If you’ve earned information technology (IT) certifications for your job, they can help you earn college credit. At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, our FastTrack 90™ online IT bachelor’s degree program requires 25% fewer credits than a standard bachelor’s degree. You may be able to get college credit for IT certifications to cut down your completion time even further. Here, we explore our accelerated IT bachelor’s program and how CompTIA and Cisco certifications can help you graduate faster.
Key Takeaways
- IT industry certifications such as CompTIA or Cisco can map to degree credit through Prior Learning Assessments (PLAs).
- Stackable credentials and transfer credits can help shorten the timeline to degree completion.
- Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers a 90-credit online Information Technology bachelor’s degree program designed for working adults.
How Does the Accelerated IT Bachelor’s Degree Program Work?
At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, we’ve recently redesigned our accelerated bachelor’s degrees into FastTrack 90™ bachelor’s degree programs. These innovative programs require only 90 credits (25% fewer than a standard bachelor’s), are fully online, and are designed for working adults. The acceleration is achieved through careful program design and focused pacing, not cramming.
The Information Technology 90-credit program is well-suited for people who want to earn their degrees quickly while still getting a high-quality IT education. By pursuing an accelerated 90-credit degree, students can graduate faster, enter the workforce sooner, and save on tuition costs. At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, we have a generous transfer credit policy that allows students to transfer up to 66 credits, which can shorten their completion time even further.
Admission, Transfer, and Credit for Experience
At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, students are allowed to earn up to 35 transfer credits toward their bachelor’s degree through Prior Learning Assessments (PLAs). A PLA evaluates non-academic training and workplace experiences and awards college credits for them if they meet college-level standards.
For IT workers who have earned relevant certifications, such as CompTIA or Cisco, they may be able to get college credit for these credentials, helping them reduce the number of courses they need to take. To determine whether their certifications will be accepted as credit, students must:
- Identify their PLA experiences: If a student has previous work experience or training that may be suitable for PLA, they need to identify it. For IT students, this can include previous certifications such as CompTIA and Cisco.
- Build a portfolio: Once the student has determined potential PLA experiences, they need to create a portfolio that documents their experience. They must also showcase how it aligns with specific program or course learning outcomes.
- Undergo assessment: After a student submits their portfolio, the school’s faculty will assess the experience to see if it aligns with their PLA standards. Standardized tests may be given to measure a student’s knowledge of a certain subject area.
If a student’s previous experience is accepted for PLA, then they can reduce the overall number of credits they need to graduate. This can help students earn their degrees even sooner.
Outcomes and Career Paths
If you’re a current entry-level IT worker looking to advance your career, earning an accelerated online IT bachelor’s degree can help. In Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota’s IT program, students will learn:
- Main computer and IT concepts
- Programming fundamentals
- How to design and query relational databases
- Integration of enterprise architecture and information systems
- Cybersecurity and information security practices
- Networks, cloud computing, and data solutions
Students can also pursue specializations in business intelligence, cybersecurity, or network administration. They may earn digital badges to showcase on resumes, and they can also begin taking approved graduate-level courses during their bachelor’s program. With our well-rounded, industry-relevant curriculum, entry-level IT workers can develop the skills and knowledge needed to advance to higher-level roles, such as database administrator, information security analyst, and network administrator.
Explore Our Accelerated Online IT Bachelor’s Degree Program Today
If you have previous IT training, it may be able to count for college credit toward your bachelor’s degree at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Our newly redesigned 90-credit IT degree is designed for working adults and is offered 100% online to let students learn while they continue working.
All our programs are student-centered and mission-driven, integrating our Lasallian Catholic values into high-quality education. Each course is taught by faculty with real-world experience, and students get access to various support services, including career services and guidance on transfer credits and PLA. To see if your CompTIA or Cisco certifications can count toward your accelerated bachelor’s degree, speak with an enrollment counselor or request more information today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our IT Bachelor’s Degree
How many credits can I transfer into the IT bachelor’s degree program?
At Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, students in our 90-credit bachelor’s programs can transfer up to 66 credits, with up to 35 being from a Prior Learning Assessment (PLA).
Will my IT certifications count for college credit?
IT certifications often count for college credit, but it is up to the discretion of the transfer credit committee.
How fast can I finish my IT bachelor’s degree?
With a 90-credit program, students often finish in around three years. With previous college credit or PLA, the completion time can be even less.
