The Computer and Information Technology (CIT) program offers courses, degrees and certificates to help prepare students to transfer to a four-year college or pursue a career in a wide range of information technology (IT) fields including computer systems and networking. CIT courses, degree programs and certificates are closely aligned with leading technical industry certifications. This alignment allows students to earn a technical degree while also preparing for relevant and stackable technical credentials.
CIT certificates strategically provide students with various class combinations ranging from six to 35 credits. With certifications, students can complete milestone classes on the pathway to degree completion, allowing them to concentrate on technical classes and skills in preparation for employment or career advancement.
In addition to degree and certificates, CIT offers a variety of professional training academies through Cisco, CompTIA Academy and Microsoft. These training academies are for students interested in advancing their careers or for students who want to specialize in a particular area of study and receive certification training prior to graduation.
Determine Your Path
Education, certification, and technical skills related to computers, networking, and security are essential for careers in desktop support, server administration, network engineering, security, information technology, project management, cloud software, and cyber security.
The need for qualified professionals to engineer, implement, maintain, troubleshoot, repair and secure computers, mobile devices and networked information continues to grow. At College of DuPage, you'll find:
- Dedicated professors and instructors with a combination of technical industry experience, technical degrees, technical certifications and teaching experience.
- IT training in excellent facilities, such as the Seaton Computing Center (SCC) and Berg Instructional Center (BIC).
- Flexible schedules with morning, afternoon, evening and occasional weekend classes.
- Hands-on experience using production-type equipment.
- Affordable and accredited classes.
- Industry approved, relevant, up-to-date curriculum.
- Industry aligned technical certifications.
- Articulated partnerships with accredited baccalaureate-granting institutions.
- Stackable credentials that allow students to begin their career while growing their expertise.
- Approved as a Cisco Networking Academy, CompTIA Academy, VMware Academy, Microsoft Academy and Center for Cyber Defense Education.
Computer and Information Technology
The Computer and Information Technology Associate in Applied Science degree is designed to provide a broad exposure to computers, operating systems, networking, forensics and cybersecurity. Computer support, network design, network security, voice and wireless deployment are emphasized, along with maintenance and troubleshooting.
Students have the opportunity to earn eight or more stackable professional IT certifications in addition to the Associate in Applied Science degree.
Cybersecurity and Defense
The Cybersecurity and Defense Associate in Applied Science degree provides a foundation in the principles of cybersecurity. Content focuses on network security, device hardening and operating systems.
Students have the opportunity to earn up to eight or more stackable professional IT industry certifications in addition to the Associate in Applied Science degree.
CIT Cisco Certified Network Associate
Upon successful completion of the Computer Information Technology (CIT) Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certificate, students will have gained hands-on experience installing, operating, configuring, troubleshooting and securing routing and switching networks. Additionally, these courses prepare student for the IT industry certification Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA).
CIT Networking Professional
The CIT Networking Professional certificate provide students with advanced knowledge and hands-on experience operating, configuring, troubleshooting and securing networks. Additionally, these courses prepare student for the industry certification Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP).
Computer and Internetworking Technologies
The Computer and Internetworking Technologies certificate requires completion of 35 credits in 12 courses covering computer maintenance, network routing, network switching, network security, routing and switching, Voice over IP (VoIP) and computer forensics.
CompTIA A+ and Network+ PC Technician
The CompTIA A+ and Network+ PC Technician certificate prepares students to work as computer support specialists.
Students are required to complete 11 credits in four classes related to computer software, hardware maintenance, system upgrade and networking introduction. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared for the CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ exams. Cybersecurity Specialist
This certificate provides seven classes in which 21 credits are earned in alignment with the CIT department’s designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE2Y).
Cybersecurity Specialist
This Cybersecurity Specialist certificate provides a foundation in basic principles of cybersecurity. It covers function of networks, operating systems, and security principles. The Cybersecurity Certificate prepares students for employment in entry level position in information systems.
Enterprise System Administrator
The Enterprise System Administrator certificate focuses on technical education and skills surrounding computer operating system management and server management. The coursework includes introductory and advanced configuration and troubleshooting. Students are required to complete 15 credits in five classes. Voice Over IP (VoIP) Specialist.
This certificate provides students with a foundation in the design, installation, troubleshooting and use of Voice over IP related software and hardware.
Students are required to complete 15 credits in coursework that includes Cisco Voice over IP, LANs, routing and WANs.
Systems Support Specialist
The System Support Specialist certificate prepares students to work as Computer and Network Support Specialists.
Upon completion, students are prepared for the following industrial certifications: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Net+, and CompTIA Security+. This certificate requires 17 credits in the courses listed below.
Voice Over IP Telephony
The Voice Over IP Telephony certificate provides the foundations in design, installation, and troubleshooting, and use of Voice over IP related software and hardware. This certificate requires 15 credits in the courses listed below.
COD Stories
"COD gave me a platform to explore my passion and interest in technology, and the teachers fueled my hunger for learning more. The hands-on learning and the environment to ask questions helped me create a strong foundation." - Joel Christian
Joel's COD StoryCOD Stories
"Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and don’t get discouraged. The professors in the Computer and Information Technology program want you to succeed and go out of their way to help answer your questions." - Amy Wheeler
Amy's COD StoryCOD Stories
"In the current job market, there is a huge amount of work for cybersecurity and networking people. Professor Tony Chen was the first person I met with at COD, and I found myself returning there." - Jacques LaCour
Jacques' COD StoryCOD Stories
"At IIT I felt I had an advantage over other students due to my preparation received from COD. The solid networking background helped me to understand more complex concepts and made cybersecurity a logical choice for me.” - Marilyn Barrios
Marilyn's COD StoryCOD Stories
"COD enabled me to become CompTIA certified for A+ and Network+, and I earned the Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching certification. I have earned five College certificates within the Computer and Information Technology program and, to wrap it all up, I’ve now earned my associate’s degree.” - Michael Wagner
Michael's COD StoryGet Started Today
The first step to getting started in computer and information technology is to apply for admission.
Academic and Career Pathways give you a roadmap to achieving your career goals. Follow a pathway based on your degree that outlines which classes you need to take and when so you graduate on time or move on to the next phase in your career.
- CIT CCNA, Certificate
- CIT Networking Professional, Certificate
- CompTIA A+ and Network+ PC Technician, Certificate
- Computer and Information Technology, Associate in Applied Science
- Computer and Internetworking Technologies, Certificate
- Cybersecurity and Defense, Associate in Applied Science
- Cybersecurity Specialist, Certificate
- Enterprise System Administrator, Certificate
- System Support Specialist, Certificate
- Voice Over IP Telephony, Certificate
Computer and Information Technology Program graduates will have knowledge and skill sets in the following areas:
- IT Fundamentals: Hardware, software, Application, Operating Systems, Terminology
- Security: Application security. Cyber security, network security, Cyber security student club
- Networking: Local Area Network, Wide Area Network, Wireless Network
- Troubleshooting and critical thinking: Fault isolation, analytical reasoning, documentations
- Providing students education opportunities with: Degrees, Certificates, transfer opportunities, industry certifications
College of DuPage has several computer and information technology transfer agreements in place with four-year colleges and universities to save you time, money and make the transfer process easier.
Many of these agreements with other colleges and universities have specific course requirements and a pre-determined course plan that needs to be followed to be eligible to transfer. Contact a program faculty member or academic advisor to learn more as course requirements vary by institution.
Career Information
Explore careers based on your interest, location and salary range or view top occupations by income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to your frequently asked questions regarding the Computer and Information Technology program.
If you are interested in building and repairing networks, Cisco or CompTIA certification, computer forensics, and network security, the Computer and Information Technology program is for you.
If you are interested in programming, web development, game programming or design, Excel, Access, SQL, Oracle or Linux or becoming computer literate, the Computer and Information Science is for you.
If you are interested in Illustrator and Photoshop, you should consider the Graphic Design program.
The CIT certificate program requires 44 credit hours in electronics, CIT, math and CIS courses. The CIT degree program requires 48 hours (due to an additional physics course), as well as 18 general education credit hours. The associate degree is transferable to other four-year baccalaureate programs.
College of DuPage houses three professional training programs that offer a wide variety of certification opportunities including Cisco Certification Training, CompTIA Academy and Microsoft Academy.
If you are interested in a computer-related career, you should enjoy problem-solving and working in teams. In addition, you should also be detail-oriented, a quick learner, have excellent people skills and be able to adopt new technologies quickly and efficiently.
Meet with a faculty member to discuss which CIT programs would work best for you or submit a question to a faculty member.
