IT Degrees with Certifications
Explore the benefits of pursuing an IT degree with certifications and determine which tech credentials align with your education and career goals.
The debate over formal education versus IT certifications has been raging for decades. One compelling solution to this conundrum is earning an IT degree that includes industry-recognized certifications. This rapidly popularizing approach offers the best of both worlds, blending the deep theoretical knowledge of a college education with the contemporary real-world skills of IT certification.
In this post, I will outline the benefits of pursuing an information technology degree with certifications and highlight which IT credentials you should look for in an accredited degree program.
Benefits of an IT Degree with Certifications
Here are some of the key advantages of pursuing a degree program with IT certifications built into the curriculum.
- Enhanced Employability: Graduates with degrees plus IT certifications are more attractive to employers as they’ve proven their ability to grasp complex concepts and their readiness to apply these skills in practical settings.
- Current Skill Validation: Degrees that include IT certifications ensure students learn the latest tools, technologies, and best practices, proving their contemporary skill set in our rapidly changing field.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Obtaining certifications as part of an IT degree program is more affordable than pursuing them separately. Additionally, if taken as part of an accredited program, financial aid can cover the cost of your certification prep and exams.
- Time-Efficiency: Integrated IT degree/certificate programs streamline the acquisition of academic qualifications and professional certifications, enabling quicker entry into the workforce.
- Well-Roundedness: College degrees with IT certification offer a thorough education that combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience. This holistic knowledge of the "how" and the "why" behind IT practices will pay dividends when it’s time to advance or change roles.
Certifications To Pair with an IT Degree
The best certifications to combine with an IT degree program will vary based on your career goals. That said, here are some of the most valuable IT certifications for tech jobs you may pursue upon graduation:
| IT Certification | Core Competency | Career Paths |
|---|---|---|
| CompTIA A+ | Essential info-tech skills. | Help desk technician, Technical support specialist |
| CompTIA Network+ | Basic networking tools and concepts. | Network administrator, Systems administrator |
| CompTIA Security+ | Core information security skills. | Cybersecurity analyst, Penetration tester |
| Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) | Beginner to intermediate networking skills. | Network engineer, network administrator |
| Microsoft Azure Administrator | Cloud management in Microsoft Azure. | Cloud engineer, Cloud administrator |
| AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner | Cloud administration in AWS. | Cloud engineer, Cloud support technician |
| EC-Council CEH | Ethical hacking and network security. | Information security auditor, Ethical hacker |
| PMI PMP Certification | Overall project management. | IT project manager |
| Certified Scrum Master | Agile project management. | Software engineers and managers |
| Google UX Design Pro | User experience design. | User experience designer |
| IBM Data Science Pro | Data science fundamentals. | Data scientist, Data analyst |
Many IT degree programs include preparation for more than one of these certifications, or some not listed here. Carefully research all included credentials and choose a program that offers the right mix of IT certifications for you.
Conclusion
Technology education is transforming, with integrated IT degree and certification programs paving the way. This innovative model addresses the growing demand for professionals who are not only theoretically proficient in computing but skilled in its practical application. As the IT field continues to evolve, the blend of formal degrees with professional certifications will set a new standard for IT education.
