Online Networking Degree

Online Networking Degree Program Outline

The Online Networking Degree is designed to provide students with the opportunity to study a broad and comprehensive overview of the parameters, procedures and expectations for a network administrator working in the industry today. This online networking degree program combines technical skills and knowledge with a focus on professional skills in areas including leadership, behavioral understanding, and implementation of change and project management.

Online networking programs can help you learn how to:

Summarize details of essential computer concepts
Use an operating system interface to access, add, troubleshoot and configure hardware and manage files
Implement a relational database management system utilizing the concepts of database design and data modeling
Develop business applications using programming languages, tools and software development methodologies
Assess, design, manage and implement computer networks
Understand the fundamental components and terminology used while working with network systems
Collaborate with other individuals in solving system problems, creating new systems, and engaging in the type of team-centered work common to a job in this field
Learn to apply principles from mathematics and computer science to the process of building and maintaining system networks
Evaluate and analyze existing network systems to identify problems, develop solutions and gain real-world experience in the current challenges facing network administrators
Develop mastery of the abilities, limits and specific characteristics of a wide variety of network systems currently in use around the world

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Estimate Tuition and Grad Date

Total tuition for this degree program may vary depending on your educational needs, existing experience, and other factors.

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Networking Degree Courses

Degree Requirements

Courses

General Education

Credits

ENGL106	English Composition I	4.5
ENGL107	English Composition II	4.5
MATH125	General College Mathematics	4.5
MATH133	College Algebra	4.5
UNIV103	Academic and Professional Success	4.5
UNIV106	Technology and Information Literacy	4.5
UNIV109	Interpersonal Communication	4.5
	Humanities (2 Courses)	9
	Natural Sciences (2 Courses)	9
	Social and Behavioral Sciences (2 courses)	9
	Total Credit Hours:	58.5

Core

Credits

ITCO101	Discovering Information Technology	4.5
ITCO103	Introduction to Computer and Network Hardware	4.5
ITCO105	Information Technology and Society	4.5
ITCO107	Developing Professional Communications	4.5
ITCO211	Introduction to Operating Systems	4.5
ITCO221	Fundamentals of Programming and Logic	4.5
ITCO231	Introduction to Databases	4.5
ITCO251	Network Infrastructure Basics	4.5
ITCO299	Comprehensive IT Project	4.5
ITCO361	Information Technology Security	4.5
ITCO385	Introduction to Mobile Technologies and Internet of Things	4.5
ITCO391	Human/Computer Interfaces and Interactions	4.5
ITCO498	Program Capstone for IT	4.5
	Total Credit Hours:	58.5

Electives

Credits

	A combination of any 3 undergraduate Information Technology courses	0
	and	0
	A combination of any 7 undergraduate General Elective courses	0
	Total Credit Hours:	45

Prerequisites must be met for selected electives.

Students enrolled in the general Information Technology track will select a total of 10 undergraduate General Elective courses, in lieu of a combination of General Elective and Information Technology Elective courses.

General Information Technology Track

Credits

In lieu of a Concentration, this generalist track allows students to select a combination of Information Technology Electives from any of the Concentrations below. Please contact your advisor to select or change your Electives, or to determine course eligibility.

	Select 4 Information Technology Electives	0
	Total Credit Hours:	18

Prerequisites must be met for selected electives.

Network Administration

Credits

ITNA353	Routing and Switching	4.5
ITNA355	Advanced Routing and Switching	4.5
ITNA357	Network Security Management	4.5
ITNA359	Special Topics in Network Administration	4.5
	Total Credit Hours:	18

Total Credit Hours : 180

This program includes a series of courses that correlate to the respective content and competencies of the A+, Network+, and Security+ certification exams offered by CompTIA¹ and the Certified Ethical Hacker certification exam offered by EC-Council¹. These credentials can serve as independent validation of the knowledge and skills required to be successful in the fields of information technology (IT) computer user support, IT security, and networking.

CompTIA A+ Certification¹	CompTIA Network+ Certification¹	CompTIA Security+ Certification¹	EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker¹
ITCO 103 Introduction to Computer and Network Hardware	ITCO 251 Network Infrastructure Basics	ITCO 361 Information Technology Security	ITAS 367 Principles and Methods in Cryptographic Security
ITCO 211 Introduction to Operating Systems	ITNA 353 Routing and Switching	ITAS 362 Introduction to Information Assurance and Information Security	ITAS 465 Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing
	ITNA 355 Advanced Routing and Switching	ITAS 363 Telecommunications and Network Infrastructure Security
	ITNA 357 Network Security Management

AIU B.S.I.T. students will be eligible to receive a discounted rate for the CompTIA examination fee² once all of the respective courses above have been successfully completed in residence with the universityᶟ.

For more information on the A+, Network+, or Security+ certifications, including exam objectives, sample questions, and certification information, please visit https://www.comptia.org/certifications.

For more information on the Certified Ethical Hacker certification, including information about the exam, course outlines, and requirements, please visit https://www.eccouncil.org/programs/certified-ethical-hacker-ceh/.

¹American InterContinental University does not prepare students to take the exam necessary to receive the A+, Network+, Security+, or Certified Ethical Hacker credential. AIU cannot guarantee that students or graduates of this program will be eligible to take third party certification examinations. Certification requirements for taking and passing these exams are controlled by outside entities and are subject to change without notice to AIU.

²Students must contact the office of the Registrar in order to receive the promo code for the discounted exam rate.

ᶟIn order to receive the discounted CompTIA exam rate, the listed courses must be completed in residence at American InterContinental University.

Networking Degree Classes Overview

For an Online Networking Degree, your classes may include:

Enterprise Networking

This course reviews the design and components of LAN and WAN systems. The implementation and deployment of network topologies using the necessary network hardware and software systems at the enterprise level will also be covered. Topics in this course may include network configurations, networking hardware, network operating systems, network management issues, and network communication.

Network Security Management

This network security course provides information about mechanisms used to protect data from attack through investigation of network asset threats and vulnerabilities. Topics may include access control types and methods; basic and advanced network security; securing hosts, applications, and data; malware and social engineering; managing risk; cryptography; business continuity; and security policies.

Routing and Switching

This course provides an overview of routing and switching in network operations. Topics to be covered may include the role of switches and routers in network topologies and architectures, collisions and network congestion, the role of routers and switches in minimizing collisions, switching protocols and interswitch communications, switching and routing processes, switch operating systems, and switch management issues.

Special Topics in Network Administration

This course provides an advanced selection of contemporary topics which may include network management, operations and administration, developments in networking technologies, or developments in the business need for networking services.

Advanced Routing and Switching

This advanced course provides in-depth implementation and configuration of Networking Layers 2 and 3 devices. Topics may include the relationship between routers and switches, advanced features of routing protocols, maintaining a multiple router network in the LAN or WAN environment, dynamic routing techniques, access control lists and commonly-used routing protocols.

Specialized Network Administration

This course covers the recent global Internet technology and paves the way for the new generation of networking. In this concentration course, students will explore architectural network designs in accordance with ISO standards, network topology requirements, configuration management, fault management, performance management, monitoring resources, Quality of Service (QoS), and security policies.

Applications of Discrete Mathematics and Statistics in IT

In this course, students will examine the essential mathematics and logic skills required in Information Technology areas such as networking, systems administration, security, programming, database management, and computer hardware. Students will work to develop their mathematical ability to prepare for the challenges they are likely to encounter as an IT professional. Students in this course will study the discrete mathematics and statistics necessary for application development and systems analysis. Students will also examine how to apply statistical techniques to improve the performance of IT systems. Real-world scenarios and problems from the IT industry are included throughout this course.

Network Infrastructure Basics

This course provides students with a conceptual overview of network infrastructure. Topics may include network configurations, network operations, segmentation through subnetting, and wireless developments.

Comprehensive IT Project

In this lower division capstone course, students will examine IT project management and systems architecture. Topics covered include project management concepts of time, scope, and costs, as well as systems architecture, sourcing, acquisition, development, and deployment processes.

Information Technology Security

This survey course covers information security concepts and mechanisms. Information security concepts reviewed may include data protection techniques, software security, information assurance process, enterprise network security, and attack types/countermeasures.

System Architecture and Integration

In this course, students will analyze the system integration requirements and apply appropriate frameworks, methodologies, and techniques that are used to manage, administer, acquire, develop, implement, and integrate enterprise systems.

Program Capstone for IT

This course offers students the opportunity to demonstrate their level of understanding regarding the application of information technology concepts, technologies, and methodologies. Students are expected to employ their knowledge about hardware, systems, applications, and security management.

University Catalog

Course content subject to change.

Ways to Save on Your Online Networking Degree

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT) degree with a concentration in Network Administration?

The BSIT degree with a concentration in Network Administration is designed to provide you with knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant for the online networking field. The online network administration degree program works to emphasize problem-based and hands-on learning, so upon graduation you will be ready to pursue a career path in the field.

How long does it take to earn an online network administration degree?

Our bachelor’s degree programs are designed as 48-month programs. However, many factors can impact your time to completion. The time it may take you to earn your network administration degree can be influenced by course loads proficiency and/or transfer credits, and breaks.

What kind of courses will I take during my network administration degree?

As you work to complete your degree concentration in network administration, you will be immersed in courses such as: Routing and Switching; Advanced Routing and Switching; Network Security Management; and Special Topics in Network Administration.

When can I begin classes?

Courses for the online network administration degree start approximately every five weeks. Your actual start date is based on several factors, including completing academic and financial documentation.

How many credits are required to graduate with a network administration degree?

The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology degree with a concentration in Network Administration program consists of 180 credits. You may be eligible for transfer credit, which is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. Please see the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

Why should I pursue an online network administration degree?

By studying key topics in network administration, you will have an opportunity to acquire industry-relevant knowledge of network configurations, networking hardware, network operating systems, segmentation through sub-netting, and network management issues. This real-world concentration can help you work to develop a focused, industry-specific knowledge base common to IT professionals in the field of network administration.

What does the concentration in network administration mean?

Our online network administration program is designed to combine core IT skills with an in-depth focus of networking. In this networking program, coursework covers routing and switching, enterprise networking, and specialized network administration. You may study LAN and WAN systems, switch management issues, and network management considerations. In this specialized curriculum, you will explore how to implement and utilize network topologies using the necessary network hardware and software systems.

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