Admissions

Student Experience

Frequently Asked Questions

The College of Information Systems and Technology offers several bachelor degree programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology/Visual Communication, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology/Software Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology/Information Systems Security.

These programs have a number of courses that require students to learn hands-on technical skills as applied to business problems. The hands-on technical skills relate to the subject area being covered by the particular course, such as database and web development.

Each course covers the technical concepts appropriate to the course content and provides students with practical ways to use technology in a business environment. Students learn hands-on technical skills utilizing their own computers or ones to which they have access. This approach replicates a professional work environment and enables students to access their computers on their own schedules.

Several years ago, the College decided that a student's own computer should be his or her lab computer. Students are asked to sign a computer technology agreement. So for most of the College’s programs, computer labs are "virtual."

The “virtual lab” allows students to work on their own computers, at their own convenience, in a setting of their choice, and at a time they decide. This approach is similar to today's distributed and portable professional work environment, where professionals use their computers at the office, at home and when traveling.

Another advantage is that students own the software and hardware on which they learn and can demonstrate what they have created during the course of their programs. Access to email and the Internet enables students to gain support from class peers and faculty members.

Computer labs are common in vocational/technical training institutions, community colleges and continuing education departments. In that environment, specific hands-on skills, such as word processing, are taught.

Information systems and technology degree programs at University of Phoenix are not vocationally/technically focused. Instead, they apply theory to business and enable students to develop skills that are career building and not simply hands-on training.

Our students learn to use current computer software tools in the completion of their course assignments. Additionally, students are exposed to real projects using University of Phoenix virtual organizations. Virtual organizations are a collection of companies with real-world data and information available to students during their courses. They offer students these advantages:

• 24/7 access to real-world company data and information, which is not usually available because of today’s security and privacy concerns
• exposure to real-world problems in their classes using real-world data and information
• the opportunity to learn rapid identification and assessment of business challenges, creative problem solving, and strategic planning for the creation of a successful business climate

Technology employment is still growing. The use of information technology is critical in every industry and almost every job. Imagine doing your job without a computer on your desk. Technology is alive and well: the use of search engines, cell phones, text messaging, email and laptop computers are current examples of the uses of technology.

If you were to perform a search on employment web sites with phrases such “information technology”, “web design”, and “information systems” for your geographic area, you are likely to find a good number of job opportunities.

Many jobs needing information technology skills are found outside the information technology department. Graduates with information technology skills are in demand for departments such as marketing, operations, training, sales and accounting. These departments need employees who not only understand information systems but can work with the technology as well. Recent graduates often play an important role in defining how information technology should be applied in their respective areas of the business.

Most outsourcing involves writing computer programs. The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology programs at University of Phoenix do not focus on coding. Instead, these programs focus on analysis and design of technical solutions to address business problems for which there is a high need for employees based in the United States.

Many jobs and software applications previously sent offshore are now being brought back to the home organization in order to maintain control over the business applications.

As businesses move toward the use and reliance on information technology, a greater emphasis is being placed upon business managerial skills with an understanding of information technology. Conventional educational programs are slanted toward the technical side of information technology while the Master of Information Systems program at University of Phoenix focuses on the management side of information technology usage.

The person with a bachelor's degree, who:

• wants to manage in the information technology department of a business
• is being asked to coordinate the information technology resources of a company
• is an enterprise manager with a need to fully understand the strategic importance of information technology