Information technology

University of Missouri-Columbia
Bachelor of science
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Bachelor of science

Jumpstart a rewarding, in-demand career with an online bachelor of science in information technology degree from the University of Missouri (Mizzou). 

Mizzou designed this program for a wide range of individuals interested in a technology-based role. You might be a working adult wanting to advance in your industry or switch fields, or you might be a high schooler or recent graduate with a clear idea about how you want to make an impact. Wherever you stand and whatever your dreams, the online bachelor’s in information technology takes a comprehensive, business-centric approach right from the start. Set yourself apart from the competition, and gain the knowledge to prepare for various industry certifications.

A core covers key information technology and computer science topics and introduces you to the building blocks of programming, networking, cybersecurity, systems, database management, design and development. Beyond theories, the concepts taught approach information technology from an applied perspective. Understand how your knowledge becomes a tool for solving problems, driving growth, securing a business’s assets and tailoring software and application interfaces to users’ needs. 

From here, shape your path forward by selecting from one of three paths areas — software engineering, media technology or cybersecurity — designed to help you develop a specialty. This fully online course of study is geared toward anyone imagining a role in one of our economy’s most integral industries:

  • High school students interested in starting college courses
  • Freshmen driven to enter the thriving IT industry
  • Transfer students seeking to complete their bachelor’s degree
  • Working adults looking to gain new skills to change career paths or move up in their current workplace

Top-ranked programs

Mizzou's online bachelor's programs ranked among the nation's finest in U.S. News & World Report 2024.

Quick facts

Official name

Bachelor of science in information technology

Campus

University of Missouri-Columbia

Program type

Bachelor's degree

Academic home

College of Engineering | Department of Engineering and Information Technology

Delivery mode

100% online

Accreditation

Higher Learning Commission

Freshman credit hours

120

Freshman estimated cost

$87,192.00

Transfer credit hours

66

Transfer estimated cost

$45,672.00

*This cost is for illustrative purposes only. Your hours and costs will differ, depending on your transfer hours, your course choices and your academic progress. See more about tuition and financial aid.

Why earn an online bachelor’s in information technology from Mizzou?

Information technology connects our world. These skills become essential for developing new software programs, hardware and mobile applications, from their operation to how users respond and interact. With more and more data stored online, network security is no longer a luxury — it’s the difference between progressing forward and making a plan of recovery when a breach puts company and customer information at risk. Information technology further influences the design and delivery of visual and audio elements in media.

Whether you see yourself in a content-creator role or someone defending a business from outside attacks, Mizzou’s online bachelor’s in information technology opts for a practical, holistic approach. The College of Engineering equips all BSIT students with a varied arsenal of technical skills to enter or get ahead in a number of fields. Whether to supplement your existing knowledge or get started on your ideal career, you’ll:

  • Connect multiple IT applications to learn to develop software, manage networks and databases, create and implement audio and video productions and design digital effects and virtual reality environments
  • Start to understand information technology as a tool to solve a spectrum of organizational issues, from branding to storing and protecting data to integrating new and existing systems and technologies
  • See how information technology helps advance businesses, from infrastructure to data analysis to digital creative elements
  • Be taught by industry-leading professionals who bring their real-world experience into the virtual classroom
  • See what it takes to design a system, including architecture, modules, interfaces and tools for storing and accessing data
  • Explore the role project management plays in an IT department, from collaboration and communication to facing challenges together
  • Gain the programming, video and audio skills to design digital media for the web, mobile applications and other content-based platforms, taking a variety of audiences into account
  • Learn about information technology best practices for businesses, from entrepreneurship to considering network security and intellectual property
Person wearing VR headset.

Career prospects

Everything’s digital, from the content we consume to the data we access at work. Both the public and private sectors need knowledgeable, adaptable information technology professionals to not only go forward but function efficiently on a day-to-day basis.

An online BS in information technology gives you a foundation for the following positions:

  • Software engineer
  • Information technology business manager
  • Cybersecurity engineer
  • Web developer
  • System administrator
  • Cybersecurity consultant
  • Network engineer/architect
  • Video post-production specialist
  • Visual effects animator
  • Game designer
  • Audio engineer
  • Cybersecurity analyst
  • Vulnerability analyst
  • Penetration tester

Attesting to the field’s growth, the Bureau of Labor Statistics identifies 13% more positions for computer and information technology occupations between 2020 and 2030.

Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
10.71%
Employment growth
Burning Glass Technologies. 2021. Salary numbers and employment growth numbers are based on models that consider advertised job posting salary, Bureau of Labor Statistics data and other proprietary and public sources of information for multiple occupations.
$92,000
median salary

Program structure

You’ll earn a total of 120 credit hours. This includes the information technology core (36 credit hours), technology electives (30 credit hours), mathematics and business courses (nine credit hours), science courses (10 credit hours) and general education requirements. 

Structure-wise, no campus visits are involved, and all course work can be completed 100% online. Progress at your pace, whether you opt to attend full- or part-time. Although lengths vary, courses use a semester structure. 

All students begin with the information technology core. Getting you off to a solid start, this sequence introduces universal information technology techniques and practices in programming, software engineering, cybersecurity, web development, networking and database management. 

As you proceed onto the electives, steer your degree in a direction of your choosing, ideally aligned with your interests and career goals. Pick your path from one of three path areas:

- Software engineering: Prepare to develop web, mobile and software applications, exploring the techniques for designing and managing these interfaces. Pursue this direction with courses in computer programming, web development, networks and database management, mobile application development and project management.

- Media technology: Learn to engage users through creative digital media. Understand the programming and content-creation sides through courses in video and audio post-production, wireless broadcast systems, visual effects, motion graphics, 2D and 3D animation, virtual reality and game design.

- Cybersecurity: Become a cornerstone of a business’s digital defense strategy through courses in cyberattack prevention, defensive and offensive cybersecurity, computer network security, cloud-based architecture, system administration and digital forensics investigation.

Courses

For the core courses, you’ll become familiar with:

  • The basics of digital media, digital systems and software engineering
  • Programming as a problem-solving and design tool
  • Key elements of audio, graphic and motion media design and video editing
  • Programming principles, syntax, algorithms and paradigms
  • Network security and wireless standards
  • Web application and multimedia technologies
  • Cybersecurity threats, theories and defense techniques
  • Database management systems and applications
  • UNIX operating systems and interfaces
  • Project and team management processes in IT
  • Designing, developing, testing and managing software systems

Review all online BSIT core and elective courses and descriptions.

Delivery

100% online

Calendar system

Semester-based

Typical program length

Varies

Typical course load

Varies if full time or part time

Accreditation

The University of Missouri is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.

James Kirkland
I definitely think the IT program helped [secure a job at Microsoft]. And especially the online program with core skills like time management.
BS IT ’20

Faculty spotlight

Gillian Maurer

Professor Maurer’s background is in media technology, and she brings her experience in film production to the IT program. She is an independent film director and producer and owns two film production businesses. Her technical focus includes media creation, UHD workflow, camera technology, audio engineering, video processing and post-production.

Gillian Maurer
Associate Professor of Practice

Learn more about this program

This program is administered by the Department of Engineering and Information Technology