A.S. Information Technology
64
Credit Hours
75%
Max Transfer Credit
Class Type
100% online, 6 & 12-week courses
Next Start Date
Jan 6, 2025
Cost Per Credit

Connect your skills to your ambition with an IT associate degree

From productivity to marketing to order fulfillment, organizations rely on information technology (IT) to help them successfully do -- and grow -- their businesses. 

Because IT affects business from the inside out, IT professionals have a unique opportunity to impact business from every angle, including operations. Starting with network availability and systems capacity all the way to algorithms and customer databases, technology-based information and resources are needed to maximize productivity and profitability.

Earn a two-year online A.S. Information Technology from Franklin and work with organizations to create and manage the computing systems infrastructures and applications that bring businesses closer to their customers and achieve their operational goals.
 

Program Availability

On Site

Multiple IT Pathways

Enjoy a seamless transition to tech-focused bachelor's degrees.

Real-World Practitioners

Learn from experienced technology leaders.

100% Online Classes

Take classes that fit with your busy life.

Program Overview

Determine your IT path

Franklin’s transfer-friendly A.S. Information Technology associate degree program covers the fundamentals of technology-based problem solving, including programming, configuring computer networks, cyber security and administering database systems.

With our program, you’ll be well-prepared to tackle a wide variety of technology challenges, including troubleshooting network performance, using algorithms to solve problems, and resolving database and distributed data performance and capacity issues.

Through 64 core, major and elective credit hours, you’ll be introduced to the concepts and technologies that enable businesses to leverage information technology to profitable advantage.

You’ll also be exposed to several different IT career pathways, from help desk and support to analyst and technician to better prepare you to make entry into the fast-growing career segment of information technology. In fact, EMSI predicts that jobs in the information technology sector will increase a whopping 24 percent through 2025. 

Once you complete your associate degree, aside from a variety of career options, you’ll have a multitude of next-step education options too. If programming and web development are your thing, then your IT associate degree can prepare you to transfer to our Web Development bachelor’s degree program. If you’d like to make a career of protecting data from security threats and hackers, then consider your IT associate degree a good springboard to the Cyber Security bachelor’s degree program. If you’d rather become an IT generalist and continue with your bachelor’s degree, all your associate degree courses are directly applicable to the Information Technology bachelor’s degree program at Franklin.

Earn your degree from a university built for busy adults

Earn your degree on your terms by taking classes 100% online or pursue available coursework at our Main Campus. Regionally accredited and nonprofit, Franklin was built from the ground-up to satisfy the needs of adult learners. Our seamless transfer process and team of academic advisors will help ease your transition to becoming a student, while our flexible course schedules help to balance your education with work, family, and life. Get started on your future today.

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Future Start Dates

Start dates for individual programs may vary and are subject to change. Please request free information & speak with an admission advisor for the latest program start dates.

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Your Best Value

Choose Franklin's A.S. Information Technology and get a high-quality degree that fits your life and your budget.

Keep the Credit You've Earned

48
MAX TRANSFER HOURS

On average, students transfer in 75% of the credits required.

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$23,880
Total Tuition
(After Partner Discount)

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Highly Recommended

98%
STUDENT SATISFACTION

98% of graduating students would recommend Franklin to their family, friends and/or colleagues.

Source: Franklin University, Office of Career Development Student Satisfaction Survey (Summer 2023)

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Curriculum & Course Descriptions

64 Semester Hours
Fundamental General Education
English Composition
ENG 120 - College Writing (4)

In this course, students acquire the writing competencies necessary for completing analytical and argumentative papers supported by secondary research. A variety of assignments, beginning with personal reflections, build upon one another, as students develop ideas that respond to, critique, and synthesize the positions of others. Students systematize and organize knowledge in ways that will help them in all their courses. The course also emphasizes the elements of critical reading, effective writing style, appropriate grammar and mechanics, clarity of language, and logical and cohesive development. It culminates in submission of an extended, documented research paper.

Mathematics
MATH 215 - Statistical Concepts (4)

This course introduces you to statistics with applications to various areas. The course covers both descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics included are: sampling techniques, data types, experiments; measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, graphical displays of data, basic probability concepts, binomial and normal probability distributions, sampling distributions and Central Limit Theorem; confidence intervals, hypothesis tests of a mean, or a proportion for one or two populations, and linear regression.

AND

Choose MATH140 - Introduction to Quantitative Reasoning or MATH 150 Fundamental Algebra as the prerequisite. Course can count as a University elective.

Science

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Two courses from the Science discipline. One course must have a lab component.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

6 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from the Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology disciplines. Choose courses from two different disciplines to meet degree requirements.

Arts & Humanities
HUMN 211 - Introduction to Critical Ethics (2)

Critical Ethics uses critical thinking to get around the limitations of personal belief and indoctrination to get to what ought to be done and why to improve the human condition. Accordingly, the goal of this course is to help the student improve his/her ethical analysis and evaluation skills to help the student do the thing that must be done, when it ought to be done, using critical thinking.

AND

4 credits from the following types of courses:
Choose from the Art, English Literature, Fine Arts, Humanities, Music, Philosophy, Religion or Theater disciplines.

Additional General Education
PF 121 - Basic Learning Strategies (2)

This course prepares students to be successful lifelong learners both academically and in their chosen careers. Franklin courses require a high level of self-directed learning and focus on the skills required in the workplace and the classroom that are easily transferrable between the two environments. The course includes strategies for time management, goal setting, reading comprehension, and advancing communication skills, including the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments.

OR PF 321 - Learning Strategies (2)

This course prepares students to be successful lifelong learners both academically and in their chosen careers. Franklin courses require a high level of self-directed learning and focus on the skills required in the workplace and the classroom that are easily transferable between the two environments. The course includes strategies for advancing communication skills, including the use of electronic tools to participate in virtual environments. The assignments and activities in the course are created to closely simulate teamwork found in the workplace.

AND

COMM 150 - Interpersonal Communication (4)

By using applied critical and creative thinking, students in this course will develop a set of communication skills that will enhance their personal and professional relationships and endeavors. This course will focus on skill development in key areas such as self, perception, listening, verbal messages, conversations, relationships, conflict management, persuasion, and presentation skills.

OR SPCH 100 - Speech Communication (4)

This basic public-speaking course intends to improve the student's ability to think critically and to communicate orally. Theory and practice are provided in various speaking situations. Each student is required to speak before an audience, but class work also involves reading, gathering and organizing information, writing, and listening.

AND

ENG 220 - Research Writing: Exploring Professional Identities (4)

This is an intermediate course focusing on the composition of research papers. Students in this course prepare to be active participants in professional discourse communities by examining and practicing the writing conventions associated with their own fields of study and work. By calling attention to the conventions of disciplinary writing, the course also prepares students for upper-division college writing and the special conventions of advanced academic discourse. Course activities include three extended research papers, semi-formal writing addressing interdisciplinary communication, and readings fostering critical engagement with disciplinary conversations.

Major Area Required
COMP 101 - Problem Solving With Computing (2)

Many organizations today utilize computers and information systems to store, organize, analyze, and summarize data to solve problems. As a result, computing is a tool that can benefit students in many different fields. At the heart of solving problems with computers is the study of structured thinking using algorithms. This course is designed for students with no prior programming experience and teaches the building blocks of algorithms, including variables, expressions, selection and repetition structures, functions and parameters, and array processing.

COMP 204 - Principles of Computer Networks (2)

This course serves as an introduction to the function, design, administration, and implementation of computer networks. Topics include network infrastructure, architecture, protocols, applications, and the OSI networking model. Note, this course has proctored exam(s).

COMP 281 - Database Management Systems (4)

This course, Database Management Systems, covers the fundamental concepts necessary for the design, use, implementation, and administration of database systems. The course will stress the fundamentals of database modeling and design, the languages and facilities provided by database management systems, and some techniques for implementing and administering database systems.

ITEC 136 - Principles of Programming (4)

This course introduces programming to individuals with little or no programming background. The goal of this course is to introduce the fundamentals of structured programming, problem solving, algorithm design, and software lifecycle. Topics will include testing, data types, operations, repetition and selection control structures, functions and procedures, arrays, and top down stepwise refinement. Students will design, code, test, debug, and document programs in a relevant programming language.

ITEC 275 - Computer Networks: Switching, Routing, & Wans (4)

This course covers both the design and configuration of computer networks. Students will learn about the OSI model, network topologies, Wide Area Network (WAN) technologies, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), routing, switching, Cisco network devices configuration, IP addressing, routing protocols, and network security, Software Defined Networking (SDN), Network Function Virtualization, and network operations, and management. This course provides the student interactive configuration experience with the Cisco Systems Internetworking Operating System (IOS), Mininet, and Network Simulator (ns-3) in an isolated environment.

MIS 200 - Management Information Systems (4)

The purpose of this course is to provide the fundamentals associated with the management of information technology in a business enterprise. These fundamentals are business concepts in which the influence of information technology has caused change or brought about new concepts. Special emphasis will be placed on understanding the managerial issues that are relevant to the usage of computers. The student will be given problems isolating these issues and will be asked to propose solutions with alternatives.

WEBD 101 - Introduction to Web Page Construction (2)

This course presents introductions to many of the basic concepts, issues, and techniques related to designing, developing, and deploying Web sites. During the course, students will learn about Web design, HTML, XHTML, and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). Students will learn how to create sites both manually and through the use of Web site development software.

CYSC 200 - Cybersecurity Fundamentals (2)

The Internet has changed dramatically; so have the activities that are dependent on it in some shape or form. Understanding the need for security, it's influence on people, businesses and society, as well as business drivers is critical. The course also covers malicious attacks, threats and vulnerabilities common to the world of security, as well as access controls, and methods to assess and respond to risks. Hands-on labs accompany the various concepts that are taught.

Additional Requirements

All students are required to pass College Writing (ENG 120), and either Basic Learning Strategies (PF 121) or Learning Strategies (PF 321) prior to enrolling in any course at the 200 level or above. Students who enroll at Franklin with 30 or fewer hours of transfer credit are required to pass PF 121 Basic Learning Strategies in place of PF 321 Learning Strategies. Interpersonal Communication (COMM 150) or Speech Communication (SPCH 100) must be taken prior to enrolling in any course at the 300 level or above. Students must also meet the University algebra competency requirement.

A.S. Information Technology Program Details

Employment Outlook

11%

From 2023-2033, jobs in Information Technology are expected to increase by 11%

Occupation Median Salary (2023) Job Postings (2023) Projected Growth (2023-2033)
Occupation
Computer and Information Research Scientists $145,080 8,719 26%
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Median Salary: $145,080
Job Postings: 8,719
Projected Growth: 26%
Occupation
Job Titles
Skills
Industry
Description

Computer and Information Research Scientists conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

Projected Growth
Job TitleJob Postings% of Job Postings
Computer Scientists3,41839%
Computational Scientists1,16713%
Research Computer Scientists99011%
Scientists7419%
Principal Scientists5516%
Show More
SkillJob Postings% of Total Postings
Computer Science3,58754%
Python (Programming Language)2,50338%
Machine Learning2,41537%
Artificial Intelligence1,98230%
Statistics1,51323%
Show More
 
Industry% of Occupation in Industry
Federal Government, Civilian32%
Computer Systems Design and Related Services21%
Scientific Research and Development Services15%
Software Publishers8%
Education and Hospitals (State Government)7%
Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services3%
Other15%
Computer Network Architects $129,834 105,281 8%
Computer Network Architects
Median Salary: $129,834
Job Postings: 105,281
Projected Growth: 8%
Occupation
Job Titles
Skills
Industry
Description

Computer Network Architects design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.

Projected Growth
Job TitleJob Postings% of Job Postings
Network Engineers50,59048%
Automation Engineers12,00911%
Network Architects5,5665%
Network Analysts3,8294%
Network Systems Engineers2,8663%
Show More
SkillJob Postings% of Total Postings
Network Engineering41,61634%
Network Routing35,89930%
Automation32,99627%
Computer Science30,76725%
Firewall30,42125%
Show More
 
Industry% of Occupation in Industry
Computer Systems Design and Related Services25%
Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite)12%
Management of Companies and Enterprises9%
Employment Services4%
Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services4%
Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services3%
Other43%
Computer Systems Analysts $103,792 100,703 14%
Computer Systems Analysts
Median Salary: $103,792
Job Postings: 100,703
Projected Growth: 14%
Occupation
Job Titles
Skills
Industry
Description

Computer Systems Analysts analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.

Projected Growth
Job TitleJob Postings% of Job Postings
Business Systems Analysts30,87931%
Systems Analysts19,86520%
Technical Business Analysts5,6336%
Technical Analysts4,2874%
Configuration Analysts5,1075%
Show More
SkillJob Postings% of Total Postings
Systems Analysis28,29622%
Project Management28,07522%
Computer Science27,47421%
SQL (Programming Language)24,88319%
Workflow Management21,66917%
Show More
 
Industry% of Occupation in Industry
Computer Systems Design and Related Services23%
Management of Companies and Enterprises11%
Insurance Carriers5%
Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals4%
Depository Credit Intermediation4%
Employment Services4%
Other51%
Computer Programmers $99,715 36,884 -4%
Computer Programmers
Median Salary: $99,715
Job Postings: 36,884
Projected Growth: -4%
Occupation
Job Titles
Skills
Industry
Description

Computer Programmers create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.

Projected Growth
Job TitleJob Postings% of Job Postings
Programmer Analysts11,25531%
Program Analysts4,59513%
Programmers5,75416%
Statistical Programmers2,5527%
Systems Programmers1,3094%
Show More
SkillJob Postings% of Total Postings
Computer Science9,63028%
SQL (Programming Language)8,53925%
Project Management5,45216%
Debugging4,40713%
Python (Programming Language)4,39013%
Show More
 
Industry% of Occupation in Industry
Computer Systems Design and Related Services33%
Education and Hospitals (State Government)7%
Software Publishers6%
State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals5%
Scientific Research and Development Services4%
Management of Companies and Enterprises4%
Other42%
Computer Network Support Specialists $71,531 17,149 12%
Computer Network Support Specialists
Median Salary: $71,531
Job Postings: 17,149
Projected Growth: 12%
Occupation
Job Titles
Skills
Industry
Description

Computer Network Support Specialists analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cloud networks, servers, and other data communications networks. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.

Projected Growth
Job TitleJob Postings% of Job Postings
Network Technicians6,72739%
NOC Technicians1,75710%
Network Support Technicians1,1357%
Network Operations Technicians9576%
Network Operations Center Technicians8635%
Show More
SkillJob Postings% of Total Postings
Network Routing2,86525%
Network Switches2,84624%
Telecommunications2,38621%
Local Area Networks2,12018%
Computer Networks2,05818%
Show More
 
Industry% of Occupation in Industry
Computer Systems Design and Related Services20%
Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite)8%
Education and Hospitals (Local Government)7%
Management of Companies and Enterprises6%
Education and Hospitals (State Government)5%
Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals5%
Other50%
Occupation
Job Titles
Skills
Industry
Description

Computer User Support Specialists provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.

Projected Growth
Job TitleJob Postings% of Job Postings
IT Specialists25,04212%
Desktop Support Technicians20,44510%
IT Support Specialists16,9818%
Help Desk Technicians18,8929%
Help Desk Analysts15,4867%
Show More
SkillJob Postings% of Total Postings
Technical Support84,19531%
Help Desk Support79,70029%
Operating Systems60,62222%
Active Directory47,41817%
Computer Science46,49317%
Show More
 
Industry% of Occupation in Industry
Computer Systems Design and Related Services22%
Education and Hospitals (Local Government)6%
Employment Services5%
Management of Companies and Enterprises5%
Education and Hospitals (State Government)4%
Software Publishers4%
Other55%
Show More

Source: Employment Outlook data is provided by Lightcast. Franklin University cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

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