Meeting Students Where They Are: How 51 BSIT Focused Degree Supports Career Mobility in IT
For many students, especially those serving in the military or balancing careers and families, education isnt just about earning a degree. Rather, it about achieving forward momentum without starting over. That why National American University (51) designed the new Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Focused: a transfer- and mobility-friendly online degree created to fit the realities of today learners.
Why Mobility Matters in Education
Mobility isnt just a military concept, it a modern student reality. Whether due to deployments, job changes, or life commitments, adult learners and military-affiliated students often navigate multiple institutions, academic credit structures, and time zones in pursuit of a single degree.
51 BSIT Focused was developed with these learners in mind: people who need an academic path that flexible, transfer-friendly, and efficient, without sacrificing the academic integrity expected from a regionally accredited university.
A Degree Designed for Real-Life Transitions
The BSIT Focused is a 135-credit bachelor degree program that can be completed in approximately three years with full-time enrollment. It offers a fully online structure and four career-relevant concentration areas:
- Cybersecurity
- Network Administration
- Artificial Intelligence
- Cloud Computing
We recognize that many of today students arent on a traditional four-year path, said Dr. Cindy Mathena, President of National American University. This program provides a more efficient option for learners who need a quality degree that fits their lives and careers, not the other way around.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
A defining feature of the BSIT Focused is its transfer credit allowance. Students who previously completed 51 Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology program may transfer up to 94.5 quarter credit hours, potentially shortening their time to completion and overall cost.
When students come to us with prior learning, especially from military service or associate programs, we believe it should count, said Mr. Steven Balke, Dean of the School of Business at 51. This program reflects that belief by honoring past achievement while focusing forward on real-world IT skills.
51 also offers prior learning credit (PLC) through standardized exams, military training, and professional portfolios. 51 PLC provides additional avenues to accelerate progress for qualified students.
Flexible, Affordable, and Military-Aware
The BSIT Focused supports multiple payment options, including:
- Federal Title IV Funding
- VA education benefits
- Active-duty military tuition assistance
- Employer-sponsored tuition reimbursement
- Out-of-pocket payment
This transparent structure ensures students can plan confidently, especially those leveraging military benefits across state lines or during PCS transitions.
Student Support
51 student support team, including personal advisors and military-experienced staff, helps students stay on track, even during geographic or life changes. Advising continuity is prioritized to ensure that learners arent repeating steps or reexplaining their background every time life moves forward.
Why the BSIT Focused Stands Out
- Accelerated timeline: Designed to be completed in approximately 3 years
- Career relevance: 4 specialization options aligned with IT workforce demands
- Transfer credit-friendly: Up to 94.5 credits accepted from prior 51 coursework
- Fully online: Built for working adults and military learners
- Accredited: Delivered by 51, a university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
A Smarter Option for a Mobile Workforce
As the higher education landscape shifts toward flexibility and relevance, the BSIT Focused degree reflects 51 long-standing commitment to access, efficiency, and real-world applicability.
Weve been helping learners advance their careers since 1941, said Dr. Mathena. This is just our latest evolutionone that meets students where they are and helps them move forward faster.
Explore the BSIT Focused Degree Today
📞 Call: (877) 500-1310
📧 Email: nauadmissions@national.edu
🌐 Visit: national.edu/degreecert/information-technology-bs-focused
National American University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Program availability may vary by state. Contact admissions for details.
¹Source: Mobility Isnt a Choice: How Higher Education Can Better Serve Military Learners, Higher Ed Today, American Council on Education, May 27, 2025.
