Network Administration and Engineering

Program Pathways

Computer Networking Technician Diploma

Program Details

Award Diploma
Credits 31
Program Start Fall
Number of Terms 2
Time to Complete 9 months
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Network Administration and Engineering – AAS
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Program Courses

Term 1 — Fall
  • A+ Certification Prep Course
  • Cisco Networking
  • College Experience
  • Introduction to Database
Term 2 — Spring
  • Cisco Networking II
  • Human and Work Relations
  • Linux System Administration
  • Windows Server
  • Written Communication in the Workplace

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

Next step: Continue to terms 3 and 4 of the Network Administration and Engineering Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree or graduate and enter the workforce.

Network Administration and Engineering Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree

Program Details

Award Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Credits 64
Program Start Fall
Number of Terms 4
Time to Complete 2 years
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Network Administration and Engineering – AAS
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Program Courses

Term 1 — Fall
  • A+ Certification Prep Course
  • Cisco Networking
  • College Experience
  • Introduction to Database
Term 2 — Spring
  • Cisco Networking II
  • Human and Work Relations
  • Linux System Administration
  • Windows Server
  • Written Communication in the Workplace
Term 3 — Fall
  • Administering Windows Server
  • Cisco Networking III
  • Fundamentals of Network Security
  • Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
  • Virtual Machines
Term 4 — Spring
  • Experiential Learning
  • Internship
  • Project Management
  • SQL Database
Electives
  • Advanced Network Technology
  • Certification Preparation
  • Certification Preparation
  • Cybersecurity Analyst
  • Intro to Cyber Security
  • Programming for Network Administrators
  • Special Topics
  • Visual Basic

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

You have completed the Network Administration and Engineering Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program. Check out the Computers and Technology continuing education courses to keep up to date in your profession.

Careers

Positions

Our graduates can be employed in many careers, including:

  • Network administrator
  • Network technician
  • LAN/WAN engineer
  • LAN/WAN administrator
  • Help desk technician

Example Careers and Average Wages

Entry Average Experienced
Computer Network Support Specialists $48,420 $63,730 $78,910
Computer User Support Specialists $37,180 $52,280 $64,860

Source: 2023 Iowa Wage Report, Iowa Workforce Development – Statewide Wages

Industry Growth

State, National, and Regional indicators for related careers for this program show large growth in opportunities of 6–32% with steadily increasing median annual wages of $47K statewide to $52K – $65K nationally.

Supply indicators show a large shortage of trained workers for IT positions.

Sources: Economic Development and Employer Planning System and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Employers

The following is a partial list of employers who have hired graduates from this program:

Business Location
ACES Cedar Falls, IA
BerganKDV Waterloo, IA
CBE Group Cedar Falls, IA
CDW Minneapolis, MN
Cedar Falls Utilities Cedar Falls, IA
John Deere Waterloo, IA
EO Johnson Business Technologies Cedar Falls, IA
The VGM Group Waterloo, IA

Program Admission

Step #1: Apply at Hawkeye

  1. Apply for admission at Hawkeye.

  2. Send official transcripts to Admissions.

Step #2: Program Admittance Score Requirement

In order to be eligible for the Network Administration and Engineering program, all students must meet minimum score requirements in math and literacy. For appropriate college success course placement, work with your program advisor.

Minimum score requirements
ALEKS ACCUPLACER Next Generation ACCUPLACER Classic COMPASS ACT GPA
Math 14 255 Arithmetic
246 Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS)
63 Arithmetic
56 Elementary Algebra
39 Pre-Algebra 16
Literacy 239 Reading or
240 Writing
58 Reading or
64 Sentence Skills
69 Reading or
41 Writing
16 Reading or
16 English
2.25

The ALEKS Placement Assessment can be taken online. ACCUPLACER Next Generation and ACT can be taken at Hawkeye. ACCUPLACER Classic and COMPASS are no longer offered, but if you've taken either in the past your test scores can be used for program admittance.

Step #3: Program Acceptance

Applicants successfully demonstrating college readiness criteria are eligible for acceptance.

Applicants falling short of successful demonstration of college readiness criteria will be accepted to a Pre-Program. As a pre-program student, you will begin with general education and prerequisite classes. An advisor will help you create an academic plan to meet your program admission requirements. Once you have completed your pre-program coursework contact Admissions.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Program Contacts

Admissions
Email Admissions 319-296-4000 Hawkeye Center 114
Academic/College Success Advisor
Last Names A – L
Brittany Warren Email Brittany Warren 319-296-4014 ext.1086 Hawkeye Center 208J
Academic/College Success Advisor
Last Names M – Z
Honey Lynn Email Honey Lynn 319-296-4014 ext.1083 Hawkeye Center 208E
Faculty Advisor
Last Names A – M
Todd Bengen Email Todd Bengen 319-296-2329 ext.1124 Black Hawk Hall 114
Faculty Advisor
Last Names N – Z
Chad Dean Email Chad Dean 319-296-2329 ext.1707 Black Hawk Hall 106

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