ITS Program Overview
Whenever you browse the Web, make a telephone call or send a text, information network technology is at work. The McClure School will prepare you for a career in the rapidly growing information network technology field. We offer both a bachelor of science in communication (undergraduate checksheet) [PDF] and a minor in ITS (ITS minor checksheet) [PDF].
ITS professionals take the hardware and software created by engineers and put it to work, designing and managing networks of equipment that individuals, businesses, and governments use to communicate. You don’t have to be a math or science whiz!
Our unique program combines classroom learning with hands-on application of that learning in our extensive laboratory facilities. We also can help you find internships and connect you with alumni who can give you the benefit of their real-world experience.
Admissions Information
Our degree in Information and Telecommunication Systems has no requirements beyond University admission requirements. If you are interested in transferring or starting the degree, please contact our undergraduate director Dr. Charles Linscott (linscoc@ohio.edu). Students need a minimum GPA of 2.5 to transfer into any McClure School Program. To complete this program, students must meet all University wide graduation requirements and the College-Level Requirements for the Scripps College of Communication. The major code is BC5329.
Course of Study
Through the ITS degree you will gain both a foundational and advanced skill set to solve business and technical problems in the information technology industry.
In addition to Ohio University's general education courses, you will have the opportunity to take:
- 3 introductory core classes that will provide you with an overview of the information networking industry and its latest development. These classes will also give you the opportunity to develop skills to start solving problems with information networks.
- 3 core classes that will enable you to develop advanced skills through strategy and project planning specifically geared towards the information networking industry.
- 4 of our school's ITS electives classes from a variety of topics. These topics may include our cybersecurity sequence classes such as network security, encryption, data privacy or data compliance. It may also include courses in other areas such as wireless networks, Internet of things (IoT), Internet engineering or cloud engineering.
- 5 course area of concentration (AoC) sequence. These courses will let you explore opportunities and gain skill sets in other fields you have personal interest in and that will complement your major and professional goals. These courses are selected in coordination with your academic advisor.
- Finally, all of our ITS students complete a sequence of non-ITS classes that allow them to earn a Business Minor and gain foundational expertise in coding, statistics, economics and public speaking.
| 3 introductory classes | 3 core classes | 4 electives | 5 AoC | Other requirements |
The details of our ITS undergraduate program and courses are directly available through this link to the entry in the undergraduate catalog.
Please feel free to contact us for more information about a degree that will enable you to build a solid career in the information networking field.
The Facts
- 13%: Projected increase in employment for computer and information technology occupations from 2016 to 2026
- $120,520: Median annual pay for computer network architects (2021)
- $80,600: Median annual pay for network and computer systems administrators (2021)
- Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
“The McClure School was an incredible jump point for my career. I found myself able to translate technical projects and requirements into real business results — a skill that is often required in the real world.” — Chris Kreitel, BSC `03, Healthcare Digital and IT Strategist and Trusted Advisor, PwC Consulting
Tracks
Students could pursue a degree in ITS, or select one of the existing tracks in Cybersecurity or VR and Game Development.
Cybersecurity
The Cybersecurity Track provides students with hands-on skills to pursue careers in this growing field. In addition to data networking principles, the track offers foundations on network security operations, encryption, data compliance, privacy and business strategy.
VR and Game Development ECT
The VR/AR & gaming track allows students to study ITS with a concentration in Virtual Reality, giving students a diverse skill set that prepares them for careers in both the technical & business side of Information Telecom and the application side of VR.
Minor
A minor in ITS provides students with the foundational skills to solve business problems with information networking technology. Students at OU, from any major, can add the minor in ITS to their degree program.
The minor in ITS requires a minimum of 19 credit hours in ITS classes. Three introductory classes provide you with an overview of the industry (ITS 2040), the foundations of data networking (ITS 2300) and strategy for the ITS sector (ITS 4020). Additionally, you will select three ITS electives that will let you specialize in networking, wireless systems, software defined systems and other growing fields. Students with the ITS minor gain skills that will help them join the information networking industry. You can find more details about the minor in ITS here.