Central Texas College

Interestingly, of all the associate-level IT degrees offered by Central Texas College, the distance learning version is the easiest to earn. On-campus versions appear more difficult, judging from the requirements. In my opinion, the Central Texas College program presents an attractive option for a distance learner desiring an entry-level, IT degree. I transferred into the CTC online Information Technology AAS after completing degrees from other colleges primarily for the purpose of enhancing my resume. After this semester, I require just one more course to complete the AAS in IT. CTC has loads of experience working with the US military and distance learning. The main campus is located just across the highway from the largest US Army base currently in existance - Fort Hood, TX. Positives: Staff is very receptive when transferring CIS credits from other institutions. Professors answer questions usually within one working day. The distance learning counselor literally went out of her way to take care of my issues. Blackboard is a very efficient interface. Most classes can be completed ahead of schedule. CTC is a public institution, and tuition for Texas residents is a bargain, compared to other Texas two-year colleges. Most lower-level IT courses transfer to other two-year CIS or IT programs in Texas. Negatives: This program is very general in scope, and really intended for an entry-level, support position. In other words, you shouldn't expect to learn the nuances of Active Directory or Cisco network management, although the program for US military in Europe offers Microsoft server classes. Out-of-state tuition can be quite expensive.