The Information Technology Infrastructure certificate will teach you IT best practices, initiatives, and operations from a business perspective. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning and application as well as theory, allowing you to apply what you've learned right away.

You can develop your expertise through one of five specialized subplans. You may also choose the self-designed subplan.

  • Applied Data Science
  • Cybersecurity and Governance
  • DevSecOps (Development, Security, and Operations) and IT Project Management
  • Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence
  • Network and Cloud Infrastructure
  • Web Application Programming (coming spring 2027)
  • Self-Designed

One Student's Story

ITI Alum Malik Mo on Radio Station KMOJ

Subplans

Please consult with your advisor to determine which subplan best fits your career plans.

Applied Data Science

Turn raw data into real-world insight. This subplan introduces the tools that power today’s analytics pipelines, SQL and NoSQL databases, Python, Power BI, and cloud-based platforms such as AWS Redshift and S3. Students learn to design data architectures, clean and visualize information and apply statistical and machine-learning methods to solve business problems. Graduates leave ready to build dashboards, interpret results, and support data-driven decision-making in any organization. 

Career paths include: Data Analyst, Data Engineer, Business Intelligence Developer, Database Administrator, Analytics Consultant or Data Scientist.

Cybersecurity and Governance

Protect systems, people, and data. Students gain practical experience with Splunk, Wireshark, Nmap, Metasploit and AWS Security Hub, learning to detect, defend and respond to cyber threats. The subplan combines technical labs with governance frameworks such as NIST 800–53 and ISO 27001 to connect security practice to policy. Graduates are well-prepared for roles in cybersecurity operations, compliance and risk management, along with certifications like Security+ or CISSP. 

Career paths include: Information Security Analyst, Penetration Tester, Security Engineer, Cloud Security Specialist, Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC) Analyst or Cybersecurity Consultant.

DevSecOps and IT Project Management

Where development meets security and strategy. This subplan immerses students in Agile, Scrum, GitHub Actions, Terraform, Jenkins, Docker and Kubernetes, linking coding and infrastructure to organizational goals. Learners practice continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD), automate workflows and manage risk through secure-by-design practices. With a focus on real teamwork, project portfolios and cloud pipelines, students graduate prepared to lead DevSecOps or IT project teams. 

Career paths include: DevOps Engineer, DevSecOps Engineer, Cloud Automation Engineer, IT Project Manager, Scrum Master, Systems Integrator or Infrastructure Lead.

Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

Explore how intelligent systems learn, predict, and create. Students experiment with Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch,and AWS AI Services to design and train models for image, language, and data analysis. This subplan emphasizes hands-on labs in cloud environments, ethical use of algorithms and scalable deployment using modern automation tools. By completion, learners can move from building a prototype to delivering production-ready AI solutions. 

Career paths include: Machine Learning Engineer, AI Specialist, Data Scientist, Automation Engineer, Predictive Analytics Developer or Research Analyst.

Network and Cloud Infrastructure

Build and manage the backbone of modern IT. This subplan blends traditional networking with next-generation cloud design using Cisco Packet Tracer, AWS VPC, Azure Network Manager and VMware ESXi. Students learn routing, virtualization and hybrid-cloud deployment while configuring secure, high-availability systems. The result is a strong pathway to careers in network administration, cloud engineering and systems architecture. 

Career paths include: Network Engineer, Cloud Infrastructure Engineer, Systems Administrator, Network Architect, Cloud Solutions Architect or IT Operations Manager.

Web Application Programming (coming spring 2027)

Build modern applications from interface to infrastructure. This subplan guides students through the full lifecycle of web development, beginning with HTML, CSS, JavaScript and version control, then progressing into full-stack engineering, secure backend development and scalable architecture. Students work with frameworks such as React and Flask, design RESTful APIs, implement authentication and authorization, and deploy applications to cloud platforms using Docker and Kubernetes.

The curriculum emphasizes responsive design, secure coding practices, cloud deployment and performance optimization. By completion, students can design, develop, secure and scale production-ready web applications that meet real-world business and technical demands.

Career paths include: Full-Stack Developer, Front-End Developer, Backend Developer, Web Application Developer, Cloud Application Developer, API Developer or Software Engineer.

  • Introduction to Web Development (INET 4017)
  • Advanced Web Development, Deployment, and Security (INET 4018)
  • Scalable Web Architecture and Performance Optimization (INET 4019) 
  • Advanced Secure Network Coding and Distributed Systems (INET 4021)

Self-Designed

You may design your own area of emphasis based on your individual experience and goals. Advisor approval is required.

  • Foundations of Operating Systems (INET 4001)
  • Foundations of Networking (INET 4002)
  • 8–11 credits selected in consultation with your advisor

Admission

Admission Deadlines

Fall semester | June 1
Spring semester | November 15

Admission Requirements

Minimum requirements include:

  • 45 transferable semester credits completed
  • A preferred performance level of a 2.5 or better in your undergraduate or graduate-level work. if you do not have a cumulative 2.5 GPA but have relevant professional experience, contact an advisor regarding your admission.
  • INET 2002, CSCI 1913, or CSCI 1933 or transfer equivalent 
     

Admission to the Applied Data Science or Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence subplans also requires completion of:

  • Mathematics (MATH 1031, 1051, 1151 or 1271)
  • Introduction to Statistics (EPSY 1261, STAT 1001 or 3011, or BA 2551)

Admission Benefits

You may take one or two courses in the program before applying for official admission, however, you should apply for admission as soon as possible.

As an admitted certificate student, you will:

  • be assured that all of your course work will count toward the certificate (unless requirements change).
  • receive updates about the program.
  • have an opportunity to register earlier than a student who is not admitted.
  • have access to reserved courses.
  • not be assessed the University of Minnesota Student Services fee.

Transferring Credits

With approval, transfer course work can make up 40 percent of the certificate requirements, with at least 60 percent earned after admission and taken at the University of Minnesota.

In addition, the IT Infrastructure certificate can apply toward the IT Infrastructure Bachelor of Applied Science degree. 

If you have questions about how your credits may transfer in or out of this program, please consult with an advisor.

Current UMN Students

Are you a current UMN student interested in adding IT infrastructure to your studies? We also offer an IT Infrastructure minor.

Completion Requirements

To be awarded the certificate, you should complete all required coursework within four years of admission, with a minimum grade of C- and a cumulative GPA of 2.00. 

After you've registered for your final course in the certificate, log in to myu.umn.edu and select Student Center in key links, followed by My Academics and Apply for Graduation.

Registration

To find out when you should register, consult the Registration Calendar.

  • If you are an UMN admitted student, register through MyU. Instructions can be found on One Stop.
  • If you would like to take one of our courses but are a nonadmitted student (not formally admitted to a degree or certificate program), follow the registration steps outlined on One Stop.

Admissions Advising

Jeff Olsen Krengel enrollment advisor

Meet Jeff Olsen Krengel

I work with prospective students interested in our undergraduate applied science majors and those who want to design their own degree program. I’m available to answer your questions and help you find a program that meets your needs.

In my free time, I can be found reading, running with my son, or visiting a brewery. I am an avid sports fan cheering for the Green Bay Packers, Minnesota United FC, and Liverpool FC. 

Give me a call at 612-625-4340. Or you can send me a message or request an appointment below.

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