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Computer Applications Management Degree: Career Options for Graduates with a Degree in Computer Applications Management

Published Nov 08, 2009

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An associate's, bachelor's or master's degree in computer applications management may lead to a vibrant, lucrative career in information technology support and leadership in a business setting. While graduates of associate's degrees in the subject are employable, positions of leadership and greater salary may often be achieved with higher degrees.

Computer Applications Management Associate's Degree Career Summary

An associate's degree in computer applications management may lead to an entry-level position as an information assistant manager, computer support specialist, network administrator or systems engineer. Virtually every company needs on-site computer experts that run the computer network, as well as working on computer maintenance and repair. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) (www.bls.gov), employment of computer support positions is expected to increase by 13% through 2016, about average for most positions. Degree level and place of employment influence salaries. Most entry-level positions in computer support earn a median annual salary of $26,580, though with continued education, including certificates, there is room to earn more than $70,000 per year.

Computer Applications Management Bachelor's Degree Career Summary

Computer applications management bachelor's degrees open the door for students to gain skills in both computer science and business training. The program focuses on methods, concepts and applications of information systems, networks, computers and other technologies in the workplace. In addition to the more advanced opportunities students may find after graduating from an associate's level degree in computer applications management, careers as systems analysts and programmer analysts may also be options. These positions require workers to figure out how computers can work better for the employer, either a business or the government for example. They not only set up computers and network systems at a given workplace, but also select which computers, software and tools to buy for optimal performance. According to the BLS, such occupations median annual salaries range from about $50,000 to $116,000.

Computer Applications Management Bachelor's Degree Career Summary

Most computer applications management master's degrees are 36 hours in length and are often taken by working adults in the information technology field. Master's programs are meant to bridge the gap between business and technology more than a bachelor's degree program. As such, master's degrees are usually earned in order to gain more responsibility in a leadership role and a greater salary. Computer applications management workers with master's degrees may be promoted to senior or lead systems analysts when they show they've mastered not only the technology they work with, but the business skills as well. The median annual earnings of computer systems analysts, as of May 2006, were $60,760, though the highest ten percent of workers earn more than $106,820, according to the BLS. The highest percentile salary is more likely to be earned when the worker has a master's degree.

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