Launch or accelerate your IT career
Now is the time to step into a high-growth career in information technology.
Whether you’re looking to launch your tech career or take your skills to the next level, your industry-aligned IT credential will go farther with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Degree Partners and the Legacy Institute for Financial Empowerment (LIFE) have partnered to support you in taking the next step.
This program is open to residents of the 12 counties of Deep East Texas: Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler.
Launch or accelerate your IT career
Now is the time to step into a high-growth career in information technology.
Whether you’re looking to launch your tech career or take your skills to the next level, your industry-aligned IT credential will go farther with an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Degree Partners and the Legacy Institute for Financial Empowerment (LIFE) have partnered to support you in taking the next step.
This program is open to residents of the 12 counties of Deep East Texas: Angelina, Houston, Jasper, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler.
Deep East Texas IT Launchpad
Earn your associate’s or bachelor’s degree
Through Deep East Texas IT Launchpad, you’ll enroll at an accredited, online, nonprofit university. If you don’t already have an associate’s degree, you’ll start with your Associate of Arts (AA). You may be able to transfer credits from any college coursework you’ve already done. If you already have an associate’s degree, you can work with our team to start your Bachelor of Arts (BA). No matter where you start, Degree Partners will support you every step of the way.
Our professional College Completion Coaches support students balancing school with jobs, families, and real-life responsibilities. You can build your future while working full time. Your coach provides personalized guidance, accountability, and encouragement from day one through graduation.
Earn an IT certificate for free while you work towards your degree
As part of the Deep East Texas IT Launchpad powered by Degree Partners and LIFE, you’ll earn industry-recognized certifications at set points along your degree journey.
Why these certifications? They’re how you start working in IT before you finish your degree. The three Google certificates are recognized by employers everywhere and qualify you for entry-level tech jobs like IT support, so you can be earning in the field while you work on your BA. Security+ comes last because it opens the door to higher-paying roles in cybersecurity, and it means you graduate with a degree and the credentials those jobs ask for on day one.
After you complete your Associate of Arts (AA), you’ll pause your SNHU coursework for one term to complete three Google Career Certificates. You will still receive support from your Degree Partners Coach, and LIFE will support you as you complete the three Google Career Certificates:
- Google IT Support Professional
- Google Cybersecurity
- Google Project Management
Once you’ve completed all three, you’ll re-enroll and begin your Bachelor of Arts (BA).
After you earn your BA, LIFE will sponsor your CompTIA Security+ certification exam. You’ll need to enroll in Security+ prep within 90 days of finishing your degree. LIFE provides study materials, group study sessions, and mock exams to help you prepare.
Throughout the pathway, your Degree Partners coach and LIFE’s training team will help you stay on track and prepare for each certification exam.
Take the next step in your IT career
Through the Deep East Texas IT Launchpad you will unlock a wide range of careers in a fast-growing, high-demand field.
Common career paths:
- IT Support Specialist
- Help Desk Technician
- Desktop Support Technician
- Network Support Specialist
- Junior Systems Administrator
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Technical Support Analyst
Typical Starting IT Salaries in Texas:
(Estimates vary by region and employer)
- IT Support Specialist: $42,000–$52,000
- Help Desk Technician: $40,000–$50,000
- Network Support Tech: $50,000–$62,000
- Junior System Administrator: $55,000–$70,000