Today's online universities offer a wide range of degree levels for those wishing to further their education in information technology (IT). These include associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and even doctoral degrees in IT. Many online IT schools also offer certificate programs for those who want to hone their skills in information technology.
Online associate degree programs in IT have different emphases depending on the school you attend and the concentration you choose. For example, there are associate programs in IT with concentrations in networking, IT support, Web design and database development, depending on a student's area of interest or desired career path. Associate degree programs are traditionally designed to last about two years, but you may be able to accelerate the process if you transfer college credits from other universities. An online associate degree in IT may be just the preparation you need to obtain an entry-level IT position.
Online bachelor's degree programs in IT are more comprehensive than associate degree programs in IT, providing a more broad educational foundation. You will also find various IT concentrations at the bachelor's degree level. For example, at Kaplan University, IT concentrations include application development, database management, new media/Internet marketing and health informatics. Bachelor's degree programs in IT provide a well-rounded education including courses in the arts, humanities, mathematics and communications.
Online master's degrees in IT are for those who want to dig deeper into a certain branch of information technology, and typically take two years of rigorous graduate-level work after completion of your bachelor's degree. There are a few advanced start programs at the bachelor's level that allow you to complete both your bachelor's and master's degree within a far shorter timeframe than if you'd completed them separately. They are also an excellent way to prepare oneself for highly technical management or supervisory positions in major corporations, where competition for positions is at its fiercest. Specializations might include: business intelligence, project management or information security & assurance.
Online doctoral degrees are the highest degree you can achieve in information technology. After earning a doctorate in IT, many graduates go on to pursue collegiate teaching positions, consulting work or some of the top careers in the industry. Doctoral students in IT conduct a large amount of research, contributing to the body of work in information technology by writing a dissertation.