Program Description

The IT-Network Specialist Associate Degree program prepares learners to support the critical IT infrastructure that modern businesses need to function. This program is designed for learners who enjoy technology, experimenting and learning, are detail-oriented and desire to help businesses and people succeed. Learners gain hands on experience installing, configuring and managing various technologies and devices from leading vendors like Microsoft, VMWare and Cisco. The program helps to prepare the graduate to test for certifications such as Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA), CCNA Collaboration, CompTIA Network +, CompTIA Linux + and Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) exams.

Found in These Career Fields:

Approximate Program Cost

$10,674
Tuition & Fees: $9,969
Books & Supplies: $705

Starting Salary

$31,200–$58,000
Average, based on the NTC Graduate Outcomes Report

Financial Aid

Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).
An aerial view of NTC's Wausau Campus main entrance on a sunny summer day. Trees and greenery frame the spacious side walks that lead up to the light-brown brick building.

Take a Look Around

Explore our campuses to get an idea of what it’s like to be a student at NTC.

Get Started

The application takes just a few minutes to complete.

Availability

Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.

100%
at Wausau
60-70%
at Antigo
60-70%
at Medford
60-70%
at Phillips
60-70%
at Spencer
60-70%
at Wittenberg
40-50%
at Online

* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Troubleshoot network systems
  • Develop technical documentation
  • Implement network security components
  • Implement server operating systems
  • Implement client systems
  • Implement computer networks

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Computer Support Specialist
  • Network and Systems Engineer
  • VoIP Technician
  • Network Technician
  • Help Desk Technician
  • Computer Systems Analyst
  • Computer Network Architect
  • Network and Computer Systems Administrator

Courses

The IT - Network Specialist Associate Degree is a 61 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

First Term

College 101 1.00
Principles Of Information Security 2.00
Cisco 1 - Network Communications 1 3.00
Computer Fundamentals 1 3.00
Computer Fundamentals 2 3.00
Math & Logic 3.00

Second Term

Windows Server 1 3.00
Linux Server 1 3.00
Cisco 2 - Network Communications 2 3.00
Written Communication 3.00
English Composition 1 3.00
Oral/interpersonal Communication 3.00
Speech 3.00

Third Term

Enterprise Virtual Servers 3.00
Cisco 3 - Network Communications 3 3.00
Unified Communications 3.00
Command-Line Scripting 1.00
Technical Reporting 3.00
Intro To Python 1.00
Python For Cybersecurity 1.00
Think Critically & Creatively 3.00

Fourth Term

Network Security 3.00
Network Operations Management 3.00
Network Capstone 3.00
IT Career Skills 1.00
IT Internship 1.00
Psychology Of Human Relations 3.00
Intro To Psychology 3.00

Credit for Prior Learning Available

View All Detailed Course Information

Pathways

Pathways are a series of connected programs that enable you to advance over time to better jobs and higher levels of education and training. By earning one degree, you could also be completing several courses of a related program in a pathway, bringing you one step closer to an advanced degree.

If you begin with one of the following programs, you will earn significant credit towards this IT - Network Specialist Associate Degree:

Accreditation

This program is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), 11520 West 119th Street, Overland Park, KS 66213.
 
For additional information, please visit our Accreditation page.

Transfer Information

You can continue your education to earn a four-year degree in a variety of ways.

Program Transfer

The following transfer guides, executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, are based on agreements that allow you to continue your program at another college.

General Transfer

All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.

View all transfer guides

Cost of Attendance

2023-2024 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance

The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student can expect to incur while attending college. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College uses the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student's cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student's financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies.

Please Note: this COA budget estimate assumes full-time attendance for two semester Fall 2023 and Spring 2024.
ExpensesStudent Living With Parents (Home)Student Living on Own (Other)
Full-time Tuition (based on a total of 30 credits, 15 credits fall and 15 credits spring)

In-State Tuition & Fees

$4,713*

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$6,900*

In-State Tuition & Fees

$4,713*

Out-of-State Tuition & Fees

$6,900*

Living Expenses (Housing & Food)$4,052$9,614
Books / Supplies$2,061$2,061
Transportation$2,007$2,007
Personal Expenses$2,245$2,245
Loan Fees$83$83
Total Estimated Cost Of Attendance

In-State

$15,161

Out-of-State

$17,348

In-State

$20,723

Out-of-State

$22,910

* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2023-2024 academic year with a projected base increase of 1.65%. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board and estimated budgets are updated at that time.

Students with dependent care, computer or study abroad expenses should contact the Financial Aid Office to document allowable expenses which may serve to increase their COA.

Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.

Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.

NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.

For more information regarding billed tuition and fees visit https://www.ntc.edu/admissions/tuition-fees

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.

NTC Financial Aid Office

715.803.1647

financialaid@ntc.edu

Admissions Process

Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.

Fill out our application

The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.

Apply Now

What’s Next?

We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be emailed to you.