The Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Information Technology Degree program prepares students for achievement in a high-demand field. The program’s flexibility gives students a background in computer technology, an array of vendor certification training choices, and numerous internship opportunities. The IT degree will hone student skills in troubleshooting and repair, hardware, networking, operating systems, cloud/virtualization, basic programming, web development and security.
Program Overview
The Information Technology program offers an associate of applied science degree, incorporating non-vendor specific certification training, for students preparing for entry-level employment or advancement in a variety of occupations, courses, and professional certificate programs in information technology. The program will offer students a solid background in computer technology complemented by a full array of non-vendor specific certification training choices. All courses preparing for certification are taught by qualified instructors.
The program offers a flexible environment where students can develop the background necessary to enter the rapidly changing information technology workforce and/or transfer to a four-year institution for further undergraduate education. Students in the Information Technology Program are subject to the Blue Ridge Community and Technical College’s requirements for admissions, basic skills testing, and appropriate course placement. Blue Ridge Community and Technical College Catalog requirements regarding academic standards, student conduct, and graduation procedures also apply.
Students in this program will complete hands-on activities that will help to develop computer fluency and transferable computer troubleshooting skills. They complete project-based activities which will incorporate Internet research skills and electronic presentation skills to prepare for the work environment. By completing these activities students will also develop a conceptual understanding of and obtain functional skills in computer hardware, networking, operating systems, basic programming and security.
An internship in an office technology related area is required for graduation. Students are expected to locate their internship site. Detailed information of the internship requirements and expectations is available from the student’s advisor.
Program Outcomes
- Communicate effectively with both verbal and written forms.
- Perform and share cooperatively in teams or groups.
- Develop practical skills and knowledge for positions within the information technology profession.
- Research and present technical concepts using office productivity software.
- Review and practice computer and network etiquette and ethics found in working environments.
- Administer and troubleshoot a computer/network infrastructure.
- Evaluate best practices in security concepts to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability of computer network systems.
- Demonstrate mastery of IT concepts and terminology.
- Compare and contrast the functions of common operating systems.
- Explain database concepts and the role of databases.
- Evaluate and discuss new and future technologies into current systems.
- Describe current cloud/virtualization computing concepts.
Career Opportunities
Classroom training, internships, and certification opportunities will enable graduates to pursue entry-level positions in computer repair, computer networking, consulting, help desk support, training, or programming. Upon earning an IT degree with certifications, graduates in entry-level network support positions can earn approximately $40,000–$50,000 annually with a potential of eventually earning $60,000 or more.
For graduates seeking a four-year degree, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College has partnered with various four-year institutions to assist students in achieving this goal. These agreements provide students the opportunity to complete their degrees at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College while pursuing bachelor’s degrees with other institutions. Students are able to fulfill their degree requirements at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College with the accessibility of online forums to connect them to their four-year institutions.
Note: All salary estimations are based on the current position and educational trends. Blue Ridge Community and Technical College cannot guarantee that the projections given will be the salaries students or graduates will ultimately receive.
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