Information Technology for Business Education
Graduates of this major will have a choice of career paths available in educational and corporate settings.
What is Information Technology for Business Education(ITBE)?
The major goal of the Information Technology for Business Education (ITBE) program is to prepare teachers and trainers of computer technology in public or private secondary schools, in community/junior colleges, and in business settings. Students are awarded a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (B.S.B.A.) degree upon completion of 120 semester hours of credit.
Shippensburg University students enrolled in the ITBE program who desire certification as K-12 business education teachers have the option of enrolling for one additional semester of student teaching, which will qualify them for a K-12 certification in Business, Computers and Information Technology in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Students with baccalaureate degrees from other institutions or Shippensburg University graduates with degrees from a business discipline other than ITBE who are interested in pursuing a teaching certification to become a K-12 business education teacher must submit transcripts for review to both the John L. Grove College of Business and the College of Education and Human Services.
The ITBE major is cooperatively planned and supervised by two colleges at Shippensburg University. Grove College of Business supervises students from the time they enter the university until graduation with a B.S.B.A. The College of Education and Human Services coordinates admission, retention, and completion of all requirements for public school teacher certification.
What career choices will I have as an ITBE graduate?
Some ITBE graduates will find employment in educational settings, employed as a teacher, a technology coordinator, or a network specialist. Others may choose to work in businesses and corporations where they will provide in-house computer applications training to other employees or serve as microcomputer help-desk specialists.
What is the job outlook for the ITBE field?
The U.S. Department of Labor forecasts that job opportunities for teachers over the next 10 years will vary from good to excellent, depending on the locality, grade level, and subject taught. Most job openings will result from the need to replace the large number of teachers who are expected to retire over the 2008-18 period.
Information technology has become an integral part of the business world. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment in the IT field is expected to grow much faster than the average, and job prospects should be excellent.
What is the salary range for ITBE professionals?
Beginning salaries for teachers are very competitive and will vary depending on the locality, grade level, and subject taught. According to the American Federation of Teachers, beginning teachers with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of $33,227 in the 2005-06 school year. Median annual wages of all K-12 educators ranged from $47,100 to $51,180; the lowest 10 percent earned $30,970 to $34,280 and the highest 10 percent earned $75,190 to $80,970.
Beginning salaries for all positions in the information technology fields vary depending on the position and its responsibilities. Due to the high demand for graduates in the IT field, salaries are very competitive and starting salaries are well above average for recent graduates. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, average salaries range from $43,000 for computer support specialists to $53,000 for network and database administrators to $75,000 for computer systems analysts.
What courses will I take as an ITBE major?
The ITBE program provides students with strong academic preparation in the fields of business and computer education. Students who enroll in this major will complete classes in the Grove College of Business and in the College of Education and Human Services. The 120 semester hours required for the B.S.B.A. degree include:
- 15 semester hours of required general education classes
- 34 semester hours of elective general education classes
- 15 semester hours of education classes
- 37 semester hours of core business classes
- 18 semester hours of computer/information systems classes
Those students interested in pursuing a teaching certificate in business education must complete 15 credit hours of education coursework, which takes the place of free electives, and 15 credit hours of student teaching.
What student organizations can I join?
Shippensburg University maintains active chapters of several organizations related to this major. Students whose goal is public school teaching can join the student chapters of the National Business Education Association, Pennsylvania Business Education Association, Phi Beta Lambda (open to all business majors), and the Shippensburg University Education Association. The honorary societies of Pi Omega Pi and Beta Gamma Sigma and Kappa Delta Pi are also resident in the University.
Are scholarships available for ITBE majors?
Yes. Thanks to the generosity of former professors and students, four scholarships have been established for entering or advanced students in this major on a competitive basis. They are: two Renetta F. Heiss Awards, the Max Cooley Scholarship Award, and the Zumbrun/Korkuch Family Scholarship Award. Another monetary award, the Fred Archer Memorial Award, is given annually to a student for outstanding academic achievement.
Other non-monetary awards issued annually are the Pi Omega Pi Award (given each year to the graduating senior with the highest grade point average), and the National Business Education Association Award (given annually to the graduating senior for outstanding scholarship in the field of business teacher education).
What qualifications and interests should a successful ITBE major possess?
A desire to teach computer technology and the ability to work with others is essential for success in this field. Secondary students and transfer students who apply for the Information Technology for Business Education major should possess the usual skills required by the Grove College of Business in the fields of mathematics, English, and microcomputer use.
Who will be my academic advisor?
As an ITBE major you will be assigned an advisor who will assist you in preparing a long-range academic plan. Your advisor will meet with you frequently to discuss your academic progress and to assist you as you make your scheduling decisions. Your advisor is also available to assist you with any problems that may arise. Students who are Information Technology for Business Education majors are required to meet with their academic advisor at least one time each academic semester.
Where can I get additional information about the ITBE major?
John L. Grove College of Business
Shippensburg University
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299
717-477-1435
Email: business@ship.edu
Website: http://www.ship.edu/business/
Dr. Mary Myers, Chair
Department of Accounting, Management Information Systems and Information Technology for Business Education
Grove Hall 325
717-477-1436
Fax: 717-477-4073
E-mail: mdmyer@ship.edu
The John L. Grove College of Business is accredited by the AACSB International.