How to become a CTO: The training and degree programs you'll need

The chief technology officer (CTO) role is critical for organizations that want to better understand recent and powerful innovations and use them in their own operations. CTOs enhance services and experiences internally for organizations as well as for their customers. This is an excellent career path if you want to make a direct impact on an organization’s daily operations and procedures and create innovative solutions that support high-level business decisions.

With the right combination of education and experience, you can build a comprehensive skill set that drives a forward-facing tech strategy. In turn, you can support continued company growth, enhanced security, increased agility and more positive customer experiences.

What to know about CTOs

CTOs are part of the executive suite. These roles require advanced experience to effectively lead an organization’s technology operations. You may need to develop experience in using, managing and implementing technology, plus build your understanding of business operations.

CTOs tend to focus on policy and overarching strategy in relation to hardware and software. They pay close attention to new developments related to emerging technologies that can benefit their company. Identifying connections between cutting-edge tools and business use cases is a critical responsibility.

Other key responsibilities of a CTO may include:

• Building and maintaining relationships with technology providers and partners.
• Creating and updating the company’s technology strategy.
• Managing an organization’s technology and IT budget.
• Overseeing technology deployment and management.

The skills you’ll need to succeed as a CTO

The most relevant skills for CTOs tend to follow either a management or technical classification. While broadly useful talents such as critical thinking and analytical decision making also come into play, many key abilities are related to the following two areas.

Management

Perhaps the most important management skill for a CTO is to effectively connect business goals and strategies with emerging and existing technologies. Finance, resource management, analysis and more can all come into play, both for this task specifically and for the job’s general duties.

CTOs must be effective communicators, capable of taking information from technical specialists and accurately conveying it to executives, directors and other high-level staff who may lack advanced knowledge in that area. Similarly, they must translate potentially complex business objectives and plans into language that technology-focused professionals can understand. A CTO serves a vital conduit of information and strategy within a company, keeping both the executive suite and the staff who work under them informed and updated.

General management abilities are also vital for positive outcomes. CTOs must build and implement technological policies, which requires strong abilities related to delegation, organizing teams, process development and much more. If a particularly complex problem or major opportunity arises related to a CTO’s areas of responsibility, it’s often up to that executive to address it. This means an ability to think and act quickly yet carefully is also especially valuable.

Technical

Most CTOs need a strong background in areas such as coding, IT management and research and development for new technology. Security may also be a part of a CTO’s responsibilities, requiring the ability to understand, implement and assess both threats and solutions.

While much of the day-to-day work of managing and maintaining technology will fall to other staff members, CTOs play key roles in implementations, exploring opportunities related to technology, addressing time-sensitive technological issues and more. The ability to not only navigate and contribute to these processes on the technical level, but lead them as well, is crucial.

Different pathways to becoming a CTO

While you need a background in both management and technology to become a CTO, you have the power to decide how to build your knowledge base and related abilities in those fields.

Below are online bachelor’s and master’s programs from Arizona State University that can set you on the path to becoming a CTO, grouped by the core set of skills you’ll develop.

Technology

Bachelor of Science in technological leadership

A bachelor’s degree in technological leadership can effectively address the two core areas of competency for every CTO: technology as well as management principles and psychology.

This program features “making” and “thinking” courses. The making classes emphasize practical problem-solving, while thinking courses focus on research skills and inquiry-based learning techniques. Students also complete two internships over the course of the program, which support both skill development and the creation of professional networks.

Bachelor of Science in technological entrepreneurship and management

In this program, you can build knowledge and abilities related to technology, business, innovation and entrepreneurship. The curriculum includes a focus on improving operational structures and innovating products from a technological perspective, which are areas many CTOs focus on.

The entrepreneurship track of this program can empower you to develop the type of entrepreneurial mindset that companies rely on and look for. You can cultivate talents that support work as an internal innovator and leader within an existing business — an “intrapreneur.” The innovation track can also align with your goals. By selecting this option, you’ll have the opportunity to work with startups and established companies, such as Honeywell and Boeing, to gain experience in leading change and innovative efforts.

Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Engineering in engineering management

Through this program, you can develop familiarity with the principles of engineering science and business management. Successful students build key competencies and skills in these two areas where CTOs must have relevant experience.

Completing courses such as Project Management, Engineering Administration and Risk Management can support your career goals. This powerful combination of technical and leadership knowledge can serve you well in your first positions after graduation and eventually as a CTO.

Master of Engineering in engineering management

Engineering managers frequently lead highly technical projects, something CTOs regularly do as well. The advanced curriculum supports your efforts to develop both technical and leadership skills, from project and quality management to strategic planning for technology.

As an aspiring CTO, you can select a concentration such as systems and software management or entrepreneurship and innovation. Through the courses tied to these elective paths, you can build familiarity with issues, opportunities and abilities that are critical for executive-level technology roles.

IT and security

Bachelor of Science in information technology

Information technology (IT) is a foundational need for nearly every modern business. In this program, you can develop highly relevant talents for CTOs and IT professionals in general, such as configuring and managing complex digital systems and full stack development.

Security is also an area of emphasis. The knowledge you build in this area can support efforts to protect critical information and infrastructure, addressing a foundational responsibility of the CTO role. With a strong background in core technological competencies, you could pursue a management graduate degree or build that experience as part of your career.

Master of Science in information technology

By completing this graduate program, you can establish advanced knowledge and skills related to IT that support career progression. This degree can be a strong choice if you’re interested in a CTO role that emphasizes IT management, oversight and leadership.

As a student, you can select one of the two following areas of specialization to further focus your studies:

• Computer architecture and information security
• Information systems management and systems development

While the curriculum focuses on advanced technological topics, you can also build leadership abilities. The Advanced Information Systems Security course, for example, includes discussions of technical need as well as real-life application with a focus on the human aspect of information security. You can also build management experience as you move into more senior roles that require this type of advanced education.

Master of Applied Leadership and Management

The global scope of this program can empower future business leaders working in an increasingly connected international economy. The leadership focus can complement a bachelor’s or master’s degree in IT, addressing the two knowledge areas that are so critical for CTOs.

Completing courses in data-driven and digital decision-making, communication, global leadership and more can support your efforts to define your professional path and positively influence organizations with an advanced leadership acumen.

Systems, people and processes

Bachelor of Science in business data analytics

This program offers a distinctive pathway to CTO or CIO roles by emphasizing the integration of systems, people and processes. You’ll develop the ability to manage and analyze large-scale data initiatives, focusing on data warehousing, dimensional modeling and big data analytics methods. Upon graduation, you’ll be prepared to lead data-driven decision making and change management efforts within organizations.

Bachelor of Science in computer information systems

The CIS program focuses on the strategic integration of technology within business contexts. Unlike programs centered solely on technical or engineering aspects, this degree cultivates a comprehensive understanding of how to leverage technology to drive business success, equipping you with the skills necessary to oversee and innovate within an organization's technological infrastructure. This program emphasizes designing, developing and managing software applications and systems that align with organizational goals, preparing you to effectively bridge the gap between business objectives and technological solutions.

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

When you complete an MBA, you can develop a strong knowledge set of advanced business strategies that can apply to technology, IT and many other areas of operation. The clear business focus of this program supports the high-level management concerns of executives like CTOs.

Through the electives available in this program, you can focus on topics that are most relevant to your career plans. Options that may be especially relevant to CTOs include:

• Finance: The Art of Managing Resources
• Management of Technology and Innovation
• Managerial Accounting
• New Product and Service Development

Master of Science in business analytics

Develop advanced data analysis and strategic decision-making capabilities that will prepare you for CTO and CIO roles with this master’s in business analytics. The program emphasizes synthesizing large datasets to inform business strategies, focusing on data mining, machine learning and predictive analytics. This approach enables you to lead data-driven initiatives and align technological advancements with organizational goals.

Master of Science in artificial intelligence in business

This program uniquely positions you to redefine the role of technology in leadership. By merging technical proficiency in machine learning and AI systems with a deep understanding of their impact on business strategy, you’ll be empowered to harness innovation responsibly. With a focus on ethical AI deployment and scalable solutions, this program prepares you not just to adapt to the future of work but to shape it. The program stands apart for its commitment to both cutting-edge technology and business impact.