Prepare for high-earning careers in fields like cyber security and data analytics.
Over 3.1 million computer jobs were available nationwide from 2018-2019** (Source: Burning Glass)
Accredited by NWCCU - Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Enroll in a 6-month experience to complete a four-course sequence. Then, transfer into one of four IT-related degree programs through WGU.
You'll examine information technology as a discipline and the various roles and functions of the IT department as business support. You'll be presented with various IT disciplines — including systems and services, network and security, scripting and programming, data management, and business of IT — with a survey of technologies in every area and how they relate to each other and to the business.
This course introduces students to the components of a computer network and the concept and role of communication protocols. You'll cover widely used categorical classifications of networks (e.g., LAN, MAN, WAN, WLAN, PAN, SAN, CAN, and VPN) as well as network topologies, physical devices, and layered abstraction. You'll also be introduced to basic concepts of security, covering vulnerabilities of networks and mitigation techniques, security of physical media, and security policies and procedures.
This course examines Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL®) terminology, structure, policies, and concepts. Focusing on the management of information technology (IT) infrastructure, development, and operations, you'll explore the core principles of ITIL practices for service management to prepare you for a careers like IT professional, business manager, and business process owner. Note: This course prepares you for the Axelos ITIL v4 certification exam.
You'll select a fourth course on top of your three core courses (Introduction to IT, Network and Security, and Business of IT) to unlock enrollment in a corresponding IT degree program following your completion of the IT pathway. Choosing Ethics in Technology as your speciality course will unlock enrollment in the BS Networks, Operations & Security degree.
Ethics in Technology examines the ethical considerations of technology in each of four categories: privacy, accuracy, property, and access. The course presents a range of technologies and issues that challenge technologists in the field of information ethics. You'll study specific cases to help inform your professional responsibilities in how to navigate the important controversies in topics such as surveillance, social media, hacking, data manipulation, plagiarism and piracy, artificial intelligence, responsible innovation, and the digital divide.
You'll select a fourth course on top of your three core courses (Introduction to IT, Network and Security, and Business of IT) to unlock enrollment in a corresponding IT degree program following your completion of the IT pathway. Choosing Fundamentals of Information Security as your speciality course will unlock enrollment in the BS Cybersecurity & Information Assurance degree.
This course lays the foundation for understanding terminology, principles, processes and best practices of information security at local and global levels. It further provides an overview of basic security vulnerabilities and countermeasures for protecting information assets through planning and administrative controls within an organization.
You'll select a fourth course on top of your three core courses (Introduction to IT, Network and Security, and Business of IT) to unlock enrollment in a corresponding IT degree program following your completion of the IT pathway. Choosing Data Management as your speciality course will unlock enrollment in the BS Data Management & Data Analytics degree.
This course introduces you to the concepts and terminology used in the field of data management. You'll be introduced to Structured Query Language (SQL) and will learn how to use Data Definition Language (DDL) and Data Manipulation Language (DML) commands to define, retrieve, and manipulate data. This course covers differentiations of data—structured vs. unstructured and quasi-structured (relational, hierarchical, XML, textual, visual, etc); it also covers aspects of data management (quality, policy, storage methodologies).
You'll select a fourth course on top of your three core courses (Introduction to IT, Network and Security, and Business of IT) to unlock enrollment in a corresponding IT degree program following your completion of the IT pathway. Choosing Cloud Foundations as your speciality course will unlock enrollment in the BS Information Technology degree.
This course introduces you to the real-world issues and practical solutions of cloud computing. The course will teach the business value of cloud computing, cloud types, steps to a successful adoption of the cloud, impact and changes on IT service management, as well as risks and consequences. This course prepares you for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner (CLF-C01) certification exam.