IT Certificate Programs Online to Explore

Key Takeaways

• IT certificate programs offer opportunities in various tech fields, including software development, data science, cybersecurity, and more.
• The IT industry offers job security and growth potential, making IT certificates a valuable path for career advancement, especially for working professionals.
• Different types of IT certifications are available, including graduate and undergraduate certificates, professional certificates, and bootcamp certificates.
• Choosing the right IT certification program involves considering factors like full-time vs. part-time options, tuition costs, mentorship opportunities, and career services.
• Admission requirements for IT certificate programs typically include a high school diploma or GED, prerequisite courses and skills, and an open schedule for intensive bootcamps.

The demand for information technology (IT) professionals is rising much faster than in other occupations as businesses become increasingly reliant on technology.¹ The emphasis on e-commerce has expanded this field and made IT jobs coveted positions. If you want to work in this sector, one way to gain professional IT skills is through an online certificate program.An IT certificate can open up many opportunities, such as becoming a software developer, computer systems analyst, information security analyst, or network architect. Below you’ll find a list of online IT certificate programs that can help you kickstart a career in information technology.

IT Certification Programs

The best online IT certificate programs help students acquire the skills needed for lucrative tech careers. From coding bootcamps to universities, the list below includes trusted education providers with programs that yield IT certificates recognized by their respective industries.

Online IT Certification Programs: At a Glance

Online IT Certification Programs: A Closer Look

From coding bootcamps like DataCamp and Iron Hack to universities like Dakota State University and Bismarck State College, our selection of online IT certificate programs includes highly respected institutions. Earning a certificate from any of these schools is an excellent way to kickstart a career in tech.

Tech Elevator

Tech Elevator offers several programming courses, from Programming Foundations to Full-Stack Development Project. Prospective students can learn online in a part- or full-time capacity. During the course and upon completion, students have access to Tech Elevator’s career services and can take advantage of their one-on-one career coaching and employer connections.

DataCamp

DataCamp is known as the first online learning platform to offer data science courses, covering everything from Python to SQL and ChatGPT. Since its creation, the program has taught more than 560,000 data scientists. If you aren’t sure about becoming a data scientist, you can enroll in DataCamp’s beginner courses to test the waters.

Students enrolled in this program learn to apply their technical skills through short videos with hands-on exercises. DataCamp’s certifications are recognized by industry leaders and built with their needs and demands in mind.

Designlab

Designlab offers several smaller courses on UX and UI design. Students can also join UX Academy, the school’s main draw and an effective way of learning the skills needed to work as a UX/UI designer. UX Academy has a project-based curriculum and students graduate with a sizeable portfolio to showcase to potential employers.

This IT certification provides students with relevant experience. Designlab also offers access to career resources to its students.

Product School

Product School is renowned as the world’s first technology business school. It offers five online certifications: Product Manager Certification, Artificial Intelligence Product Certification, Product Leader Certification, Product Marketing Manager Certification, and Product Growth Certification. All of the instructors at Product School are real-world project managers employed by major tech companies like Snapchat, Google, PayPal, LinkedIn, Netflix, Facebook, and Airbnb.

Ironhack

Ironhack offers 3-month, part- and full-time classes in web development, data analytics, and UX/UI design. Ironhack’s programs are designed with a balance of theory and practice for optimal learning.

All Ironhack programs are strong from a curriculum perspective. However, we are particularly impressed by its UX/UI course. After completion of their course, students receive a certification.

CompTIA

CompTIA certifications are trusted by the U.S. government—proving to be highly-regarded programs in the information technology space. CompTIA certifications and courses primarily prepare students for careers in cyber security, however, they also provide certifications and programs in tech support, UI/UX design, software development, IT auditing, and more. Students enjoy a self-paced, online curriculum and thorough training in their area of interest. Once their course is complete, they will be able to take the necessary certification exams to jumpstart their careers.

UC Berkeley Extension

From data science to software development, UC Berkeley offers some of the best undergraduate certificates in information technology that prepare students for in-demand jobs. After completing one of the courses, you could pursue a job as a software engineer, data scientist, or business analyst, and more—depending on the program you choose.

The classes are delivered via a combination of live instruction and self-paced study. These tech courses help students master advanced topics so they are well-prepared for the career opportunities that will come their way after graduation.

Dakota State University

Dakota State University offers several online information technology certificate programs at both the bachelor’s and master’s degree levels. Through online education opportunities, students can study ethical hacking, cyber security, business analytics, banking security, and more.The technology courses offered by Dakota State University cover hot topics within the tech industry, such as artificial intelligence and cloud technologies. Students can also learn about popular programming languages and cyber security standards.

Bismarck State College

Computer networking, security and hacking, digital forensics, and computer programming are just a few of the online IT certificate programs that students can choose from at Bismarck State College. Students can enroll in in-person or live online versions of these certificate programs, as well as one and two-year programs. These options are for students who want to gain more expert-level skills.The college courses that students take in these certificate programs can later be applied toward an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Students can seek financial assistance in the form of government aid and scholarships to attend these programs. Like many community colleges, Bismarck State College offers affordable tuition rates.

What Is an IT Certification?

An IT certificate program is a short, often intensive program that helps students quickly build real-world skills within the booming field of information technology. IT certificate programs consist of a variety of courses that allow students to master tech topics from software development to analytics.

Similar to earning a degree, a certificate shows that you have completed certain coursework and have developed a proficiency in specific computer science topics. Having an IT certificate can help you stand out during the job search process.

What Does an IT Professional Do?

An information technology professional works hard to protect sensitive data, ensuring that a company is operating efficiently by managing all software and hardware. In short, an IT professional makes sure that the business runs smoothly.

If you’re looking to get into data analytics, information security, artificial intelligence, or another IT field, it’s important to have a firm grasp of computing and today’s digital landscape. As an IT professional, you will be expected to have some knowledge of programming languages like HTML, CSS, Ruby on Rails, Python, Django, JavaScript, or PHP stacks.

Earning industry certifications in information technology is a great way to break into the field. Many businesses hire prospective employees with a bachelor’s degree or an associate’s degree. However, if you’re interested in becoming a security analyst, software developer, software engineer, or data analytics professional at a Fortune 500 company, you should consider pursuing a master’s degree at an accredited institution.

Tech Careers That Your IT Certificate Can Unlock

You’re probably wondering what positions are available in IT. Knowledge of information technology opens doors to a wide range of opportunities. Below are some of the best IT certificate jobs in this growing field. Online certificates for jobs in the IT field can help you land any of these positions.

Data Scientist 

Data scientists analyze data and use their findings to provide insights to companies. Data scientists are known for their critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork skills, as well as for being detail-oriented. Additionally, a good data scientist will have a firm understanding of statistics, machine learning, and data visualization. If you have an analytical mind, data science may be the perfect IT job for you.According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average data scientist makes $112,590 annually.2 In addition, it is a growing field—with a projected 36% growth until 2033.² To pursue a position as a data scientist, you should have a Master’s in Computer Science or a related field. However, entry-level IT certificate jobs are available for those who complete a certificate program. An entry-level position can help you gain real-world expertise to move up in the field.

Software Developer 

A software developer creates software, either for a desktop or mobile device. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, software developers with bachelor’s and master’s degrees typically earn an annual salary of $131,450.³ The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects that the software development field will continue to see a growth of 17 percent, annually, until 2033.³

Sales Engineer 

A sales engineer sells technology and scientific products and services to companies. In addition to possessing a working knowledge of tech, sales engineers should possess strong interpersonal skills and be able to communicate well with others.According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this field is expected to grow by six percent annually until 2033.⁴ A skilled sales engineer typically earns an average salary of nearly $121,520.⁴ IT certificate holders can break into the technology industry by getting an entry-level job as a sales engineer.

Computer and Information Systems Managers 

In addition to holding a bachelor’s degree, prospective computer and information systems managers are typically expected to enter the position with at least five years of prior work experience and existing knowledge of the IT landscape. Usually held by seasoned professionals, this position typically yields a median salary of $171,200 per year.⁵ What’s more, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that this position will grow by 17 percent annually until 2033.⁵ Once completed, certificate graduates may be able to secure career opportunities and begin gaining hands-on experience in the field.

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Types of Online IT Certifications

There are many different types of online IT certifications that cover a wide variety of topics within the field of study. Though you typically won’t earn college credits, some of the types of online IT certifications you can get include graduate and undergraduate certificates. In addition, you can get a professional certificate that will make sure you have the job-ready skills to succeed.You can also unlock more career opportunities by obtaining a bootcamp certificate in subjects such as software development, database administration, and cloud computing. These tech courses help you gain the relevant experience needed to impress potential employers and secure a high-paying role.

How to Choose the Right Certification Program  

Now that you’re familiar with information technology and how a position in this field can advance your career, let’s learn more about how to develop IT skills through IT online certificate programs. Many IT professionals earn their certification through online coding bootcamps. These are short, intensive programs that equip students with the practical, job-ready skills they need to succeed in tech jobs. They are a cheaper, faster alternative to attending a four-year college or university. Additionally, many programs offer career support for graduates.

These programs offer hands-on projects that help you develop professional experience. Whether you’re a working professional seeking to change your career path or advance your career, online IT certificate programs may be a great fit for you.

While there are live online options, many online IT certificate programs are delivered asynchronously to provide students with the maximum amount of flexibility in their learning experience. Additionally, many programs allow students to transfer credits they earned from a prior institution. This will accelerate the speed at which they complete their IT certificate program.

Before choosing to enroll, it’s important to consider how much time you have to commit to a program. If you have a demanding workplace, a longer part-time program may be the best option for you.

While doing your research on the best IT certificate course for you, it’s important to consider the following factors that will play into your program decision:

• Full-time vs part-time 
• Live vs self-paced
• Tuition cost and tuition reimbursement 
• Mentorship opportunities 
• Career services offered 
• Success rate 
• Future job opportunities 
• In-person vs online

What are the Admission Requirements for an Online Certificate in Technology Program?

Both bootcamps and university certificate programs often have specific admission requirements. Such requirements help ensure that admitted students can successfully complete the IT certificate programs.

• High school diploma: Having a high school diploma or GED is a requirement for many IT online certificate programs. However, universities may require this more often than independent bootcamp providers.
• Prerequisite courses and skills: Nearly all university programs, and some advanced bootcamps, require students to have prior knowledge and skills. In addition to basic communication skills, students may need to have taken certain math and English courses. For bootcamps, students are sometimes required to have foundational coding skills.
• Open schedule: As many bootcamps are intensive programs, they only admit students who can fully dedicate themselves. As such, to earn an IT certificate through a bootcamp, you will need an open schedule that allows you to focus on developing expert-level skills within a short amount of time.

Choosing the Best Online IT Certification

Information technology is a lucrative field that is only expected to grow, ensuring a future of ample career opportunities. Gaining foundational IT skills through online IT certificate programs is becoming increasingly popular. Furthermore, many people prefer this online learning format over getting an education on campus.

Earning an IT certificate is especially well-suited for working professionals who are either seeking to change career paths or advance their careers from home while continuing to work. IT certificate programs allow them to gain more professional experience while also developing expert-level skills in a new area.

FAQs

Sources:

1 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm

2 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/math/data-scientists.htm#:~:text=or%20doctoral%20degree.-,Education,science%2C%20business%2C%20and%20engineering.

3 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/software-developers.htm

4 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/sales/sales-engineers.htm

5 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/computer-and-information-systems-managers.htm

6 https://www.cbtnuggets.com/blog/career/career-progression/5-most-expensive-certifications