Information technology (IT) refers to the infrastructure that stores, retrieves, and transmits information. IT experts help to install, support, and maintain technology solutions for consumers, businesses, and organizations. They manage computer information systems and ensure that the various components, including hardware, software, and networks, run optimally.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 13% job growth for computer and IT occupations from 2016 to 2026. BLS also notes that IT accounts for the largest field in the computer-related industry. Meanwhile, the median salary for computer and IT jobs in May of 2018 averaged $86,320, or 124% more than the median yearly take-home pay for all total occupations.
Earning an online information technology certificate prepares students for work in the lucrative, in-demand IT field. Certificate students can more quickly expand their skills and knowledge in a particular area of IT, such as networks, data center technologies, DevOps, or cybersecurity.
The various online technology certificate programs available today reflect the breadth of jobs within the IT field. Given that certificates hone in on a specific area of IT, students typically know where they want to take their careers and recognize that an IT certificate will accelerate their paths to professional development.
Online Certificate in IT Ranking Guidelines:
We selected online information technology programs based on the quality of the program and the types of available online classes for information technology. We also assessed the faculty, rankings, awards, and prestige, including the school’s reputation for effectively providing quality online programs.
The Best Online IT Certificate Programs
| Rank | School | Location | Apply | More Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Stanly Community College |
Albemarle, NC Apply Now | ||
| 2 |
Vance-Granville Community College |
Henderson, NC Apply Now | ||
| 3 |
Seminole State College of Florida |
Sanford, FL Apply Now | ||
| 4 |
University of Virginia |
Charlottesville, VA Apply Now | ||
| 5 |
Craven Community College |
New Bern, NC Apply Now | ||
| 6 |
Broward College |
Fort Lauderdale, FL Apply Now | ||
| 7 |
West Virginia Northern Community College |
Wheeling, WV Apply Now | ||
| 8 |
Central Piedmont Community College |
Charlotte, NC Apply Now | ||
| 9 |
Mount Wachusett Community College |
Gardner, MA Apply Now | ||
| 10 |
Cerro Coso Community College |
Ridgecrest, CA Apply Now | ||
| 11 |
Fayetteville Technical Community College |
Fayetteville, NC Apply Now | ||
| 12 |
Forsyth Technical Community College |
Winston-Salem, NC Apply Now | ||
| 13 |
Ivy Tech Community College |
Indianapolis, IN Apply Now | ||
| 14 |
Guilford Technical Community College |
Jamestown, NC Apply Now | ||
| 15 |
West Los Angeles College |
Culver City, CA Apply Now |
End of list, bravo!
The Advantages of an IT Education
A certificate-holder in IT can pursue many jobs within the field. However, most students train in a particular area such as cybersecurity, networking, or data management. A learner may pursue a certificate as a quicker way to gain a foothold in a competitive industry, qualify for a promotion, or transition to a new career.
Students can complete online technology certificate programs in 5–18 months. Consistent demand for qualified individuals with IT expertise does not appear to slow in the coming decade, as companies of all sizes become more reliant on computers and digital solutions.
As BLS notes, most entry-level positions in computer and IT occupations require a bachelor's degree in computer science and for many, a transferable associate degree is the first step. As the table below illustrates, a worker with an associate degree in IT can earn nearly 24% more than those who hold a certificate. Note that it would take a part-time student 4–5 years to complete the 60 credits needed for an associate.
IT Certificate Salary Information
Process technology certificate online programs in IT train students to support networks, software applications, computers, and other processes used in the storage, security, and transmission of information. Meanwhile, library technology certificate online programs prepare students to work with and support the automated systems used in libraries today.
No matter the IT path, those who work in the field tend to share similar personality traits and interests, like troubleshooting, using computers, and solving real-world problems.
- System Administrator:
- Computer and network system administrators, or sysadmins, help maintain servers, computer systems, and other technological systems for an organization. Their day-to-day duties include installation, IT support, and maintenance, which requires solid troubleshooting skills. A sysadmin typically holds a bachelor’s degree in a computer-related field like information technology or computer science, plus industry certification that demonstrates expertise in a particular area like working with Microsoft systems.
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Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $49,000
- Mid-Career: $54,000
- Experienced: $61,000
- Late Career: $66,000
- Information Technology Specialist:
- IT specialists work with various technology products and typically provide services on a project-by-project basis. The scope of their duties includes repairs, maintenance, and even the creation of databases or programs. As the role’s name suggests, IT specialists focus on specific products, such as databases, and many acquire their skills through certification. With this said, some support positions may require a four-year degree.
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Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $47,000
- Mid-Career: $49,000
- Experienced: $57,000
- Late Career: $69,000
- Network Administrator:
- Network admins keep an organization’s networks up and running, requiring expertise in both hardware and software systems. They support local and wide area networks, network segments, and data communication systems. A network admin possesses strong technical knowledge and typically holds a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field like computer science, information systems, or mathematics.
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Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $49,000
- Mid-Career: $52,000
- Experienced: $59,000
- Late Career: $64,000
- Help Desk Technician:
- Help desk technicians provide first-tier technical support for computer products and equipment. Their typical daily duties include identifying problems, troubleshooting, and resolving issues by recommending action, walking users through steps, or escalating the problem for further attention. While many positions require a bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline, a person could qualify for entry-level posts with a diploma and certification.
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Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $31,300
- Mid-Career: $33,800
- Experienced: $38,500
- Late Career: $41,600
- IT Support Analyst:
- These analysts provide daily technical support to help keep operations running optimally. They also help strategize ways to avoid technical problems and improve performance. An IT support analyst typically needs a bachelor’s degree in IT, computer science, or a closely related field. Bachelor’s degree holders looking to pivot careers to IT could look into online technology certificate programs versus earning advanced degrees.
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Salary based on experience:
- Entry Level: $46,000
- Mid-Career: $50,000
- Experienced: $56,000
- Late Career: $62,000
Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale
Choosing an Online IT Program
Students looking to earn an online information technology certificate should take the time to carefully compare the pros and cons of various schools and programs. They should deliberate factors like cost, program length, and on-campus requirements, and not rush their decision.
The upward trend of online learning continues at the college and university levels. As schools create more program options to accommodate demand and make use of learning technology, it becomes incumbent upon students to invest the time needed to find a program that best fits their needs. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, for the 2014–15 academic year, approximately30% of all postsecondary students integrated some online education into their studies. Make sure to consider the following factors when selecting an online program.
- Program Cost:
- Affordability is a significant factor in earning a degree or credential online. Many schools offer a tuition specific for online students where learners pay the same cost per credit, regardless of location. Other schools offer discounts for out-of-state students, and still, other schools charge the same for in-state and out-of-state students as their on-campus counterparts.
- Transfer Policies:
- Transfer policies vary by school, mainly regarding the number of transferable credits the school allows from each level of education or training (e.g., associate degree, bachelor’s degree, military). Most regionally accredited colleges and universities require transfer students to earn any previous credit from regionally accredited institutions.
- School Size and Type:
- Public schools generally enroll more students than private schools. For example, the University of Central Florida enrolls nearly 57,000 undergraduate students, the most in the nation. Private colleges and universities also tend to keep class sizes smaller to provide a more personalized setting versus one requiring auditorium seating. The difference in class size is particularly salient in lower-division classes.
- Program Length:
- Certificate programs generally comprise 11–18 credits, which students can complete in less than six months in an accelerated program. On average, certificate programs last 5–18 months, with schools allowing learners to take up to three years to fulfill all requirements. Light or full course load, start dates, and the learning format all contribute to program length.
- On-Campus Requirements:
- Online technology certificate programs will not typically require on-campus requirements. Students likely can complete all work, including labs, entirely online. With this said, online students, in general, should check if a program requires any campus visits as this could prove impossible for some or delay plans of study.
Accreditation for Online IT Programs
Accreditation assures students that an institution adheres to established quality academic standards. These postsecondary institutions voluntarily submit to regular peer review cycles to prove that the school not only meets standards but continuously works to exceed them and develop further.
While institutional accreditation applies to an entire school, programmatic or specialized accreditation refers to a program, degree, or college within a university or higher learning institution.
Regional and national comprise the two accreditation types at the institutional level. Seven commissions cover six accreditation regions: New England, Middle States, Southern, Western, North Central, and Northwest. The U.S. Department of Education (ED) and Council for Higher Education help regulate academic accreditation by certifying these organizations. In doing so, they give these agencies the authority to assign accreditation. Federal financial aid is directly tied to a school’s accreditation status, which the college or university must obtain from an accreditor recognized by the ED.
For junior and community colleges, students should try to focus on schools that hold regional accreditation. Transfer policies at four-year colleges or universities often require students to earn lower-division credits from regionally accredited institutions.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Certificate in IT?
Online technology certificate programs can vary in length, depending on the program’s focus, required courses, and a student’s course load. For instance, assistive technology certification online programs and industrial technology certificate online programs may require different credits totals and may require students to complete prerequisites, delaying a student’s start.
Certificate programs typically require 5–5 courses for 12-15 credits. Learners should anticipate completing up to 20 credits, but not more. Also, most certificate programs allow students to take classes at their own pace, with the only caveat being the availability of courses for the term. Given this, students can finish an online information technology certificate program in 5–18 months.
Many students opt to pursue an online certificate while continuing to work. Part-time students who take two courses for six credits in the spring and the fall can complete a 15-credit certificate program in little over a year if they also enroll for the summer.
Courses in an Online Certificate in IT Program
- Computer Networking Essentials:
- In this course, students can gain a foundation in networking protocols, industry standards, and the required skills to configure, implement, troubleshoot, and maintain IT networks. They learn to address connectivity and performance issues, involving hardware, cabling, interference, and bandwidth. Topics include local and metropolitan area networks, intranets, and the internet.
- Introduction to Information Systems:
- Students gain a solid understanding of the components of computer systems and mobile devices, along with application software, digital storage, communications, and networks. The course also teaches internet fundamentals and explores topics related to online safety, security, and privacy.
- LAN/WAN Technologies:
- Enrollees can receive an overview of today’s communication technologies and computer networking concepts, including data communication, signals, analog and digital, and transmission mode. The course delves into various topologies, such as mesh, star, hierarchy (or star), bus, ring, and cellular topology. Non-survey courses require each student to possess a basic understanding of computers.
- Introduction to C Programming:
- This course provides a basic introduction to C programming, a general-purpose coding language used in various applications, including operating systems, graphics programming, and website animation. By the course’s end, students should know how to work with, troubleshoot, and resolve issues related to applications of C.
- Information Security Essentials:
- This course covers the latest in information security schemes, including policies and procedures used in cloud and mobile computing and for digital and telecom networks, data centers, and home use. Students can receive a holistic overview of the present state and evolution of data, web-based services, and endpoint security.
IT Membership Associations
Joining a professional organization or association can be invaluable when it comes to networking, finding a central resource for industry news, and staying up to date on a field and profession. For individuals looking to break into the IT industry, membership can help with career guidance, continued learning, establishing contacts, and landing that first job.
- Association for Computing Machinery:
- Founded in 1947, ACM today serves nearly 100,000 computing professionals from 190 countries. ACM members can participate in over 1,000 professional and student chapters, 37 special-interest groups, and close to 175 technical conferences, workshops, and symposia around the world.
- Association of Information Technology Professionals:
- AITP helps IT executives, academic professionals, and students expand their knowledge and connect with peers in the IT and computing fields. Membership benefits include career services, continuing education, chapter networking, and the latest on industry developments and trends.
- Association for Women in Computing:
- Founded in Washington, D.C. in 1978, AWC was among the first professional organizations in the United States dedicated to women in computing and their advancement in the computing professions. AWC promotes a professional attitude among members and provides opportunities for professional growth through networking and educational programs.
- Association of Independent Information Professionals:
- AIIP provides collegial support, professional development, and networking to its global membership. Member benefits include career services, discussion among fellow information peers, an annual conference, and a mentoring program for continued learning. AIIP formed in 1987.
- Network Professional Association:
- NPA welcomes secondary and postsecondary students, educators, and certified, experienced IT practitioners from around the world. The organization, established in 1993, offers three types of membership for professional, community, and executive members. Non-voting members can join at no cost. Benefits of membership include professional affiliation, career building resources, leadership opportunities, and peer-to-peer networking.