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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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Alarm Clock Next Start Date: October 30

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

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Variety of Financial Aid and Scholarships Available

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Apply Anytime

Career Outlook

470,383
Jobs (2020)
+1.4%
% Change (2020-2021)
$95.9K/yr
Median Earnings
61,343
Annual Openings

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
Source: Lightcast, 2022

One Success Leads to Another

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

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Certificate Program in Information Technology
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Bachelor of Science in Information Technology

Curriculum Outline

- Required Courses: 2
- Electives: 4

Required Courses (2 / 6cr)

Electives (Choose 4 / 12cr)**

Programming Electives

  • INFO.2110 Introduction to Programming W/C I
  • INFO.2120 Introduction to Programming with C - Part II
  • INFO.2200 Visual Basic
  • INFO.2670 C Programming
  • INFO.2680 C++ Programming
  • INFO.3640 Problem Solving with C

Database Electives

  • INFO.1710 Applications Software: Microsoft Access
  • INFO.3420 Web-Enabled Database Development

Multimedia/Web Electives

Additional Electives

  • INFO.3110 Introduction to the Linux/Unix Operating System
  • INFO.3120 Shell Scripting
  • INFO.4610 LAN/WAN Technologies

*Students with appropriate experience can replace the required courses with any of the elective courses.

**Note: This is a partial list of computer elective courses. For the complete list of courses that may be applied as electives to this program, see the Graduate, Online & Professional Studies Course Catalog or browse our site for computer courses with the INFO. prefix, or contact the Faculty and Student Support Center at (978) 934-2474.

Course Descriptions

An introduction to internet technologies and how they intersect with social, political, and economic issues. Includes: the history of the internet, how it's presently managed, how information is transferred between servers and clients, collaborative web technologies, search engines, encryption, digital rights management, certificate authorities, phishing and other malware, and privacy concerns. Students will build a basic website using HTML and CSS. 3 credits. Non-CS Majors only
Prerequisites:

Not for CS majors

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. 3 credits.

This introductory course is intended to teach students how to create and manipulate database files using Microsoft Access. Students will learn about database management, relational databases, and the issues that must be considered before creating a database. They will learn how to create a database file with tables, queries, forms and reports. Topics include entering and editing data; sorting, filtering and printing records; extracting information with different types of queries; designing and customizing forms and reports; creating charts and pivot tables; and customizing Access. In addition, they will learn how to use macros to automate a database, and how to exchange Access data with other applications. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

Requires MS Access 2016; Windows based

This is an intensive hands-on course intended to teach the student basic personal computer skills in a lecture/lab format using MS Office. The student will learn the fundamental concepts of word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation development. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

Requires MS Office 2016; Windows based

Offers an introduction to the processing of information by computer. Computer logic, memory, input/output processing, and programming in the 'C' language. Students may not receive credit for both the INFO.2110/INFO.2120 sequence and INFO.2670. 3 credit(s). Prerequisite: No previous programming experience required. 3 credits. Students may not receive credit for both the 90.211/90.212 sequence and 90.267
This course qualifies for free MSDNA software!
Prerequisites:

No previous programming experience required

Serves as a continuation of INFO.2110. Additional topics will include pointers, dynamic memory allocation, file handling techniques and libraries. Students may not receive credit for both the INFO.2110/INFO.2120 sequence and INFO.2670. 3 credits. Students may not receive credit for both the 90.211/90.212 sequence and 90.267. This course qualifies for free MSDNA software
Prerequisites:

INFO.2110

This course will focus on developing Windows-based programs using the Visual Basic programming environment. Topics covered will include the use of text boxes, labels, scroll bars, menus, buttons, and the Windows applications. Students should be familiar with the Windows environment and with at least one programming language prior to taking this course. 3 credits.
This course qualifies for free MSDNA software!

Provides participants with an overview of multimedia and its professional applications in training, education, marketing, and entertainment. Scanning images, digitizing video and audio, and exploring the design and production of interactive multimedia are the focus of this class. Includes technical/hardware considerations and production procedures pertinent to interactive multimedia. 3 credits.

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

This course will cover the C++ language and show the student how to use the language. We will cover class construction, operator overloading, virtual functions, templates, and introduce the student to the IO streams. Inheritance and its use in creating extendible libraries will be presented. Object-oriented concepts will be presented in the context of the C++ language and its support for object-oriented programming. 3 credits.
This course qualifies for free MSDNA software!
Prerequisites:

P: INFO.2670 or INFO.2120; requires C++ compiler software

Addresses manipulating and maintaining files within the UNIX file system; creating and editing text files using the vi and ed editors; using pipes, redirection, and filters; using advanced text processing utilities; using electronic mail; writing and debugging shell scripts; submitting and executing processes. 3 credits.

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. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

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

This course expands on the topics introduced in the Relational Database Concepts course. Using the Linux operating system, the PHP scripting language, and the Postgresql relational database, students will develop modern internet applications, such as online catalogs, discussion areas, and auction sites. (Formerly Relational Database Integration) 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

INFO.4740.

Intended as a practical problem-solving course, to give students further exposure to the topics covered in 90.267 and to provide the tools needed for software development. The course emphasizes these aspects of the programming problem-solving process: problem specification and organization; algorithms, coding, debugging; the elements of good programming style; and the means of producing a high-quality finished product. Programming examples are chosen to span a wide range of both numeric and nonnumeric applications. 3 credits.
This course qualifies for free MSDNA software!
Prerequisites:

INFO.2120 or INFO.2670; requires Ansi C/C++ compiler software

This course discusses basic data communication concepts; digital and analog signaling; media and cabling systems; the OSI reference model; Physical and Data Link layer; LAN standards; Ethernet, Token Ring, FDDI, Switched technologies, emerging LAN standards; Bridges and Routers; and Network operating systems. 3 credits.
Prerequisites:

INFO.2670 or previous programming Experience

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 2023 Tuition

 Cost Per Credit Cost Per 3-Credit Course*

Undergraduate
Online $380 $1,140
Online Business** $385 $1,155
On Campus Lowell $340 $1,020
*If the number of contact hours exceeds the number of credits, tuition is calculated by multiplying by the total number of contact hours.

Additional Costs
Term Registration Fee $30
Late Fee $50

Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.

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Applying into an Undergraduate Certificate Program

Apply to an undergraduate certificate program using the Online Application Form or by printing and completing the Undergraduate Certificate Application Form in .pdf file format. Applicants will be required to have either their official high school transcript, HiSET®, GED® or their most recent college transcript if applicable, sent to Graduate, Online & Professional Studies at the address below. Applications, transcripts, and other correspondence should be sent to:

University of Massachusetts Lowell
Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies
Undergraduate Admissions
839 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
Lowell, MA 01854

Undergraduate certificate applications are accepted on an ongoing basis and there is no fee to apply. You will be notified upon acceptance.

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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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