Information Technology (IT) Support professionals help people and organizations with the setup, maintenance, and repair of computers.
They might work in a help desk department at a university, for a large IT company serving a number of clients, or at home providing remote support for people using a specific app or website.
The Information Technology Support program at Ivy Tech will prepare you for a career in computer technology. You’ll gain industry certifications and learn how to tear down and rebuild computers.
As an IT Support student at Ivy Tech, you will:
Identify and troubleshoot problems within computer information systems and related technologies.
Create and deploy technology solutions into both large and small business environments.
Assess an organization’s technology infrastructure for risk.
Understand and evaluate compliance guidelines.
Install and maintain basic networking systems.
Create plans to update open source and proprietary systems.
Manage customer interactions.
Document IT support efforts, including asset and system change management.
Create documentation and follow procedures.
No prior computer experience or knowledge is required.
Career Options
Graduates of the IT Support program can work in various professional positions and environments. IT Support professionals are needed in many fields, including finance, educational services, telecommunications, and computer systems.
Some companies hire people with IT Support skills in-house, while others contract with large organizations that provide technical support for businesses. As a graduate of the IT Support program, you would be eligible to work in either environment based on your preferences. You may also work from home, answering customer questions over the phone or via live chat, while others may travel to offices or homes to provide hands-on support.
Here’s where an Ivy Tech Information Technology Support credential could take you:
Computer Support Specialist
Desktop Support Technician
Field Service Technician
Help Desk Technician
IT Operations Analyst
IT Support Specialist
Network Support Analyst
Network Technician
Service Desk Analyst
Systems Administrator
Technical Consultant
Technical Support Representative
IT SUPPORT TOOLKIT
Leverage our Toolkit to access resources and information related to educational opportunities, competitions, certifications, programming languages, tools, blogs, forums, projects, volunteering, freelancing, events, professional associations, and jobs in IT Support.
Note: Program availability varies by location and not all program tracks are offered at each campus/location.
Affiliated Partners
Information Technology Support is an important part of keeping businesses and people's everyday lives moving given our reliance on technology. To make sure our students are as successful as possible, Ivy Tech teaches on some of the most relevant systems in the industry, including:
Associate Degree – Career-Ready Degree
The Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology Support will give you the foundation you need to launch a career in IT support. You'll learn the technical and soft skills needed to succeed in the industry.
Students must take 60 credit hours to graduate from the AAS in Information Technology Support program. This typically takes four semesters to complete.
Earn a Certificate on the Way to Your AAS
A recommended path to the associate degree in Information Technology Support is to complete one or more of the two certificates offered by Ivy Tech while working toward the degree. The certificates are designed to provide gateways toward entry-level IT careers, so you can begin working quickly. You may then choose to pursue a credential that requires more credits and time in order to learn more and move up in your professional career. You can apply the credits from your certificate to your higher-level credential at Ivy Tech to make the most of your time and tuition.
Required Courses
AAS Information Technology Support graduates must complete a total of 60 credit hours:
Long-Term Certificate
known as a Technical Certificate (TC)
The Information Technology Support Technical Certificate (TC) program is an intermediate workplace credential. This program could be a good fit for those looking to change careers, people already working in tech, and bachelor's degree holders. You'll be ready to work in an IT role upon completion of the program.
The Information Technology Support TC program can be completed in two semesters, or about one year.
FREE Through Next Level Jobs
The Information Technology Support TC is part of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs degree program, funded by the Workforce Ready Grant. You may be eligible for a free credential. You are eligible to be a part of Next Level Jobs at Ivy Tech if you fulfill all of the following requirements:
Are an Indiana resident
Have a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency
Have not previously received a certificate in a Next Level Jobs eligible program
Have not previously received an associate degree or higher (bachelor's, master's, etc.)*
*Note: Students who are admitted to the Next Level Jobs program to pursue the Information Technology Support TC are required to pay for and submit to a criminal background check, drug testing, and physical exam.
Building on Your Certificate
If your goal is to earn an associate degree in Information Technology Support, you can earn this certificate on your way. The certificate is designed to provide a gateway into entry-level Information Technology Support careers. That means you may be able to enter the workforce in your desired field even before you graduate, if your plan includes working while you’re in school.
Required Courses
Information Technology Support TC graduates must complete a total of 30 credit hours:
Short-Term Certificate
known as a Certificate (CT)
Information Technology Help Desk Certificate (CT) students earn CompTIA Security+, CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, ServiceNow Certified System Administrator, and Certified Wireless Technology Specialist certifications. These certifications will give you foundational knowledge to work in IT.
The Information Technology Help Desk CT program can be completed in two semesters, or about one year.
FREE Through Next Level Jobs
The Information Technology Help Desk CT is part of Indiana’s Next Level Jobs degree program, funded by the Workforce Ready Grant. You may be eligible for a free credential. You are eligible to be a part of Next Level Jobs at Ivy Tech if you fulfill all of the following requirements:
Are an Indiana resident
Have a high school diploma or GED/High School Equivalency
Have not previously received a certificate in a Next Level Jobs eligible program
Have not previously received an associate degree or higher (bachelor's, master's, etc.)*
*Note: Students who are admitted to the Next Level Jobs program to pursue the IT Help Desk CT are required to pay for and submit to a criminal background check, drug testing, and physical exam.
Building on Your Certificate
If your goal is to earn an associate degree in Information Technology Support, you can earn this certificate on your way. The certificate is designed to provide a gateway into entry-level IT careers. That means you may be able to enter the workforce in your desired field even before you graduate, if your plan includes working while you’re in school.
Required Courses
Graduates must complete a total of 23 credit hours.
Information Technology Support is offered at 19 Ivy Tech locations in Indiana. Each location offers a unique combination of certificate and degree options:
Since technical support is needed and can be provided in a variety of ways, there are a few different routes you can take in this field. Maybe you want to work in-house, providing IT support for an individual company. Or, perhaps you think you’d be better suited working from home answering customer questions via phone or live chat.
You could also join a large IT support organization that travels to offices or homes to help people sort out their technical problems. Because technology is so widely used, you have the opportunity to work alongside various fields, including finance, education, telecommunications, and computer systems.
Careers in Information Technology Support often involve:
Problem-solving
Empathizing with and listening to customers
Paying close attention to detail
Communicating effectively
Using technical skills
Sound Like You?
If you identify with the traits above, informatics may be the path for you! Take the next step to get started or speak with your local advisor to learn more.
Prerequisite Courses for Information Technology Support
Information Technology Support students must demonstrate competency through appropriate assessment or earning a grade of “C” or better in at least one course from each of the following categories:
There is no expiration date for course credits that were earned in previous years from Ivy Tech Community College.
Transfer Credit for Prerequisite Courses
Prerequisite courses completed at colleges other than Ivy Tech will only be considered for general education selection points if transfer credit has been awarded and courses appear on the Ivy Tech transcript prior to the application deadline.
TR grades are not recognized by the online application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that transfer credit has been awarded and that TR grades are updated to transfer letter grades (TA, TB, TC) on their Ivy Tech transcript.
It is recommended that college transcripts be submitted to the Registrar’s office for evaluation and transfer credit at least 4 weeks prior to the program application deadline to ensure adequate time for processing.
Information Technology Support Courses
Descriptions of Information Technology Support courses can be found in our online course catalog.
See when specific courses will be offered by searching our course list in Schedule Builder. First, select the semester you’re looking for and then enter the name of the course in the search bar.
If you’re a current student, upcoming courses are easy to find in Schedule Builder in MyIvy.
Course Formats
Information Technology Support courses are offered in person and online.
Applying to Ivy Tech is Free & Easy
The Ivy Tech application is free and easy—you don’t need a certain test score, GPA, or class rank to get started at Ivy Tech. Applying takes about 10-15 minutes and can be completed entirely online.
No Application Deadlines
Ivy Tech does not have a deadline for admission. Our 8-week class sessions start throughout the year—in January, March, June, August, and October—and there is no hard deadline for applying for any of the start dates. It's important, though, to apply early enough that you'll be able to complete all the degree planning, financial aid, and registration activities that need to happen before your first day. We recommend you apply about one month before you intend to start classes. See upcoming start dates
Steps to Apply
(1) Apply to Ivy Tech
If you’ve never applied to Ivy Tech Community College before (or if it’s been two years since you last attended classes here), your first step is to apply to Ivy Tech. You can apply online or in person. To apply in person, reach out toyour local admissions team and arrange a meeting. Or, stop by any campus on any Tuesday for Tuesdays@TheTech to receive personal assistance with applying and registering for classes.
After you submit your application, you'll be asked to upload documentation—such as SAT/ACT/PSAT scores or high school and college transcripts—that can assess your readiness for college-level coursework and help us make sure you are taking classes that are the right fit for you. How to upload assessment documents
If you don't have your scores or transcripts at your fingertips, don’t worry. Go ahead and submit your application. You can go back to upload assessment documents at any time until the end of the term for which you applied.
(3) Look for a Confirmation Email
Once your application is processed, you will receive a confirmation email at the email address provided on your application. Typically the email will arrive within 1-2 business days of submission, but during peak processing periods (April-June) could take up to 5-10 business days.
The email will contain instructions on how to register for classes, as well as important information regarding your Ivy Tech student portal (MyIvy account), tuition, payment options, and more.
(4) Create an Account in MyIvy
MyIvy is Ivy Tech's online student portal. Students use MyIvy to check e-mail, register for classes, pay tuition, manage financial aid, get the latest news and announcements, and much more. MyIvy also contains "QuickLinks" to the Ivy Tech websites and online tools you will use most often. Learn more about MyIvy
Before you can register for classes you will need to submit documentation or complete an assessment test. Your test scores can help us determine the best English and math starting classes for you. See the Test Score Course Placement Chart
If you submitted assessment documentation during the application process, your advisor will likely be able to work with those documents to determine course placement and you won't need to take any further steps. If you don't have any of those documents or the scores don't meet minimum thresholds, don’t worry! Your advisor will direct you to complete our freeKnowledge Assessment to help develop your customized learning path to better prepare you for courses.
(6) Register for Classes
Once you have completed the steps above, you may register for classes. Ivy Tech students register for courses using the Schedule Builder tool which can be accessed withinMyIvy. If you are a new, first-time Ivy Tech student, we recommend that you meet withyour advisor who will help you develop your Academic Completion Plan and help you sign up for courses that are the best fit for you.
For a complete list of registration steps, including detailed registration steps, deadlines, and information about holds, withdrawals, waitlists, and refunds, visit our Registration 101 page.
(7) Pay Your Tuition
After registering for your courses, your bill can be viewed in yourMyIvy account > Student Dashboard- > View/Pay Balance. Payments can also be made in your MyIvy account. For complete information about payments, including payment options, payment plans, how to make immediate payments, due dates, information about refunds, and more, visit our Payments page.
Accredited Program
Ivy Tech Columbus is proud to be pursuing accreditation by ABET, a nonprofit, non-governmental organization whose accreditation ensures a program's quality standards will produce graduates prepared to enter a global workforce. This accreditation is typically held by four-year universities, so it is well known in the industry and particularly beneficial to Ivy Tech graduates when seeking out jobs.
Enrollment and Graduation Statistics for Information Technology Support Students
William (Bill) Ruben Program Chair, Faculty Advisor & Professor Computer Science, Informatics, Information Technology Support, Software Development wruben@ivytech.edu (574) 289-7001 ext. 7374
Angela Boembeke Department Chair & Professor School of Information Technology & Visual Communications aboembek@ivytech.edu (574) 289-7001 ext. 5409
Dr. Funmi Olorunda Department Chair and Professor of Information Technology Ivy Tech Community College 345 S. High Street Muncie, IN 47305 765-289-2291 ext. 1736 oolorunda@ivytech.edu
William (Bill) Ruben Program Chair, Faculty Advisor & Professor Computer Science, Informatics, Information Technology Support, Software Development wruben@ivytech.edu (574) 289-7001 ext. 7374
Kevin O'Neill Department Chair & Professor School of Information Technology & Visual Communications koneill16@ivytech.edu 574-830-0375 ext 4413
Sean Ryan Russell is the Statewide Lead Chair for the Information Technology Support program. He is also a Professor at the Lawrenceburg campus. Ryan earned his Bachelor's in Computer Systems and Master's in Information Assurance & Security at American InterContinental University. He previously worked at PGi and Total HR Solutions. He also served on the USS John Paul Jones DDG-53, US Navy, Cruise Missile Support Activity Pacific, and USS Peleliu LHA-5.
Ryan is also certified in AWS Academy Cloud Foundations, VMware Associate Datacenter Virtualization, Xio Engineer Installation Professional, and Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician. He has volunteered at Boy Scouts of America, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and American InterContinental University Online.
Bess Gonyea is the Statewide Vice Chair for the Information Technology Support program. She is also an Associate Professor at the Columbus campus. Bess earned her Associate's in Computer Information Systems at Ivy Tech Community College, Bachelor's in Technical Management at DeVry University, and Master's in Systems Information Management at Keller Graduate School of Management. She has previously worked at Best Way Disposal and a CPA firm.
She is also certified in CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+. Bess has volunteered for the Parents of Addicted Loved Ones and Columbus East High School Band. She has also participated in a Faculty Exchange program in Wuxi China, PBL Training, and Service Learning Training. Bess completed the Ivy Tech’s Master Teacher Program and Leadership Academy.
Dr. David Rettig is the Program Chair and Assistant Professor at the Madison campus. He earned his Bachelor's in Information Technology and MBA in Business Administration and Management at Franklin University. He also earned his Master's in Management and Leadership at WGU Indiana and Doctor of Business Administration at Wilmington University. David is the Chief Executive Officer of Synoptus and has previously worked at Nucor Corporation, The Institute for Study Abroad, ITT Educational Services, and IMMI.
He is also certified in ITIL SOA, ITIL Foundations, and Red Hat Certified Engineer. David has volunteered at Sitters Without Borders, EarthEnable, and Linking Students To Success. He has also published a Dissertation and three books focused on IT and Leadership. David is a member of International Society for Philosophical Enquiry, Cisco Customer Advisory Board for Cisco Live, and American Mensa.
Mike Kingsley is the Assistant Professor at the Muncie campus. He earned his Bachelor's in Business and Master's in Information and Communication Science at Ball State University. Mike has previously worked at Muncie Community Schools and General Cable.
He is also certified in CompTIA A+, CompTIA Security+, and Cisco Academy Instructor. Mike has volunteered at Muncie Big Brothers Big Sisters and Ball Hospital-Hospice. He was the Outstanding Faculty Member in the 2016-2017 academic year. He was also the team coach for Ivy Tech Muncie that competed in the 2017 Statewide IT Challenge and received a gold medal in ITSP.
Find Local Admissions Contact Info
Don't see a nearby Admissions location?
Call 1-888-489-5463 and we'll get you started.
If you’re not yet an Ivy Tech student, contact us at 1-888-489-5463 and we’ll be happy to help.
Current Students
Contact your academic advisor, who can answer any questions you have about the Information Technology Support program and your certificate and degree options.
Find Local Advising Contact Info
Don't see a nearby Advising location?
Call 1-888-489-5463 and we'll get you started.
Madison Advising Center
590 Ivy Tech Drive
Madison, IN 47250
Fax 812-265-4028
Zoom Video Calls Available by appointment only. Call 812-256-2580, ext. 4502 to make an appointment.
Advising Team Tricia Miracle 812-265-2580 ext. 4137 tmiracle2@ivytech.edu Text during business hours 812-510-3844 Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours: Wednesdays 9:00-1:00pm & Thursdays 2:00-5:30pm Zoom Link
Lisa Kelley 812-265-2580 ext. 4163 lkelley3@ivytech.edu Text during business hours 502-414-1597 Virtual Drop-In Advising Hours: Tuesdays 1:30pm-5pm & Thursdays 8:30am-12pm Zoom Link
Starting Oct. 28th Tuesdays: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All other days by appointment from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. **Special Saturday December 7 @ 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
1 Source: US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2022 State Occupational Employment and Wage estimates: Indiana.(2023). Lightcast™, lightcast.io. Occupational Overview for Indiana, 2023-2024
2 Associate degree cost is determined by tuition for an in-state, full-time student. Certificate and technical certificate costs are determined by tuition for an in-state, part-time student. Additional fees may be applied. Visit the Tuition & Fees page to learn more.
