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Overview
Are you ready to embark on a journey into the heart of the tech-driven economy, where information technology plays a pivotal role in shaping the world?
Our Information Technology Services program offers you a comprehensive and action-based education that equips you with the skills, knowledge and expertise needed to excel in the dynamic field of IT services and support.
Our program provides you with hands-on training and a broad understanding of computers and information technology systems, support and management, ensuring you are well-prepared to meet the ever-growing demands of the tech sector. Our industry-supported curriculum is designed in collaboration with industry experts, ensuring you learn the most relevant and up-to-date skills.
In this program, you will:
- develop comprehensive IT knowledge based on your understanding of IT fundamentals, cloud services, information security, and emerging technologies
- develop the expertise to drive business value through your IT solutions
- roll up your sleeves and apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios working with hardware, software and networks using various tools and applications under the guidance of experienced instructors
- master network administration, maintenance and troubleshooting skills, enabling you to support an organization's IT infrastructure effectively
- learn to identify cloud technologies and solutions to meet diverse business requirements
- explore automation and scripting skills by creating scripts to develop, integrate and automate business applications, streamline processes and enhance efficiency
- gain experience with operating systems by learning the basics necessary for constructing and administering both virtual and physical IT systems
- evaluate IT system security using hardware and software tools, ensuring the protection of critical data and systems
- develop business acumen by learning about business management processes and the crucial role IT plays in supporting an organization's goals
- acquire a client-centric approach and a service mindset focused on client satisfaction
- gain the ability to effectively problem-solve with customer needs in mind, a skill highly valued in the computing and IT service industry.
You'll be positioned for a rewarding career in the ever-evolving tech sector. Junior career opportunities include service desk technician, junior network analyst, security operations, and database analyst.
After some experience, you may progress to network or server administration, reporting analyst, technical lead or business or cybersecurity analyst.
With a successful career in medical research and investigative journalism behind him, Terrance Malkinson continues to be a trailblazer. The 75-year-old uses athletic endeavours to understand and share his autism diagnosis, helping others understand themselves better in the process.
Those working in information technology services are innovative, methodical, and directive.
You need:
- logical thinking to analyze complex problems and create and verify solutions
- patience and persistence when developing applications
- attention to detail to avoid errors that cost time and money
- the ability to interpret user needs
- speaking, listening, and writing skills
- interpersonal and teamwork skills.
To do well in this field, you should enjoy learning new computer languages and programming styles, solving problems creatively, and working with precision and structure.
After completing your first year, you can gain practical experience through an optional work term, further enhancing your readiness for the workforce.
In your second year, you'll participate in a capstone project course to apply all your learning from the program to solve real-world IT challenges.
Upon successful completion of this program, you'll recieve a SAIT Information Technology Services diploma.
Careers and opportunities
Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.
Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 20012, 21211, 21220, 21221, 21222, 21233, 22220, 22221, 22222, 21223.
Career planning support
Unsure which career path is for you? Here are some recommended career planning resources to help you decide your future.
You can also head to Alberta alis for lots of information about careers in Alberta, including quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a path.
Finally, you can take our online career finder quiz, which can help narrow your options based on your current skills and interests.
Courses
The Information Technology Services diploma requires 60 credits (20 courses) to complete.
The program spans two years, with two semesters each year. All courses must be completed within this timeframe.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
This course introduces you to the hardware and software essentials of computer systems. You will learn how to install and configure desktop and virtual operating systems, implement backup and security processes including anti-malware protection, and use troubleshooting techniques to diagnose hardware and software problems, configure add-ons, and replace defective sub-systems. You will also perform software testing and installations. |
3 |
|
This course is designed to develop technical writing and presentation skills to ensure workplace readiness. Students will learn how to evaluate communication situations, analyze documents, assess research sources and develop organizational skills to apply in their work. They will learn about and practice designing, formatting and writing a range of professional documents. Students will also develop confidence (through practice) in the development and delivery of effective and engaging presentations. Equivalents:
|
3 |
|
This course introduces you to networking terminology, devices, standards and protocols. You'll configure initial settings on network devices, test network connectivity and examine the role of network protocols in accessing network resources. You'll examine the seven network communication layers of the OSI model, as well as explore IPv4 and IPv6 addressing. You'll also gain practical experience configuring network devices to enhance security and implementing a network design on a small network. |
3 |
|
This course focuses on switching technologies and router operations that support small- to medium-sized business networks, as well as exploring wireless local area networks (WLAN) and security concepts. In this course, you will perform basic network configuration and troubleshooting, identify and mitigate LAN security threats, and configure and secure a basic WLAN. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
This course describes the architectures and considerations related to designing, securing, operating, and troubleshooting enterprise networks. It covers wide area network (WAN) technologies and quality of service (QoS) mechanisms used for secure remote access along with the introduction of software-defined networking, virtualization, and automation concepts that support the digitalization of networks. Pre-requisites:One of:
|
3 |
|
This course covers key concepts in wireless theory, antennas, spread spectrum technology and roaming mechanisms. Students will also explore WLAN architecture, and get hands-on practice designing a WLAN, configuring security and troubleshooting connectivity issues. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
This course explores the evolution of computer programming and examine common problem-solving techniques. Emphasis is placed on examining code reuse in functions, scoping and abstraction. Additional topics will be explored such as, version control, and you'll use classes and object-oriented programming principles to create applications using an industry-standard programming language. Equivalents:
|
3 |
|
This course introduces you to computer system scripting concepts and techniques. In addition to collecting, sorting and filtering data, you will learn how to produce a script with basic functionality, demonstrate error handling techniques, apply data types to process and organize data, and create tools to standardize and script system tasks. You will also learn how to use programming languages like Python in conjunction with IT platforms like Ansible. You will apply these concepts and techniques by completing projects that reflect the needs of industry. Pre-requisites:One of:
|
3 |
|
This course introduces the learner to basic administration for modern computing operating systems. This course will build upon the foundational networking knowledge of the learner and apply them to client networks. The learner will gain competencies in installing, configuring and troubleshooting services for modern computer operating systems. Administration topics will include Web services, Mail services, and File Transfer services. The learner will also manage interoperability between various operating system environments with consideration for business impacts. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
In this course you will learn about the fundamentals of data centre infrastructure and information storage. The main topics covered include virtualization architecture, high-availability infrastructure, cloud computing, and containerization. While exploring these topics you will learn how to use industry standard hypervisor technologies, compare major virtualization technologies, and select a technology based on business needs. You will also learn about cluster computing, the role of virtualization in Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), and the core components and features of cloud computing. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
This course focuses on the advanced configuration of the services necessary to deploy, manage and maintain a computer server infrastructure. You will examine key topics, including advanced communication protocols, Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) and network protocol services. You'll also configure redundancy features to ensure service availability. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
This course builds on a foundational knowledge of server infrastructure and virtualization concepts and applies them to cloud computing and automation. Students will examine cloud subscription options and learn how to manage storage, compute and networking services, as well as explore cloud security and performance. The course will focus on industry standard cloud platforms and early adoption technologies. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
This course focuses on emerging hardware and software technologies that enable businesses to consolidate applications and operating systems in a virtual environment. Learners will analyze and deploy the components of virtual systems including hypervisors and storage area networks. Emphasis will be on the configuration and management of virtual servers on enterprise systems. Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
This course introduces the fundamental principles of IT service management (ITSM), with a focus on implementing business processes and workflows, as well as using ITSM tools to manage service desk essentials such as incidents and requests. Students will also explore advance service desk topics including change management and problem management techniques in a variety of business scenarios. |
3 |
|
This course focuses on development of emerging technologies and how they will or already have affected the information technology (IT) industry. Using an investigate-and-research approach, you will identify emerging technology trends while exploring their impact on different organizations. You will apply this understanding in idea feasibility exercises, including proofs of concept or business proposals. |
3 |
|
This course introduces learners to the field of IT security. Learners will begin the course by exploring fundamental concepts such as security controls and attacker profiles to gain knowledge about what they are protecting and from whom they are protecting. A learner will then move onto analyzing threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations to understand weaknesses in networks and systems and how they can be overcome. Following that, learners will explore cryptography and its role in securing data. Finally, risk assessment will enable learners to understand governance, compliance, and risk management and how these concepts can be used to build strong security policies for a business to keep data, networks, and systems safe from attack Pre-requisites:One of:
|
3 |
|
This course builds on the IT Security Fundamentals course. The course will start by having the learner focus on incident response through log analysis and SIEM systems. Then, learners will look at automation in security through scripting and SOAR systems. The course then shifts to defensive security where learners will discover how to secure both perimeter and infrastructure Pre-requisites:
|
3 |
|
Mathematics for Technologists will provide learners with concepts in algebra, trigonometry, arithmetic of complex numbers, linear algebra, exponential and logarithmic functions, rates of change and statistics. This course provides foundational mathematics skills for engineering technologists. It covers a variety of mathematical models for solving application problems. |
3 |
|
The purpose of this course is to introduce you to fundamental skills in critical thinking. You will develop skills in identifying fallacies, evaluating formal arguments, and diagnosing the appropriate form of argumentation in a variety of areas, including science and morality. Your skills in argumentation will be honed both in evaluating others' arguments and in making your own. Equivalents:
|
3 |
|
In this capstone course, you will investigate issues across many different subject areas or domains of knowledge, may connect with community issues or problems, and create a solution. Your project should demonstrate the technical and professional skills learned in the program and beyond. You are expected to apply your creativity and problem-solving abilities to a real-world context. Pre-requisites:Manual Prerequisite One of the following sets of pre-requisites, as applicable to your program of study: Information Technology Services
Software Development
Information Systems Security
Film and Video Production
New Media Production & Design
Interactive Design
|
3 |
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
|
This cooperative work term course provides the opportunity to apply your classroom learning in a practical workplace setting, as well as gain valuable industry experience. This course is optional. Pre-requisites:Manual Prerequisite One of the following sets of pre-requisites, as applicable to your program of study: Information Technology Services
Software Development
Information Systems Security
New Media Production & Design
Film and Video Production
Journalism
Interactive Design
Integrated Artificial Intelligence
|
0 |
Progression
You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.
To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.
Review our grading and progression procedure >
Explore your options!
Some courses in this program are available through Open Studies. You can complete courses via Open Studies to get a head start on your education, reduce your course load once accepted into a credentialed program, or determine which career path best suits you before you fully commit.
You may also take courses for general interest or personal and professional development.
Admission requirements
Applicants educated in Canada
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and completion of the following courses or equivalents:
- at least 50% in Math 30-1, or 60% in Math 30-2 and,
- at least 55% in English Language Arts 30-1, or 60% in English Language Arts 30-2
SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta.
All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements outlined above with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options.
SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.
Academic Upgrading
Missing an admission requirement for this program? Upgrade your prior education to help you receive admission into one of SAIT's career programs.
English language proficiency
All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
Transfer agreements
At SAIT, we have created transfer agreements with partner institutions to allow you to earn course credits toward your SAIT program based on your previously completed credentials.
Transfer Alberta search tool
Use the Transfer Alberta search tool to see all transfer agreements between Alberta post-secondary institutions (including those with the University of Calgary, Mount Royal University and Bow Valley College.)
Search transfer agreements in Alberta
There are no formal transfer agreements currently in place for this program.
Transfer options for graduates
When you have completed this program, you may continue your education at a partner post-secondary institution. These transfer agreements include partnerships within and/or outside of Canada.
Credits this program transfers to
- Available credits:
- 45
Upon successful completion of this program, you'll be eligible to receive up to 45 credits (1.5 years) toward Griffith's Bachelor of Information Technology program.
This degree is a three-year program with intakes offered in February and July each year.
Available intakes
Spring 2025
Start dates:
- Domestic students: Waitlisted
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Application deadline: April 30, 2025
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- International students: Closed
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Application deadline: March 28, 2025
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Fall 2025
Start dates:
- Domestic students: Waitlisted
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Application deadline: June 30, 2025
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- International students: Open
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Application deadline: May 30, 2025
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Winter 2026
Start dates:
- Domestic students: Open
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Application deadline: Oct. 24, 2025
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- International students: Open
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Application deadline: Sept. 26, 2025
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Spring 2026
Start dates:
- Domestic students: Open
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Application deadline: April 30, 2026
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- International students: Open
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Application deadline: March 27, 2026
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Costs
2025/26 tuition and fees
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2025.
The estimated total cost of tuition and fees is based on the suggested schedule of study. Following a modified schedule will impact the fees you pay per semester and may alter final costs.
Domestic students
The program total is based on the estimated amount you will pay if you enter this program during the 2025/26 academic year. The program total amount listed on your letter of admission may appear higher. This amount is your maximum tuition guarantee for the program. SAIT will not exceed this maximum, regardless of changes in tuition and fees between academic years.
Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 per full-time year.
This is a bring-your-own-device program with a power-user hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
The required textbooks will be discussed within the first few weeks of classes.
Financial aid
Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.
Application process
Ready to apply?
Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.
Communication during admission
Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the sadt.advising@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Begin your application
Apply now using the online application portal.
Ensure you have a valid Visa or Mastercard to pay the non-refundable application fee of $120 for domestic applicants or $175 for international applicants.
Information sessions
Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.
Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:
- What sets SAIT apart
- An introduction to the program and area of study
- Admission requirements
- Future career paths
- Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.
Contact us
School for Advanced Digital Technology Advising
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Phone - 403.284.8543
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Email - sadt.advising@sait.ca
International Student Advising
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Phone - 403.284.8852
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Email - international@sait.ca
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Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.