Online university launches scholarship program for IT professionals

Online university launches scholarship program for IT professionals

Many adults have completed some coursework in a bachelor's degree program, but may not have graduated. Schools across the country are creating programs to assist these students with completion of their degree tracks in order to benefit their potential earnings and career opportunities.

For example, Western Governors University (WGU) recently announced a scholarship that is designed to help information technology (IT) professionals finish their bachelor's degrees. The WGU Information Technology Professionals Scholarship was created for individuals who work in the industry and have completed some coursework toward an IT degree and have earned at least two certifications in this field.

WGU will award 20 scholarships in the amount of $600 per semester for as many as five semesters.

All degree programs are competency-based, which means that students advance when they have demonstrated proficiency in a subject.

The school's College of Information Technology offers eight online bachelor's degrees, including networks administration, networks design and management, databases, security, software, information technology management and health informatics.

Payscale.com, a research company, says that average salaries for individuals who have obtained bachelor's degrees range between $44,113 and $86,836 per year.

By Mark Danson