Any recommendations for a bachelor degree in Network Administration?

I am currently in a local tech college for IT-Network Specialist. It is a good program and part of the Cisco Networking Academy. I truly love networking, and education. My original plan was to go to a 4 year university after graduation or Computer Science. However, after talking to some people I learned the courses are mostly programming. I am want a career in networking so I am hoping someone can recommend where to go for someone like me. I'd like someplace that is recognizable and will help me with my career. Cost is always a concern. Or should I just get my associates and work on certifications? I am doing that now, just scheduled my CCENT exam. However, I value and education so I would like a bachelors of some kind. I am a man of goals, so I don't care how long it will take me. I want to achieve that education goal.

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Cisco Inferno

online or in person??

wallpaper_01

The way I did it was I did a Computer Science Degree, followed by a Masters in Networking and I'm studying for CCNA now. Don't hold me to this but you could find that a networking job could cross over into other areas from time to time. All jobs are different. I just know that doing a degree in CS prepared me for a lot of areas which I'm glad I did.

BUT when I started my Degree I didn't know I wanted to go into the Networking field and you do, so maybe finding a networking specific degree would benefit, not sure!

pamccabe

Online or inperson, it doesn't matter. I've been looking at local universities but can't find one that offers a bachelor's in networking, expect for ITT-Tech, but I do not want to go there. I might have to settle for online.

Thanks for the info wallpaper. Yes, I know where my passion is so I'd like to stick to networking.

Cisco Inferno

Here is some good information for you that I posted in a previous thread. I prefer the prestige of a State school.

I suggest you take a look at University of Maryland Online. Thats where I'm taking my A.A CIS degree to at the end of the year. It has all the same points listed here and is a STATE university with the same degree granted as if you did it in person.

I'm enrolling into the BS Computer Networks and Security degree plan which will hopefully let me graduate with my A+, Network+, Security+, CCNA, CCNP, CCDA and MCSA. (Thats their Cisco Track. They also have a Microsoft track that gives you an MCSE and more, as well as a pure Security track.)
I wouldn't suggest it to someone without experience nor self studying skills and motivation. They transfer in your degree by class which makes it much easier. If you are coming from a legitimate community college, you will have no trouble at all.
There are not too many gen-eds, no more than what you did in your A.A/A.S.

Check it out guys and let me know what you think!

Major in Computer Networks and Security - Undergraduate School - UMUC

The classes at UMUC help 'prepare' you for the actual exams, but you would have to pass them yourself as well as study beyond what the class syllabus is. Shouldnt be hard with commitment.

There are other schools that I have looked at including Penn State Online, University of Mass-Lowell, Fort Hays State University, Murray State University, Northeastern and East Carolina University. Thing is they are not pure networking and require programming classes and high level math.

Another option is Western Governor's University. I'm not for it, but many others are. I'm sure someone will chime in.

Madmd5

so please inform me if I'm mistaken here, but it sounds like to me UMUC and WGU online IT majors are similar? they both offer IT certs implemented into the degree program correct? so is it more or less a personal preference in choosing between the two schools if you wanted to enroll in IT major?

Cisco Inferno

I know with WGU, you can accelerate your program. They use competency based testing. UMUC uses normal credits and semesters. Also I believe you have to pass the certifications to pass the class which isnt the case with UMUC. UMUC doesnt require that you pass the cert exam, just the class. But that shouldnt stop you from passing the actual exams if you studied well. UMUC is a state school which to me and others looks good, but costs more.

My plan is to stay enrolled taking one class while buying a book and self studying another cert to waive it/save tons of money each semester.

So all in all, it isnt that expensive when every other class you take is a $30 textbook.

duce1

That school looks great...too bad its 499 a credit. Im going to Southern New Hampshire University Online and its ok and getting my certs on the side...Bs is costing me 38000 total..I am thinking of going to Colorado State Global...But who knows....

Cisco Inferno

yeah i looked at snhu too. It just not as technical as umuc though and contains more management and business classes, not to mention linear algebral programming and database classes. It looks good though. I think it mightve been my second choice.

ajohn

Have you looked at the courses offered by The Open University (open.ac.uk)? They have online BSc/MSc courses that were built together with Cisco. I've seen some of their course material and it is excellent. You do need to be really motivated to do it. A BSc / MSc degree will take you years to obtain.

I can say from experience that the rewards you get from a decent BSc/MSc degree will be as great, or greater than the effort you put into it. You will not only end up with a title, but more importantly with a different view on your work, the business world and you will have the opportunity to do more interesting and better paid work.

CoolAsAFan

WGU is a state University as well. You also test and receive the certifications that you are studying for in their program, all part of your tuition. With UMUC, you must pay out of pocket for the certs (I believe) so you do not actually receive any certs in the program. And as mentioned above, you can accelerate your program at WGU. Both are very similar programs.

I just recently got my AAS at a local CC and am in a similar situation. It might not hurt to get your AAS, then get your CCNA, then get a entry-level job (to start getting experience), then go for Bachelors and/or more certs. Hopefully by the time you get your Bachelors you will have the required knowledge and experience to get a really decent networking job. Just my 2 cents, good luck!

NetworkVeteran

wallpaper_01 wrote: »

I just know that doing a degree in CS prepared me for a lot of areas which I'm glad I did.

If you can afford to go to school full-time, a CS or EE degree is gold in the networking industry.

However, after talking to some people I learned the courses are mostly programming.

Typically a CS degree covers programming, but only a fraction of your classes will be focused on programming. Like any BS degree, they will spend a serious amount of time building your math and communication skills. In the technical arena you may learn about networking, databases, operating systems, computer architecture, digital logic, etc. Do yourself a favor and ask whatever university you're considering for their program plan. Then compare the total number of credits to the number focused entirely on programming.

JaneDoe

Whatever you do go to a nonprofit or public university, preferably in person. Online for-profit universities rip you off, and aren't taken seriously by employers. Make sure credits from whatever university you go to are transferable to your main State university, because the State university is in a good place to judge the value of education other institutions provide. If your state university doesn't take the credits, then employers probably won't take your degree seriously either.

I'm in an iSchool program now, and I love that it's focused on IT subjects, not programing. I took enough programing classes to realize programing is not the direction I want my career to go in, and what I'm studying now is preparing me for the career path that interests me most. You can find iSchool programs here.