Introducing the Bachelor of Technology — SAIT’s newest degree program

With the rapid growth of Alberta’s technology sector and the resulting workforce demand, SAIT’s new Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degree program was tailor-made for the IT industry, IT students and IT grads.

Delivered in a 2+2 format, the BTech lets students build on a two-year IT diploma to earn their degree — and elevate their career opportunities — with just two additional years of specialized training in either Software Development or Cyber Security.

“The BTech is SAIT’s first degree program offered through the School for Advanced Digital Technology,” say Cherie Bowker, Dean, School for Advanced Digital Technology. “The program was designed to prepare students for in-demand careers in some of the most exciting areas of the rapidly evolving technology industry.”

Take your IT career further, faster

For students with an existing IT diploma, the BTech is a two-year accelerated pathway to a technology degree, plus it comes complete with SAIT’s hand-on approach to learning and access to an extensive industry network.

For students just starting out, it’s an opportunity to approach post-secondary studies knowing they can secure two IT credentials in just four years: a SAIT IT diploma and then the BTech degree.

All students in the BTech program will enhance their technical competencies, theoretical knowledge and professionalism.

Software Development majors will build skills to create and lead in app development, while those specializing in Cyber Security will master tools to safeguard data. Both will join the IT talent pipeline as more advanced technologists.

Addressing a skills gap for students and industry

“The BTech degree addresses a gap,” says Subrata Biswas, Academic Chair, School for Advanced Digital Technology. “IT diploma grads working in industry for a couple of years may be looking to advance their position, they may have new curiosity from their work or they may have personal ambition for higher studies — I see the desire from our students for a degree that can help.”

The BTech degree also addresses an industry talent gap — meeting growing labour market demand for both software development and cyber security professionals with more highly-skilled graduates.

As well, industry will not only have access to these graduates but additional access to students while they’re still in school through an optional co-op work term.

“This is another opportunity to build a relationship with a company,” says Biswas. “If you worked with a company in your diploma, now you have the option to go back.”

And the company has another chance to work with and test our students, he adds, which supports recruitment after graduation.

“It’s exciting that we’re doing something that matches very well with the current market situation.”

Taking technical skills to the next level

SAIT’s BTech degree is technically-focused to provide students with the ability to develop deeper and more advanced technical skills, while also offering the breadth of studies inherent to a degree program.

“BTech students will still be learning hands on,” says Biswas. “Through their diploma they learned how to do things, now they’ll get to find the answer to why.”

Technical courses include cryptography, cyber security policy and management, and ethical hacking within the Cyber Security major, and computer architecture, advanced user interface and computational intelligence within the Software Development major. Students will also choose from a selection of complementary electives such as critical thinking, ethics in technology, and environmental science for sustainability. They’ll round out their degree with core courses in research methodologies and systems thinking.

Within the School for Advanced Digital Technology, they’ve been talking about the BTech for about two years — now, students are eager to sign up.

“There’s been a great response from students,” says Biswas. “As soon as they heard applications were open, they’ve been quick to enroll.”

“We built this program to really align with industry needs and what students are looking for, so we’re very excited for Fall 2025.”

2+2 = take your IT career further, faster at SAIT

BTech breakdown:

✅ Made for the IT industry, IT students and IT grads

✅ The 2+2 degree format builds on your 2-year IT diploma with 2 years of specialized training in Software Development or Cyber Security

✅ Develop advanced knowledge and skills through courses such as cryptography, ethical hacking, computational intelligence, and more

✅ Choose from complementary electives, including critical thinking, and environmental science for sustainability

✅ Round out your degree with core courses in research methodologies and systems thinking

✅ Plus, there’s an optional work term

Learn more and apply now