Best Associate in Network Administration Programs

There are two common reasons given for earning an associate degree in network administration: the growth in the industry and the earning potential. As mentioned above, more and more businesses and types of businesses are upping their use of technology. It appears unlikely this trend will reverse, and eventually, more companies will need someone to manage the back-end of their technological systems. Industries such as health care, education, entertainment, financial services, and more are already employing network administrators. These factors should ensure that there is job security and an ample number of jobs for graduates of these programs.

Not only should graduates have a plethora of employment opportunities, but these jobs are also often rather lucrative. As will be discussed below, those who earn an associate degree in network administration can often qualify for jobs that are on the high end of the pay scale. That is especially true considering that this degree is an undergraduate one that requires relatively little financial or time investment. Furthermore, an associate degree in network administration can prepare you to earn further degrees or work in other areas of computer technology, which is a traditionally well-paying sector.

There are numerous factors to consider when choosing a network administration associate program. Especially critical for those wanting to seek employment after graduation, though also important for students wanting to continue their education, is the availability of practical experience as part of the program. It is possible to learn some of the skills needed to work in network administration through traditional academic methods such as reading textbooks and listening to lectures, but much of this profession must be learning by doing it. Therefore, it is crucial to consider what opportunities for hands-on instruction a program offers.

Relatedly, it may be wise to examine the facilities, equipment, and resources used in that type of learning. Network administration is all about technology, and that technology changes rapidly.

The best schools will have their students use the latest equipment, programs, and software in their classes to ensure their expertise is not outdated when they graduate. Some colleges may even have computer labs dedicated to simulating the typical work environments those who work in network administration or a related field might face on the job, potentially making them that much more effective at preparing graduates for work.

A final element worth weighing is whether you want to work right after graduation. As described above, the answer to this question can determine what type of associate degree, and that, in turn, can influence what program you choose to attend. Be sure to find out what type of degree a college offers and whether it has any articulation agreements with other schools before selecting it.

Application and Admissions for Network Administration Associate Degree Programs

The application and admissions process for network administration associate degree programs varies at each school, but there are a few common components. Prospective students must often begin by filling out an application that includes basic demographic information like your name, address, and social security member. At least a high school diploma or GED is necessary to apply to most programs.

The more selective programs may have additional academic criteria applicants must meet. These can include a minimum high school grade point average, ACT score, SAT score, or college grade point average. The test scores and GPA may even include minimum required score or average in a specific subject like math or English. Similarly, schools may require students to take placement tests on those or similar subjects. That may be tied to your performance in school or on the ACT or SAT, or it may be necessary for every applicant to take the placement tests.

It usually takes around two years to earn an associate degree in network administration. That is because colleges normally require students to complete between 60 and 70 credits to graduate, with the recommended course load being 14-16 credit hours per semester. You may be able to accelerate the timeline by taking classes in non-traditional times over the summer, but some classes in network administration must be taken in sequence, complicating this approach. It is also often ill-advised to take more than the recommended number of courses in a semester because the workload is overwhelming for many students.

As with application and admission requirements, the cost of earning a network administration degree varies between higher education institutions. In addition to normal tuition and fees - the most significant of the latter is often textbook costs - students in these programs may be required to purchase or rent a computer through the school to use in the completion of their coursework. Whether a student lives within a community college's district or state can also affect the price they pay for tuition and fees. All told, costs for obtaining this degree can range from around $10,000 to upwards of $16,000, not including any room and board, which can add several thousand dollars to that figure.

Network administration programs focus on teaching students how to provide technical support for computer networks within an organization. This includes instructing pupils on topics like network engineering, server maintenance, hardware support, security essentials, routing, switching, troubleshooting, network design, and network configuration. Students may also learn how to install applications, distribute upgrades, enforce licensing agreements, monitor activity, and manage the storage of a network. Some of these classes may be sequential, with students taking multiple ones on the same subject. Possible courses include:

• Fundamentals of networking
• Routing and switching
• Information technology security
• Network administration
• Linux operating system
• Personal computer hardware
• UNIX operating system
• Implementing and supporting servers
• Programming
• Troubleshooting

As mentioned above, graduates with an associate degree in network administration can find work in several fairly lucrative roles. Payscale.com reports that individuals in the United States with an AAS in network administration have an average salary of $56,361 and an average hourly rate of $19.37. While helpful, that statistic alone does not capture the range of earning potential for network administration professionals.

That is because these people can work in several technical jobs like networking manager, network engineering technician, and PC network administrator. The average salaries for all these various positions varies. For example, on one end of the spectrum, graduates may find employment as a computer support specialist. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in 2020 that those individuals had a median annual wage of $65,450. Comparatively, a network system administrator makes a median yearly salary of $84,810, the BLS reported in 2020. This demonstrates that, while both these jobs pay fairly well, there is a range in this field.

Begin a Career as a Computer Support Specialist

Graduates with an associate degree in network administration may often find entry-level employment as a computer support specialist. These professionals advise and help users and organizations by supporting entire networks or providing technical assistance to individual people. This may include performing maintenance on networks, troubleshooting networks, testing and evaluating existing systems, repairing computer equipment, training users to operate new hardware and software, and installing new systems.

Requirements for this job range from a bachelor's degree to only needing to take a few postsecondary classes such as a distance learning course in computer network administration or an online network administration course. The important thing is that computer support specialists have computer knowledge like the kind often supplied by network administration associate programs. Still, as technology changes, it may be necessary to refresh your knowledge through formal or informal continuing education. The BLS reported in 2020 that this job is expected to grow 8 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Begin a Career as a Network Administrator

A network administrator, also called a computer systems administrator in some organizations, is responsible for the daily operations of an organization's computer network. This individual installs, supports, and organizes computer systems that can include intranets, wide area networks, local area networks, and other types of data communication systems. That may involve making upgrades or repairs to the system or equipment, ensuring everything is secure, optimizing the network performance, training new people in the use of the hardware and software, and fixing any issues that the system or its users may have.

This job often requires candidates to have a bachelor's degree in a related field, but some employers only need their network administrators to have an associate degree. Those who earn an AAS in network administration, in particular, may fare well when applying for these jobs. As with computer support specialists, professionals in this role must keep their skills and knowledge current by whatever means are appropriate. The BLS reported in 2020 that this job is expected to grow at about the average rate from 2019 to 2029 at 4 percent.

Industry standards dictate that many network administrators earn some type of certification. Perhaps the most highly-regarded organization that bestows certifications in this field is the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). This group offers two prominent certifications, the CompTIA Network+ and CompTIA A+.

The CompTIA Network+ certification is designed to help those already in the industry develop a career in information technology, making it a more advanced option. This certification covers troubleshooting, managing, and configuring networks. Candidates must pass only one exam to earn this certification.

By contrast, The CompTIA A+ certification is the industry standard for those pursuing a career in information technology. Professionals who obtain this certification have proven themselves to be problem solvers who understand modern technologies, security, data management, and other critical topics. You must pass two exams to earn this certification.

Programmatic accreditation at the associate degree level in network administration is in a strange place. This normally shows students and employers that the education provided by a program is of high quality and meets industry standards, but the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) does not recognize an accrediting body dedicated to this field at this level. The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) is the premier organization for programmatic accreditation in network administration, but it only works at the bachelor's level. That leaves a void that has not been filled.

For network administration programs paired with cybersecurity, schools may boast that the National Security Agency recognizes them as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C). This program creates and manages a cybersecurity educational program in much the same way an accrediting body does. It only applies, though, to associate degrees in network administration degrees that include a cybersecurity component.

Degrees in network administration and related subjects can be found at every level of academia, though it becomes more difficult to find degrees specifically in network administration at the highest levels. Like associate degrees, bachelor's degrees and certificates in this subject give students the skills needed to obtain an entry-level job in this field or master a very particular skill set, while master's and doctoral degrees focus much more on leadership, research, and other advanced topics within network administration. While education is important in network administration, many of the graduate and doctoral degrees are designed more for those who do not plan to work hands-on in this sector.

Bachelor's Degrees in Network Administration

Like their undergraduate counterparts at the associate levels, bachelor's degrees in network administration are often centered on practical knowledge. They are normally a Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS). They usually focus on many of the same topics covered in associate degrees in network administration, though they cover them in more depth and may have additional classes in a sequence compared to associate degree curriculums. It usually takes around four years to earn these degrees, with students completing about 120 credit hours to graduate.

Master's Degrees in Network Administration

In network administration, the most common master's degree is a Master of Science (MS) degree. As previously mentioned, titles may deviate from just network administration, and it may be that network administration is a concentration in a more overarching degree such as computer science. These programs typically prepare students for more specialized or technical work in network administration by covering more advanced topics within this subject. It usually takes approximately two years to complete the around 30 credit hours required to graduate with this degree in most programs.

Doctoral Degrees in Network Administration

A doctoral degree in network administration may be the most difficult to find if individuals limit themselves to programs solely focused on network administration. Most likely, individuals seeking to earn this level of degree will get something with a broader title like computer science because this is in the same subject area and still beneficial to professionals in network administration. For example, a Doctor of Philosophy (P.hD.) in computer science would apply to a network administrator. These degrees are usually centered on teaching and research, meaning those who pursue them usually want to work in one of those fields. While only around 30 credit hours may be required to graduate, it usually takes at least a few years to earn this degree.

Certificate Programs in Network Administration

Certificates in network administration are most easily found at the undergraduate level. The chief purpose of many of these programs is preparing students to work in the field, but they also often aid graduates in getting closer to earning an associate degree or one of the certifications mentioned above. Often, students can earn a certificate then take the exam required to obtain certification from an organization like CompTIA. These certificates teach hands-on skills almost exclusively. Students can often earn them in a year or less.

The first step in seeking federal aid is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This application enables students to find the federal loans, grants, or work-study program for which they may be eligible. Completing this form is often a fairly complicated and time-consuming process that may require several governmental or financial documents like the social security number of the student and federal tax information.

When it comes to scholarships, possibly the most common source of funding for network administration majors is their chosen school. Oftentimes, colleges and universities offer scholarships to those studying network administration and similar topics. These may be based on academic performance, need, or some other merits. There are a few scholarships from other organizations available, but these are less common in this discipline. A great place to find scholarships is CareerOneStop's scholarship finder, run by the U.S. Department of Labor.