Students exploring information technology programs of course need to carefully assess the quality of individual programs as well as the match with their specific interests and needs. Issues related to a program’s currency and real world connections are particularly vital in technology-related fields because of the rate of change—a degree can literally be outdated before it is awarded.

Here are some questions to ask that will help in assessing program strength and fit:

• Is the institution offering the program accredited by a body recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education? This is essential in the case of degree-granting programs.
  
  
• Is the particular program also professionally accredited? The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology accredits computer science and engineering programs at the first professional degree level (usually the bachelor’s level). Professional accreditation is very important for computer engineering and electrical engineering fields. It is more newly established as an option in computer science fields and the majority of computer science programs do not currently hold such professional accreditation—however, it is necessary to look particularly closely at other quality indicators in the case of programs that do not hold professional accreditation. Interdisciplinary programs may also hold professional accreditation from other bodies—for example management information systems programs may be eligible for accreditation from business administration accrediting body AACSB International; computer study related to art and design may be eligible for accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
  
  
• How does the program gain input from employers, professionals currently working in the field, and other external experts? Through what means is such experts’ active, continuing involvement in curriculum development ensured? (These questions are particularly important in technology-related fields because of the very rapid pace of change, both in technology and in employer needs.)
  
  
• What academic and experiential background do faculty have? To what extent are faculty actively engaged in research in the field? How do their interests match with yours? Take a look at their publications and activities. A match with faculty interests is always important, and especially so at the graduate level.
  
  
• What is the student-faculty ratio and what opportunities are there to have direct contact with faculty outside the classroom or be involved in their research?
  
  
• What opportunities are there for internships and “real world” projects? What support is provided to international students in finding internships? Real-world experience should be an integral and significant part of your program.
  
  
• Is support provided in pursuing professional certifications important for the particular specialization in which you are interested? Are there active student chapters of professional associations on campus and/or other student extracurricular groups related to your interests?
  
  
• What computer and other laboratory facilities are available and what access do students in your field and at your level have to them? What software is available for use? (In some fields, such as management information systems, software can be very expensive, and institutions may be tempted to cut corners.)
  
  
• How do the qualifications of accepted applicants compare with your own? Do you have a good chance of being accepted to the program? Will you be sufficiently challenged by your peers or do they seem likely to slow you down?
  
  
• How diverse is the student body? How do students interact in classes and labs? IT professions today typically involve a great deal of work in group settings, with individuals from different specialties and with different backgrounds needing to work together very closely. Team members are often from different countries and may even be cooperating virtually from workplaces in different countries—so communication and intercultural skills are very important.
  
  
• Along the same lines, how multidisciplinary is the program? How much opportunity is there to work with academic specialists outside one’s own discipline? Gaining “cross-training” by working with academic specialists, pursuing internships, and even simply reading outside one’s own field can prove a great advantage in today’s job market.
  
  
• Are engineering elements related to the circuitry of computers included in computer science programs? If this area is of interest be aware that not all programs include it, depending how the institution splits the two fields.
  
  
• In general, be sure to check the depth and breadth of course offerings in the particular specialties in which you are interested. In the case of multidisciplinary programs, which fields are most emphasized?
  
  
• What types of careers do graduates typically pursue? What statistics are available regarding graduates’ success in finding jobs in their area of study and/or progressing on to further education? The school admissions office or department to which you are considering applying to should have this type of information on hand and also may be able to give you contact information for some recent graduates (perhaps even in your own country) so you can talk to them about their assessment of the program and where it has led them.