How to Get an Online Associate’s Degree in Information Technology

Have you always had a strong interest in computers and technology in general? You’re in luck. This passion of yours can easily turn into a lucrative career, especially because computer science is a hot subject. Why? It is a constantly growing field; everyone needs and uses computers these days. With that said, there is always a demand for computers. Those who pursue an associate’s degree in information technology can make an amazing living in the long run.

With an associate’s degree in information technology, you will get a well-rounded education about how to use databases, web pages, and other programs to manage information. You will also become familiar with different operating systems, different components to hardware and software, and network administration.


After graduating with this degree, your career options are plentiful. You will have many different business environments to choose from. Computers are everywhere from hospitals to global corporations, so you can choose whatever you feel is best suited for you and your interests.

This degree typically takes two years of full-time study to complete. However, if you choose to earn your credential online, you may be able to complete it earlier. Depending on how many classes you can take per quarter/semester, you may be able to finish a lot quicker.

If you are a busy individual looking to go to school while still attending to your personal obligations, pursuing an associate’s degree in information technology online could be a great option. Distance learning can work really well for those who are motivated and independent learners. It is important to make sure that the college you choose is accredited so that the credits you earn can be easily transferred to a four-year college should you decide to continue your education. By virtually attending classes online, you will have access to all course materials and participate in class discussions just like you would normally in a traditional classroom setting. The main difference is that you would be able to log into the classroom portal from anywhere and anytime to complete required coursework and exams. Students can easily communicate with other students and their professors via chat platforms and email.

Common Associate’s in Information Technology

If working with computers is second nature to you, courses in the information technology associate’s degree should be interesting to you. Some courses you can expect to take include but are not limited to:

  • Applied statistics
  • Success strategies for online learning
  • Foundation in application development
  • Fundamentals of information technology
  • Computer platform strategies
  • Introduction to data and information management
  • Business systems analysis and design
  • Website design
  • Network and telecommunication management
  • Human relations in administration
  • English
  • Precalculus

In addition to information technology-related courses, students will also have general education requirements and electives to complete, which will vary from college to college. These classes will help you develop a well-rounded foundation of knowledge that will be useful in understanding real-life situations and succeeding in whatever career you choose to be in. For example, you might take introductory classes in writing, math, science, history, art, language, and more. Many of these general education course requirements can be waived if you took AP classes and passed their respective exams in high school. If this sounds like it might be you, we recommend checking with your college counselor to see which classes you might not have to retake.

Associate’s in Information Technology Careers

Information technology is one of the few fields where your career options are truly open. You can live where you work, and pick the industry of your choice. So, if you don’t know exactly what industry you want to work in, it’s completely okay as you can always decide after finishing your associate’s degree.

Of course, like many careers these days, higher education can be extremely helpful in landing a job with more competitive pay. An associate’s degree is a great start because it will give you a strong foundation of the topics to expect in the field. From there, you can continue to study at a four-year college in a related major. Many managers in the IT field make more than six figures, and they got there because they had the degrees and experience to back them up.

A typical day at work for an IT professional generally includes troubleshooting, maintaining, and working on computers.

Some jobs that information technology professionals fill include:

  • IT consultant
  • Mobile application developer
  • Web developer
  • Health IT specialist
  • Computer forensic investigator
  • Cloud architect
  • Software engineer
  • Data modeler
  • Information technology vendor manager

The options go on, and the salaries will differ depending on what position it is, where you work, who you work for, and education and experience levels.

The more experience you gain, the more sought-after you will be. Getting an information technology associate’s degree is a wonderful step towards a profitable, fun career with computers. With softwares always changing, you can expect to keep learning even after your school years are over.