Information and Communication Technology - Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology

The Bachelor of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) degree focuses on designing, implementing, and managing various information systems. The curriculum includes the fundamentals of operating systems, system integration, computer networking, software development, security, cloud technologies, and project management practices.  Advanced Information Technology topics are also included and differently emphasized according to the selected degree concentration:

The ICT program is a distance education program and does not require on-campus visits. Students who are successful in distance education programs typically are self-motivated, do not rely heavily on face-to-face instruction, work independently, and can remain on schedule. Students must have familiarity with and access to:

  • a high-speed Internet connection,
  • a sound card, 12G of RAM minimum,
  • a microphone/Webcam,
  • Microsoft Operating System 8.1 or newer and Office ®.

The ICT program is accredited under NMSU's umbrella accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Students must complete all university degree requirements, including General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits to total at least 120 credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above.  Requirements may be met with transfer credits from any previous program or institution.

Pathway: 4-year Bachelor's Degree

This pathway is designed with the traditional student in mind.  Students have the flexibility to pursue the degree as a main campus student, or they may choose to complete the degree online.

Prefix Title Credits
General Education 1
Area I: Communications 110
English Composition - Level 1
English Composition - Level 2
Oral Communications
Area II: Mathematics 3 - 4
College Algebra (Equivalent or Higher) 13
Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences 110-11
Area III: Laboratory Science Course (4 credits)
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences Course (3 credits)
Either an Area III: Laboratory Sciences of Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences Course (3-4 credits)
Area V: Humanities 13
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 13
General Education Elective 13-4
Viewing A Wider World 26
Departmental/College Requirements
Program-Specific Requirements
ICT 141IT Essentials I: A+ Certification Training Focused on the Hardware Exam3
ICT 145Network Essentials: N+ Certification Training3
ICT 152Java Programming3
ICT 161IT Essentials II: A+ Certification Training focused on the Software exam3
ICT 220Discrete Math and Its Relationship to Information Technology3
ICT 267Information Security+ Certification Preparation3
ICT 280Introduction to Web Development3
ICT 320Introduction to Internet Protocols3
ICT 350VIntroduction to Personal Computer Security and Privacy 23
ICT 355Linux System Administration3
ICT 360Operating Systems for ICT3
ICT 362Software Technology II3
ICT 364Windows Enterprise Administration3
ICT 377Computer Networking I3
ICT 435Senior Project3
ICT 450Ethical Hacking3
ICT 457Introduction to Information Security Technology3
Technical Elective (Choose 4 courses from the following) 312
Mobile App Programming and Development3
Introduction to Digital Forensics and Incident Response3
Software Engineering and Design3
Advanced Digital Forensics and Incident Response3
Web Development and Database Applications3
Advanced Software Development Concepts3
Enterprise Network Administration3
Communication Network Security3
Computer Networking II3
Data Security3
Second Language: (not required)
Electives, to bring the total credits to 120 419-16
Total Credits120
1

See the General Education section of the catalog for a complete list of courses.  The number of credits provided assumes MATH 1220G College Algebra placement or higher.

2

The ICT 350V Introduction to Personal Computer Security and Privacy course is part of the required curriculum for the ICT degree. It does not count towards the Viewing a Wider World Requirements (6 credits). Visit the catalog's Viewing a Wider World section for a complete list of Viewing a Wider World Requirements.  These courses will form part of the required 48 upper-level credit hours taken as part of the ICT program at NMSU.

3

The judicious selection of Technical Electives may lead to an ICT concentration on Cyber Defense, Network Technologies, or Software Development without the need for additional credits.  Concentrations are optional educational sequences that students may choose to focus on in IT-related areas. A Technical Electives pre-approved list is provided in this catalog.

4

Elective credit may vary based on prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, or minor coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is needed to bring the total to 120 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However, students may need to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis, and students should discuss elective requirements with their academic advisor.

 Pathway: 2+2 Bachelor's Completion Degree

Prefix Title Credits
General Education 1
Area I: Communications 110
English Composition - Level 1
English Composition - Level 2
Oral Communications
Area II: Mathematics 3 - 4
College Algebra (Equivalent or Higher) 13
Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences 110-11
Area III: Laboratory Science Course (4 credits)
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences Course (3 credits)
Either an Area III: Laboratory Sciences of Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences Course (3-4 credits)
Area V: Humanities 13
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 13
General Education Elective 13-4
Viewing A Wider World 26
Departmental/College Requirements
Program-Specific Requirements
ICT 141IT Essentials I: A+ Certification Training Focused on the Hardware Exam3
ICT 152Java Programming3
ICT 220Discrete Math and Its Relationship to Information Technology3
ICT 320Introduction to Internet Protocols3
ICT 350VIntroduction to Personal Computer Security and Privacy 23
ICT 355Linux System Administration3
ICT 360Operating Systems for ICT3
ICT 362Software Technology II3
ICT 364Windows Enterprise Administration3
ICT 377Computer Networking I3
ICT 435Senior Project3
ICT 450Ethical Hacking3
ICT 457Introduction to Information Security Technology3
Technical Elective (Choose 4 courses from the following) 312
Mobile App Programming and Development3
Introduction to Digital Forensics and Incident Response3
Software Engineering and Design3
Advanced Digital Forensics and Incident Response3
Web Development and Database Applications3
Advanced Software Development Concepts3
Enterprise Network Administration3
Communication Network Security3
Computer Networking II3
Data Security3
Second Language: (not required)
Electives, to bring the total credits to 120 431-28
Total Credits120
1

See the General Education section of the catalog for a complete list of courses.  The number of credits provided assumes MATH 1220G College Algebra placement or higher.

2

The ICT 350V Introduction to Personal Computer Security and Privacy course is part of the required curriculum for the ICT degree. It does not count towards the Viewing a Wider World Requirements (6 credits). Visit the catalog's Viewing a Wider World section for a complete list of Viewing a Wider World Requirements.  These courses will form part of the required 48 upper-level credit hours taken as part of the ICT program at NMSU.

3

The judicious selection of Technical Electives may lead to an ICT concentration on Cyber Defense, Network Technologies, or Software Development without the need for additional credits.  Concentrations are optional educational sequences that students may choose to focus on in IT-related areas. A Technical Electives pre-approved list is provided in this catalog.

4

Elective credit may vary based on prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, or minor coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is needed to bring the total to 120 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However, students may need to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis, and students should discuss elective requirements with their academic advisor.

Pathway: 4-Year Bachelor's Degree

A Suggested Plan of Study for Students

These roadmaps assume student placement in MATH 1220G College Algebra or higher. The contents and order of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and previous coursework. It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring and summer semester and may be subject to modification or change.

All Information and Communication Technology requirements must be completed with a C- or higher grade.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
ICT 141 IT Essentials I: A+ Certification Training Focused on the Hardware Exam 3
Elective Course 4 3
General Education Area I 1 4
General Education Area II (MATH 1220G or Higher) 1 3-4
General Education IV 1 3
 Credits16-17
Spring
ICT 145 Network Essentials: N+ Certification Training 3
ICT 161 IT Essentials II: A+ Certification Training focused on the Software exam 3
General Education Area I 1 3
General Education Area III 1 4
General Education Area V 1 3
 Credits16
Second Year
Fall
ICT 152 Java Programming 3
ICT 220 Discrete Math and Its Relationship to Information Technology 3
General Education Area I 1 3
General Education Area VI 1 3
Elective Course 4 3
 Credits15
Spring
ICT 267 Information Security+ Certification Preparation 3
ICT 280 Introduction to Web Development 3
General Education Area III or IV 1 3-4
General Education Elective 1 3
Elective Course 4 3
 Credits15-16
Third Year
Fall
ICT 360 Operating Systems for ICT 3
ICT 377 Computer Networking I 3
Elective Course 4 3
Elective Course 4 3
Elective Course 4 3
 Credits15
Spring
ICT 320 Introduction to Internet Protocols 3
ICT 350V Introduction to Personal Computer Security and Privacy 2 3
ICT 355 Linux System Administration 3
ICT 364 Windows Enterprise Administration 3
Technical Elective (from pre-approved list) 3 3
 Credits15
Fourth Year
Fall
ICT 362 Software Technology II 3
ICT 435 Senior Project 3
ICT 450 Ethical Hacking 3
Technical Elective (from pre-approved list) 3 3
Technical Elective (from pre-approved list) 3 3
 Credits15
Spring
ICT 457 Introduction to Information Security Technology 3
Electives to bring total to 120 credits (if necessary) 4 1-0
Technical Elective (from pre-approved list) 3 3
Viewing a Wider World 2 6
 Credits13-12
 Total Credits120-121
1

See the General Education section of the catalog for a complete list of courses.  The number of credits provided assumes MATH 1220G College Algebra placement or higher.

2

The ICT 350V Introduction to Personal Computer Security and Privacy course is part of the required curriculum for the ICT degree. It does not count towards the Viewing a Wider World Requirements (6 credits). Visit the catalog's Viewing a Wider World section for a complete list of Viewing a Wider World Requirements.  These courses will form part of the required 48 upper-level credit hours taken as part of the ICT program at NMSU.

3

The judicious selection of Technical Electives may lead to an ICT concentration on Cyber Defense, Network Technologies, or Software Development without the need for additional credits.  Concentrations are optional educational sequences that students may choose to focus on in IT-related areas. A Technical Electives pre-approved list is provided in this catalog.

4

Elective credit may vary based on prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, or minor coursework.  The amount indicated in the requirements list is needed to bring the total to 120 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree.  However, students may need to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis, and students should discuss elective requirements with their academic advisor.

 Pathway: 2+2 Bachelor's Degree

A Suggested Plan of Study for Students

These roadmaps assume student placement in MATH 1220G College Algebra or higher. The contents and order of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and previous coursework. It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring and summer semester and may be subject to modification or change.

All Information and Communication Technology requirements must be completed with a C- or higher grade.

Plan of Study Grid
First YearCredits
Elective Credits (include General Education credits) 1, 4 30
 Credits30
Second Year
Elective Credits (include General Education credits) 1, 4 33
 Credits33
Third Year
Fall
ICT 141 IT Essentials I: A+ Certification Training Focused on the Hardware Exam 3
ICT 152 Java Programming 3
ICT 220 Discrete Math and Its Relationship to Information Technology 3
ICT 360 Operating Systems for ICT 3
ICT 377 Computer Networking I 3
 Credits15
Spring
ICT 320 Introduction to Internet Protocols 3
ICT 350V Introduction to Personal Computer Security and Privacy 2 3
ICT 355 Linux System Administration 3
ICT 364 Windows Enterprise Administration 3
Technical Elective (from pre-approved list) 3 3
 Credits15
Fourth Year
Fall
ICT 362 Software Technology II 3
ICT 435 Senior Project 3
ICT 450 Ethical Hacking 3
Technical Elective (from pre-approved list) 3 6
 Credits15
Spring
ICT 457 Introduction to Information Security Technology 3
Technical Elective (from pre-approved list) 3 3
Viewing a Wider World 2 6
 Credits12
 Total Credits120
1

See the General Education section of the catalog for a complete list of courses.  The number of credits provided assumes MATH 1220G College Algebra placement or higher.

2

The ICT 350V Introduction to Personal Computer Security and Privacy course is part of the required curriculum for the ICT degree. It does not count towards the Viewing a Wider World Requirements (6 credits). Visit the catalog's Viewing a Wider World section for a complete list of Viewing a Wider World Requirements.  These courses will form part of the required 48 upper-level credit hours taken as part of the ICT program at NMSU.

3

The judicious selection of Technical Electives may lead to an ICT concentration on Cyber Defense, Network Technologies, or Software Development without the need for additional credits.  Concentrations are optional educational sequences that students may choose to focus on in IT-related areas. A Technical Electives pre-approved list is provided in this catalog.

4

Elective credit may vary based on prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, or minor coursework.  The amount indicated in the requirements list is needed to bring the total to 120 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree.  However, students may need to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis, and students should discuss elective requirements with their academic advisor.