Online Undergraduate Certificate in Information Technology Essentials
As the technology industry evolves faster and faster, both new and experienced professionals need to regularly expand their knowledge of information technology. You can develop the core skills you need for an information technology (IT) role with DeVry University's 100% online IT Essentials Certificate. This online IT certificate program is designed to expose you to concepts across the broad field of tech, preparing you to pursue roles in a wide variety of organizations.
Gain hands-on experience with Internet of Things (IoT) projects, networking, digital devices, programming, operating systems and more. All these skills and courses can help jumpstart your IT career through our IT Essentials certificate program.
Elements of the curriculum will also help you prepare to pursue industry IT certifications like:
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA LINUX+
- CompTIA NETWORK+
- CompTIA Cloud+
Better yet, you can earn your Undergraduate Certificate in Information Technology Essentials in as little as 8 months1—or even more quickly with qualifying transfer credits.
Want to get started?
100% Online Information Technology Essentials Certificate classes start October 25, 2021.
Quick Facts
How long is the Information Technology Essentials Certificate Program?
Our IT Essentials certificate program is 100% online, adding to the ability for it to be completed while you still meet work and family needs. Completing this IT certificate program takes:
- 8 courses
- 23 minimum credit hours
- As little as eight months1—or even more quickly with qualifying transfer credits
Tech Essentials Grant
This program is eligible for our Tech Essentials Grant, which is available to new and readmit undergraduate students. This grant offers $2,400 toward the cost of your IT Essentials certificate program upon completion.2 Please see the catalog for complete admissions requirements.
Information Technology (IT) Essentials Certificate Program – What You Can Learn
Our IT Essentials program is designed to help you develop the skills needed to find your place in the broad field of IT through projects and coursework. DeVry's IT Essentials Certificate covers the following disciplines and skills:
Networking
Gain working knowledge of the underlying technology of local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) and the internet. Some of the skills and disciplines you'll explore through networking courses in this program include:
- Networking media Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model
- Transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP)
- Routing and switching
- Small network configuration and troubleshooting
Problem-Solving and Data Analysis
Learn to apply critical and analytical thinking to identify problems, evaluate options and implement solutions. Courses in this area can help you draw conclusions through pattern recognition and identifying relationships in numerical data.
Digital Devices
Explore digital concepts, devices and connectivity within the realm of the Internet of Things (IoT). Topics include networking, securing and deploying digital devices. These essential courses will help you understand the functionality of different devices and better deploy them within networks and processes.
Technology Principles through Programming
Learn to apply your knowledge of technology principles through programming to solve well-defined technology problems. Python is the primary programming language used. Courses in this area can reinforce your understanding of machine logic, which should help you gain a more holistic and intuitive sense of how devices and networks function.
Information Technology Essentials Admission Requirements
Students must place in MATH062 & ENGL062 or above. To begin program coursework, students may need to complete transitional studies courses first, if applicable.3 Please see the catalog for complete admissions requirements.
Information Technology Essentials and Financial Aid – Grant Programs
When considering your IT Essentials certificate program options, know that we’ve made a strong commitment to making our programs more affordable for you. Throughout the 2019-2020 award year, for example, we awarded $45 Million in student financial assistance4 to our students through partner tuition savings, institutional scholarships and university grants.
Job Opportunities in the Information Technology (IT) Field
At DeVry, we design our classes to help you gain the confidence you need to hit the ground running in the information technology workforce. Graduates with our online IT essentials undergraduate certificate may consider entry-level opportunities in positions such as:
- Computer Network Support Specialist
Also called technical support specialists, these professionals analyze, troubleshoot and evaluate computer network problems. This career path primarily focuses on technical knowledge but can be enhanced by good communication skills that enable you to communicate technical needs to managers and company leaders.
- IT Help Desk Support Specialist
The IT help desk support specialist, also known as user support specialists or technicians, will work directly with individual employees – who generally do not have a background in IT – to assist with computer problems. This role also specializes in avoiding jargon to help diagnose computer problems and requires elements of customer service, communication and technical knowledge.
- Entry-Level Network System Administrator
The LAN system administrator will deploy and administer wireless infrastructure and supporting network systems. While this is an entry-level position, an undergraduate certificate in IT essentials can communicate the level of knowledge that employers want to see as networks become increasingly vital to company productivity.
- Computer Systems Analyst
The computer systems analyst ensures that all of the computer systems impacting organizational goals are supported. This role looks at the strengths and weakness of existing systems to identify areas for improvement. It's an excellent career path for the more analytically minded and is also great for those who are able to clearly communicate issues and solutions to decision-makers at a company.
Program Courses
Mathematics
| MATH114 | Algebra for College Students |
Tech Core
| CEIS101C | Introduction to Technology and Information Systems |
| CEIS106 | Introduction to Operating Systems |
| CEIS110 | Introduction to Programming |
| CEIS114 | Introduction Digital Devices |
| NETW191 | Introduction to Information Technology & Networking |
| NETW211 | Fundamentals of Cloud Computing |
Career Preparation
| CEIS299 | Careers and Technology |
IT Essentials FAQs
What can I do with a certificate in information technology?
A certificate in information technology essentials from DeVry can help prepare you for a career by giving you the hands-on experience you need to pursue relevant roles across a variety of industries. By completing our online IT Essentials certificate program, you can also apply your qualifying credits toward these associate degree programs at DeVry:
- Associate in Information Technology and Networking
- Associate in Engineering Technology
- Associate in Network Systems Administration
Every course from your associate degree program then stacks into a qualifying bachelor’s degree program at DeVry:
How important are IT certificates in the workplace?
Do you need an IT certificate for IT work?
How do you earn a certificate in information technology?
What kind of job can I get with an information technology certificate?
What kind of education do I need for a certificate in information technology?
What are the benefits of information technology?
Build Skills with Stackable Degrees
Earn a Credential at Every Step
You don’t have to wait four years to show a credential on your resume. At DeVry, several programs are designed to stack.5 You can start with a credential that takes less time in order to save money and build towards any future education you choose to pursue. At the same time, a credential like this can immediately be added to your resume should you choose to take a break in your education after earning it.
Certificates at DeVry are earned through flexible online and on-site classes that help you build your professional skills right away.
How Do Credentials Stack?
This online IT Essentials certificate can be a stepping stone to the Associate in Information Technology and Networking program. If you choose to continue with your education at DeVry after earning this certificate, all credits earned through this program will apply to an Associate in Information Technology and Networking degree, which then stacks into a bachelor’s degree in:
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1Not including breaks. Assumes year-round, full-time enrollment.
2Restrictions apply. Please see Scholarships and Grants page for complete details.
3Transitional studies coursework may affect program length and cost.
4Data includes all partner tuition savings, institutional scholarships, and grants for the period from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020.
5The figures displayed represent the minimum credit hours required for graduation. At 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.
