Studying Technology Management: Degrees at a Glance
Technology management is a flexible area of study that explores new technologies as well as covering business management fundamentals. Graduates of a technology management undergraduate program are often prepared for entry- and mid-level positions at businesses, government agencies, and other organizations. Each program may have different elective or concentration options, making this degree valuable to a variety of business and technology professionals.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that computer and information systems managers were expected to see an 18% increase in jobs from 2010-2020, which was about as fast as the average for all occupations.
| Associate's | Bachelor's | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is this degree for? | Individuals seeking entry-level careers in business management or looking to continue on to a bachelor's degree program | People looking to improve their management skills and increase their knowledge of new technologies and innovation techniques |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate median salary) | - Production supervisor ($51,000)* - IT production control supervisor ($72,000)* | - Information technology auditor ($53,000)* - Project manager ($64,000)* - Information technology manager ($108,000 - with 5 years of experience)* - Computer and information systems manager ($118,000)** |
| Time to Completion | About 2 years, full-time | Roughly 2 years, full-time, after completion of an associate's degree program or 4 years, full-time without an associate's degree |
| Common Requirements | - About 5-10 core business technology management courses - Up to 5 electives of your choice (subject to approval) - Portfolio development course | - Approximately 10-15 technology management courses - Internship or capstone course |
| Prerequisites | - High school diploma or equivalent | - High school diploma or equivalent - Associate's degree in a related field |
| Online Availability | A few courses may be offered online | Yes, although uncommon |
Sources: *Salary.com (September 2012 figures), **U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 figures).
Associate's in Technology Management
Technology management associate's programs are generally very broad and allow you to take electives from a number of different disciplines, such as network administration, drafting, Web design, and office applications. It's generally up to you to select the elective courses that will be of most benefit to your career goals. Regardless of which technical courses you end up taking, these programs usually feature a core set of courses that cover business management concepts.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Structure of the program allows you to learn about a diverse range of management concepts
- What you learn in the program can usually be applied to many different industries and careers
- Programs are often flexible and can lead to a terminal degree or prepare you to continue your studies at the bachelor's degree level
Cons
- Variety of study options means you won't become an expert in any particular area
- Many employers want bachelor's degree holders for mid-level management positions
- Programs may not include internship or work experience opportunities
Courses and Requirements
In addition to your general education courses, you'll be required to complete a core set of technology management courses. These courses are usually focused on business concepts and may include business law, human resource management and business communication. Some programs may give you a variety of elective options, such as calculus, computer-aided drafting, local area networks, operating systems, and Web design. Your technical electives are usually flexible, and your options may vary depending on the school you attend. Schools may also require you to take a portfolio course, which can help you prepare for the job market after graduation. Many of these programs don't have internship options, so you may have to find experience opportunities on your own.
Online Options
The associate's degree program in technology management isn't currently available over the Internet. You won't usually find all of the elective courses that you're eligible to take in an online format, so you'll need to be prepared for an on-campus program if you wish to pursue this degree. However, you may be able to take a couple of courses over the Internet, but the availability will be different at each school.
Getting Ahead with This Degree
Since these programs can prepare you for a number of different careers in various industries, you may want to figure out which industry you hope to work in before enrolling in a program. Each school offers particular courses that aren't available at other schools, so you'll want to get to know what each program has available to ensure that it can give you the right skills for your career.
After you graduate, you may want to look into becoming certified. The particular certification you'll want to pursue depends on the industry you work in. For example, the Certified Internet Web Professional is a vendor-neutral organization that offers the Web Development Professional designation, which could be useful to anyone designing or maintaining websites. The certification can be earned after passing the JavaScript Specialist, Perl Specialist, and Database Design Specialist exams.
Bachelor's in Technology Management
Unlike many bachelor's degree programs, a technology management program at this level usually requires student to have already obtained an associate's degree. A few standard 4-year bachelor's degree programs do exist, but these aren't as common as programs designed for associate's degree holders. Some schools may offer specialization options, such as control engineering, facilities management, or information technology. Programs that don't offer specializations typically focus on business management studies, which means you won't have many opportunities to take courses covering technical concepts.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Studies are more focused at this level compared to the associate's degree level, giving you a chance to get in-depth instruction on management and business practices
- May give you an advantage over associate's degree holders
- Variety of studies and concentration options could be useful for careers in many different industries
Cons
- Program options vary widely between schools, which means you may have to move to another state to find a program that offers the concentration that fits your career goals
- Some programs require you to have an associate's degree, which could limit your options if you're planning on jumping into a 4-year program right after high school
- Some management positions may require a master's degree or an MBA
Common Courses and Requirements
A bachelor's degree program that doesn't offer a specialization option usually consists of up to 15 courses in business management and related topics. Some of your courses might include project management, information technology management, strategic marketing, cost estimation, and human resource management. This type of bachelor's program may require a technology management project or an internship towards the end of your studies. You'll still have a couple elective options, but you generally won't be able to get in-depth training in a technical specialty from this type of bachelor's degree program.
A bachelor's program that offers a specialization or concentration option usually includes about 6-8 technology management courses, followed by 5-15 courses in your chosen area of focus. Your concentrations options vary between schools; some may offer as few as two specialization options, while others may have as many as 20 for you to choose from.
Online Course Options
Online technology management bachelor's degree programs are available, although somewhat uncommon. Programs that offer multiple concentration options are unlikely to be found online. The curriculum of a technology management program offered over the Internet is similar to that of a typical on-campus program, and you can still complete a technology management project. If you're looking for a program that allows you to focus your studies on a particular technical area, you'll probably need to opt for an on-campus program.
Standing Out with This Degree
Becoming certified can give you an edge over other applicants who have qualifications similar to those of your own. If you're interested in the information security field, you may want to look into the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) designation offered by ISACA. In addition to passing an exam, you'll also need 5 years of relevant experience to earn the CISM credential. The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers the Project Management Professional designation to management professionals who have bachelor's degrees and three years of relevant work experience. PMI also has a number of other certifications, such as the Program Management Professional and PMI Risk Management Professional credentials.
