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.

91%

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.

Oct 7

Undergraduate Open House

Saturday, October 7 8:30 AM - 3 PM

Register

Nov 5

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, November 5 8:30 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.

Contact

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.

Learn More
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 receives grant for cybersecurity education
09.19.2023

Penn College receives grant for cybersecurity education

Pennsylvania College of Technology is the recipient of a $140,792 federal grant to offer free cybersecurity education to secondary school teachers. Awarded through the GenCyber program, the grant will facilitate a weeklong camp next June 24-28 on main campus for 25 Pennsylvania teachers of grades five through 12. The program’s goal is to build a strong cybersecurity workforce by sparking interest in the field at the secondary level.

Read Article
Penn College mechatronics student receives scholarship
09.14.2023

Penn College mechatronics student receives scholarship

A foundation dedicated to supporting packaging and processing education has awarded a $5,000 scholarship to a Pennsylvania College of Technology mechatronics student. Marissa R. Rupert, of Danville, is one of six students in North America to receive the PACK EXPO scholarship from the PMMI Foundation of the Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies.

Read Article
Teachers race back to class to pique middle schoolers' STEM interest
08.18.2023

Teachers race back to class to pique middle schoolers' STEM interest

As part of a PAsmart “Advancing K-12 Computer Science & STEM Education” grant received by Pennsylvania College of Technology from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, 24 middle school educators recently convened on campus for a weeklong hands-on externship.

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.

Learn More

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, Lock Haven University
  • Mr. Mark J Watson, '85, Administrative Director, Corporate Information Technology, Susquehanna Health
Contact

Admissions Office

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.

Apply today

Experience all that campus has to offer with visit options designed just for you.

Schedule visit

Get more information about the admission process.

Request information