Information Technology: Network & User Support

Associate of Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.)
Students working in the lab

About this program

Sometimes technology fails to do its job. That’s where skilled IT professionals swoop in to save the day. In this program you’ll learn the ins and outs of networks, hardware, and software. Flex your critical thinking skills. And put your analytical mindset to the test. With extensive hands-on training in specialized learning labs, you’ll leave ready to solve all types of technical challenges.  

As an Information Technology: Network & User Support student, you're eligible to pursue a dual degree in any of the bachelor of science Information Technology degrees or Building Automation Engineering Technology.

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

87%

Overall Placement

Industry-Driven Labs

Seamless Associate-to-Bachelor Degree Pathway

Careers

  • Network specialist
  • Network technician
  • Systems administrator
Courses

At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.

​​Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.

  • Introduction to Programming (CIT160)
  • Networking I (EET145)
  • Introduction to Database (CIT180)
  • Programming II (CIT260)
  • Networking II (EET247)
  • Fundamentals of Information Security (CIT230)
  • Introduction to UNIX/Linux (CIT240)
  • Systems Administration (CIT273)
  • Principles of Management (MGT115)
  • Systems Programming (CIT241)
  • IT Service Management (CIT321)

​Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.

  • Science Elective (SCI)
  • Core Arts Perspective (ARP) or
  • Core Applied Arts Perspective (AAP) or
  • Core Global & Cultural Diversity Perspective (CDP) or
  • Core Historical Perspective (HIP) or
  • Core Social Science Perspective (SSP)

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • Information, Technology & Society (CSC124)
  • English Composition I (ENL111)
  • Math Elective (MTH180 or Higher) (MTD)
  • Technical & Professional Communication (ENL201)
  • Fundamentals of Speech (SPC101)
  • Statistics for STEM Fields with Computer Applications (MTH161)
View Goals & Course List

What's the difference between Information Technology and Computer Science?

Computer science is more theoretical, with increased math requirements. Many tend to focus on programming or cutting-edge computing, like artificial intelligence and augmented reality.

IT is focused on supporting the user. It is more people-focused, making the tools of computing accessible to fit the needs of people and organizations, as well as creating computing tools and systems to meet the user's needs.

Virtual Tour

Information Technology

Get a glimpse inside the labs where future IT professionals learn how to install, configure, and maintain computing systems. Meet Dr. Sandra Gorka, Associate Professor of Computer Science. And check out everything from gaming and simulation spaces to the hands-on labs decided to cyber security, networking, database management, and Linux systems.

IT Labs
Facilities

IT Labs

Apply theory to the real thing in our specialized IT labs. Here, you’ll have access to both physical and virtual labs designed for networking, IT security, operating systems, and gaming. Apply the principles of ethical hacking, intrusion detection, and digital forensics in both physical and virtual environments. Labs also allow students to create 3D models, investigate hypervisors, build networks from bare metal to full production, and simulate a host of applications and network configurations.

Maker Profiles
Tour Schedule

Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Mar 1

Undergraduate Open House

Saturday, March 19 AM - 3 PM

Register

Apr 6

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 69 AM - 3 PM

Register

More tour dates are on the way.

But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Need a different date?

Let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

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Admissions Office

Internship

Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your knowledge to the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand.

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Related Programs

Follow your passion

Student Life

 

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Our student chapter of ACM serves as the college's "computer club" as well as a common ground for all those who wish to supplement their education with topics prevalent in the world of computing technology today. 

Learn more
Student Organizations at Penn College

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Get Involved
Penn College News
Penn College hosts students/teachers for Cyber Challenge Day
11.05.2024

Penn College hosts students/teachers for Cyber Challenge Day

More than 100 middle and high school students and teachers from throughout the state learned valuable lessons during the recent Cyber Challenge Day at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Part of the GenCyber program, an initiative supported by the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation, the informative event rotated students through four interactive workshops, covering basic cyber skills. Students spent a portion of each session testing their knowledge.

Read Article
IT professor presents at national conference
10.21.2024

IT professor presents at national conference

A Pennsylvania College of Technology information technology professor addressed a recent national conference for IT educators. Sandra Gorka, professor of computer information technology, presented at SIGITE 2024, the Association for Computing Machinery’s 25th annual conference on information technology education.

Read Article
Teachers receive cyber education at Penn College
07.26.2024

Teachers receive cyber education at Penn College

Nineteen middle and high school educators from throughout the state received a free education in cybersecurity, courtesy of the recent GenCyber Camp conducted by Pennsylvania College of Technology. Supported by the National Security Agency and National Science Foundation, the goal of the GenCyber program is to build a strong cybersecurity workforce by igniting interest in the field at the secondary level. The teachers learned actionable cybersecurity concepts to share in their classrooms this fall.

Read Article
Gain global experience
Study Abroad

Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

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More Information

Students must complete all required major courses in the Information Technology: Technical Support Technology Emphasis (those courses with the alpha-designators CIT, EET, and MTH) with a grade of 'C' or higher. Additionally, any course approved for use as Directed Network & User Support Elective must also be completed with a grade of “C” or higher.

View general transfer information

A laptop/notebook computer is required for enrollment in all Information Technology major courses CIT 160 and higher. Laptop specifications

Uniforms and tools are available for purchase through The College Store and Penn State Computer Store .

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

  • Mr. James R Ankers, CISSP, CISA, IT Specialist (INFOSEC), United States Navy
  • Mr. Daniel J Clarke, '07, Senior Solutions Architect, Arraya Solutions
  • Dr. Todd W Griffith, Chief Technology Officer, Discovery Machine Corporation
  • Mr. Brandon J Howe, '01, Sr. IT Analyst, Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
  • Dr. Karl M Kapp, Assistant Director, Institute for Interactive Technologies, Bloomsburg University
  • Dr. Krish Pillai, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Lycoming College
  • Mr. Mark J Watson, '85, Administrative Director, Corporate Information Technology, Susquehanna Health
Contact

Admissions Office

  • Career Fair Connections

    Career Fair Connections

    Penn College graduates are in high demand. Employer participation at the Career Fair is proof. Attracting 400+ organizations, this popular event is hosted twice per year and introduces students to all types of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. 

    Learn More About Career Fair

The future needs you

If you put more into today, could you get more out of tomorrow? If you create your future at Pennsylvania College of Technology, the answer is yes.

With open and rolling admission, applying is easy.

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