IT Certifications: Types, Benefits and Degree Programs
What Are IT Certifications?
IT certifications are industry-recognized credentials that validate a professional’s knowledge and competency in specific technical areas, such as networking, cybersecurity, systems administration, software, scripting and automation. Certifications for IT professionals are typically earned by passing an exam developed by a technology vendor or professional association and are designed to measure skills against current industry standards.
Types of Tech Certifications:
Vendor-Neutral Certifications
These focus on foundational or general skills that apply across multiple platforms (CompTIA Security+, Network+).
Vendor-Specific Certifications
These certs are tied to a particular company’s ecosystem (AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Microsoft Azure Administrator, Cisco Certified Network Associate).
Framework or Methodology Certifications
These cover processes rather than pure technology (ITIL from PeopleCert).
Discover Aligned Information Technology Certifications
Many of the cyber and IT degrees at GCU align with widely recognized information technology certification programs. These certifications concentrate on areas such as cybersecurity, networking, cloud computing, AI and IT support. Explore the certifications you can prepare for in our technology degree programs.
While select GCU technology programs align with these certifications, they are administered through the authorized test delivery partner.
Explore Certifications for IT
CompTIA Certifications
CompTIA certifications are vendor-neutral credentials designed for individuals at the beginning or early stages of their IT careers. They are well-suited for those pursuing roles in IT support, networking, cybersecurity and project management.(See disclaimer 1)
Starting points include:
Comparing Tech Certifications
Tech certifications vary by experience level, vendor ecosystem and specialization. Entry-level certifications such as AWS Cloud Practitioner and CompTIA Network+ are often pursued by individuals beginning their IT careers. Intermediate certifications, such as CCNA, typically require foundational knowledge and hands-on experience.
We’ve provided a comparison table to help you evaluate options based on your area of focus, experience level and technical background.
Entry to Intermediate
Entry to Intermediate
Entry to Intermediate
Entry to Intermediate
Microsoft
Entry to Intermediate
Entry to Intermediate
Entry to Intermediate
Entry to Intermediate
Microsoft
IT Certifications by Career Path
Cybersecurity Certifications
Cybersecurity professionals focus on protecting systems, networks and data from threats. Certifications in this area validate skills in risk management, threat detection, incident response and security operations.
Cybersecurity certifications include:
These certifications can be pursued by individuals seeking roles such as:(See disclaimer 1,2,3)
What Are the Advantages of IT Certifications?
Certifications for IT professionals can offer tangible advantages in a competitive job market, especially when combined with hands-on experience and formal education. Certifications provide a standardized, third-party validation of your technical skills, serving as a clear signal to employers during hiring, promotions or career changes.(See disclaimer 8)
IT certification programs can offer professional advantages that help support long-term growth and opportunity in the technology field, including:
Enhanced Marketability
Certifications can help demonstrate your expertise quickly, which may allow your resume to stand out in applicant tracking systems and initial screenings.(See disclaimer 8)
Potential Career Advancement
Technology certifications can showcase your commitment to professional development, which may help you position yourself for potential career advancement or a change in specialty (e.g., IT to cybersecurity).(See disclaimer 8)
Why Prepare for IT Certifications Through a Degree Program?
Earning a degree and certification can help you build a strong academic foundation while demonstrating validated technical knowledge to employers. Information technology certifications — often called “tech certs” — can help showcase your technical expertise and signal your commitment to growth. You can use targeted certifications to deepen expertise, shift specialties or position yourself for possible advancement.
GCU’s technology degrees offer certification preparation while building a strong foundation for an IT career. In addition to technical knowledge, you will be taught skills in problem-solving, communication, teamwork and leadership — qualities that matter in collaborative, fast-moving IT environments.
While a GCU degree does not include an IT certification, the curriculum can help prepare you to pursue certification on your own. With additional study and exam preparation, GCU is here to help you take the next step toward earning credentials that support your professional goals in the tech field.
Choosing the Right Degree and IT Certifications for Your Career Goals
If you’re wondering which technology degree and certification to pursue, start by choosing the career path you want to take and what common tasks you will perform in your role. Next, explore these GCU cyber and IT degree programs and their aligned certifications to determine which program best supports your career goals.
Degree Programs and IT Certifications
Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
A bachelor’s in cybersecurity can help you build a strong foundation in network security, systems protection, cloud infrastructure and risk management while preparing to pursue widely recognized IT certifications.
Through this program, students may develop the knowledge and skills aligned with several industry-recognized information technology certifications, including:
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
A BS in Information Technology builds foundational knowledge in networking, cybersecurity, systems analysis and databases. You can also develop problem-solving and project-based experience to prepare for diverse IT roles.
Develop the knowledge and skills aligned with these certifications:
Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with an Emphasis in Cybersecurity
Undergraduate Certificate of Completion in Cybersecurity Foundations
Industry-Recognized Technology Providers
GCU collaborates with leading technology organizations to help ensure our curriculum reflects current industry standards and workforce needs.
The organizations we work with include:
CompTIA
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Cisco
IBM
ISC2
Microsoft
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore answers to common questions about certifications for IT careers. This FAQ section can help you better understand certification options, preparation and next steps for your career.
How do I choose the right IT certifications for my career?
Are information technology certifications hard?
What are the most popular IT certifications?
Which entry-level tech certifications should I choose as a beginner?
Can I get certified without a degree?
Are information technology certifications worth it?
Can I earn IT certifications online?
Explore GCU’s technology degree programs and discover how they can help you prepare for IT certifications and professional growth. Take the next step toward building your future in technology.
- CompTIA. (n.d). Discover Our Certifications. Retrieved March 2026.
- AWS. (n.d.). AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. Retrieved March 2026.
- Cisco. (n.d.). Grow Your Career With Cisco Certifications. Retrieved March 2026.
- Coursera. (2025, Aug. 13). What Is ITIL Certification? Retrieved March 2026.
- Coursera. (2025, Oct. 24). 10 Essential IT Certifications for 2026. Retrieved March 2026.
- CompTIA. (n.d.). Linux + V8 (New Version). Retrieved March 2026.
- CompTIA. (n.a.) Project+. Retrieved March 2026.
- Peters, J. (2023, Dec. 26). The Importance of IT Certifications in Boosting Your Career. Infosec. Retrieved March 2026.
- COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective August 2025, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts, retrieved February 2026.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Information Security Analysts, as of May 2024, retrieved February 2026. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 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 information security analysts, 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 is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. 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.