Degrees and Certificates

A.A.S., Network Technology and Security (60 Credits)

Purpose: This program prepares students for rewarding careers in the dynamic field of computer networking. The continued growth of the Internet, wide area networks (WANs) and local area networks (LANs) requires people with the broad knowledge and skills needed to design, manage, secure and troubleshoot sophisticated information storage, retrieval and presentation systems.

Program Information: This educational program covers the workings of networks from an end-user’s desktop to a remote server that could be located anywhere in the world. The curriculum has been designed to encompass many of the same competencies that are covered by several recognized industry certifications, for example CompTIA’s A+, Server+, Network+, Linux+ and Security+; Cisco CCNA, Cisco Security; and Microsoft Certified Information Technology Professional MCITP, so students will gain the knowledge and skills that are recognized as important for employment in the field.

Network Technology and Security Curriculum (44 credits)

Technical Courses, 44 credits

• BUS 1119 Human Relations in Business or
• BUS 2310 Achieving Customer Satisfaction or
• BUS 2320 Project Management and Planning Skills or
• CNT 2189 Internship, 3cr
• CNT 2000 IT Career Success Skills and Strategies, 2cr
• CNT 2300 PC Hardware and Software (A+), 3cr
• CNT 2311 Administering Linux Operating Systems, 3cr
• CNT 2451 Windows Operating Systems in the Enterprise (MCTS), 3 cr
• CNT 2453 Windows Server Network Infrastructure (MCTS), 3cr
• CNT 2454 Windows Server Directory Services (MCTS), 3cr
• CNT 2510 Network Fundamentals (CCNA1)3cr
• CNT 2520 Introduction to Router Configuration (CCNA 2), 3cr
• CNT 2530 Routing and LAN Switches (CCNA 3), 3cr
• CNT 2540 WAN Technologies (CCNA 4), 3cr
• CNT 2612 CCNP 1 Network Switching, 3cr
• CNT 2722 Fundamentals of Voice over IP, 3cr
• CNT 2831 Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security (CCNA Security), 3cr
• CNT 2900 Network Technology And Security Capstone, 3cr

Liberal Arts Curriculum (16 credits)

• ENG 1108 Writing and Research Skills, 4cr
• COMM 1100, 1110, 2230, or 2240, 3cr
• Math or Science with Lab, 3cr

(See Goal 3 or Goal 4 of MnTC)

• History/Social Science/Behavioral Science, 3cr

(See Goal 5 of MnTC)

• Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature, 3cr

(See Goal 6 of MnTC)

A.A.S., Information Technology Support (60 credits )

Purpose: The Information Technology Support program trains workers for employment providing service to computer users, including hardware and software installation and technical assistance. Coursework includes experiences and instruction in communication and problem-solving skills, as well as technical training with hardware, software, operating systems, applications software, and computer network operations. Designed to prepare graduates to select, maintain, configure, and oversee installation of business-oriented personal computers, software and to support and train users. This program provides the student the opportunity to achieve the following industry certifications; Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS), Microsoft Certified Application Specialist (MCAS), Microsoft Technology Associate, CompTIA’s A+, CompTIA’s Linux+ and Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist (MCTS).

Information Technology Support Curriculum (44 credits)

• CIS 1000 Computer Careers, 1cr
• CS 1100 Introduction to Computers, 3cr
• CIS 1110 Microsoft Word, 3cr
• CIS 1130 Introduction Microsoft Excel, 1cr
• CIS 1131 Intermediate Microsoft Excel, 1cr
• CIS 1135 Microsoft PowerPoint, 1cr
• CIS 1150 Introduction to Microsoft Access, 1cr
• CIS 1160 Project Management Software, 2cr
• CIS 1200 Computer Security Awareness, 1cr
• CIS 1400 Windows Operating Systems Fundamentals, 3cr
• CS 2250 HTML, 1cr
• CNT 2000 IT Career Success Skills and Strategies, 2cr
• CNT 2300 PC Hardware and Software (A+), 3cr
• CNT 2311 Administering Linux Operating Systems, 3cr
• CNT 2451 Windows Operating Systems in the Enterprise , 3 cr
• CNT 2452 Windows OS and Application Support , 3cr
• CNT 2453 Windows Server Infrastructure , 3cr
• CNT 2454 Windows Server Directory Services , 3cr
• CNT 2510 Network Fundamentals (CCNA 1), 3cr
• BUS 1119 Human Relations in Business or
• BUS 2310 Achieving Customer Satisfaction or
• BUS 2320 Project Management and Planning Skills or
• CNT 2189 Internship, 3cr

Liberal Arts Curriculum (16 credits)

• ENG 1108 Writing and Research Skills, 4cr
• COMM 1100, 1110, 2230 or 2240, 3cr
• Math or Lab Science, one course, 3cr

(See Goal 3 and 4 of the MnTC)

• Social Science, one course, 3cr

(See Goal 5 of the MnTC)

• Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature, one course, 3cr

(See Goal 6 of MnTC)

A.A.S., Computer Programmer (60 Credits)

The Microcomputer Support Specialist program trains workers for employment providing service to microcomputer users, including hardware and software installation and technical assistance. Coursework includes experiences and instruction in communication and problem-solving skills, as well as technical training with hardware, software, operating systems, applications software, and computer network operations. Designed to prepare graduates to select, maintain, configure, and oversee installation of business-oriented personal computers, software and to support and train users.

Microcomputer Software Support Specialist Curriculum (44 Credits)

• CS 2510 Networking Fundamentals (CCNA 1) 3cr
• CS 1110 OR
• CS 119 Beginning Java OR
• CS 1119 Computer Programming with C++ 3-4 cr
• CS 1114 Visual Basic Programming 3cr
• CS 1126 Java Programming 3cr
• CS 1127 Advanced Java Programming 3cr
• CS 2000 Object-Oriented Analysis & Design I 3cr
• CS 2100 Object-Oriented Analysis & Design II 3cr
• CIS 1500 Database Management Systems 3cr
• CS 2251 Introduction to XML 3cr

Liberal Arts Curriculum (16 credits)

• ENG 1108 Writing and Research Skills 4cr
• COMM 1100, 1110, 2230, or 2240 Communication 3cr
• MATH 1118 OR 1127 4-5cr
• Social Science (See Goal 5 of MnTC) 3cr
• Humanities/Fine Arts/Literature (See Goal 6 of MnTC) 3cr
• Liberal Arts electives* (Lab Science recommended) 2-3cr

• Includes MnTC courses, world language courses, career development,

computer science, health, interdisciplinary studies, journalism, CJS 1150, 1152, 1154, 1156, 1158, MUSC 1105, STSK 1101, and THTR 1161.

Certificates Available

Students may choose these additional certificates to accompany their AAS degree. These certificates provide the student with opportunities to achieve additional industry certifications.

I.T. Help Desk Certificate (15 credits)

Provides the knowledge and skills for employment in entry level positions that support end users of technology in a networked environment. Students will learn the essential components and functioning of the hardware and software used in PC clients, servers and network hardware. In addition, skills in specific desktop applications, interpersonal relations and customer service will be covered.

• CNT 2510 Network Fundamentals (CCNA 1), 3cr
• CNT 2300 PC Hardware and Software (A+), 3cr
• CNT 2451 Windows Operating Systems in the Enterprise, 3cr
• CNT 2452 Windows OS and Application Support, 3cr
• BUS 1119 Human Relations in Business or
• BUS 2310 Achieving Customer Satisfaction, or
• CNT 2189 Internship, 3cr

Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP) Certificate (15 credits)

Microsoft has dominated business computing for many years now. This certificate will provide the student necessary skills to compete in today's business environment and will provide the student the opportunity to achieve MCITP certification.

• CNT 2451 Windows Operating Systems in the Enterprise, 3 cr
• CNT 2452 Windows OS and Application Support, 3cr
• CNT 2453 Windows Server Network Infrastructure , 3cr
• CNT 2454 Windows Server Directory Services, 3cr
• CNT 2455 Windows Server Administration, 3cr

Advanced Network Technology Certificate(15 credits)

Provides I.T. employees with knowledge and skills needed to assume additional or higher level responsibilities for a large networked environment. The curriculum includes essential security concepts that are critical for all I.T. team members and provides flexibility for various levels of current competence and areas of emphasis. Participants must have CCNA certification or three years of experience as a network technician, administrator or analyst in a Cisco environment.

• CNT 2311 Administering Linux Operating Systems, 3cr
• CNT 2831 Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security (CCNA Security), 3cr
• CNT 2710 Wireless LAN Technology (CCNA Wireless), 3cr
• CNT 2622 CCNP Network Routing, 3cr
• CNT 2632 CCNP Network Troubleshooting, 3cr

Security Certificate (15 credits)

Provides comprehensive knowledge and skills needed for I.T. professionals who have network security and information assurance responsibilities. Courses cover the objectives encompassed by industry standards including Security+, Cisco IOS and ASA firewalls, ethical hacking, VPNs, intrusion detection, incident response and overall security policy and practices. Participants must have CCNA certification or three years of experience as a network technician, administrator or analyst in a Cisco environment.

• CNT 2311 Administering Linux Operating Systems, 3cr
• CNT 2825 Information Systems Security Advanced, 3cr
• CNT 2831 Implementing Cisco IOS Network Security (CCNA Security), 3cr
• CNT 2832 Advanced Network Security, 3cr
• CNT 2900 Network Technology and Security Capstone, 3cr

IP Telephony Certificate Courses (15 credits)

IP Telephony is to the new generation of telecommunications as electricity replacing the steam engine was to the Industrial Revolution. This technology holds explosive potential as voice; data and video converge onto a single platform, unifying communications in a way that will transform every aspect of our lives, our businesses and our society.

• CNT 2722 Fundamentals of Voice over IP, 3cr
• CNT 2725 Quality of Service (QoS), 3cr
• CNT 2726 Cisco IP Telephony: Integration (Part I), 3cr
• CNT 2728 Cisco IP Telephony: Integration (Part II), 3cr
• CNT 2731 IP Telephony: Enterprise Planning and Design, 3cr

Office Technology Certificate Curriculum (15 credits)

• OSYS 1101 Keyboarding, 2cr
• CIS 1110 Microsoft Word, 3cr
• CIS 1130 Introduction to Excel, 1cr
• CIS 1131 Intermediate Excel, 1cr
• CIS 1135 Microsoft PowerPoint, 1cr
• CIS 1150 Introduction to Access, 1cr
• CIS 1151 Intermediate Access, 1cr
• CIS 1160 Project Management Software, 2cr
• ENG 1130 Effective Writing in Organizations, 3cr