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Certificate Program in Information Technology

Customize your studies in information technology with UMass Lowell's flexible, online IT certificate.

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Online IT Certificate Student
Alarm Clock Next Start Date: October 27

Online IT Certificate

UMass Lowell's online IT certificate will introduce you to a range of information technology subject areas. You may focus your studies on computer programming, database development, and multimedia or web technologies. The need for professionals with a strong information technology background will continue to increase as businesses, government, schools and other organizations seek new applications for computers and networks in the workplace. All of the courses in this program count toward UMass Lowell's Associate's Degree in Information Technology or the Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology.

Just 6 Courses

Just 6 Courses

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One of the Most Affordable Tuitions in the Nation

Career Outlook

10,854
Jobs (2023)
+ 16.8 %
% Change (2023-2035)
$113.9K/yr
Median Earnings
884
Annual Openings
Source: Lightcast, Jobs in New England, 2025

Occupations

  • Computer User Support Specialists
  • Network and Computer Systems Administrators
  • Software Developers
  • Computer Systems Analysts
  • Computer and Information Systems Managers
  • Computer Network Support Specialists
  • Computer Network Architects
  • Data Entry Keyers
  • Computer Programmers
Learn more about specific IT career paths that align with your skills and interests at Navigating a Career in Information Technology.

One Success Leads to Another

Apply credits from lower credentials to higher ones. Our programs are designed to build upon themselves:

Curriculum Outline

-Total Courses Required: 6 (18 Credits)

Required Courses (4 Courses / 12cr)

Electives (Choose 2 / 6cr)

  • INFO.2380 Website Development (3cr)
  • INFO.2950 Principles of Information Security (3cr) - Available Fall 2025!
  • INFO.3120 Shell Scripting (3cr)
  • INFO.3600 Intro. to Data Structures with C (3cr)
  • Discrete Mathematics Course (Choose 1)
    • MATH.2190 Discrete Structures I (3cr)
    • MATH.2195 Discrete Math for IT (3cr)

Course Descriptions

INFO.1600 Introduction to Information Systems (3cr)

This course presents the most -up-to-date technology in an ever-changing discipline. It provides an in-depth understanding of the components of the computer systems and mobile devices, application software, mobile apps, system software (including operation systems), digital storage, and communications and networks. The course also teaches the fundamentals of the Internet, digital safety, security, and privacy, as well as Information and Data Management and Information Systems and Program Development.

INFO.2380 Website Development (3cr)

This course focuses on the design, development, and implementation of websites using available visual development tools. Each participant will design, build, and maintain their own websites. Topics covered include: basic navigational structure; page layout incorporating tables and frames; graphical design and placement; image maps; streaming audio and video; and basic website administration.

Notes:

Requires Adobe Dreamweaver software.

Requirements:

INFO.2910

INFO.2670 C Programming (3cr)

Introduces students to the techniques of programming in C. The language syntax, semantics, its applications, and the portable library are covered. This course is an introductory course in programming. It does not assume previous programming experience.

Notes:

Students may not receive credit for both the INFO.2110/INFO.2120 sequence and INFO.2670
This course qualifies for free MSDNA software!

INFO.2750 Introduction to Networking (3cr)

This course will provide a general understanding of the theoretical and practical aspects of data and computer communications. It will introduce principles of computer networks, with a special focus on the Internet architecture and protocols. Topics include layered network architectures, network topologies, addressing, naming, forwarding, routing, etc.

INFO.2785 Introduction to Operating Systems (3cr)

This course introduces and develops the major components of operating systems, including the process and thread abstractions, concurrency and synchronization mechanisms, deadlock management strategies, processor allocation, memory management, I/O device and file management, and system virtualization. The course also presents techniques for operating system design, implementation, and evaluation. The principal demonstration system will be Linux, and several system utilities will be introduced to highlight the functional deployment of the core OS issues discussed.

Requirements:

INFO.1600 Introduction to Information Systems, and INFO.2670 C Programming.

INFO.2950 Principles of Information Security (3cr)

This course will present an overview of the issues related to information security from a computer and computer network perspective. We will cover the threats to the information security infrastructure with a focus on the detection and prevention of them. We will discuss protection of PCs, servers, associated computer services (e.g. network, browsers) and data (e.g. file systems, email) through a "defense in depth" or "layered" and most recent "Zero Trust" approach. Topics will include security management and risk assessment; software security; operating systems security; database security; cryptography algorithms and protocols; network authentication and secure network applications; malicious malware. This course will also help understanding legal, ethical issues and privacy. Anti-Req INFO.3850. Students cannot get credit for both INFO.2950 or INFO.3850.

Requirements:

INFO.2750 Introduction to Networking.

INFO.3120 Shell Scripting (3cr)

Teaches the students the techniques of programming in the high-level programming language of the Bourne, Korn, and BASH Shells. The course covers the building blocks necessary to create portable shell scripts that can be used as new utilities for computers running either UNIX, Linux, or the Cygwin environment on Windows.

Requirements:

INFO.3110, and INFO.2670 or INFO.2120

INFO.3600 Intro. to Data Structures with C (3cr)

This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of data structures such as stacks, queues, linear and linked lists, trees, graphs, hashing, etc., using the C programming language. Algorithms for manipulating these structures, such as sorting and searching techniques, will also be covered.

Requirements:

INFO 2670 C Programming or INFO 2120 Intro to Programming with C- part II.

MATH.2190 Discrete Structures I (3cr)

Presents propositional logic, combinatorics, methods of proof, mathematical systems, algebra of sets, matrix algebra, relations and functions, recursion and generating functions, applications to computer science, and graph theory.

Notes:

Formerly MATH.3210

MATH.2195 Discrete Math for IT (3cr)

Discrete Mathematics plays an important role in explaining key concepts in Information Technology and Computer Science, This course explores topics in logic, relationships between data, number theory and cryptography, recurrence and recursive programming, and how graphs relate to efficient algorithms. No credit for Math or CS majors.

Undergraduate Certificate Requirements

Students enrolled in UMass Lowell certificate programs must complete all courses and maintain a grade point average of 2.000 or better to earn the certificate. All certificate courses must be completed within a five-year period.

Certificate Completion

Students who successfully complete the certificate program should submit a Certificate Petition Form to have their certificate mailed to them.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.

Fall 2025 Tuition

Cost Per Credit Cost Per 3-Credit Course*

Undergraduate

Online and On Campus $385 $1,155
*Tuition is priced on the listed credit hour unless the contact hour is different. Tuition is then based upon the listed contact hour.

Additional Costs

Cost
Term Registration Fee $30
Returned Check Fee $30

Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Tuition Calculator

Online Tuition Calculator

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Looking for Financial Assistance?

UMass Lowell offers a variety of financial aid and scholarship options.

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Applying into a Undergraduate Certificate Program

You can apply anytime. There are no deadlines. Applications are accepted throughout the year.

All applicants must submit:
  • An application
  • Official transcripts
    • Please submit official transcripts from previously attended colleges or universities. We're able to help you retrieve transcripts if needed. If you do not have previous college experience, please contact your high school's guidance office to request your transcripts be sent to us
    • If you hold a GED/HiSET, to request they send us your official transcripts please visit:
    • Applicants with foreign transcripts: Transcripts demonstrating completion of a degree require a credential evaluation from:
  • Official test scores
    • SAT or ACT scores are optional, but may be requested if you have been out of high school for less than three years. If you have not taken the SAT or ACT, please email OCE_Admissions@uml.edu to discuss alternative options

Additional Information

Students must be admitted to a degree or certificate program in order to be eligible for most financial aid.

Official transcripts can be sent to us directly from your previous institution either electronically or mailed to:

GPS Undergraduate Admissions
University of Massachusetts Lowell
839 Merrimack St., Floor 2
Lowell, MA 01854-5104

We cannot accept previously opened transcripts, photocopies, PDF email attachments or faxed transcripts.

F1 student visas are not issued for this program.

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Questions Regarding Your Undergraduate Application?

Email OCE_Admissions@uml.edu or call 978-934-2474.

For General Assistance:

Call the Advising Center at 978-934-2474 or 800-480-3190. Our academic advisors are here to help!

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