Networking Specialist

Overview

The Networking Specialist Certificate provides the core sequence of courses needed to prepare for the installation, configuration, maintenance, and administration of a network infrastructure. The student will work with active directory services. The sequence of courses provides a foundation for students seeking certification through industry-standard examinations.

Students must earn a cumulative grade of “C” or better in all courses offered within the Information Systems Department Technology to be eligible for graduation.

How to Enroll

To pursue this degree, you must apply to MTC using our online application.

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Print Plan

Sample Program Plan and Costs

Class Delivery Methods

View current courses offered via our online course directory.

On-Campus	Traditional. Classes meet on campus.
Virtual	100% online. Meets with a live instructor and classmates on specific days, at specific times. Uses web conferencing software, like Zoom.
Hybrid	Some classes on campus. Some classes online or virtual.
Online	100% online. Due dates for projects and assignments. Self-paced work on your time.

Full Time Schedule
Part Time Schedule

Full Time Schedule

Semester	Course ID	Course Title	Classroom	Online	Hybrid	Virtual	Credits
Semester 1 (9 Credit Hours)	IST-200	Cisco LAN Concepts Cisco LAN Concepts ID: IST-200 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of small local area networks - home and small office/home offices (SOHO) networks. Topics include an introduction to networking, basic cabling for SOHO, LAN addressing and network services, basic security and wireless, planning and building a home network.	•	•	•	•	3
	CPT-285	PC Hardware Concepts PC Hardware Concepts ID: CPT-285 Credit Hours: 3 This course focuses on installing and upgrading microcomputer hardware and identifying malfunctions.	•		•	•	3
	IST-164	Implementing Network Infrastructure Serv Implementing Network Infrastructure Serv ID: IST-164 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the fundamentals of installing, configuring and utilizing windows networking services while exploring techniques used to design, create and implement secure communications across the networks, which may consist of multiple vendors. Emphasis is also provided on support of remote users and central management concepts.		•	•		3
Semester 2 (9 Credit Hours)	IST-227	Internet Operations and Management Internet Operations and Management ID: IST-227 Credit Hours: 3 This course covers the duties/responsibilities of an internet webmaster, appropriate hardware, software & telecommunications technology, designing, implementing & maintaining a web site, and utilizing security mechanisms. Also covered is installing, configuring and testing TCP/IP. Topics include Subnet addressing; implementing IP routing; dynamic host configuration protocol; IP address resolution; NetBIOS name resolution; Windows Internet Name Service; connectivity; in heterogeneous environments; implementing Microsoft SNMP service; performance optimization and troubleshooting.			•		3
	IST-165	Implementing & Admini Directory Services Implementing & Admini Directory Services ID: IST-165 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of directory services covering the planning, design, installation, configuration and administration of a network directory structure.		•	•		3
	IST-193	Linux Security Administration Linux Security Administration ID: IST-193 Credit Hours: 3 This course will provide students with the skills necessary to implement and administer basic LINUX security policies, including authentication, securing network applications, system monitoring, encryption, and others.		•			3
				Total Credit Hours		18
				Estimated Cost Financial Aid		$3,384.00 Not including fees and equipment

Part Time Schedule

Semester	Course ID	Course Title	Classroom	Online	Hybrid	Virtual	Credits
Semester 1 (6 Credit Hours)	IST-200	Cisco LAN Concepts Cisco LAN Concepts ID: IST-200 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of small local area networks - home and small office/home offices (SOHO) networks. Topics include an introduction to networking, basic cabling for SOHO, LAN addressing and network services, basic security and wireless, planning and building a home network.	•	•	•	•	3
Semester 1 (6 Credit Hours)	CPT-285	PC Hardware Concepts PC Hardware Concepts ID: CPT-285 Credit Hours: 3 This course focuses on installing and upgrading microcomputer hardware and identifying malfunctions.	•		•	•	3
Semester 2 (3 Credit Hours)	IST-164	Implementing Network Infrastructure Serv Implementing Network Infrastructure Serv ID: IST-164 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of the fundamentals of installing, configuring and utilizing windows networking services while exploring techniques used to design, create and implement secure communications across the networks, which may consist of multiple vendors. Emphasis is also provided on support of remote users and central management concepts.		•	•		3
Semester 3 (6 Credit Hours)	IST-227	Internet Operations and Management Internet Operations and Management ID: IST-227 Credit Hours: 3 This course covers the duties/responsibilities of an internet webmaster, appropriate hardware, software & telecommunications technology, designing, implementing & maintaining a web site, and utilizing security mechanisms. Also covered is installing, configuring and testing TCP/IP. Topics include Subnet addressing; implementing IP routing; dynamic host configuration protocol; IP address resolution; NetBIOS name resolution; Windows Internet Name Service; connectivity; in heterogeneous environments; implementing Microsoft SNMP service; performance optimization and troubleshooting.			•		3
Semester 3 (6 Credit Hours)	IST-165	Implementing & Admini Directory Services Implementing & Admini Directory Services ID: IST-165 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of directory services covering the planning, design, installation, configuration and administration of a network directory structure.		•	•		3
Semester 4 (3 Credit Hours)	IST-193	Linux Security Administration Linux Security Administration ID: IST-193 Credit Hours: 3 This course will provide students with the skills necessary to implement and administer basic LINUX security policies, including authentication, securing network applications, system monitoring, encryption, and others.		•			3
				Total Credit Hours		18
				Estimated Cost Financial Aid		$3,384.00 Not including fees and equipment

Careers

Network Specialist

In addition to installing routers, switches, firewalls, and network-related software programs, network specialists set up, support, and maintain local area networks, wide area networks, and other networking systems.

Projected Job Growth

+7.9%

Average Annual Salary

$55,481

According to EMSI data as of 2022

Where Can I Work?

Information Technology (IT) Departments
Large Corporations
Small Businesses
Government Agencies

What’s next after I complete this program?

Enter the Workforce

The Networking Specialist Certificate prepares graduates for the installation, configuration, maintenance, and administration of a network infrastructure.

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Academic programs count as academic credit for a certificate, diploma or degree and may transfer toward future academic endeavors at four-year colleges and universities.
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