Information Technology, B.S.
Format: Face To Face Credits:125
An information technology (IT) specialist assumes responsibility for selecting appropriate hardware and software for an organization; integrating those products with organizational needs and critical infrastructure; and installing, customizing, securing, and maintaining those applications for the organization's users. Graduates possess more than knowledge and practical hands-on expertise, they also have the confidence and know the strategies to take care of both the information technology infrastructure and the people who use it.
Experienced Faculty
Most faculty members have doctoral degrees and a breadth of industry experience.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Information technology students receive a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree. Grand Valley State University's IT program embraces the value of hands-on learning supplemented by collaboration with professionals from multiple computing disciplines during their internship and capstone project. A minor in IT is also available.
WHY STUDY INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AT GRAND VALLEY?
- Theoretical foundation and practical experience offer excellent preparation for the job market, along with valuable industry experience.
- By focusing on the underlying principles behind cybersecurity, our program prepares students to handle future cybersecurity challenges, in addition to today's threats.
- Dedicated, state-of-the-art computer labs offer relevant, hands-on learning.
- Most faculty members hold doctoral degrees and have a breadth of experience in the industry.
- By choosing electives and minors in related subject areas, students can further tailor their degree to fit their individual interests and career goals.
COURSEWORK
The IT program covers core areas in:
- Programming and software development
- Problem solving with software tools
- Network systems management
- Computer systems administration
- Information assurance and system security
- Cyber digital forensics
- Usability design
- Pervasive computing and Internet of Things
Diverse elective classes offered within the IT curriculum allow students to create specialties within their field, such as:
- Cybersecurity
- Data management and visualization
- Software development
- Web and mobile applications
- IT management
SECONDARY ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Admission to major standing in information technology is competitive and requires a secondary application. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Overall GPA of 2.5 or above in all Grand Valley State University coursework
- GPA of 2.5 or above in the technical core
- Completion of each course in the technical core with a grade of C or above (C- is not sufficient)
- CIS 162 Computer Science I
- CIS 260 Application Development in Visual Basic
- MTH 125 (or MTH 225)
- STA 215 (or STA 312)
- COM 201
COMBINED DEGREE PROGRAMS
This undergraduate degree can be combined with a master's degree to save you time and money, and get you into the workforce sooner. On average, students save $8,500 in our combined degree programs and take up to four fewer classes than if earning the degrees separately.
You can even build your own combined degree from programs in different disciplines to further personalize your education and meet specific career goals.
CAREER OPTIONS
The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics has projected computer and information technology occupations to grow 11 percent from 2019 to 2029 with a demand to add about 531,200 new jobs. The median annual salary for these occupations was $91,250 May 2020. More details can be found at www.bls.gov, search computer and information technology.
Job opportunities are growing rapidly, particularly in occupations such as data analyst, network engineer, system administrator, database administrator, incident response and digital forensic analyst, and security specialist.
REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
Hands-on learning and other fieldwork not only deepen your mastery of your discipline but also give you the edge employers seek. Visit our experience matters page to see the work GVSU students are doing in their co-ops and internships.
SKILLS EMPLOYERS WANT
The B.S.in Information Technology at GVSU will develop the skills you need to land the job you want. Whether the skills are advanced or general, you will build a resume of qualifications that are sure to attract employers. The following skills correlate with those pulled from actual job postings.
- Computer science
- Agile software development
- Project management
- Automation
- SQL (programming language)
- Software development
- Information systems
- Python (programming language)
Source: EMSI, 2020
LOCATION & FORMAT
Undergraduate students in this major study at Grand Valley's Allendale Campus.
Format:
- Face To Face
“GVSU has unlimited growth potential. Working with my students allows me to contribute to their intellectual development and future.”
—
Samah Mansour, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Computing