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Director of advanced technology education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a director of advanced technology. Directors of advanced technology usually study electrical engineering, business, or computer science. 69% of directors of advanced technology hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 260 real director of advanced technology resumes to see exactly what director of advanced technology education sections show.

The most common colleges for directors of advanced technology are the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

There are also many online director of advanced technology courses to help get the education required to be a director of advanced technology.

What education do you need to become a director of advanced technology?

What degree do you need to be a director of advanced technology?

The most common degree for directors of advanced technology is bachelor's degree, with 69% of directors of advanced technology earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 20% and master's degree degree at 7%.
  • Bachelor's, 69%
  • Master's, 20%
  • Doctorate, 7%
  • Associate, 3%
  • Other Degrees, 1%

What should I major in to become a director of advanced technology?

You should major in electrical engineering to become a director of advanced technology. 22% of directors of advanced technology major in electrical engineering. Other common majors for a director of advanced technology include business and computer science.

Most common colleges for directors of advanced technology

Directors of advanced technology often get their degrees at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Northeastern University, and University of Phoenix. Here are the most common colleges for directors of advanced technology in the US based on their resumes.
Director of advanced technology common collegePercentages
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute9.84%
Northeastern University8.20%
University of Phoenix8.20%
University of Pennsylvania6.56%
George Washington University, The6.56%

Best majors for directors of advanced technology

RankMajorPercentages
1Electrical Engineering22.5%
2Business15.4%
3Computer Science12.4%
4Physics6.5%
5Management4.7%

Best colleges for directors of advanced technology

The best colleges for directors of advanced technology are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.

A director of advanced technology with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for directors of advanced technology. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become directors of advanced technology.

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,465

Enrollment

6,483

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

4. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

7. University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

Minneapolis, MN • Private

In-state tuition

$14,760

Enrollment

31,451

8. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

9. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,522

Enrollment

13,760

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

20 best online courses for directors of advanced technology

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1. Key Technologies for Business

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2. Strategic Technology Management

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The success of modern companies depends critically on their manager’s ability to generate strategic innovationwhich leverages technological and market changes. A key part of the equation is delivering new products that deliver exceptional customer value. Another essential element is implementing innovation initiatives effectively. The Strategic Technology Management specialization is targeted towards aspiring managers, managers at all levels, and entrepreneurs who lookto gaina well-rounded...

3. Information Technology Essentials

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Introduction to Information Technology and Information Systems...

4. Product Marketing for Technology Companies

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Master your product marketing skills through practical examples and exercises...

5. The Impact of Technology

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In this course, you will learn how to use theories and methods to make predictions of the potential impact of new technology – in general, as well as for a specific application. This will prepare you for the changes that we are facing in society, and also help you take advantage of transformations that are driven by technology. The Impact of Technology course takes a broad approach, including social and economic factors. You will study historical examples and learn to recognize recurring...

6. Technology & Entrepreneurship

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Everyone can be a technology innovator. This specialization helps learners translate their technical knowledge and problem-solving skills into high value products and services. Throughout this specialization learners will better understand the technology entrepreneurship field and envision being a part of it. Participants will also reflect on their own ideas and ambitions and develop the beginning of an innovation to bring to the world...

7. Trends of the Future for Business & Technology (2020 Update)

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Adapt to the Changes & Trends of the Future and Learn to Thrive in the Next Decade...

8. Business Mind - Mastering Business Development

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Master in Practice the Product, Sales and Marketing Perspective of Business Development...

9. Technology Entrepreneurship

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A new paradigm in entrepreneurship has replaced the model of the Silicon Valley startup garage with laptop computers and distributed networks. In this new paradigm, founders, partners, and critical startup resources may be accessed and acquired anywhere anytime. New technologies can be readily deployed to customers, markets, and distribution channels across the globe with the same infrastructure and underlying entrepreneurial principles and practices. Technology Entrepreneurship will empower...

10. Understanding Technology and Data

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Welcome to the course Understanding Technology and Data. This course is designed to provide a foundation on how technology and data are applied in everyday life. It will help you learn to succeed in a digital work environment. By the end of this course, you will be able to: - Recognize the evolution of electronic devices - Identify new technologies in different industries - Define technologies such as cloud, Artificial Intelligence, blockchain, etc. - Recognize what digitalization is and how it...

11. Blockchain for Business: The New Industrial Revolution

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Blockchain Technology Will Transform How Businesses Operate. Do You Want to Be a Part of the Blockchain Journey?...

12. The Absolute Beginners Guide to Information Technology 2023

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Gain a solid foundation knowledge of all 4 main branches of Information Technology...

13. Technology Strategy: Creative Destruction

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The success of modern companies depends critically on their ability to manage and respond to technological change. Innovation is continually challenging companies’ competitive advantages, giving rise to new business models, and stimulating new platform-based competition. Managers and entrepreneurs need to understand these strategic forces and how they impact firms and industries in the modern knowledge economy. This course explains how technological innovation affects the competitive dynamics...

14. Digital Technologies and the Future of Manufacturing

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Digital technologies are fundamentally transforming every aspect of the value chain in manufacturing, logistics, and management consulting. In this course series, you’ll learn the basics behind some of these breakthrough technologies and their business applications, including improved productivity, quality, and cycle-time benefits within manufacturing and logistics. Challenges and risks for businesses will also be addressed.\n\nThe content presented in this series draws on a number of real-life...

15. Production for Management Consultants and Business Analysts

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16. Technology Systems Auditing (Part 1 of 2)

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Technology Systems Auditing Training Course...

17. Capstone Project: Teaching Impacts of Technology

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In this project-based course you’ll review the Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles course and exam description guide to prepare for the “Explore Task”, where students must research a recent computing innovation and and analyze its impacts on the world. You’ll also review the description of this task from the student perspective and complete the task yourself. Then you’ll assess sample secondary student work by following the APCSP scoring guidelines as well as provide feedback to a...

18. Information Technology (IT) and Cloud Fundamentals

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In today’s connected world, core knowledge of IT hardware, software, networking, cybersecurity, and cloud technologies is vital for almost every function, or role within an organization. Adding storage, updating an operating system, connecting to a network, recognizing phishing, and setting up Cloud instances are some of the skills employees need or need help with. This five-course specialization provides prerequisite skills for almost all IT careers, including technical support specialist,...

19. Beginner's Guide to Information Technology

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Learn the basics of Information Technology and Computer Engineering...

20. Fintech: Foundations & Applications of Financial Technology

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Wharton's Fintech Specialization is designed to introduce you to the fundamental building blocks of financial technologies and real-world applications through case studies of Wharton-led companies in the field. You'll learn the the essential components of technology-driven financial strategies, from complex regulations to cryptocurrency to portfolio optimization.\n\nYou'll also learn how modern investment strategies deploy technology to produce optimal results, explore the disruptive force of...

Top 10 most affordable universities for directors of advanced technology

The most affordable schools for directors of advanced technology are Baruch College of the City University of New York, brooklyn college of the city university of new york, and brigham young university.

If the best universities for directors of advanced technology are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for directors of advanced technology.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

3. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

4. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

5. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

8. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Cost of attendance

25,275

9. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

10. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology

Socorro, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,770

Cost of attendance

21,244

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for directors of advanced technology

The hardest universities for directors of advanced technology to get into are Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pennsylvania, and Northwestern University.

Some great schools for directors of advanced technology are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for directors of advanced technology based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

5. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

10. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for directors of advanced technology

The easiest schools for directors of advanced technology to get into are Barry University, capitol technology university, and ottawa university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a director of advanced technology without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for directors of advanced technology.

1. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

2. Capitol Technology University

Laurel, MD • Private

Admissions rate

69%

SAT average

1,070

3. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

4. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

6. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

7. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

8. Chestnut Hill College

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,026

9. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

10. Washington Adventist Hospital

Takoma Park, MD • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

958

Average director of advanced technology salary by education level

Directors of advanced technology with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $158,338 annually. With a Master's degree, directors of advanced technology earn a median annual income of $154,617 compared to $143,422 for directors of advanced technology with an Bachelor's degree.
Director of advanced technology education levelDirector of advanced technology salary
Master's Degree$154,617
Bachelor's Degree$143,422
Doctorate Degree$158,338
Some College/ Associate Degree$116,326

Director of advanced technology education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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