What You Will Learn
The Associate of Science (A.S.) in Information Technology program offers a field of career options, bridging the gaps between technology and business with a global reach. There is tremendous growth in information technology employment as industries like finance, healthcare, and education invest in technology solutions and you can learn to:
- Configure & route enterprise networks
- Master operating systems & Linux
- Write & automate with multi-language code (Java & Python)
- Manage enterprise data with SQL
- Implement information security
- Build web interfaces
- Apply software engineering principles
Curriculum
The information technology program features a 40-credit core of cutting-edge computer science and computer architecture courses, plus a 20-credit general education foundation, meeting the demand of industry.
Careers in the Field
Associate degree:
- Computer / IT Technician
- Cybersecurity Technician
- Desktop Support Specialist
- IT Support Specialist
- SOC Analyst (Tier 1 Security Monitoring)
- AI Data / Support Specialist
- Web Developer (Junior)
Bachelor’s degree:
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Database Developer
- Information Security Analyst
- Network Engineer
- Security Administrator
- Software Engineer
According to PayScale, the average base salary for graduates with an associate degree in information technology is $68,000. Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science have a mid-career pay of $122,500.
Why Study Information Technology at CCM?
With specialized track options you can tailor your degree to your precise career goals. In addition to your core classes, you can choose 9 elective credits to focus your expertise in high-demand areas including Cybersecurity & Digital Forensics, Networking & System Administration, Web & Mobile Application Development or Data Science.
Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning Innovation Stay ahead of the job market by infusing your elective track with our brand-new, cutting-edge AI course sequence:
- CMP 136 – Intro to AI: Discover how AI is transforming the future of work, industry ethics, and daily life.
- CMP 137 – Artificial Intelligence Lab: Gain hands-on proficiency with industry-standard AI platforms, algorithmic problem-solving, and the high-demand skill of prompt engineering.
- CMP 264 – Machine Learning: Build a professional project portfolio by implementing supervised, unsupervised, and deep learning algorithms to solve real-world business problems.
National Recognition & Industry Alignment: You aren’t just earning a degree; you’re earning industry respect. CCM was the first community college in New Jersey to be designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. Our core curriculum is intentionally mapped to industry standards, giving you the exact technical foundations needed to pursue major, resume-building tech certifications.
Practical, Dedicated Learning Labs: Learn by doing, in a real-world setting. Our dedicated tech labs feature active-learning setups where you get direct, hands-on experience with the critical operating systems, hardware routers, and programming environments used across the industry. You will learn in small class settings from a diverse faculty of experienced instructors who bridge the gap between classroom theory and real-world IT tasks.
Note: You must see a faculty advisor to plan your sequence of courses. For the most up-to-date listing of courses, see the Curriculum Checklist.
Where You Can Go
Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degrees are designed to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce. CCM Information Technology students are well-equipped to support the computing infrastructure of any organization, allowing for a fast-track into a career while continuing to advance through industry certifications and on-the-job experience.
While the AAS focuses on technical skills for the workplace, many students choose to continue their education. It is important to note that AAS credits are evaluated differently than AA or AS credits. To ensure the right fit for transfer, students should prioritize institutions with specific AAS-to-Bachelor transfer agreements or those known for flexible credit evaluations in technical fields.
Before transferring, connect with your academic advisor and use the NJ Transfer portal to determine how your technical credits will apply toward a four-year degree.
CCM Information Technology students frequently transfer to:
In-State:
- Fairleigh Dickinson University
- Kean University
- Montclair State University
- New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Rowan University
- William Paterson University
Out of State:
- East Stroudsburg University, PA
- Liberty University, VA
- New York Institute of Technology, NY
- Pace University, NY
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY
- Rochester Institute of Technology, NY
Visit our Transfer Services page for more information.
Paying For Your Information Technology Education
Earning an associate degree in information technology is a powerful investment that will pay off over the course of your life, in both increased earnings and job satisfaction. But what is the upfront cost, and how do you afford it?
There’s good news: Money is available to help you pay for school! Our Financial Aid staff can provide lots of information about the process of finding funds to help pay for your education.
Featured Courses
Software Engineering
Software engineering practices are examined in the context of the system development life cycle, comparing traditional structured approach and the object-oriented approach, with the main focus on object-oriented approach. Topics include user stories, use cases, object-oriented modeling, comprehensive project management, the Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams, Agile techniques, and user-interface design. Class projects provide students with practice in developing soft skills necessary to work as part of a team. Students participate in a semester-long team project to design an application using system analysis and design techniques.
Network Security
This course provides an in-depth study of network attack techniques and methods to defend against them. Areas of study include communication security, infrastructure security, cryptography, and operational and organizational security as it relates to network hardware, software and data. Topics include authentication, attacks, virtual private networks, email protection, web security, wireless, firewalls, intrusion detection, cryptography, disaster recovery and computer forensics regarding networked systems. This course is mapped to the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education Knowledge Units and vendor-neutral certification exam.
Fundamentals of Programming (Python)
This is a fundamental course in problem solving and programming. This course introduces concepts such as how to solve problems by designing and implementing algorithms using a popular programming language. Topics include: pseudocode, algorithms, variables, constants, using decisions and loop structures to construct effective code, using built-in functions, creating functions and modules, and simple debugging techniques for detecting errors. Use of real-world problems in Web Development, Cybersecurity and Data Science are explored. No prior programming experience is required.
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