Why major in IT Management?

The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management (ITM) program at UPIKE prepares students for success in a rapidly evolving technological world. By combining technical expertise with business acumen, the ITM program equips graduates to address real-world challenges and drive innovation in diverse industries.

Our curriculum is designed to provide students with hands-on experience, theoretical foundations, and opportunities to develop leadership skills that set them apart in today’s competitive job market. Graduates are ready to pursue careers in cybersecurity, systems administration, IT project management, database administration, network administration, business analytics, machine learning, and cloud computing, locally and globally.

Program Distinctives

  • Comprehensive Curriculum: The ITM program integrates core technical courses with business-related studies, ensuring students are prepared to lead and manage IT projects effectively.
  • Hands-On Learning: Through internships, labs, and project-based coursework, students apply their knowledge to real-world problems, making them workforce-ready.
  • Industry-Aligned Certifications: Courses are designed to help students pursue certifications such as Google Project Management, AWS Cloud Practitioner, and CompTIA Security+.
  • Experiential Education: Programs like internships, capstone projects, United States Information Technology Collegiate Conference (USITCC) participation empower students to gain practical experience and build strong portfolios.

Two students working on computers.

Interesting Courses

ITM 100 Systems Administration I
This course is an introduction to systems administration and the role information technology (IT) plays within this world. Topics include the organizational structure of an IT department, how to be a good IT employee, and basic standards that must be followed to succeed.

ITM 221 Scripting I
This course is an introduction to programming using a high-level object-oriented scripting language. Topics will include fundamental data types, flow of control, classes and objects, methods and functions, and inheritance. The course will provide experience with typical software development tools, including editor, real-time compiler, and debugger.

ITM 400 Security
This course will reinforce the security first model of other courses while exploring critical IT security principals, including least privilege, attack surfaces, web-application vulnerabilities, operating system file security models, and white-hat (ethical) hacking.

computer science students working on coding in classroom

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the ITM program will:
1. Apply foundational knowledge of information systems to solve business problems.
2. Demonstrate Proficiency in Core IT Skills.
3. Manage IT projects effectively using industry-standard tools and methodologies.
4. Communicate technical information clearly to diverse audiences.
5. Exhibit ethical and professional leadership in IT roles.

Career Paths:

Cybersecurity Analyst
Systems Administration
IT Project Management
Network Administration
Business Analytics
Database Administration
Cloud Computing Specialist
Independent IT Consultant

Internship Outcomes

ITM students complete three internships (ITM 298, ITM 398, ITM 498) during the program, gaining valuable experience with organizations such as:

Panasonic Energy North America
U.S. Department of Defense
Pikeville Medical Center
Community Trust Bank

Capstone Achievements

Students participate in a capstone IT project (ITM 420 – IT Project Management), where they take on the challenge of managing real-world IT solutions from inception to completion.

Notable achievements include the establishment of a student-run IT helpdesk, “Bear Tech,” which provides technical support and fosters a hands-on learning environment, and the design and deployment of a dynamic, professional-grade website for the UPIKE IT Club, showcasing student innovation and collaboration. These projects not only enhance technical proficiency but also build essential skills in leadership, teamwork, and project management.

Program Statistics

Post-Graduation Employment: 100% of ITM graduates secure employment in their field or pursue advanced education within six months of graduation.

Graduation Rate: 90% of ITM students graduate within 4 years.

Average GPA: The average GPA of graduating ITM students is 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale).

Years to Completion: Students complete the program in an average of 4.0 years.

Contact

Praveen Guraja, M.S., Ph.D.

Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator of IT Management
(606) 218-5265
PraveenGuraja@upike.edu

Schedule a Tour

Click Here to schedule a tour of our campus and learn more about how UPIKE’s ITM program can prepare you for a thriving career in information technology.

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