Associate Degree in IT

Associate of Science in Information Technology

It’s important to earn a degree that may lead to professional opportunities and serve as a first step toward a bachelor’s degree. The Associate of Science degree in Information Technology from CTU can help with both.

In this program, you can study the basics of working with IT to support operational goals in a variety of businesses and industries. And these relevant, desirable skills are also applicable to a bachelor’s degree in IT.

At CTU, working-adult students come first. And with grants and scholarships available for those who qualify, a degree from CTU can be both achievable and affordable. Learn more below or fill out the form to speak with an admissions advisor.

Program Credits

5 Weeks

Course Length

Colorado Springs

Location

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Program Overview

Effective February 2023, this program is no longer available for future enrollments at the Aurora Campus.

Contact the Admissions department to determine program availability options.

The Associate of Science in Information Technology program is designed to provide the basic knowledge of how to work with information and technology to support a company’s operational goals in a variety of businesses and industries. This associate program covers the course requirements for the first two years of the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Management programs.

This program does not lead to additional licensure or certification. As such, CTU has made no determination regarding prerequisites for licensure or certification in any state or jurisdiction.

Through innovative industry-current curricula and technology-enabled student-centered teaching, the College of Computer Science, Engineering and Technology empowers students to become motivated, creative, ethical, and skillful professionals who can resolve challenges in Computer Science, Computer/Electrical Engineering, and Information Technology in order to meet the needs of the digital economy.

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Courses

Courses: General Education		Credits
COMS105 This course explores the importance of effective interpersonal communication. This course covers: how interpersonal communication impacts an individual, how to recognize the different methods of communication and establishing and maintaining personal and professional relationships through effective communication.	Interpersonal Communications	4.5
ENGL104 ENGL104 is the first course in a sequence of two composition classes designed to empower students to develop their voice, build confidence in writing, and develop both their writing and critical thinking skills. Students will have the opportunity to practice adapting their writing for different audiences, purposes, and platforms, and will be able to explore how the choices they make influence the meaning and success of their written communications. This course explores the use of the writing process to compose clear, organized writings that are appropriate for various audiences and purposes. This course introduces the importance of clear and persuasive writing in personal, professional, and academic contexts.	Introductory Written Communication	4.5
ENGL105 ENGL105 is the final course in the composition sequence and builds on the writing skills developed in ENGL104. In this course, students continue to practice writing for a variety of contexts, purposes, and audiences. Throughout the course, students incorporate research into their writing by using digital tools and resources to identify and cite credible sources following CTU APA guidelines.	Professional Written Communications	4.5
HIST101 This course focuses on the key people, social experiments, and technologies that continue to impact our lives. Particular attention is paid to the latter half of the 20th Century and the dawn of a new millennium in America – a time that, through the lens of history, both gives us pause and inspires hope for the future.	Modern American History: 1950 to the 21st Century	4.5
HUMELE	Humanities Elective	4.5
MATH109 Introduction to Algebra is designed to provide students with critical mathematical tools to help them be successful in technical fields. This course begins with a review of arithmetic operations and includes topics such as linear equations, polynomials, and rational equations. In addition, students have the opportunity to apply these concepts as they develop problem solving strategies important for success in the professional world.	Introduction to Algebra	4.5
MATH112 This course is designed to review concepts of elementary algebra and introduce students to additional algebraic concepts used in technical career fields. Students will have the opportunity to develop problem solving skills essential for success. The course introduces functions and their properties as well as the relationship between functions and their graphs. Techniques for solving a variety of equations are studied, and matrices are introduced to solve systems of linear equations..	Analytic College Algebra	4.5
PHIL101 This course is designed to provide students a basic understanding of moral and ethical theories and concepts. The activities and discussions encourage students to explore and solve ethical dilemmas by identifying and applying moral and ethical theories. Students will also be encouraged to explain their reasoning from cultural, professional, and personal standpoints. A variety of ethical issues and methodologies will be explored, as students evaluate moral dilemmas in an assortment of work and life scenarios.	Introduction to Ethics	4.5
SCI101 This course introduces students to the physical, life, and Earth sciences. Students have the opportunity to explore the principles of scientific critical thinking. Utilizing the Scientific Method, as well as other quantitative and qualitative approaches, students can draw meaningful conclusions about the real world.	Introduction to the Sciences	4.5
SCI103 This is a learning experience that complements the Introduction to the Sciences course. Since the course addresses how scientific thinking and the resultant technology has changed modern life, this lab will provide students with experiences in the scientific approaches of different sciences covered, such as: biology, chemistry, physics, geology and astronomy. This lab will be constructed specifically to extend the learning from each unit of the Introduction to the Sciences course, designed to provide experiences which deepen students’ familiarity with the scientific method and way of asking questions and solving problems.	Science and Technology- Laboratory Course	1.5
SCI201 This course analyzes the interrelationships between the natural environment and human activities. In this course, students are taught about the preservation and conservation of natural resources and the resilience of the natural environment with respect to the carrying capacity of the earth. Furthermore, students will explore topics related to environmental ethics and apply principles of sustainability to issues impacting natural resources and biodiversity. Finally, this course will teach a holistic approach in learning about environmental problems and rehabilitation through individual and group behavioral changes and environmental regulations.	Environmental Science and Sustainability	4.5
SCI203 This course is designed to be a hands-on learning experience that complements the Environmental Science and Sustainability Course. Labs include both problem-based activities and critical-thinking projects and are designed to help students develop an understanding of and appreciation for the complex issues that comprise the field of Environmental Science and Sustainability.	Environmental Science and Sustainability - Laboratory Course	1.5
SOCL102 This course introduces students to the study of sociology and how it applies to careers, community, and family. Sociology examines the nature of society including the theories and principles of multi-cultural and social interactions. This course addresses how the concepts of social organization, social institutions, and social changes influence everyday life.	Introductory Sociology	4.5
UNIV104 UNIV104 is designed to provide students with a foundation for success in CTU’s undergraduate academic environment. This course introduces effective academic strategies and resources integrating them with career planning methods that can be leveraged to pursue future academic and professional goals.	Academic and Career Success	4.5
	Total Credit Hours:	57

Courses: Core		Credits
CS126 In this course, students explore end user interaction with the UNIX operating system. This course examines the basic features of the UNIX operating system, UNIX commands, the UNIX file system, the UNIX shells, and shell programming. It also draws comparisons between UNIX and Linux.	Unix Fundamentals	4

CS250 This course introduces database design, and implementation and database management systems. Topics covered in this course include conceptual and logical database designs for several businesses, implementing these designs using a database management system and developing business applications that access these databases.	Fundamentals of Database Systems	4
	or
CS251 This course introduces database design, and implementation and database management systems. Topics covered in this course include conceptual and logical database designs for several businesses, implementing these designs using a database management system and developing business applications that access these databases.	Fundamentals of Database Systems	4

CSS150 This course provides the foundation for the study of computer system security. The course centers around the ten domains comprising the Information Security Common Body of Knowledge. Topics include access control systems, telecommunications and network security, cryptography, operations security and business continuity and disaster recovery planning. Students will be exposed to security management practices as well as security architecture and models security laws, investigations and ethics.	Introduction to Computer Security	4
EM200 Web development is a broad field and this class provides a basic foundation for follow-on web related classes. The focus for this class is to produce and manipulate actual code creation with HTML5 and CSS3 (or updated industry web standards) for structuring/presenting content on the web. W3C provides industry guidelines related to current web design practices and standards. Students employ, interpret, manipulate and generate HTML5 and CSS3 code using Notepad++ or TextWrangler (Mac platform) or other industry standard text editor. Students will learn the history of the Internet, the various iterations of HTML web mark-up language to the current version, HTML5. The use of Cascading Style Sheet (CSS) Language for formatting web content will be emphasized. The creation of complete one or more web sites to utilizing the variety of web element will be required .	Introduction to Website Development	4
IT100 This course is designed to provide students with knowledge about the fundamentals of Information Technology as they relate to the support of various business needs, including the fundamental aspects of information technologies, the corresponding software and hardware systems, and their typical applications. Students will study how to understand these IT fundamentals and the roles, careers and professional development, legal and ethical issues, and emerging trends in Information Technology.	Introduction to Information Technology	4
IT106 This course is the study of programming logic and the application of this logic to problem solving. In the course we will discuss and apply many approaches to problem solving such as step algorithms, flow charts, truth tables, and pseudo-code. Students will learn techniques to translate real life problems into forms that will enable computer programs to solve them. Students will learn and apply programming language constructs (i.e. linear, branching, iteration, subroutines, etc.) using a visual tool. These techniques and tools should allow students to create and design programming logic that will become a foundational skill for future programming courses.	Introduction to Programming Logic	4

IT140 This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of operating systems and specialized networking operating system models. The fundamentals of common operating systems, client/server environments, network infrastructure, theoretic models and system architecture are discussed, including legacy operating system platforms and security processes utilized in today's enterprises.	Introduction to Operating Systems and Client/Server Environments	4
	or
	IT Elective

IT204 This course serves as an introduction for students to acquire a foundation in current data communication and networking technologies. The course provides an introduction to the hardware, media, Ethernet, addressing, IP Configuration, components, and connections of a network. Network concepts such as network topologies, and major protocols, as well as the basic functions of network administration and operation are covered.	Fundamentals of Networking	4
IT254 This course introduces students to spreadsheet applications. There is an emphasis on the design, format, functions, and formulas of spreadsheet operations in solving real-world problems. Special attention is paid to data literacy skills, including using spreadsheets to read, interpret, organize, and present data.	Spreadsheet Applications	4
	Total Credit Hours:	36

Total Credit Hours: 93

View Less

Learning Outcomes

Understand current information technology fundamentals and their applications on problem solving.
Explain the career pathways, impacts, and emerging trends of IT and its relationship with business.

Faculty

Dr. Yanzhen Qu

University Dean

Dr. Yanzhen Qu is the University Dean and Professor at the College of Computer Science, Engineering and Technology at Colorado Technical University (CTU). During his tenure at CTU, Dr. Qu has taken a leadership role in modernizing the curricula of CTU’s CS, IT and Cybersecurity degree programs, ranging from Associate to Doctoral levels.

Dr. Richard Cai

Executive Program Director

Dr. Richard Cai is CTU’s Executive Program Director for the College of Computer Science, Engineering & Technology. In this role, Dr. Cai supervises curriculum design, development and revision for the degree programs offered in the college. He also plays a key role in the program assessment and accreditation.

For more faculty profiles please visit our Leadership and Faculty page.
For more information visit the College of Information Systems and Technology.

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FAQs

What is an Associate of Science in Information Technology (ASIT) degree?

CTU’s Associate of Science in Information Technology (ASIT) Degree Program is designed to provide knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant for pursuing potential opportunities among the IT workforce. This associate degree program emphasizes the basics of IT to support operational goals in a variety of businesses and industries, and also can help you prepare to transition into a career path that requires IT knowledge and skills, or go on to study for your bachelor’s degree.

What will I study in this ASIT degree program?

As you work to complete your Associate of Science in Information Technology, you will be immersed in courses where you will study these topics and much more: current data communication and networking technologies; computer system security; as well as the programming logic and the application of this logic to problem solving.

When and where can I begin my information technology classes?

Courses for the Associate of Science in Information Technology start approximately every five weeks at our Colorado Springs campus. Completion of the CTU admissions process will depend on how quickly you complete the steps in the CTU online application process. You may complete the application process over the phone with an advisor or you may go online. Once you’ve completed the online application, you may hear from an advisor within the following 24 hours to discuss the next steps toward starting your degree program.

How many credits are required to graduate from the associate degree program?

The Associate of Science in Information Technology degree program consists of 93 credits. You may be eligible for transfer credit, which is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. CTU Fast Track^™ exams also offer the opportunity to earn college credit for what you already know—allowing you to complete your degree up to 30% faster.¹

¹ The ability to reduce time in school and/or reduce tuition towards the full cost of a degree program depends on the number of CTU Fast Track^™ exams successfully passed. Fast Track program credits are non-transferable. Not all programs are eligible for possible 30% reduction in time and money. Courses eligible are subject to change. Students should not rely on potential Fast Track savings or eligibility when making an enrollment decision.

Why should I pursue an Associate of Science in Information Technology degree at CTU?

Through innovative industry-relevant curricula and technology-enabled student-centered teaching, you will study through classroom learning and hands-on experience that aligns to industry standards and helps you work to develop skills that are applicable to the needs of the digital economy.

Associate Degree in IT

Associate of Science in Information Technology

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Program Overview

Estimate your costs, potential savings and graduation date

Courses

Learning Outcomes

Faculty

Dr. Yanzhen Qu

Dr. Richard Cai

Related Degrees

FAQs

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