SHARON, Pa. — Penn State Shenango has launched a four-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree program at its downtown Sharon campus to prepare students for a variety of local, state, national, and global occupational demands.
The new degree emphasizes a broad skillset across various areas of information technology, and students enrolled in upper-level courses can select specific advanced options to hone their skills in the discipline of greatest interest to them. Options include:
- Business Applications
- Cybersecurity
- Networking
- Specialized Technology
“The new IT major, and the specialized options within the program, provides students with a broad breadth of knowledge required for an advancing field,” said Carey McDougall, regional chancellor of Penn State Beaver and Penn State Shenango. “Given our hands-on learning environment, connections to industry through field trips, guest speakers, capstone projects, and lab facilities at Penn State Shenango, our graduates will have an extremely marketable skillset for employers in the region and beyond.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2023 to 2033. The median annual wage for this group was $104,420 as of May 2023.
“This program is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of the ever-evolving IT landscape,” said Matthew DeMaria, program coordinator of the Information Technology program at Penn State Shenango. “By blending foundational IT knowledge with hands-on experience in specialized areas, our graduates will possess a versatile skillset, making them highly adaptable.”
Students enrolled in the program will have access to the state-of-the-art Information Technology Cybersecurity Center, housed in Penn State Shenango’s Forker Laboratory building. The center features a closed-server environment where students and faculty can explore various forms of malware and viruses in a safe and secure way. Additionally, it allows students to work directly with more dangerous software in order to understand and stop it. The center officially opened in spring 2024.
The campus’ Career Services team will work with students to identify and compete for regional and national internships in the field, helping them pave pathways for successful job offerings upon graduation.
“Graduates will be well-prepared to meet the diverse needs of today’s employers, not only in traditional tech companies but also in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, finance and more, where they can drive innovation and solve real-world challenges,” DeMaria said.
Visit the Information Technology program’s webpage to learn more, request information and apply.
Penn State Shenango offers two- and four-year degree options in fields such as business, technology, healthcare, and more. Explore all academic programs on our website.