Best Information Technology Courses

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Shauna Blackmon is a journalist and writer specializing in the intersection of technology and humanity. She is also currently finishing her master's degree in international relations, focusing on future technologies and smart borders....
Updated on April 20, 2023
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Madison Hoehn has worked as an associate editor for BestColleges, focusing on coding bootcamp rankings and the skilled trades. She is passionate about providing readers with alternatives to a traditional four-year college. She holds a BA in English l...
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If you really think about it, tech has seeped into nearly every aspect of our lives. It probably took hundreds of thousands of different workers to provide you with the final products of all the tech you use throughout your day, and that number is only getting bigger.

Information technology (IT) courses are a great place to start for anyone interested in working in the tech field because they provide the bedrock of information needed to move on to any other tech-related area. There are endless options available for different types of online courses that cater to students' various needs.

What Is Information Technology?

Information technology is a broad category that includes everything from entry-level tech support to those working in network security, data, or software development. However, most coding bootcamps and courses on information technology tend to focus on the skills and knowledge required for entry-level support jobs. This can include designing, implementing, and evaluating different types of computer systems and programs.

No matter what your aspirations are in the technological field, starting off with a course in information technology can be helpful. The topics covered by these programs and bootcamps provide a solid foundation required for nearly any job in a technological field.

Both big enterprise companies and small start-ups and everything in between rely on IT specialists to help them with various aspects of their day-to-day roles. Because of this, it is possible to find work in the IT field practically anywhere in the world.

Best Information Technology Courses

There are plenty of different types of media available online that teach students about the various aspects of information management. Online courses and bootcamps, in particular, can provide some of the best learning structures and instruction quality for those looking to expand their career potential.

As information technology, in particular, is so popular, there are several courses and bootcamps available so students can learn about what interests them in a way that fits their lifestyle. Check out our list below of the top information courses online!

Find the Right Coding Bootcamp For You

Google IT Support Professional Certificate by Coursera

  • Length: 6 months
  • Cost: $39 a month, at 10 hours a week; most students finish the course for less than $300
  • Certificate: Yes

In this five-part program, students learn how to perform day-to-day IT support tasks like installing programs, computer assembly, network protocols, system administration, and customer service. It is a beginner-level course that prepares students for their first entry-level job in IT support. It is 100% online and offers a flexible schedule so you can learn at your own pace.

According to the program, 75% of Google Career Certificate Graduates report an improvement in their career trajectory within six months of completing the program. Students can also apply for up to twelve college credits if they want.


Technical Support Fundamentals by Coursera

  • Length: 20 hours
  • Cost: $39 a month; students should be able to complete the course within a month
  • Certificate: Yes

This self-paced and beginner-friendly course is a condensed version of the above certificate. It covers a lot of the same material and is also a product of Google. The difference is that it contains 20 hours of content instead of six months' worth.

This course is suitable for people who are interested in technical support but are not able or interested in completing a six months long course or are not sure yet if this is the right path for them. It is also a more affordable option since students should be able to complete the course within a single month.


IT Project Management Professional Certificate by edX

  • Length: 5 months
  • Cost: $537
  • Certificate: Yes

Project managers are a vital part of any IT project. They are the ones who keep things on track and help guide the team. In this course, students will learn strategic applications of IT project and program management, portfolio management, governance, and how to be a good leader.

This program is for both IT professionals looking to get into project management and those who already work in project management and want to improve their skills. While not mandatory, it is good for students to have at least some tech background to better understand what tech companies do and how projects work.


Management Information Systems by Alison

  • Length: As it is all reading, it just depends on how quickly you want to go through the course.
  • Cost: Free
  • Certificate: Yes

This beginner-focused course explores basic definitions, such as the differences between hardware and software, along with types of software, mobile applications, and management information systems. It starts with basic information, then gets quite in-depth pretty quickly.

Compared to other courses, this one may seem a bit dry. The course is taught only with plain text — no videos or other types of media. The good news is that it is a free course! However, if you do not pay for the upgraded membership, you have to sit through five seconds of advertisements before being able to advance to the next slide.


Information Technology Essentials by Udemy

  • Length: 5 hours
  • Cost: $19.99
  • Certificate: Yes

This course provides a good base level of instruction on different IT fundamentals. It is a beginner-friendly class that briefly touches on essential pieces of information technology, such as software, database management, security, and programming. Students will even learn the basics of programming in C# and HTML.

The course consists of four hours of videos and a handful of assignments, so students can work at their own pace. Once purchased, students receive lifetime access to the material. Udemy also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you decide this course is not for you.

Methodology

Bootcamp Ranking Guidelines

At BestColleges, we believe the best bootcamp is the one that fits your schedule, your learning needs, and your career aspirations. That's why we often present our recommendations in alphabetical order -- because the real best bootcamp is the bootcamp that's best for you.

Our Methodology

The Bootcamp Team at BestColleges has collected data for over 150 bootcamps to help you find the best bootcamp.

At BestColleges, we believe the best bootcamp is the one that fits your schedule, your learning needs, and your career aspirations. That's why we often present our recommendations in alphabetical order -- because the real best bootcamp is the bootcamp that's best for you.

At this time, our recommendation round-ups feature only immersive bootcamps designed to prepare students for job placement upon graduation.

To be included on our lists, bootcamps must meet the following criteria:

  • Must offer at least one bootcamp in the United States.
  • Must offer at least one bootcamp that is a minimum of 4 weeks long.
  • Must require at least 15 hours of work per week if the bootcamp is part time.
  • Must encourage at least 10 hours of work per week if the bootcamp is self-paced.

Pricing disclosure: The prices listed were collected from product websites in 2022. However, given the dynamic, fast-paced nature of the tech space, prices are subject to change throughout the year. To get the most up-to-date information about pricing, contact providers directly.

Methodology for Recommending Cheap Bootcamps:

  • The bootcamp must meet all of the general criteria listed above.
  • The bootcamp must cost less than $8,000 if it is offered full time, and less than $5,000 if it is offered part time. These numbers were chosen based on data collected by BestColleges in 2020 that determined the average cost of a coding bootcamp is $13,580.

Information Technology Careers

Information Security Analyst

Security analysts work to protect computer networks from security breaches and attacks. They are heavily involved in creating and implementing security standards, checking for vulnerabilities, and ensuring that the rest of the team maintains strong security habits. The role requires solid technical ability and creative problem-solving.

Median annual salary: $102,600

IT Project Manager

IT project managers are responsible for leading software and IT projects and ensuring their team stays on track and meets their KPIs. In addition to knowing the technical side of how your product works, project managers need to be organized, good problem solvers, and a strong leader.

Median annual salary: $94,500

Software Developer

Software developers design and create all different types of software applications. They need to understand their users, their specific needs, and how to translate those needs into reality. The role requires technical skills such as knowing at least one or two programming languages and creative skills to come up with innovative solutions to user problems.

Median annual salary: $110,140

Frequently Asked Questions About Information Technology Online Courses

Can I get an IT certificate online?

Yes, most IT certificate programs are now online. There are numerous options — everything from the quick overview to the deep dive. Suppose you are specifically interested in earning a certificate to improve your career outlook. In that case, it is important to find a program that is in-depth enough for you to properly understand the material.

With so many options for online IT certifications, you can find one that teaches precisely what you are interested in learning. There are also courses available that offer financing options, career services, or money-back guarantees so you can find something that fits all of your needs and interests.

Can you get a job with a Google IT certificate?

Nothing is guaranteed, but the Google IT certificates are some of the better-poised courses to help you land a new job. Most of the Google IT certificates are fairly in-depth programs that teach students what they need to succeed in their future jobs.

Compared to other programs, those from Google also have some of the best career services for new graduates, including resume building, interview practice, and career coaching. They also have direct relationships with various employers around the US to help students land their first job. Generally, this only applies to the more in-depth programs.

What are some IT hard skills?

Depending on what role you are interested in, there can be numerous hard skills needed to excel in your new career. Generally, IT professionals will probably need to know at least one programming language, possibly more, depending on the field. Other essential skills include creative problem-solving, planning, and organization.

Otherwise, many of the vital hard skills for working in IT will depend on the particular field. Examples of these types of skills could include knowing how to use cloud computing, network and information security, mobile engineering, data analytics, or web development.

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