1. Information Technology
Changes in the Market; One Career-College’s Response
Facilitator Guide:

2. The New
The Old
It was commonly thought of that an Associate Degree was not worth as much as a Bachelor’s Degree
Many students believed that the Bachelor’s Degree was the standard
Many thought having a Bachelor’s Degree always meant you would make more money
Because of these reasons, in the past Westwood College was focused on Bachelor’s Degrees
On average a graduate with an Associate Degree makes 75% of what a Bachelor’s Degree graduate makes with half the cost of education
Our Response: The Associate Degree is our focus
Associate degrees offer:
Quicker completion allowing graduates to enter the workforce sooner
Better return on investment
Students gain fundamental competency in their area of interest

3. Why Offer an IT AOS?
IT fields are among the largest and fastest growing employment sources and careers such as Network and Computer Systems Administrators can expect 28% growth from (
Westwood College engaged with many employers in the technology industry for feedback on how to build this program
Opportunity to earn certifications has the potential to give our graduates a competitive edge over similar job seekers
Cloud technology and virtualization is a growing trend in technology

4. Certifications
Many employers regard certifications as the standard and some require their employees to be certified
Jobseekers who hold certifications have a potential advantage over others seeking similar employment
Certifications demonstrate to potential employers that our graduates possess the skills and expertise needed

5. CollegeU

6. Westwood’s IT AOS Program
This program was designed from the ground up to prepare our graduates for meaningful work by:
Offering five areas of emphasis that students can choose from to tailor their experience
Including applied general education classes that take traditional general education classes and relate the material directly to the information technology field
Offering ability to earn valuable industry certifications
Mixing in-class experiences with online interactions to further students’ opportunities
This program is not a stepping stone towards a bachelor’s degree
Designed specifically to get students in their career field upon completion of the Associate program

7. Information Technology
The Information Technology degree is an outcomes-focused program designed to provide students with the skills required to design, install, configure and maintain network and technology infrastructures
The program consists of 20 courses – 13 in the core, two in career development and five in a chosen area of emphasis

8. Core Program Student Success Outcomes
Install industry standard operating systems
Administer server environments
Troubleshoot hardware and software
Perform administrative functions in an information technology environment
Provide effective communication of technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences

9. Areas of Emphasis Cisco Network Security Cisco Network Voice
Cisco Network Wireless
Microsoft Systems Administration
Virtualization

10. Cisco Network Security
This area of emphasis concentrates on:
Planning, implementing, upgrading or monitoring security measures for the protection of computer networks and information
Insuring appropriate security controls are in place to safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure
Responding to computer security breaches and viruses

11. Cisco Network Security
Student Success Outcomes
Design, implement and support network security
Install, troubleshoot and monitor network security devices
Design and configure Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
Career Fields
Information Technology
Data Security Administration
Information Security

12. Areas of Emphasis Cisco Network Security Cisco Network Voice
Cisco Network Wireless
Microsoft Systems Administration
Virtualization

13. Cisco Network Voice This area of emphasis concentrates on:
Designing, installing, supporting and maintaining voice over IP and telephony products for an organization
Performing and ensuring network or united communications architecture is functioning efficiently
Programming communication networks and software
Upgrading communication networks and providing technical support and training for employees or customers who use these systems

14. Cisco Network Voice Career Fields Student Success Outcomes
Systems Administration
Network Administration
Information Technology
Local Area Network Administration
Student Success Outcomes
Administer a voice network
Configure, implement and support voice over IP technologies

15. Cisco Network Wireless
This area of emphasis concentrates on:
Designing and implementing computer and information networks
Performing network modeling, analysis and planning
Designing network and computer security measures
Researching and recommending network and data communications hardware and software

16. Cisco Network Wireless
Career Fields
System Administration
Network Administration
Information Technology
Local Area Network Administration
Student Success Outcomes
Configure, implement and support local area networks
Monitor and troubleshoot wireless local area networks

17. Microsoft Systems Administration
This area of emphasis concentrates on:
Installing, configuring and supporting an organization’s network and internet systems or a segment of a network system
Monitoring network to ensure availability to all system users
Performing necessary maintenance to support network availability

18. Virtualization This area of emphasis concentrates on:
Installing, designing and configuring high available and scalable virtual infrastructures for an organization
Supporting, monitoring and troubleshooting virtual environments, network storage and data, virtual machines, desktops and other operating systems
Working with private or public cloud environments, hypervisors, security and other applications providing various support services across an organization

19. Virtualization Career Fields Student Success Outcomes
Systems Administration
Network Administration
Information Technology
Local Area Network Administration
Student Success Outcomes
Design and configure high available and scalable virtual infrastructures
Support and monitor virtual environments

20. Certifications
Westwood’s Information technology degree equips graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to earn important industry certifications
Enrolled students are given the opportunity to earn valuable industry certifications as they complete their coursework
The cost of some certification exams may be covered by Westwood
Requirements and qualifications will apply
Potential to earn eight certifications after completing core courses with the ability to earn up to three more depending on area of emphasis

21. Certifications

22. Academy Affiliations Westwood College is recognized as a:
Cisco Networking Academy*
Microsoft Academy
VMWare Academy
*Westwood College Online is not recognized as a Cisco Networking Academy

23. Information Technology
Changes in the Market; One Career-College’s Response
Facilitator Guide: