“Information technology” sounds like a single, well-defined major. In practice, it’s one of the most inconsistently labeled programs in higher ed. What one school calls IT another calls information systems or computer information systems or simply folds into computer science. Before committing to a program, students should ask these important questions:
Does this school actually offer “IT” or something close with a similar name?
At some schools, IT lives in engineering and leans technical, covering topics like networks, systems administration and security. At others, it’s housed in the business school and blends technology with management under names like information systems or computer information systems. Neither approach is wrong, but they prepare students for different career paths. To be sure they’re committing to the right program, students should read the major’s course list instead of just relying on the degree title.
How is IT different from computer science, cybersecurity or information systems?
These terms are often used interchangeably by applicants, but they’re distinct to academic departments. To roughly categorize each:
IT is about deploying, managing and securing the systems that organizations already run.
Computer science emphasizes software development and understanding the theory behind it.
Cybersecurity focuses specifically on system defense.
Information systems sits closer to business, translating technology decisions into organizational strategy.
Another way to look at it: If you like fixing things and keeping systems running, that’s IT. If you want to design things, that’s computer science. If you want to protect systems, that’s cybersecurity. If you want to optimize business processes, that’s information systems.
What do graduates with an IT degree get hired to do?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics groups computer and information technology occupations together, projecting 317,700 openings a year through 2034 and current median wages of almost $106,000. But the category includes a wide array of specific roles, including network administrators, security analysts and system managers. These jobs all differ significantly in terms of daily work and required skills. When considering an IT-related program, students should look for outcomes by job title, not generic employment and salary statistics for tech majors.
Does the IT curriculum include real systems, not just theory?
IT is a practical field, so a program heavy on lecture and light on hands-on time should raise questions. Prospective students should look for coursework involving real networks, cloud environments and security tools. Stevens’ information systems program, for example, builds toward a capstone where students consult on a real project for a local business rather than a hypothetical case study. IT degree programs should also offer internship support. Employers value demonstrated hands-on competency as highly as coursework.
Are there industry certifications built into the IT program?
Certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Cisco’s CCNA carry weight in IT hiring. Students can save themselves significant time and money if a program’s curriculum maps to those credentials or helps students prepare to test for them while still enrolled in school.
None of these questions has a universally correct answer. But knowing what to ask when comparing programs can help students make informed choices about which meets their specific needs best.
