University of Phoenix expands online degree with new three-year bachelor's in Information Technology

The 90-credit online degree program offers experienced IT professionals a focused opportunity with predictable tuition and career-relevant coursework.

PHOENIX, Nov. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- University of Phoenix announces that enrollment is now open for its new three-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, a 90-credit online bachelor's degree designed for professionals with at least three years of relevant information technology experience. The new program expands the University's affordable degree, allowing eligible students to save up to one year and up to $14,000 on their degree compared with the University's standard four-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program.

Housed in the University's College of Business and Information Technology, the program offers a focused opportunity for experienced IT professionals seeking to build on their existing knowledge while developing career-relevant skills in cybersecurity, cloud technologies, programming, systems analysis and database management. The program requires 30 fewer elective credits than the standard 120-credit degree while maintaining the same core academic learning outcomes.

The degree program is the second three-year bachelor's degree pathway launched by University of Phoenix, following approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org. University of Phoenix has been continuously accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org, since 1978.

"Experienced IT professionals bring valuable knowledge from years of working with technology, solving problems and adapting to changing business needs," said J.L. Graff, EdD, MBA, associate dean of the College of Business and Information Technology at University of Phoenix. "The 3-year degree builds on that experience through a focused academic pathway that maintains the core learning outcomes of our established Information Technology degree. By reducing elective requirements and providing greater clarity around time and cost, we're helping working adults pursue their educational goals in a way that respects both their professional experience and their financial investment."

A three-year information technology bachelor's degree for experienced professionals

The three-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) is an intentional redesign, offering a professional track for students who bring at least three years of relevant industry experience to the academic work of developing knowledge related to information technology.

The program features:

• 100% online format
• 5-week courses
• 90 total credits
• 33 credits in general education
• 12 elective credits
• 39 credits in the required course of study
• 6 upper-division Information Systems and Technology electives
• Accepting up to 57 transfer credits
• A minimum of 42 upper-division credits
• A minimum 2.00 GPA for degree completion
• No application fee
• No SAT or ACT requirement

The diploma awarded for the program will read Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. The program does have a minimum residency requirement, that 30 program credits be completed at University of Phoenix.

How the three-year pathway differs from the standard 4-year BSIT

The three-year program is designed for professionals already working in information technology, while the University's standard BSIT program serves students with a broad range of backgrounds, including individuals entering the field.

The reduced elective requirement is part of the 3-year professional track degree academic design and does not automatically award college credit for professional experience. Students may also be eligible to apply approved transfer credits, alternative credits or evaluated professional training toward their degree, subject to University policies and program requirements.

Students entering the 3-year professional track degree must also be currently employed in or have access to a suitable IT work environment to complete course assignments.

Career-relevant IT education designed for evolving workplace needs

Both Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree programs emphasize the application of technical knowledge to real-world business challenges. Students develop skills through coursework addressing systems analysis and design, networking and cloud infrastructures, cybersecurity, database development, programming and business systems implementation.

The BSIT programs' also introduces applications of artificial intelligence in information technology. In the BSIT capstone, students explore the use of AI for IT project planning, appropriate use of AI tools and methods for validating AI-generated outputs as they develop an information systems project plan.

The BSIT program's career relevance aligns with continued demand for information technology expertise. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of computer systems analysts is projected to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Computer systems analysis is one of the occupational areas aligned with the University's BSIT curriculum.

Building on an established Information Technology degree program

University of Phoenix has a long history of educating information technology professionals. More than 54,000 students have earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree from the University since it began offering information technology degrees.

Student feedback from the University's established BSIT program also reflects an emphasis on practical learning. In an online Student End of Course Survey:

• 81.6% of BSIT students surveyed agreed or strongly agreed that they earned skills in their course they could put to work right away.
• 84.0% agreed or strongly agreed that their faculty helped them connect course content to real-world application.

These findings reflect students surveyed in the University's existing BSIT program. The Student End-of-Course Survey data reflects responses to the item, "I earned skills I can put to work right away," from November 2025 through October 2026, in which the item received 2,327 traditional BSIT degree program responses out of a total 121,128 survey responses with a 14.69% response rate.

The new program joins the University's expanding portfolio of flexible, career-relevant degree pathways designed for working adults. In addition to the reduced-credit degree structure, prospective students can explore other potential savings opportunities, including eligible transfer credits, credit for prior learning, scholarships and employer tuition benefits.

For nearly a decade, University of Phoenix has supported price certainty through its Tuition Guarantee, which held students' per-credit tuition rates steady from enrollment through graduation. Building on that commitment, the University's new Locked-In Pricing Guarantee provides one predictable per-course price covering both tuition and resource fees, fixed through the completion deadline of a student's enrolled program. Together with clear, upfront pricing and opportunities to save, this approach helps working adults plan their education with greater confidence.

Enrollment for the 3-year Bachelor of Science in Information Technology  is available beginning November 2, 2026. For more information about the program, admission requirements, tuition and enrollment, visit https://www.phoenix.edu/online-information-technology-degrees/accelerated-information-technology-bachelors-degree.html.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is Built for Real Life. 50 Years Strong. The University innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world through flexible online learning, relevant courses, academic AI pillars, and skills-mapped curriculum for associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs. Active students and alumni have access to Career Services for Life® resources including career guidance and tools. For more information, visit phoenix.edu. 

SOURCE University of Phoenix