The Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology program at Youngstown State University prepares students to become lifelong learners equipped with foundational theoretical knowledge and technical skills in computing technologies. The program emphasizes the planning, development, implementation, and maintenance of solutions in networking, data engineering, cybersecurity, software development, web technologies, and computing hardware and software systems, meeting the evolving needs of users and organizations.
The program prepares students to possess the right combination of knowledge and practical, hands-on expertise to take care of both an organization’s information technology infrastructure and the people who use it. The program prepares students to assume responsibility for understanding how computing systems are composed and structured, their strengths and weaknesses, reliability, security, usability, effectiveness, and efficiency for their intended purpose, selecting hardware and software products appropriate for an organization, integrating those products with organizational needs and infrastructure, and installing, customizing, and maintaining those applications, thereby providing a secure and effective environment that supports the activities of the organization’s computer users.
The Information Technology AAS degree program graduates may continue their studies towards a bachelor's degree in a computer or information technology area or obtain full-time employment as network technicians, database specialists, software developers, cybersecurity specialists, help desk support, web/digital designers, or in other closely related fields. Graduates are prepared to address challenges in information technology with ethical decision-making, a global perspective, and the technical expertise required to make meaningful contributions in their personal, organizational, and societal roles.
Associate Degree Program
Graduates of the associate degree program can pursue careers in service and support of information systems, as well as continuing on to a bachelor's degree in information technology. This degree may be earned in four semesters if students average 15-16 hours per semester.
Students wishing to receive the Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology must complete the following:
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST YEAR REQUIREMENT -STUDENT SUCCESS | ||
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar | 1-2 |
| or YSU 1500S | Youngstown State University Success Seminar | |
| or HONR 1500 | Intro to Honors | |
| General Education Requirements | ||
| ENGL 1550 | Writing 1 | 3-4 |
| or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 with Support | |
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| MATH 1510 | College Algebra | 4-6 |
| or MATH 1510C | College Algebra with Co-requisite Support | |
| Select 2 courses from 2 of the domains: AH, SS, and NS (one must include a lab) | 6-7 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| CSIS 1525 | Survey of Modern Operating Systems | 3 |
| CSIS 1570 | Web Systems and Technologies | 3 |
| CSIS 1590 | Foundations of Information Systems & Technologies | 3 |
| CSIS 1595 & 1595L | Fundamentals of Programming and Problem-Solving 1 and Fundamentals of Programming and Problem-Solving 1 Lab | 3 |
| CSIS 2605 & 2605L | Fundamentals of Programming and Problem- Solving 2 and Fundamentals of Programming and Problem- Solving 2 Lab | 3 |
| CSIS 2620 | System Configuration and Maintenance | 3 |
| INFO 3704 | Business Communication | 3 |
| or ENGL 3743 | Introduction to Public, Professional and Technical Writing | |
| CSIS 3722 | Development of Databases | 3 |
| CSIS 3731 | Human-Computer Interaction | 3 |
| CSIS 3755 | Information Assurance | 3 |
| CSIS 3782 | Cisco Networking Academy 1 | 3 |
| Additional Course Work to total 60 s.h. | ||
| Free Electives | 10 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 60-65 | |
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | S.H. | |
| YSU 1500 | Success Seminar or Youngstown State University Success Seminar or Intro to Honors | 1-2 |
| ENGL 1550 or ENGL 1549 | Writing 1 or Writing 1 with Support | 3-4 |
| CSIS 1525 | Survey of Modern Operating Systems | 3 |
| CSIS 1590 | Foundations of Information Systems & Technologies | 3 |
| Free Elective i.e., prereq Math course for MATH 1552 | 4 | |
| Semester Hours | 14-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ENGL 1551 | Writing 2 | 3 |
| MATH 1510 or MATH 1510C | College Algebra or College Algebra with Co-requisite Support | 4-6 |
| CSIS 1570 | Web Systems and Technologies | 3 |
| CSIS 1595 | Fundamentals of Programming and Problem-Solving 1 | 2 |
| CSIS 1595L | Fundamentals of Programming and Problem-Solving 1 Lab | 1 |
| CSIS 2620 | System Configuration and Maintenance | 3 |
| Semester Hours | 16-18 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CSIS 3722 | Development of Databases | 3 |
| CSIS 2605 | Fundamentals of Programming and Problem- Solving 2 | 2 |
| CSIS 2605L | Fundamentals of Programming and Problem- Solving 2 Lab | 1 |
| CSIS 3755 | Information Assurance | 3 |
| General Education Course Natural Science, Arts and Humanities, or Social Science | 3-4 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| INFO 3704 or ENGL 3743 | Business Communication or Introduction to Public, Professional and Technical Writing | 3 |
| CSIS 3731 | Human-Computer Interaction | 3 |
| CSIS 3782 | Cisco Networking Academy 1 | 3 |
| General Education Course Natural Science, Arts and Humanities, or Social Science | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Semester Hours | 15 | |
| Total Semester Hours | 60-65 | |
Learning Outcomes
- The Associate program in Information Technology provides preparation for student’s basic knowledge of technologies in the implementation and troubleshooting of networks.
- The Associate program in Information Technology provides preparation for student’s basic knowledge of technologies in designing databases and extracting information using appropriate programs or applications.
- The Associate program in Information Technology provides preparation for student’s basic knowledge of technologies in assessing information management processes and procedures and the application of technologies.
- The Associate program in Information Technology provides preparation for student’s basic knowledge of technologies in developing interactive programs.