What you will learn
- Learn to identify the basic concepts essential to network security
- Learn to examine basic computer programming elements such as describing steps of the software design process
- Learn to identify how technology contributes to the success of today’s businesses
- Learn the knowledge and skills necessary to understand how information technology systems convert data into organizational knowledge to aid in decision-making
It is forecasted that the need for IT professionals will continue to rapidly grow as technology continues to evolve at such incredible rates. IT jobs are in high demand particularly within non-tech sectors such as professional services, manufacturing, and financial services industries among others, and IT roles in these sectors are more accessible making them high potential career path entry-points.
Advance your information technology (IT) skill set by completing Western Governors University’s (WGU) MicroBachelors Introduction to Information Technology program certificate. Designed for IT practitioners, educators, and business professionals, this program introduces IT infrastructure concepts and services to support the operation and management of an enterprise environment.
Throughout the MicroBachelors program certificate, you will engage in real-world career development opportunities to enhance your understanding of IT as a discipline. You will learn about the many roles and functions of the IT department, fundamentals of networking and security concepts, and programming elements such as variables, data types, flow control, and design concepts.
Earning this MicroBachelors program certificate will equip you with knowledge of highly relevant tools and techniques to prepare you for a variety of career options and opportunities in the field of IT. Then, build on this program certificate and continue your professional development by applying to one of many undergraduate degree programs in IT from Western Governor's University.
Coaching
If you are enrolled in the verified track (paid track) in any course that is a part of a MicroBachelors program, including this course, you are eligible for coaching at no additional cost. Please note that coaching is only available via SMS to U.S. phone lines.
Our coaches (real humans) are ready to help you with career exploration, navigating resources, staying motivated, and solving problems along the way to your goals.
Learn more about the value of coaching directly from one of our coaches, Erin.
Courses in this program
WGUx's Introduction to Information Technology MicroBachelors® Program
- 9–10 hours per week, for 6 weeks
Information Technology Foundations examines IT as a discipline and its various roles and functions. The course covers IT disciplines including systems and services, network and security, scripting and programming, data management, and the business of IT. The course also surveys technologies within these disciplines.
- 9–10 hours per week, for 8 weeks
This course introduces the components of a computer network and the concept and role of communication protocols. The course covers widely used categorical classifications of networks, as well as network topologies, physical devices, and layered abstraction. The course also introduces basic concepts of security, covering vulnerabilities of networks and mitigation techniques, security of physical media, and security policies and procedures.
- 9–10 hours per week, for 8 weeks
This course is an introduction to programming theory, covering basic elements such as variables, data types, flow control, and design concepts. The course is language-agnostic in nature, ending in a survey of languages and introduces the distinction between interpreted and compiled languages.
Program Certificate Requirement
Complete and pass the courses of Information Technology Foundations, Network and Security Foundations, and Scripting and Programming Foundations.From Program Certificate to a Bachelor’s Degree
Learners who successfully earn the MicroBachelors Introduction to Information Technology program certificate are eligible to apply for an undergraduate IT program at a number of institutions, including Western Governors University. If accepted, the MicroBachelors program certificate may count towards the degree. Learn more about WGU undergraduate IT programs by clicking here. Upon admission to WGU learners can apply 10 Competency Units (CUs) of program progress at no additional cost.Credit Election
Learners who successfully earn the MicroBachelors Introduction to Information Technology program certificate can choose to elect credit at no additional cost at either WGU or Thomas Edison State University (TESU).Learners who wish to elect credit at TESU will be awarded 3 credits towards a general elective.
In order to redeem your credits please refer to these step-by-step directions. Learn more about credit.
- The program will help you build a stronger understanding of the core IT disciplines of technology hardware and software, networking, and programming.
- This knowledge will provide a foundation for launching your IT career or if you are already working in the field of IT the courses will strengthen your foundation and provide a broad understanding of core IT disciplines.
- To further strengthen you career prospects consider utilizing this program as a launching pad to pursue a degree at WGU.
- This program will strengthen your application for IT Support/Helpdesk roles, as well as front-line network support, web scripting and business analysis.
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FAQs
- You can purchase the entire program and take each course in the session that works best for you. You can also complete and purchase the courses one by one. After you’ve earned a verified certificate from each course in the program, you’ll automatically receive the program credential.
- Visit http://www.wgu.edu or call us at 866.903.0108 and share with the Enrollment Team that you have completed the WGUx MicroBachelors Introduction to Information Technology on the edX platform.
- The program will help you build a stronger understanding of the core IT disciplines of technology hardware and software, networking, and programming. This program will strengthen your ability to pursue roles in IT Support/Helpdesk roles, as well as front-line network support, web scripting and business analysis.
- Those who successfully complete the MicroBachelors Introduction to Information Technology program will be eligible for transfer credit at Western Governors University in its College of IT. For more information regarding WGU admissions criteria and WGU programs that accept this course as transfer credit, please visit our website at https://www.wgu.edu/lp/information-technology/wgux.html.
- To get credit for each course, you must pass the final exam at the end. It is strongly recommended that you read and participate in all the course materials before attempting any of the final exams. If you do not pass the final exam for any of the courses, you will need to re-enroll in that course with a new start date to try again.
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