Network Design and Administration

About the Program

The core curriculum prepares students to successfully complete the professional certifications of Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA), and CompTIA's Network+ certification.

Other professional certification target areas include the Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), Certified Novell Administrator (CNA), CompTIA's A+ certification, and Linux certification.

Students in the Network Design and Administration degree will have the opportunity to select from three specialization tracks: Network Security, Network Support Specialist or Network Professional.

Career Opportunities

Careers

Programs Available

Associate in Applied Science (0007)

Southwestern Illinois College's Associate in Applied Science Degree in Network Design and Administration is designed to prepare students with the necessary skills to obtain entry-level positions in the growing field of networking. View Curriculum>>

Network Associate Certificate (007A)

The Network Associate certificate provides course work for a range of networking subjects—from basics such as making cables and setting up simple networks, to the more complex concepts of IP addressing strategies and wide-area network technologies. Courses also include the topics of basic network design, network components and router configurations. Individuals will gain handson experience with network equipment—including routers and switches— as part of their education.

Four classes are required to achieve the Network Associate certificate from SWIC. These courses also prepare the student for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification exam through Cisco Systems. View Curriculum>>

Accelerated Degree Option

Anyone who has completed an associate or bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college may earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Network Design and Administration by completing at least 27 semester credit hours of program related course work. A plan of specific courses required for the degree must be obtained from the program coordinator and approved by the Dean of the Business Division and the Vice President for Instruction. Only those courses completed at Southwestern Illinois College, and not included as part of the requirements for a previously earned degree or certificate, can be considered for this option. Students must meet all institutional requirements for the Associate in Applied Science Degree.

CISCO Systems Networking Academy

Southwestern Illinois College is a Regional Networking Academy using official Cisco online curriculum. A Regional Academy not only teaches students, but also provides support and training for instructors at other local networking academies.

Admission Procedures

All applicants are advised to see a counselor upon making application for entrance into the college.

MISSION SUCCESS

Students interested in a degree program need to participate in MISSION SUCCESS, an assessment, welcome and counseling program designed to assist you with entry to Southwestern.

COMPASS, a computerized assessment program designed to identify your skill levels in math, reading and language usage, is the first step in MISSION SUCCESS. Next, the welcome session provides you with information about the college, its resources and services. In the counseling session, you can discuss your academic needs and plans with a counselor. You will receive an interpretation of your assessment scores so that you can prepare to register for classes.

Admission to the program

The admission procedures for the Networking degree program are described fully in Southwestern's catalog and are in accordance with Illinois law. Southwestern's Networking degree program is open to any student who is a high school graduate; has passed the GED high school equivalency examination; or who is transferring from an accredited college or university.

For information about the Networking program or MISSION SUCCESS, contact a counselor at the Belleville Campus, 618-235-2700, ext. 5206; the Granite City Campus, 618-931-0600; or the Red Bud Campus, 618-282-6682 or log onto www.cisco.swic.edu.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For the current tuition rate, contact Southwestern's Counseling Office at 618-235-2700, ext. 5206. Southwestern's tuition and fees are subject to change at any time.

Information about student scholarships, grant, loans, and employment is available from the Office of Financial Aid and Student Employment.

Workforce Investment Act funding also may be available to qualified students. For more information, contact the Center for Training Innovations at 618-235-2700, ext. 5201.

Graduation Requirements

A Student must complete 64 – 69 credit hours to earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Networking. A Network Certificate requires 16 credit hours. Other specific graduation requirements can be found in the front section of Southwestern's catalog.

It is the policy of Southwestern Illinois College to grant equal educational opportunity to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin/ancestry, disability, sexual preference, or age. All academic, extracurricular, research and other educational programs and activities are non-discriminatory.