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
Related Reading from the Kent State Online Blog
