IT - Network Specialist

60 Credit Associate Degree

The IT-Network Specialist Program prepares learners to support the critical IT infrastructure that modern businesses need to function. This program is designed for learners who enjoy technology, experimenting and learning, are detail-oriented, and desire to help businesses and people succeed. Learners gain hands on experience installing, configuring and managing various technologies and devices from leading vendors like Microsoft, VMWare, and Cisco. The program helps to prepare the graduate to test for certifications such as Cisco CCNA (Cisco Certified Networking Associate), Cisco CCNA Security, Cisco CCNA Voice, CompTIA Network +, CompTIA Linux +, and Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) exams. Potential occupations include: Network and Computer Systems Administrator, Network Technician, VoIP Technician, Computer Support Specialist and Help Desk Technician; and with experience Computer System Analyst, Network and Systems Engineer, and Computer Network Architect.

Approximate Cost

$10,604
Tuition: $9614 , Books: $990

Starting Salary

$31,200–$50,000
Average, based on the NTC Graduate Outcomes Report

Financial Aid

Available

Availability

Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.

100%
Wausau
60-70%
Antigo
60-70%
Medford
60-70%
Phillips
60-70%
Spencer
60-70%
Wittenberg
40-50%
Online

* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Troubleshoot network systems
  • Develop technical documentation
  • Implement network security components
  • Implement server operating systems
  • Implement client systems
  • Implement computer networks

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Computer Support Specialist
  • Network and Systems Engineer
  • VoIP Technician
  • Network Technician
  • Help Desk Technician
  • Computer Systems Analyst
  • Computer Network Architect
  • Network and Computer Systems Administrator

Courses

The IT - Network Specialist Associate Degree is a 60 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

First Term

PRINCIPLES OF INFORMATION SECURITY 2.00
CISCO 1 - NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS 1 3.00
COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS 1 3.00
COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS 2 3.00
MATH & LOGIC 3.00

Second Term

WINDOWS SERVER 1 3.00
LINUX SERVER 1 3.00
CISCO 2 - NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS 2 3.00
WRITTEN COMMUNICATION 3.00
ENGLISH COMPOSITION 1 3.00
ORAL/INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION 3.00
SPEECH 3.00

Third Term

ENTERPRISE VIRTUAL SERVERS 3.00
CISCO 3 - NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS 3 3.00
UNIFIED COMMUNICATIONS 3.00
COMMAND-LINE SHELLS AND SHELL SCRIPTING 1 1.00
COMMAND-LINE SHELLS AND SHELL SCRIPTING 2 1.00
COMMAND-LINE SHELLS AND SHELL SCRIPTING 3 1.00
TECHNICAL REPORTING 3.00
THINK CRITICALLY & CREATIVELY 3.00

Fourth Term

NETWORK SECURITY 3.00
NETWORK TROUBLESHOOTING 3.00
NETWORK OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT 3.00
IT CAREER SKILLS 1.00
IT INTERNSHIP 1.00
PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN RELATIONS 3.00
INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY 3.00

Credit for Prior Learning Available

View All Detailed Course Information

Pathways

Pathways are a series of connected programs that enable you to advance over time to better jobs and higher levels of education and training. By earning one degree, you could also be completing several courses of a related program in a pathway, bringing you one step closer to an advanced degree.

If you begin with one of the following programs, you will earn significant credit towards this IT - Network Specialist Associate Degree:

Transfer Information

The following transfer guides executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions are based on articulation agreements and are a guide to provide an easy way to understand how credits transfer.

School Name Degree Name
Bellevue University Online Information and Media Technology
Colorado State University - Global Business Management
Colorado State University - Global Human Services
Colorado State University - Global Information Technology
Colorado State University - Global Project Management
Lakeland University Accounting
Lakeland University Business Administration
Lakeland University Communication
Lakeland University Computer Science
Lakeland University Criminal Justice
Lakeland University Food Safety and Quality
Lakeland University Hospitality Management
Lakeland University Management Information System
Lakeland University Marketing
Lakeland University Organizational Management
Lakeland University Psychology
Michigan Tech University Computer Network & System Administration
Minnesota State University-Moorhead B.S. in Operations Management
Northern Michigan University BS in Applied Workplace Leadership
Rasmussen College Accelerated Business Management
Rasmussen College Accelerated Business Systems Analysis
Rasmussen College Accelerated Computer Science
Rasmussen College Accelerated Criminal Justice - Leadership and Management
Rasmussen College Accelerated Data Analytics
Rasmussen College Accelerated Early Childhood Education Leadership
Rasmussen College Accelerated Finance
Rasmussen College Accelerated Healthcare Management
Rasmussen College Accelerated Human Resources and Organizational Leadership
Rasmussen College Accelerated Human Services
Rasmussen College Accelerated Information Security
Rasmussen College Accelerated Information Technology Management
Rasmussen College Accelerated Marketing-Digital Marketing
Rasmussen College Accelerated Supply Chain and Logistics Management
Siena Heights University Bachelor of Applied Science
UW Green Bay B.A.S Organizational Leadership
UW Milwaukee B.S. in Information Science and Technology (BSIST)
UW Oshkosh BAS in Organizational Studies
UW Stevens Point Bachelor of Applied Studies in Organizational Leadership
UW Stevens Point Computer Information Systems - Networking & Information Assurance
UW Stevens Point Computer Information Systems - Networking & Information Assurance 4 year plan
UW Stout BS in Career, Technical Education and Training
UW Stout BS in Management
UW Stout Computer Networking and Information Technology
Western Governors University B.S. in Computer Science
Western Governors University B.S. in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
Western Governors University B.S. in Data Management/Data Analytics
Western Governors University B.S. in Information Technology
Western Governors University B.S. in Network Operations and Security

Admissions Process

Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.

Fill out our application

The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. A $30.00 non-refundable application fee is required. Pay at the time you apply or bypass to pay in person within a week of applying.

Apply Now

Then, submit one of the following

Documentation can be sent via email to admissions@ntc.edu, via mail, addressed to: Northcentral Technical College, ATTN: Admissions, 1000 W. Campus Drive, Wausau, WI 54401, or delivered in person to any NTC campus.

  • High school transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above. Contact the high school you attended if you do not have a copy of your transcript.
  • ACT composite score of 18 or above. Request an ACT College Report from ACT or contact the high school you graduated from if you do not have a copy on hand.
  • Accuplacer scores. Score requirements vary by program and version of the Accuplacer test that was taken. For more details, please contact Admissions. If you did not take the Accuplacer at NTC, contact the college at which you took it to obtain a copy of your scores.
  • College transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.5 over a minimum of 12 credits, earned at a single college.

If you do not meet any one of the above criteria, don’t worry, complete the application anyway and we will contact you to discuss your options.

What’s Next?

We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be mailed to you.