What Is a Technology Degree?
Are you considering earning a technology degree? You can find STEM graduates working in virtually every industry — from aerospace and biochemistry to law and education, just to name a few.1 So, exactly what is a technology degree, and why should you consider earning one?
In This Article:
- What Is a Technology Degree?
- Different Levels for Degrees in Technology
- What Are Some Examples of Technology-Related Degrees?
- Why Should You Consider Earning a Technology Degree?
- Can Technology Degree Graduates Work in Non-STEM Fields?
- Technical Certifications
- Technology Career Options to Consider
- Earn Your Technology Degree From GCU
What Is a Technology Degree?
What are technical majors? There is no universal answer to this question since there are many different types of technology degrees in fields as diverse as engineering, computer programming, software engineering, health informatics and cybersecurity. As you can see, technology influences nearly all aspects of modern life.
The applications of technology are essential for everything from growing the food you eat and designing the car you drive to calculating the calories burned during your workout and communicating with your friends and family.
In general, a technology degree is designed to teach students a solid framework of knowledge in curriculum areas such as mathematics, life sciences, creativity, physical sciences and information management. Technical majors focus on known principles, processes and technologies, as well as the processes used to drive future innovations and new discoveries in their respective fields.
Different Levels for Degrees in Technology
As with most occupations, the level of your education and experience can open the doors for different opportunities within the technology field. Although there are differences among various fields, subfields and employers, generally speaking, a bachelor’s degree can help you open the door to pursuing entry-level positions. A graduate degree and perhaps additional certifications can help you position yourself for possible advancement opportunities.
What Are Technology Bachelor’s Degrees?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for computer and information technology professionals as of May 2022 was $100,530.2 You could earn a general bachelor’s degree in computer science or information technology, or you might pursue a more specialized degree in areas such as software development, data analytics or cybersecurity.
Technical Degrees at the Master’s Level
Earning your master’s degree can provide opportunities for you to gain the skills and training to manage teams and conduct research studies within your field. Many master’s in technology degree programs are available online to allow students the flexibility to earn their degree while balancing work and personal responsibilities.
Technical Doctorate Degrees
A doctorate is a terminal degree. Doctoral programs require students to perform and demonstrate applications of quantitative or qualitative research methods. They typically require original research that culminates in a dissertation that adds to the body of knowledge in the field or subfield. With a doctorate, you might pursue a career in data science, research, leadership or higher education.3
What Are Some Examples of Technology-Related Degrees?
There are many different technology-related degrees you might consider earning. There is no single “best” tech degree. Rather, look for degrees in technology that align with your academic interests and career goals.
At Grand Canyon University, undergraduate students may apply for any of the following bachelor’s degrees:
- BS in Information Technology: IT professionals construct and operate computer networks and cloud-based applications, often for use in the corporate world.
- BS in Software Development: Software development uses a variety of programming languages to create new computer applications for business-to-business (B2B) or business-to-consumer (B2C) usage.
- BS in Cybersecurity: To protect a company’s networks and computers, individuals trained in cybersecurity monitor the network to prevent hackers from gaining access.
- BS in Software Engineering: Explore the design, development and maintenance of software systems through the application of engineering principles, programming languages, software development methodologies and project management techniques.
- BS in Computer Engineering: Learn the theoretical foundations and practical applications of computer technology, using algorithms, software development, computer architecture and computational theory.
Although you can enter a STEM field with a bachelor’s degree, you may decide to pursue a master’s degree to enhance your career qualifications potentially further. Some examples of technical master’s degrees include the following:
- MS in Cybersecurity: Learn advanced techniques for protecting digital information and infrastructure from cyber threats, including cryptography, network security, information assurance, ethical hacking and security policy and governance.
- MS in Cybersecurity Management: Cybersecurity professionals respond to cyberattacks and proactively strengthen the integrity of computer systems against malicious actors. Learn to lead others in reducing the impact of cybercrime for corporations and government entities.
- MS in Data Science: Data analysts work to collect digital information and then interpret it for an organization.
- MS in Computer Science: Computer scientists develop mathematical models and algorithms necessary to enable computer-human interactions.
- MS in Software Development: Focus on advanced software design and development skills, including high-level programming languages, software architecture, secure design and agile methodologies.
Why Should You Consider Earning a Technology Degree?
According to the BLS, the job growth rate for computer and information technology occupations is estimated to be much faster than average, with about 377,500 new job openings projected every year from 2022 to 2032.4
Can Technology Degree Graduates Work in Non-STEM Fields?
Yes! While many technical degree graduates do choose to pursue careers related to their studies, employers in other industries recognize that STEM graduates have been taught valuable, transferable career skills. A technology degree program can allow students to develop the following transferable skills:
- Analytic reasoning and critical thinking
- Ethical judgment and decision-making
- Leadership abilities
- Written and verbal communication skills
- Innovative problem-solving capabilities
Technical Certifications
While not offered at college, industry certifications allow technology professionals to demonstrate their core expertise for the purposes of positioning themselves to potentially pursue career advancement or lateral movement within the field. You can earn your certificate through various professional associations, companies or nonprofit organizations.
Here are a few popular certifications that are geared for IT professionals in different stages of their careers:
- CompTIA A+ Technician: This is a great option for entry-level professionals, specifically those in help desk support positions.
- CompTIA Network+: This is for professionals to show they are proficient in networking.
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA): This credential is for those who need to install, operate and configure networking hardware.
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): This is an excellent option for professionals who are established in the cybersecurity field. It shows competency in protecting organizations from cyber threats and attacks.
- AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner: This foundational certification from Amazon Web Services is perfect for individuals seeking to validate their overall understanding of the AWS Cloud. It covers essential AWS services, cloud concepts, security and compliance aspects and the value of cloud technology.
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals: This certification demonstrates foundational knowledge of cloud services and how those services are provided with Microsoft Azure. It is ideal for individuals new to cloud computing and interested in understanding cloud concepts, Azure services, workloads, security, privacy, pricing and support.
- Certified ScrumMaster (CSM): The CSM from Scrum Alliance is an entry-level certification that proves an individual's understanding of Scrum values, practices and applications. It provides a framework for managing projects in a flexible and adaptive manner, beneficial for agile project management roles.
- Disciplined Agile Scrum Master (DASM): Offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI), this certification is tailored for newcomers to agile and the Disciplined Agile toolkit. It covers a broad spectrum of agile and lean approaches like Scrum, Kanban, SAFe® and more, offering strategies to manage and execute projects effectively in a variety of environments.
Technology Career Options to Consider
There is a wide range of possibilities within the technical fields. Some of the careers you might consider pursuing are as follows:
IT Consultant
Consultants are typically independent contractors who help companies find answers to current issues and strategize ways of improving the company’s network. Other duties consultants may take on are teaching IT staff, analyzing, and articulating data in reports and determining the requirements of an IT framework.
Forensic Analyst
If you want to make a positive difference, then becoming a forensic analyst may be the right technical career for you. Forensic analysts recover various kinds of files off a computer’s hard drive that have been manipulated or deleted. They can also work in forensic crime labs, examining the collected evidence to figure out how crimes were carried out.
Project Manager
For those who aspire to drive meaningful change and tackle intricate challenges, pursuing a career in forensic project management could be a compelling path. In this role, you'd oversee projects that involve the recovery and analysis of various types of data from computer systems, often after they have been compromised or concealed. Your expertise would not only facilitate the restoration of critical information but also contribute to the meticulous examination of digital evidence within forensic crime laboratories to unravel the methodologies behind criminal activities.
IT Business Analyst
An IT business analyst tests and analyzes information to benefit customers and the business. Analysts are responsible for testing new technology and software before they are implemented into the company environment to assess effectiveness and cost feasibility.
Teaching
Future generations will need to be taught to develop secure networks and create new applications for companies. Teachers who can understand current trends in the industry may be highly effective in the classroom.
If you want to teach at a community college, you can expect to need at least a master’s degree. A doctoral degree is typically the minimum qualification for teaching at a four-year college or university. Along with teaching, you may conduct research on different areas of information technology.5
Earn Your Technology Degree From GCU
You can earn your technology degree at Grand Canyon University. The College of Engineering and Technology delivers comprehensive curriculum intended to graduate technology professionals who are ethical, creative and collaborative innovators. Prepare for a career in technology by choosing from one of our many undergraduate and graduate technology degree programs. Complete the form on this page to explore all that GCU has to offer.
1 Payne, C. (2023, Nov. 1). STEM careers. BestColleges. Retrieved Jan. 9, 2024.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Computer and Information Technology Occupations as of May 2022, retrieved on Jan. 9, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Computer and Information Technology professionals, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
3 Indeed. (2023, Feb. 16). Top 10 benefits of earning a master’s degree. Indeed. Retrieved Jan. 9, 2024.
4 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is based on May 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Computer and Information Technology Occupations, retrieved in January 2024.
5 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How To Become a Postsecondary Teacher. Retrieved on Jan. 9, 2024.
Approved by the assistant dean of the College of Engineering and Technology on April 3, 2024.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
