Information Technology Degree

The information technology degree program at City Colleges of Chicago – Harold Washington College teaches students the design of technological systems such as computing systems for the solution of business and research data and communications support needs. Students who graduate from the information technology degree program may pursue careers in IT technology, including IT network administrator, engineer, program manager, and more. Courses include principles of computer hardware and software components, algorithms, databases, telecommunications, user tactics, and more. Get more details below including other Illinois colleges that offer information technology degrees.

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City Colleges of Chicago – Harold Washington College

7500 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL

City Colleges of Chicago Harold Washington College (HWC) is located in downtown Chicago in the Loop area, and serves the urban higher education needs of its community. With about 9,000 students enrolled per year, HWC offers associate degree credit courses and other certification programs at affordable rates. The college offers 10 associate degree programs and numerous certificate courses, apart from continuing and retraining education opportunities.

Founded as Loop Junior College in 1962, HWC is named after Chicago’s first African-American Mayor. The college was renamed mere weeks after the untimely death of the Mayor, who was a strong advocate of the City Colleges of Chicago. The new facilities were occupied in 1982, two years prior to the renaming.

HWC offers courses in several areas of study, some of which are designed for vocational education and others as a foundation for further study at a four-year college. Offering an A to Z of courses from Afro-American Studies to Zoology, HWC provides for the needs of the community at an affordable price, making it accessible to a large percentage of the Chicago population.

Apart from its core curriculum of general education programs, HWC also has several extracurricular activity options through its many student clubs and organizations. Its focus on diversity can be seen from its ethnicity profile, which shows a near-equal racial distribution across several ethnic groups.

Their safety record, along with their focus on diversity and inclusion, makes it an ideal campus for full-and part-time students to pursue higher education and take advantage of higher paying jobs and better career opportunities.

Students Enrolled in the Information Technology Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. City Colleges of Chicago – Harold Washington College offers an associate's degree program in information technology.

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Description

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Description

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.

Computer Systems Analysts

Description

Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to implement and improve computer systems. Analyze user requirements, procedures, and problems to automate or improve existing systems and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and scheduling limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.

Information Security Analysts

Description

Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.

Software Developers, Applications

Description

Develop, create, and modify general computer applications software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions. Design software or customize software for client use with the aim of optimizing operational efficiency. May analyze and design databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team. May supervise computer programmers.

Software Developers, Systems Software

Description

Research, design, develop, and test operating systems-level software, compilers, and network distribution software for medical, industrial, military, communications, aerospace, business, scientific, and general computing applications. Set operational specifications and formulate and analyze software requirements. May design embedded systems software. Apply principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis.

Computer Network Architects

Description

Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).