Computer Information Technology/Programming Concentration, A.A.S.

Degree: Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Accreditation. Accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, 11520 W. 119th St., Overland Park, KS 66221, (913) 339-9356, www.acbsp.org.

Program description. The Computer Information Technology (CIT) program encompasses related disciplines in these general concentrations: Cyber Defense , Networking , Programming, and Systems Administration and Management . Students who major in CIT study and gain experience with a variety of systems, applications, languages, products and hardware. Graduates of any of the four concentrations will benefit from sustained growth in demand for highly skilled information technology workers. The concentrations allow for maximum flexibility within the curriculum while ensuring students have adequate credentials in a particular segment of the information technology field. In addition, all CIT students complement their studies with a 135-hour internship at a selected site, which allows students to gain on-the-job experience prior to graduation.

Programming concentration. This concentration offers a core curriculum that is designed to provide the academic and technical background to prepare students for careers as programmers or software engineers and allows students the flexibility to choose from various course options aligned with their career direction.  Emphasis is placed on object-oriented programming languages such as Java, the design and implementation of classes and objects, and the process of developing and maintaining software.  Students have an opportunity to gain up-to-date experience with various systems, applications, languages and products used within the computer information technology field.  The curriculum is designed to enable students to develop strong critical thinking skills and to learn by doing in a hands-on lab environment, along with real world internship experience.

Typical job opportunities: Applications programmer, product representative, maintenance programmer, programmer specialist, database programmer, programmer/analyst, research assistant, web programmer, mobile applications developer, software developer and applications specialist

Program goals. Upon completion of a Computer Information Technology program, the graduate will have developed the skills, knowledge and abilities to accomplish the following:

1. Communicate effectively and work independently or as a team member.
2. Use computers, related equipment and resources which are up to date, real-world and represent current and emerging trends in the employment field.
3. Apply terminology, numeric concepts, social/ethical implications and/or system concepts associated with the information technology field.
4. Use current application and system software including programming tools such as integrated development environment (IDE), assemblers, compilers, interpreters and debuggers.
5. Write algorithms and implement solutions in a computer language using software development cycles and project management tools for a set of requirements.
6. Plan, install, manage and troubleshoot a computer network environment.

Exit Testing. Students completing the CIT program are required to take the College’s general competency exam and a CIT competency exam as part of the Graduation Requirements . Instructions on when and where to take the CIT competency exam are mailed after the student completes the application for graduation. Students not complying with the required testing will not graduate.

Contact(s): Business and Computer Technology, (865) 694-6656