IT Degree | South Hills School of Business & Technology

Associate in Specialized Technology Degree in Information Technology

Earn your AST degree in information technology in two years at our
Altoona, Pennsylvania and State College, Pennsylvania, campuses.
Accredited by ACCSC
Licensed by the PA Department of Education, Department of Private Licensed Schools

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Associate in Specialized Technology Degree in
Information Technology

Earn your AST degree in information technology in two years at our Altoona, Pennsylvania and State College, Pennsylvania, campuses.
Accredited by ACCSC
Licensed by the PA Department of Education, Department of Private Licensed Schools

Free Hack With Data Course

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Program Highlights:

What You Need to Know About Our Information Technology AST Degree

Increasingly, so much of what we do evolves around computer and digital information systems, in both large and small businesses alike. Whether it’s network security, database management, network administration or cloud asset management, employers are in need of skilled information technicians who can help protect their digital assets and ensure everyone has the technology they need to work efficiently. At South Hills School of Business & Technology, you can learn the skills you need to become part of the IT field in just two years with our Associate in Specialized Technology Degree in Information Technology.

From classroom theory to practical experience, we bring the real world of IT into our program so that you are exposed to all of the training and technical skills you’ll need in to start your career.

Our experienced instructors cover topics like:

Utilizing networking switches and routers to create local area networks
Demonstrating troubleshooting techniques that lead to resolving computer-related problems
Cloud computing and common use cases in information technology
Creating, retrieving, updating, and deleting information from modern database systems
Setting up and maintaining Windows and Linux operation systems and creating automation scripts for them using common scripting languages
Understanding the foundations of modern web-based applications
Protecting networks using common computer security practices

Internship:

We include a 12-week internship with one of our partner employers as part of your program, so you’ll have the opportunity to put what you’ve learned to work. Previous IT internship locations have included:

South Hills helps to prepare students to sit for internationally recognized certification exams including: A+, Network+, Security+, Linux+, Server+, AWS Cloud Practitioner, and Cisco CCNA

Students have the flexibility to customize their class choices based on their desired career choice.

South Hills IT grads are working in careers including Computer Support Specialist, Network Administrator, Security Analyst, Applications Developer or Programmer, Webmaster, E-Commerce Specialist, Network Systems and Data Communications Analyst, and Database Administrator.

Successful students in this program will be fast learners, willing to explore and try new things with the computer, and not easily distracted by online temptations such as games and social media.

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Why You Should Choose South Hills

South Hills School of Business & Technology has been in the business of helping our students gain the specialized career skills they need for over 50 years. We know that we can help you, too, as you prepare for your future career in IT. Here are just a few reasons why:

Small
Class Sizes

It’s important to us that each of our students feels seen, both in what they need out of their education and what their goals are. It’s why we keep our class sizes small, so you can build a personal relationship with your teachers.

Internship and Networking Opportunities

Every specialized degree program we offer at South Hills includes a 12-week internship component, which gives you not only hands-on experience, but also a chance to network and connect with our partner organizations.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Finances shouldn’t stand in the way of you being able to train for the career you want. South Hills offers a number of ways to help pay for your program for those who qualify. Grants, loans, and special funding for veterans are just some of the possibilities we can explore with you, and our Financial Aid team is available to help you navigate these options.

Experienced Instructors

Our instructors are also experienced professionals who know what it takes to be successful in the job market. Information technology classes are taught by IT professionals, and skilled leaders who incorporate their experience into the curriculum.

The Outlook for Information Technology Jobs and Careers

The Information Technology program at South Hills is designed to prepare you for entry-level jobs like:

Network Technician
Systems Support Specialist
Customer Support Specialist
Help Desk Technician
Computer Repair Technician

Desktop Support Technician
Database Administrator
IT Technician
Server Administrator
Network Administrator

The field of information technology is expanding fast, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting that the entire field will grow 13% and add 667,600 new jobs through 2030. One of the fastest-growing careers overall is for information security analysts, which is expected to jump up by a whopping 33% over the next several years.

With a specialized associate degree in information technology, you also lay the foundation to increase your opportunities for success. The BLS found that people who earned their specialized associate degrees average almost 20% higher wages and had an unemployment rate two percentage points lower than those who had only a high school diploma. A specialized associate degree is also a potential jumping off point to getting your bachelor’s degree or even master’s degree later on as you advance in your career.

With two years of hands-on training and strong skillsets, our Information Technology graduates are prepared for a variety of career options, including:

IT Specialist
IT Technician
Software Trainer
Systems Technician
Programmer

Web Developer
IT Consultant
Help Desk Associate
Software Quality Agent
Programmer Analyst

Each student completes a summer-long internship before graduation, providing real world experience. We have placed interns at locations including:

Affinity Connections
CMIT Solutions
Falkner Technology LLC
Keystone Central School District

Penn State University ITS TNS
Penn State Outreach
PneuDart International
ZoomTan

South Hills Information Technology graduates are well-trained and in demand for their knowledge and work ethics. Some of the many firms employing our graduates include:

Penn State University (many departments)
Affinity
CMIT Solutions
EnergyCAP
Minitab

PneuDart International
Sheetz
TMM Data
Videon Central

A Closer Look at Our Information Technology Classes

The Associate of Specialized Technology Degree in Information Technology at South Hills is an on-campus program that features small class sizes and more opportunities for individualized attention.

Credits

This AST degree program consists of 135 credits that can be completed in just 2 years. It includes courses like: UNIX/Linux Essentials, Cisco Networking, Server Administration, SAN Administration and Disaster Recover, Ethical Hacking and Defense, Cloud and DevOps Fundamentals, and Content Management Systems.

The complete course list for the Information Technology program is located in our Course Catalog.

Hear From Our Alumni

Explore the impact of our programs through the experiences and accomplishments of our esteemed alumni. Check out our Alumni Testimonials page for more.

South Hills gave me the building blocks to develop a good stepping stone to start my career here at GoHost. They provided great information that’s current to today’s technologies…….If I could describe South Hills in three words, those three words would be fun, educational, and memorable.

Bradley Bell

I came to South Hills not knowing what I wanted to do with my life but after 2 short years, I earned my degree and now have a great job that I enjoy doing.

Colton Calhoun