The goal of IT courses is to employ students in the field of information technology. Specialties within IT include interactive media, network systems, programming/software development and information support/services. Computer and keyboard efficiency are generally prerequisites of IT courses.
The specific courses taken by the individual student depend upon which specialty field of information technology you are pursuing, as well as the college or university's requirements. Courses in computer graphics, spreadsheets, networking, system support, preventive maintenance, system installation and optimization, diagnostics and repair, drivers and hardware support may be required. Some programs require courses in privacy, security and ethics.
Certifications are not required in information technology, but having certain certifications makes you a more competitive job candidate. VMware Certified Professional, Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist, Cisco Certified Architect, CompTIA Strata Green IT and ITIL v3 Foundations are certifications available to graduates of IT programs. The type of certification you are interested in obtaining should be factored into the program specialties and coursework you take.