Careers in technology continue to be some of the fastest growing and highest paid pathways to success. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), tech and computer positions are projected to enjoy a level of job growth that is “much faster” than the 3% average for all occupations.
- Computer network architects — 4% growth
- Computer systems analysts — 10% growth
- Computer and information systems managers — 15% growth
- Computer research scientists — 23% growth
- Software developers — 26% growth
Additionally, the BLS reports that computer and information technology positions earn a median annual wage of $140,420 — more than twice as high as the $48,060 median annual wage for all occupations.
This high level of demand shouldn’t be too surprising, as all industries are constantly developing new uses for technology, and are in increasing need of professionals who can develop, organize, secure and innovate digital and computer technology.
In this highly competitive field, every advantage counts and many employers require job applicants to have a bachelor’s degree or higher. If you’re considering investing time and money to earn an advanced degree, understand that as technology positions have become increasingly specialized, there has been an explosion in the types of available technology and computer degrees.
Your choice of degree should align with your interests and desired career path to increase your chances of landing a job after graduation and building a long-lasting, successful career. Here’s what you need to know about the most popular technology degrees.
Different Degree Levels
Post-secondary degrees offered by colleges and universities signify that an individual has achieved a certain level of knowledge, skills and experience within their field of study. The different levels of post-secondary education start with the associate’s or bachelor’s degrees and then build toward the master’s degree and the doctorate.
Generally, lower-level technology degrees provide general knowledge of a concept or process — such as data analytics or computer programming. Earning an advanced degree will signify the mastery of more complex or specialized knowledge, such as IT management or cloud computing. Graduate degrees aren’t requirements for most entry-level or mid-career job positions, but will make you a more viable candidate.
Associate Degrees in Technology
- Typically require 18 months to two years of full-time study at a community college, technical school or university.
- Are designed to cover foundational topics in computer science, information systems, networking, cybersecurity, programming and database management.
- Are meant to offer a solid understanding of IT principles and skills that are relevant to entry-level tech jobs including:
- Web Developer — Uses web-related programming languages such as HTML/CSS to create functional and attractive online web pages and environments.
- Computer Operator — Ensures computer systems are operating efficiently by troubleshooting issues, performing preventative maintenance and checking error reports.
- Network Technician — Manages computer and network systems, including installation, maintenance, troubleshooting and repair.
Bachelor’s Degrees in Technology
- Typically requires four years of full-time study at a college or university, depending on individual circumstances and program specifics, such as taking accelerated programs or attending classes part-time.
- Will generally provide comprehensive coverage of topics such as computer science, software development, networking, cybersecurity, database management and information systems management.
- Are often the minimum education required to qualify for many jobs, as a bachelor’s degree ensures a solid foundation in IT principles, theories and practical skills necessary for various roles in the technology industry, including:
- Software Developer — Builds software applications through the use of programming languages like Java, Python, C and C++.
- Database Administrator — Oversees software databases to ensure access is available and secure, system information is backed up and that software is properly installed, updated and maintained.
- Software Engineer — Applies engineering principles to create the architecture that powers computer applications, also referred to as back-end development. Experienced software engineers who advance to the senior level use their experience to oversee projects and provide technical guidance.
Master’s Degrees in Technology
- The master’s degree is a graduate-level degree that requires one to two years of study beyond the bachelor’s degree. The full duration of a master’s program will vary based on individual circumstances, program requirements and whether the program is accelerated or taken part-time.
- Master’s degree programs in IT will provide a more in-depth examination of specialized concepts such as data science, business data management, cloud computing, machine learning, network administration or information systems management.
- Preferred or even required for certain advanced and managerial positions, master’s programs are specialized degrees meant to advance not just hard technical skills, but relevant leadership skills such as project management, business management and organizational management. A master’s degree is common among higher level leadership roles, including:
- Lead Software Engineer — Oversees the entire development team to lead them through the entire production. Also works with other tech leads and managers to ensure that team goals are aligned with larger company goals.
- Information Technology Manager — Manages the computing assets of businesses to design, implement and maintain IT solutions for a business. Responsible for managing personnel, such as programmers and developers.
- Chief Information Officer — Oversees all of the information technology strategy, operations and systems within an organization to achieve strategic objectives and maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace.
Doctorate Degrees in Technology
- A doctorate is the highest level of academic degree and requires several years of study beyond the master’s degree.
- Doctoral degree programs involve advanced studies in specialized fields such as artificial intelligence, big data analytics, cryptography, cloud computing and human-computer interactions. The intent of such study can range from advancing research to considering larger ethical and legal issues of technology use.
- A doctorate degree is required for certain high-level management or research positions within education, government and data-driven corporate organizations, which can include:
- Computer and Information Research Scientist — Conducts advanced, complex, and vital research to explore new technologies, algorithms and methodologies. They seek to advance the field of computer science by contributing to the collective body of knowledge.
- Computer Science or IT University Faculty — Teaches different aspects of technology to undergraduate and graduate students alike. University professors also conduct research on different aspects of IT and publish their findings.
- Chief Technology Officer — Executive position that is responsible for all technical planning and operations within an organization. Identifies, evaluates and implements the best technology solutions to meet their organization’s goals.
Earning an associate degree will provide the quickest route to an entry-level position, such as web development or information security. With a bachelor’s degree, you can pursue jobs in any of the fields listed above. Some job positions will also accept a specific amount of working experience in lieu of certain degrees.
However, if you’re looking to advance your career into a leadership position, you’ll likely be asked to earn a master’s or doctorate degree to develop the skills you need for specialized leadership, management or research positions.
10 Types of Technology Degrees
The field of information technology offers a wide variety of degrees. Which technology degree you decide to pursue should depend on your interests, existing skills and desired career. Remember that associate’s and bachelor’s degree programs will provide a more general and comprehensive review of a topic, while graduate degrees will be more specialized and focused.
These definitions are flexible, there will be overlap between different degrees in which topics they cover. Also, every academic institute will define its own programs on its own terms — one college’s computer science degree may have a curriculum and degree requirements that are significantly different from that of another.
Here’s an overview of ten different technology degrees, plus example classes and related careers.
Computer Engineering
Computer engineering is an interdisciplinary field that integrates principles and practices from computer science and electrical engineering. Students learn about the design, development and implementation of computer systems and hardware components, as well as the software that controls them. Computer engineering degrees are usually focused on the more practical aspects of software development, including hardware and the engineering applied to computers and computer-based systems.
Computer engineering curriculum typically covers topics related to computer architecture, programming languages, software engineering, networking and electronics. Professionals who earn a computer engineering degree will often design communication and network technology for organizations across different industries, including manufacturing, healthcare and finance.
- Example classes: AI and Machine Learning, Circuit Analysis, Software Design
- Prospective careers include: Software Engineer, Tech Support Specialist, Tech Lead
- Typical expected degree level: Bachelor/Master/Doctorate
Computer Networking
Computer networking is a specialized technology field that focuses on the design, implementation and management of computer networks. Students in computer networking programs learn about the principles, protocols and technologies used to establish communication and data exchange between computers and other devices in local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) and the internet.
Computer networking curriculum covers the different aspects of how computers connect and interact, which can include principles of network security, network infrastructure, network protocols and how data is collected, organized and delivered. Professionals who earn a computer networking degree will often work as network engineers, network administrators, systems analysts or cybersecurity specialists.
- Example classes: Server Configurations, Local Area Networking, Cloud Technology
- Prospective careers include: Network Administrator, Network Engineer, Network Architect
- Typical expected degree level: Associate
Computer Programming
Computer Programming is a foundational area of computer science and software engineering that involves writing, testing and maintaining source code to create software applications, scripts, operating systems and algorithms. Students in these programs learn about programming languages (which can include various popular languages such as Java, Python or C++), algorithms and data structures, software development methodologies, debugging techniques and software testing.
Graduates with a degree in computer programming can specialize in one area of programming, or be a generalist who writes code for many different types of software. These professionals may pursue careers as software developers, software engineers, web developers, application programmers or systems analysts.
- Example classes: Software Design, Object-oriented Programming, Programming Languages and Frameworks such as Java, Python, C++, SQL or JavaScript
- Prospective careers include: Computer Programmer, Software Developer, Database Developer
- Typical expected degree level: Associate
Computer Science
Computer science is a specialized field that covers both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of computing technologies. Students in computer science programs learn about problem-solving techniques, algorithm design, software engineering principles and the mathematical underpinnings of computing.
The study of computer science programs builds fundamental knowledge in mathematics, programming and computer theory which can be applicable to most tech positions in many different industries. Professionals with a degree in computer science may pursue careers as software developers, systems analysts, data scientists, IT consultants or research scientists.
- Example classes: Algorithms, Calculus, Data Structures, Logic & Computing
- Prospective careers include: DevOps Engineer, Data Scientist, Data Analyst
- Typical expected degree level: Bachelor/Master/Doctorate
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is a specialized technology degree that focuses on protecting computer systems, networks and data from cyber threats, attacks and unauthorized access. Students learn about security vulnerabilities and threats, techniques and tools for detecting, preventing and mitigating cyber attacks and how to create, analyze and test the security of computer systems.
The curriculum of a cybersecurity degree program will cover network security, cryptography, digital forensics, ethical hacking, risk management, and security policies and procedures. Professionals who earn a degree in cybersecurity may pursue careers as cybersecurity analysts, security engineers, penetration testers, incident responders or security consultants.
- Example classes: Penetration Testing, Information Assurance, Cryptography
- Prospective careers include: Cybersecurity Analyst, Security Engineer, Network Administrator
- Typical expected degree level: Associate/Master
Information and Communication Technology
Information and communication technology degree programs are broad, multidisciplinary fields that study the design, development, implementation and management of computer-based information systems and technologies. Students within these degree programs learn about the principles, methodologies and tools used to deploy and maintain IT infrastructure, applications, networking and communication services to meet the needs of organizations or users.
Academic programs in information and communication technology cover a broad range of topics, which can include computer systems, networks, databases, software development, cybersecurity, web development and IT project management. As a more general technology-related degree, students will often use electives to customize their program to pursue a specific IT career in the industry of their choice.
- Example classes: Network Fundamentals, Database Management Systems, Computer and Business Ethics
- Prospective careers include: Software Developer, Web Developer, IT Technician
- Typical expected degree level: Associate/Bachelor
Information Science
Information science is an interdisciplinary technology field about the processing, organization, retrieval and dissemination of information. Academic programs in information science cover a wide range of topics such as on how information is created, organized, managed, stored, retrieved and used — with a focus on the intersection of humans and computer technology. Information science curriculum can cover topics such as information theory, database management, user design, information systems, human-computer interaction, data mining, data analytics and information policy.
Graduates of information science programs may pursue careers as information specialists, data analysts, database administrators and user experience designers across a wide variety of industries, including private enterprise, healthcare, higher education and government.
- Example classes: Database Management, Information Architecture, Data Analytics, Human-Computer Interaction, User Experience Design
- Prospective careers include: User Experience Researchers, Database Administrators, Database Analyst, Information Systems Analyst
- Typical expected degree level: Bachelor/Master/Doctorate
Software Development
Software development is a specialized field about the design, creation, testing and maintenance of software applications, systems and solutions. These programs take a look at the entire software development lifecycle, including requirements analysis, software design, programming, testing, debugging and deployment.
These programs provide hands-on experience with different programming languages, software applications and computer programs as well as instruction on software development methodologies, version control systems, software architecture and user interface design. Professionals who have a degree in software development may pursue careers as software developers, software engineers, application programmers, web developers or quality assurance engineers.
- Example classes: Mobile and Web development, API development, Desktop Development
- Careers include: Web Developer, Software Engineer, Full-Stack Developer
- Typical expected degree level: Associate
Software Engineering
Software engineering shares some similarities with software development, though it goes a step further in applying scientific and mathematical skills to solving problems. Software engineering is more about utilizing engineering principles and practices in the design, development, testing and maintenance of software systems and solutions. Curriculum within software engineering programs covers a range of software engineering topics, including software architecture, software design patterns, software project management and software testing and quality assurance.
Software engineers are generally responsible for the overall architecture of their organization’s software systems. They collaborate with cross-functional teams to plan and design features and to build solutions for end users. Professionals who have a degree in software engineering may pursue careers as software developers, software engineers, application developers, web developers or IT consultants.
- Example classes: Software Design, User Interface Software, Database Modeling Concepts
- Careers include: Software Engineer, QA Engineer, Software Developer
- Typical expected degree level: Bachelor/Master/Doctorate
Technology Management and Leadership
Academic programs in technology management and leadership are meant to prepare students to effectively lead and manage information technology initiatives, teams and departments within organizations. These leadership programs combine foundational IT concepts such as system development and networking with higher level business and managerial topics such as strategic planning, project management, IT governance, risk management and organizational leadership.
In technology management and leadership programs, students learn how to align IT strategies with business goals, manage projects and resources and lead teams of IT professionals. Professionals who earn a degree in technology management and leadership may pursue careers as IT managers, IT directors, chief information officers (CIOs), IT consultants or technology project managers.
- Example classes: Project Management, Server Operations, Enterprise Applications
- Careers include: IT Project Manager, Director of IT, Chief Technical Officer
- Typical expected degree level: Master/Doctorate
How to Choose the Right Technology Degree
These example degrees are just a sample of the top degree choices for IT-related career fields. As technology evolves and companies develop new software and hardware, continued learning should be a cornerstone of your tech career. Because there’s overlap between many different fields, you could even move across different career paths, such as from a database administrator to a system architect, depending on your education and experience.
Here are some suggestions on how to select the tech degree that’s right for you:
- Account for your strengths and professional experience — Consider the IT work you’ve done in the past, what have you enjoyed doing? What do you get excited about doing? Reflect on your strengths, skills and past experiences to identify areas where you excel.
- Plan out your short- and long-term career goals and interests — Take the time to consider your long-term career goals and aspirations. Ask yourself if you’d prefer to pursue a technical role, a managerial role or a combination of both. Be sure to account for what you’re passionate about, whether it’s software development, networking, data analytics or some other area.
- Conduct additional research about the job fields for each degree — Once you’ve decided on a direction, start researching the job market and trends in the technology industry to understand which roles are in demand and align with your interests. Are there lots of available opportunities? Are you finding more postings for other positions you’re also interested in? Identify the common education levels and previous work experience requirements to provide you with a goal to aim for.
- Look at different accredited schools and IT programs — Be sure to take the time to explore different technology degree programs offered by universities and colleges. Look into the curriculum, courses, faculty, facilities and resources available in each program. Consider whether the program offers specializations that align with your interests and career goals.
- Seek guidance and advice — Talk to academic advisors, career counselors, mentors and professionals who are working in the technology industry. Ask for their perspective and advice. They can provide valuable insights and recommendations based on their experiences and expertise.
