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Accelerated Information Technology Bachelor's and Master's Degree

3rd Party Certifications Included in this Degree

OVERVIEW

Earn an Accelerated Bachelor's and Master's in IT Online


 

Two degrees in one fast-track program. In this accelerated B.S. to M.S. program, you’ll earn both your bachelor’s in IT and master’s in IT management at a faster pace with fewer courses. Industry certifications are built into this accelerated online program, saving you money and time. Designed with input from industry experts, this accelerated degree program at WGU prepares you with the most in-demand skills:

  • Scripting and programming
  • Networking and security
  • Systems and services
  • Data management
  • Business of IT

A bachelor’s degree in IT helps you gain a solid foundation in computer information systems and technology. A master’s degree in IT management advances your technical skills and prepares you to be a leader, helping you stand out when seeking promotions and new job opportunities.

Earn two degrees in about 

4 years*

This accelerated program combines a bachelor's degree and a master's, letting you take fewer courses than you would if you completed the programs separately.

*WGU Internal Data

Tuition per six-month term is

$3,735 and $3,940

Tuition is less for the undergraduate portion, and tuition is charged per term—rather than per credit—helps you control the ultimate cost of your degree. Finish faster, pay less!

Average salary increase

$6,249*

 Graduates of the M.S. in IT Management program report an average salary increase of $6,249 after completing their WGU degree.

*WGU Internal Data

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HOW THIS PROGRAM WORKS

Two Degrees. One Program. Big Savings.


 

This IT degree path allows you to accelerate your education and earn an undergraduate and graduate degree more quickly, saving you time and money. Here’s how it works:

1. Apply and get accepted to the program.

2. Complete your general education courses along with six bachelor’s-level IT courses.

3. Move into graduate-level coursework with four master’s-level bridge courses.

4. Earn your bachelor’s degree and industry-relevant certifications.

5. Complete six more master’s-level courses and a capstone.

6. Earn your master’s degree and industry-relevant certifications.

COURSES

IT Bridge Courses

Program consists of 42 courses

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.

This unique bachelor's and master's degree plan was designed, and is regularly updated, with input from the experts on our IT Program Council, ensuring you learn best practices in systems and services, networking and security, scripting and programming, data management, and the business of IT.

Students enrolled in the Accelerated Information Technology Bachelor's and Master's Degree program will first complete the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology portion of the program. After completing the necessary bachelor's and bridge coursework, the student will receive the Bachelor of Science, Information Technology degree. Students will then progress to the remaining graduate coursework, and upon completion will receive the Master of Science, Information Technology Management degree. 

Earning a degree designed by industry experts adds theoretical depth to the practical knowledge you already have. Our programs are designed to meet you where you are—and then boost your knowledge and skills from there. The experts who make up our IT Program Council know exactly what it takes for a graduate to be successful in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of information technology.

Undergraduate Portion

Information Technology Management
IT Management
Current and Emerging Technology
Web Development
Data Management
Leadership and Management Specialty
Network and Security
IT Fundamentals
Business of IT
General Education
Business Core
Operating Systems
Scripting and Programming
Spreadsheets
Networks
Capstone

Graduate Portion

Information Technology Management
Power, Influence and Leadership
IT Management
Capstone

42 Courses

Program consists of 42 courses

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.

Capstone Projects

Special requirements for this program

At the end of your online IT bachelor's and master's degree programs, you will complete capstone projects that represents the culmination of all your hard work—projects that allows you to turn what you’ve learned into real-world application, proposing a solution to an actual issue you face in your place of business.

Skills For Your Résumé

As part of this program, you will develop a range of valuable skills that employers are looking for. 

  • Information Technology: Successfully identified methods to securely transmit data.
  • Information Technology Infrastructure: Applied the four dimensions model to each of the five components of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) service value system, optimizing IT service management processes and enhancing overall service delivery.
  • Technical Writing: Effectively conveyed technical details of a given topic to a knowledgeable audience, facilitating clear understanding among technical stakeholders.
  • Management: Developed a strategic plan for an organization or process, aligning business goals with actionable strategies and initiatives for improved efficiency and growth.
  • Operations: Proficiently read charts and analyzed data using relevant software, extracting valuable insights and trends to support data-driven decision-making and business improvements.
  • Information Security Management: Successfully defined organizational systems integration needs, facilitating seamless integration of various systems and technologies for enhanced operational efficiency and workflow optimization.

"Shortly after completing my WGU degree, I was interviewed for a Database Administrator position at a local company. I got the job and have been working there for six months now. The new career came with great benefits and almost doubled my monthly income. I believe that the degree that I received from WGU was a major factor in obtaining my new career."

—Josh Blevins
B.S. Information Technology

Why WGU?

Earning Potential

According to a 2023 Harris Poll, just two years after graduation, WGU grads report earning $22,200 more per year, and that amount increases to $30,300 four years after graduation.

On Your Schedule

No class times, no assignment deadlines. You are in charge of your learning and schedule. You can move through your courses as quickly as you master the material, meaning you can graduate faster.
 

Entirely Online

The accelerated IT bachelor's and master's at WGU is 100% online, which means it works wherever you are. You can do your coursework at night after working at your full-time job, on weekends, while you're traveling the world or on vacation—it's entirely up to you.

Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™

One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized. 

 

IT CERTIFICATIONS

3rd Party IT Certifications Included


 

Industry IT certifications in this degree program include a variety of CompTIA certifications, Amazon AWS Cloud Practitioner, LPI Linux Essentials, and PMI CAPM. 
 
The cost of these certifications is included in your tuition, helping you save money as you enhance your skills. Earning certifications before you’ve even finished your degree gives you the knowledge, skills, and credentials that will immediately boost your résumé.

  • A+ 
  • Network+ 
  • Security+ 
  • IT Operations Specialist
  • Secure Infrastructure Specialist
  • Amazon AWS Cloud Practitioner
Axelos
  • ITIL®*^ Foundation Certification

*Subject to vendor availability.
^ITIL® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited, used under permission of AXELOS Limited. All rights reserved.

  • PMI CAPM
Linux Professional Institute logo
  • LPI Linux Essentials

COST & TIME

Affordable Online IT Degrees

By charging per term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees.

Costs for the Undergraduate Portion of This Program

$3,735

Tuition per 6-month term

At WGU, tuition is charged every six months. For the bachelor's degree, the only other fees you'll have is a flat fee of $200 each term for e-books and learning resources and a $150 program fee.

Costs for the Graduate Portion of This Program

$3,940

Tuition per 6-month term

Fees include the $200 per term resource fee and the $150 program fee

An Information Technology Management Degree Is Within Reach

There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:

The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.

Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits. 

Many scholarship opportunities are available. Find out what you might be eligible for.

FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE

A Different Way to Learn: Degree Programs Designed to Fit Your Life—and All the Demands on Your Time

Professional responsibilities. Family obligations. Personal commitments. At WGU, we understand schedules are tight and often unpredictable for adult students. That’s why we offer a flexible, personalized approach to how education should be. No rigid class schedules. Just a solid, career-focused teaching program that meshes with your current lifestyle. You'll be challenged. You'll work hard. But if you commit yourself and put in the hours needed, WGU makes it possible for you to earn a highly respected degree as a busy working adult.

"You have to be a self starter, self motivator! But know that WGU has your back! Whether through your mentor, course instructors and the numerous departments set up to see you succeed, they are there to guide and aide you along your journey!”

—CL
M.S. Information Technology Management

CAREER OUTLOOK

Prepare to Lead and Earn More

Nearly every industry needs skilled IT professionals. When you’ve completed WGU’s online accelerated information technology bachelor's and master's degree program, you’ll find yourself in demand because of the skills, knowledge, and certifications you’ve gained. In fact, you’ll have all the tools necessary for a successful IT career from fields like computer programming to IT management.

An information technology degree from WGU is key in helping you gain the critical skills and experience you need to thrive in the information sector. Increase your earning potential, boost your résumé with valuable credentials, and find a career you love with the help of bachelor’s and master’s degrees in information technology.

Return on Your Investment

On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation

Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2023 Harris Poll Survey of 1,655 WGU graduates.

Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.

15%

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth of 15% for all computer occupations from 2021 to 2031.

—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

An Information Technology Degree Opens the Door to Continued Success in your Career

Our M.S. IT alumni have great jobs and satisfying careers:

Job Titles

  • Chief Information Officer
  • IT manager
  • IT director
  • Information systems manager

Diverse Industries

  • Business
  • Education
  • Finance
  • Government
  • Healthcare

Major Employers

  • Cisco Systems
  • Dell
  • U.S. Air Force
  • Florida Community Health Centers
  • Legal Aid of West Virginia

WGU Grads Hold Positions With Top Employers

ADMISSIONS

Information Technology Management Degree Admissions Requirements

To be considered for enrollment into this program, you must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent AND demonstrate program readiness through one of the following:

  • Option 1: Submit transcripts documenting completion of college-level coursework with a minimum of 2.75 GPA or higher. 
  • Option 2: Possess a bachelors or associate degree (A.A, A.S. or A.A.S. acceptable) from an accredited post-secondary institution.
  • Option 3: Submit official record of completion of a transferable IT certification, some of which may provide transfer credit  into various programs.
  • Option 4: Submit high school transcripts with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Option 5: Submit transcripts documenting completion of previous IT coursework. IT coursework must be 300 level or higher.

NOTE: You do not need to take the ACT or SAT to be admitted to this program. Learn why we don't require these tests.

Get Your Enrollment Checklist

Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.

Get Your Questions Answered

Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.

Transfer Credits

FAQs About the Accelerated B.S to M.S. Program

You should speak with an Enrollment Counselor. WGU can often provide advice or resources to help a prospective student fulfill enrollment prerequisites.

When you enroll in a WGU degree program, our goal is to see you through to graduation. Admission requirements are designed to increase your likelihood of success. Years of data and experience with the nontraditional students WGU serves have shown us how various types of academic and professional experience can be highly important in helping a student persist to graduation. Industry certifications are one of many ways a student can meet eligibility.

WGU has an obligation to our graduates—and their current and future employers—to ensure WGU alumni have mastered the most up-to-date, current competencies and skills needed in the workplace. Recency of certifications helps us ensure that students have demonstrated competency in skills as they are needed in today's working world.

As a full-time student, you will be required to maintain a minimum pace of 12 competency units (CUs) per term for undergraduate programs or 8 CUs per term for graduate programs. However, there is no maximum speed—once you complete a course, you move immediately to the next, and you complete a course not by waiting for the syllabus, the professor, or the rest of the class. You progress by learning the material and proving it—so you can move through your coursework at the speed of your own learning and experience.

Instructors are highly educated, experienced experts in the subject matter of a course. Unlike in a traditional university where going to class means listening to an instructor lecture while you take notes and try to learn in a group setting, WGU's Instructors provide one-on-one instruction and support when you need it—tailoring the instruction to your precise needs when you need it. Instructors also provide additional resources, lead topical discussions in online communities, and find countless other ways to bring a specific course to life for students.

This unique program allows you to fast-track your education and earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in less time. The program contains some courses that count toward both degrees, meaning you’ll take four fewer classes (or 12 fewer competency units) than you would if you were to pursue each degree individually through separate programs. 

The combined bachelor’s and master’s degree program contains largely the same curriculum as the two separate programs with a few modifications. The bridge courses students take are Technical Communication, IT Management, Project Management, and Emerging Technologies. These four bridge courses replace four undergraduate courses and allow students to move into their master’s program sooner.

This accelerated program costs $3,735 per six-month term for the undergraduate portion and $3,940 for the master’s portion. Since the undergraduate portion of this program satisfies part of the typical master’s portion, students can graduate in fewer terms than they would if they’d pursued each degree separately, thus earning a master’s degree for less.

Because of our competency-based model, the number of terms to completion varies. Overall, it’s anticipated that students can complete this program in one less term than it would take to complete the bachelor’s and master’s degrees separately.

Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?