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Is an Information Technology Degree Worth It?

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It’s natural to ask these types of questions while you’re thinking about pursuing a degree. Is it worth the time and effort to earn a degree? The answer depends on what your personal career goals are. However, when it comes to the information technology (IT) field, earning a degree can be a worthwhile pursuit for many people.

According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, many jobs in the information technology field require at least a bachelor’s degree or even graduate-level education for entry-level jobs1.

Enrolling in a technology-driven program such as DeVry University’s Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and Networking can provide you with the opportunity to study and develop industry-relevant skills from experienced faculty, as you prepare to pursue a career in information technology.

In this article, you’ll learn more about the different information technology degree programs offered at DeVry and the potential careers you may be able to consider in this field as we explore the following questions:

What Will I Study in an Information Technology Program?

The topics and depth of study in an information technology degree program will vary based on the degree level at DeVry. Our information technology degrees can be found at the associate, bachelor’s and undergraduate certificate levels, with a Master’s in Information Technology Management available from our Keller Graduate School of Management. At DeVry, we strive to meet you where you are and help build your educational foundation for a career in information technology.

Earning an Information Technology Essentials Certificate can take as little as 8 months, to 2 years and 8 months, or even more quickly with qualifying transfer credits2. If you’re looking to earn a college credential on your schedule, our certificate and associate level degree programs may be the right fit for you. These programs teach foundational skills that you can continue to build your education on or use to begin your job search in the field. Many of DeVry’s programs are stackable, which means that the coursework you complete for a lower-level program may count toward your next degree at DeVry whenever you’re ready to continue your education3.

Here’s a brief overview of each of our information technology programs, and the topics covered at each level.

Undergraduate Certificate in Information Technology Essentials

Topics covered in DeVry’s Undergraduate Certificate in Information Technology Essentials program include:

  • Networking

    Students will be taught the basic technology of local area and wide area networks, the internet, transmission control and internet protocols, routing and switching, and small network configuration and troubleshooting.

  • Digital devices

    How to understand digital concepts like networking, digital security and deployment, and exploring devices and their connectivity within the context of the Internet of Things (IoT).

  • Technology principles through programming

    Students will have the opportunity to apply the principles of technology hands-on, by solving well-defined technology problems and gain experience using programming languages like Python.

Associate Degree in Information Technology and Networking

Topics covered in DeVry’s Associate Degree in Information Technology and Networking program include:

  • System component and process design

    Gain experience exploring how systems and their components are designed for working on broadly defined engineering technology issues.

  • Data analysis

    Draw conclusions from patterns and relationships within numerical data, how to use analytics tools and what makes an efficient database.

  • Communicate methods and findings

    Students will have the opportunity to learn how to communicate research methods and recommendations, along with the rationale behind them and how to present objectives and solutions.

Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology and Networking

Topics covered in DeVry’s Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology and Networking include:

  • Develop applications in an IDE framework

    Learn to understand and develop applications within an Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

  • LANs and VLANs

    Develop an understanding of LAN Design, VLAN routing, and network scaling fundamentals.

  • Analyze numerical data

    Students will be taught how to find a relationship between numerical data, identify patterns and use their findings to draw conclusions about building efficient databases.

DeVry offers other bachelor-level degrees that are related to information technology, including our Bachelor’s Degree in Network and Communications Management, and our Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a Specialization in Information Technology Networking Fundamentals.

Master’s Degree in Information Technology Management

Topics covered in DeVry’s Master’s Degree in Information Technology Management from our Keller Graduate School of Management include:

  • Database management

    Learn database management concepts like capacity planning, disaster recovery planning, reorganization and defragmentation.

  • Strategic use of information systems

    Students can explore how to identify opportunities to strategize and competitively use information systems within an organization.

  • Data privacy and security

    Understand the legal, ethical and security issues around data and information assets and the risks of non-compliance with industry standards, laws and policies.

This master’s degree includes the option for two different specializations in Data Administration and Management, and Information Security.

Is an Information Technology Degree a Good Choice?

Whether an information technology degree itself is the right choice varies from person to person. However, as previously mentioned many entry-level jobs within the information technology field require a bachelor’s or master’s degree according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS also cites that jobs in this field are expected to grow 13% on a national level between 2020 and 20301. If you are planning on pursuing a career in information technology, earning a bachelor’s or graduate-level degree may be something to consider.

What are the Benefits of Earning an Information Technology Degree?

The benefits that come along with having an information technology degree may include career opportunities you can prepare to pursue in a variety of fields, thanks to the diversity of information technologies and wide array of industries that need IT professionals. Another benefit can be gaining a deeper understanding of how some aspects of your own field or industry works, or simply learning something new to apply on your career path.

What Jobs Can I Consider After Earning an Information Technology Degree?

Many jobs are dependent on a candidate’s level of education, so what you’re able to pursue may depend on your education, skills, experience or a combination of these or other factors. Graduates of DeVry’s Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology and Networking program, for example, may consider but are not limited to such careers as:

  • Computer Network Support Specialist

    A computer network support specialist is also sometimes referred to as a technical support specialist, as they analyze, troubleshoot and diagnose computer network problems.

  • Computer Systems Analyst

    A computer systems analyst looks at the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems for areas of improvement to ensure that all systems are supporting targeted goals and outcomes.

Graduates of our Bachelor’s Degree Specialization in Information Technology Networking Fundamentals program can consider but are not limited to the following careers:

  • Entry-Level IT Security and Support Specialist

    An entry-level IT security and support specialist monitors and identifies areas of improvement within security systems and controls.

  • IT Project Manager

    An IT project manager is responsible for planning and organizing IT projects according to allotted time, budget or resources in order to successfully hit IT goals and deliverables.

  • Junior Network Security Analyst

    A junior network security analyst protects data, networks and computer systems from data loss and service interruptions by designing, planning and implementing security measures.

  • Junior Systems Administrator

    A junior systems administrator handles day-to-day IT operations like assisting system administrators with providing system support to users.

What Specializations are Available with an Information Technology Degree?

Depending on the program, here are some specializations that information technology students at DeVry can choose from.

Interested in Getting Started with Information Technology?

Let DeVry University’s tech programs help you gain practical, hands-on experience in the information technology field. We offer a variety of undergraduate tech certificates in different areas of technology so you can choose based on your interests and what helps you work toward your own personal career goals.

1Growth projected on a national level. Local growth will vary by location. US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
2Not including breaks. Assumes year-round, full-time enrollment.
3At the time of application to the next credential level, an evaluation of qualifying transfer credit will occur and the most beneficial outcome will be applied.

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In New York, DeVry University operates as DeVry College of New York. DeVry University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), www.hlcommission.org. The University’s Keller Graduate School of Management is included in this accreditation. DeVry is certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. Arlington Campus: 1400 Crystal Dr., Ste. 120, Arlington, VA 22202. DeVry University is authorized for operation as a postsecondary educational institution by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, www.tn.gov/thec. Lisle Campus: 4225 Naperville Rd, Suite 400, Lisle, IL 60532. Unresolved complaints may be reported to the Illinois Board of Higher Education through the online complaint system https://complaints.ibhe.org/. View DeVry University’s complaint process https://www.devry.edu/compliance/student-complaint-procedure.html Program availability varies by location. In site-based programs, students will be required to take a substantial amount of coursework online to complete their program. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information.


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