UMT’s ASIT and BSIT Degrees Launched

ARLINGTON, Virginia, July 15, 2007 – UMT’s Vice President, Dr. C. Eric Kirkland, announced that UMT has received accreditation from the Distance Education and Training Council for Associate of Science in Information Technology (ASIT) and Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) degrees.

The field of information technology (IT) focuses the application of computers and computer software to manage information systems to meet the needs of industry and government. Dr. Kirkland noted, "The development, management, and maintenance of IT systems are key competitive factors that are essential to business success in today's world. The BSIT degree is designed to help working adults extend and enhance their job skills and to improve their career in the field."

The roles of IT professionals range from installing applications to designing computer networks and databases. The core areas include:

• Computer Architecture
• Program Logic and Design
• Programming in a Higher-Level Language
• Object-Oriented Software Design and Development
• Database Management Systems (DBMS)
• Data Communications and Networking
• Computer Network Security
• Project Management
• Management Information Systems (MIS) or Decision Support Systems (DSS)

In addition, the degree programs in IT are designed with the following major goals:

• To provide students with a foundation in the theoretical concepts of IT that reflect current practice in industry and academia.
• To provide students with opportunities to develop practical knowledge, skills, and abilities across the curriculum, including general education and specialized computer science and information technology disciplines.

The ASIT offers courses for students who are high school graduates or have passed the General Educational Development (GED) test, and who perhaps have completed some courses either at an appropriately accredited college or in the armed forces. The ASIT program requires the successful completion of 60 semester credit-hours of instruction at the lower level (freshman and sophomore years), including a minimum of 15 semester credit-hours of general education courses comprising English, mathematics, social sciences, natural sciences, and the humanities. Applicants to the ASIT program who have prior education at an appropriately accredited institution may transfer a maximum of 45 semester credit-hours towards the ASIT requirements.

The BSIT is a degree-completion program comprising 60 semester credit-hours of instruction at the upper level (junior and senior years). Students entering the BSIT program already will have completed a minimum of 60 semester credit-hours of college-level studies, either at UMT or at another appropriately accredited institution.

Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council, the University of Management and Technology provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs for working adults with specializations in business administration, computer science, general studies, information technology, management, project management, and acquisition management. See www.umtweb.edu.