This degree is a new broad based technical and theoretical degree that will prepare students to implement and use information technology to realize a variety of goals within and between all types of organizations and businesses (e.g., reliability, accessibility, efficiency, cost reduction, and revenue enhancement). The emphasis is on providing the student with the theoretical frameworks needed to use information technology to solve problems while also providing a set of applied, real-world experiences. Students will acquire a broad set of skills across many areas of information technology, including programming and systems development, networking, databases, project management, and information security. Students will consider how the implementation of information technology in organizations affects social change and the delivery of information to the consumer. Upper-level course selections allow for specific advanced options including but not limited to application development, networking, cybersecurity, and business. Project-oriented, team-based projects that include significant writing and presentation components will be integrated throughout the curriculum.
Application Development Option – This option is available at the following campuses: Abington, Altoona, Beaver, Berks, Brandywine, Lehigh Valley, Schuylkill, Scranton and York. This option prepares students for the design and development of complex object-oriented programming and technical skills to succeed in a fast-paced development and operations environment.
Business Applications Option – This option is available at the following campuses: Abington, Altoona, Beaver, Berks, Brandywine, DuBois, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, Lehigh Valley, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Scranton, and York. This option prepares students to pursue careers in Information technology solving business organizational problems with an emphasis on the systems processes and business operations integration.
Custom Information Technology Option – This option is available at the following campuses: Altoona, Berks, Brandywine, Hazleton, Lehigh Valley, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and York. This option provides the opportunity for students to pursue an approved information technology interdisciplinary or exploratory program of study.
Cybersecurity Option> – This option is available at the following campuses: Altoona, Beaver, Berks, Brandywine, Lehigh Valley, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Scranton, and York. This option will provide students with the knowledge and cyber defense skills needed to critically assess and respond to modern information security threats. They will be prepared to protect information infrastructure and data from attacks and unauthorized access.
Networking Option> – This option is available at the following campuses: Abington, DuBois, and Mont Alto. This option prepares students to pursue careers in the design, development, and support of complex networks and networking infrastructure.
Security and Risk Analysis Option> – This option is available at the following campuses: Altoona, Berks, Brandywine, Lehigh Valley, and Schuylkill. This option prepares students to address the current and emerging security and risk challenges that face individuals, organizations and our nation, over a variety of domains including national/homeland security, emergency and disaster management, law and crime, and enterprise risk management.