Software Development & Information Management

Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)
Students working in the lab

About this program

Technology connects us. It opens lines of communication. And introduces new levels of efficiency. At Penn College, you’ll study all the details that go into solving today’s common and complex IT issues. Working in labs outfitted with the industry’s latest hardware and software, students are building the technical skills that will innovate the future.

Next steps...

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

93%

Overall Placement

45%

Hired BEFORE Graduation

17

Average Class Size

Careers

  • Software developer
  • Programmer
  • Database 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.

  • CIT160Introduction to Programming
  • MGT115Principles of Management
  • EET145Networking I
  • CIT260Programming II
  • CIT180Introduction to Database
  • CIT230Fundamentals of Information Security
  • CIT281Secure Database Development
  • CIT360Data Structures & Algorithms
  • CIT240Introduction to UNIX/Linux
  • CIT243Discrete Structures in Computer Applications
  • CIT351Web Systems & Technologies
  • CIT246System Analysis I
  • CIT285Software Engineering Concepts
  • CIT344Operating Systems Concepts I
  • CIT386SQL Server & .NET Framework
  • BSIELCDirected BSI Elective
  • CIT382Programming for Mobile Devices
  • CIT342System Analysis II
  • CIT368Secure Software Development & Testing
  • LAS350Legal Issues in Information Security Management
  • CIT482Data Science Principles
  • CIT498Senior Project
  • CIT460Advanced Topics in Programming
  • CIT480Advanced Database Management
  • MGT410Management of Organizational Behavior

​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.

  • SSPELCCore Social Science Perspective
  • SCIELCScience Elective
  • ARPELCCore Arts Perspective
  • SCLELCScience Elective with lab
  • HIPELCCore Historical Perspective

​​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.

  • CSC124Information, Technology & Society
  • ENL111English Composition I
  • ENL201Technical & Professional Communication
  • MTH240Calculus I
  • SPCELCSpeech Elective
  • MTH161Statistics for STEM Fields with Computer Applications
View Goals & Course List

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

Computer science (CS) is more theoretical, with increased math requirements. Many CS programs have a core focus on programming with a heavy emphasis on algorithm design and computer science theory. 

While IT still includes theoretical topics, it is more applied and 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 user needs. IT is a bit broader at its core as it covers a variety of foundational skills in programming, networking, databases, modern platforms, systems analysis, and cybersecurity, while also allowing for specialization in a given IT area.

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.

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
Featured Video

Women In STEM

What does it take to succeed in a STEM career? Curiosity. Critical thinking. A can-do spirit. And an educational experience that meets your passion head-on. Here, you’ll meet a community of innovators. Future pioneers who are learning by doing. Breathing new life into old concepts. Testing theories. And breaking barriers. Because the more you explore, the more you grow. And the bigger difference you can make.

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.

Feb 21

Undergraduate Open House

Saturday, February 219 AM - 3 PM

Register

Apr 26

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 269 AM - 3 PM

Register

More tour dates are on the way.

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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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Follow your passion

Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

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Association of Professional Programmers is a club of programming students who get together to discuss current and new technologies and techniques related to computer programming.
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Gamers’ Guild

Gamers' Guild is devoted to the continued enjoyment of classic games ranging from pen and paper RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons to classic console games, such as Nintendo and other major game producers.  

Learn more

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
Medical supplies lie on a table.

Friday, September 5, 2025

Alpha Chi members collect supplies for Kenya medical clinic

Three members of Penn College’s Pennsylvania Xi Chapter of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society organized a drive to collect first aid items for a medical clinic in Kenya. The students worked diligently to collect thousands of dollars’ worth of items, including thermometers, syringes, gloves, suturing and catheter kits, surgical supplies, stethoscopes and more.

Read Article

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Penn College prof to fulfill ‘dream’ with Challenger Game

Stephen R. Cheskiewicz won’t be on the field during championship weekend this August at the Little League Baseball World Series, but he might be more excited than those who will. The Pennsylvania College of Technology associate professor is a board member of the Wilkes-Barre-based program that will play in the Challenger Division Exhibition Game.

Read Article
image of Rick Crossen

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

'Inspired by IT'

When a number of students asked to have their instructor on the Tomorrow Makers podcast, the hosts just had to say, “Yes!” Meet information technology faculty member Rick Crossen in "Inspired by IT" and learn about the endless ways he embraces the Penn College community and is motivated to enhance the student experience.

Read Article
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 Software Development & Information Management major (those courses with the alpha designator CIT, EET, LAS, and MTH) with a grade of "C" or higher. Additionally, any course approved for use as a Directed BSI Elective must also be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.

Students seeking entrance through transfer into this major should strive to take courses at their respective institutions that provide competency in the following areas: pre-calculus, programming (two semesters minimum - same language preferred); database; Web technologies; networking; Unix and/or Linux. Students transferring from institutions that have articulation agreements with Penn College should seek advisement from their respective institutions. See also, the transfer standards established by the College.

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
  • Mr. Brad E Lenig, 2018, Senior Enterprise Network Engineer, Pennsylvania College of technology
  • Dr. Krish Pillai, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Lycoming College
  • Mr. Mark J Watson, '85, Administrative Director, Corporate Information Technology, Susquehanna Health
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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.

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