Networking Specialist Associate of Applied Science Degree

The Networking Specialist associate degree program is a sequence of courses designed to provide students with an understanding of the concepts, principles, and techniques required in computer information processing. Graduates are to be competent in the general areas of humanities or fine arts, social or behavioral sciences, and natural sciences or mathematics, as well as in the technical areas of computer terminology and concepts, program design and development, and computer networking. Graduates are qualified for employment as networking specialists.

Students may enter the Networking Specialist degree program any semester. A full-time student can complete this program in 5 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 66 semester credit hours.

Offered at the Following Campuses/Delivery Mode:

• South Campus (Dublin)
• North Campus (Sandersville)
• Online (Distance Education)

Articulation Agreements

For information on further advancing your education after completing your Associate of Applied Science Degree, see our Articulation (Transfer) Agreements.

Employment Outlook

Career Traits/Requirements

Individuals wanting to enroll in the Networking Specialist degree program must show initiative; be willing to continue education as technology advances; be interested in operating systems and applications, networking theory and solutions, configuring, and troubleshooting; be organized; have the ability to multi-task; and possess a strong work ethic.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates of the Networking Specialist degree program are prepared for performing many different types of jobs. Graduates can find employment in the areas of computer hardware and software sales, installation and repair, computer networking, system design and analysis, security, troubleshooting, and software and technical support. Instruction and practical application of learned skills provide a broad occupational background which appeals to prospective employers.

Program Costs

Tuition & Fees: $8,255.00

Books & Supplies: $2,300.00

(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)

Admission Requirements

OFTC may accept a student’s official entrance score on the following validated assessment instruments if the scores meet the required minimums:

• COMPASS/ASSET,
• SAT,
• ACT,
• PSAT,
• PACT,
• Accuplacer/Accuplacer Next Generation/Companion,
• HOPE GPA after completion of 10th grade of 2.6 or higher, or High School GPA of 2.6 (for occupational programs), or 2.0 for Workforce Entry Level programs, or GED.

The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy.

Curriculum

Area I - Language Arts/Communications

Course Name	Course Title	Credits	Contact
ENGL 1101	Composition and Rhetoric	3	45

Area II - Social/Behavioral Sciences

Course Name	Course Title	Credits	Contact
PSYC 1101	Introductory Psychology	3	45

Area III - Natural Science/Mathematics

Choose one of the following:

Course Name	Course Title	Credits	Contact
MATH 1103	Quantitative Skills and Reasoning	3	45
MATH 1111	College Algebra	3	45

Area IV - Humanities/Fine Arts

Choose one of the following:

Course Name	Course Title	Credits	Contact
ENGL 2110	World Literature	3	45
ENGL 2130	American Literature	3	45

Program-Specific General Education Course Requirements

To meet the minimum required 15 semester credit hours in General Core Courses, students must take an additional 3 semester credit hours.

Course Name	Course Title	Credits	Contact
ENGL 1102	Literature and Composition	3	45
HIST 2111	U.S. History I	3	45
HIST 2112	U.S. History II	3	45
POLS 1101	American Government	3	45
SOCI 1101	Introduction to Sociology	3	45

Occupational Courses

Course Name	Course Title	Credits	Contact
CIST 1001	Computer Concepts	4	90
CIST 1122	Hardware Installation and Maintenance	4	105
CIST 1401	Computer Networking Fundamentals	4	90
COLL 1060	Introduction to College and Computers	3	50
XXXX XXXX	Guided Elective	14
XXXX XXXX	CIS Operating Systems Course	3
XXXX XXXX	CIS Security Course	3

Microsoft Specialization

Course Name	Course Title	Credits	Contact
CIST 2411	Micorsoft Client	4	90
CIST 2412	Microsoft Server Directory Services	4	90
CIST 2413	Microsoft Server Infastructure	4	90
XXXX XXXX	MS Elective	4

Program Pathway

Year 1

Semester 1

Course Name	Course Title	Credits	Contact
COLL 1060	Introduction to College and Computers	3	50
CIST 1001	Computer Concepts	4	90
CIST 1122	Hardware Installation and Maintenance	4	105
	Elective

Semester 2

Course Name	Course Title	Credits	Contact
CIST 1401	Computer Networking Fundamentals	4	90
ENGL 1101	Composition and Rhetoric	3	45
MATH 1103	Quantitative Skills and Reasoning	3	45
OR
MATH 1111	College Algebra	3	45
	Elective

Semester 3

Course Name	Course Title	Credits	Contact
	Elective
	Elective
ENGL 1102	Literature and Composition	3	45
OR
HIST 2111	U.S. History I	3	45
OR
HIST 2112	U.S. History II	3	45
OR
POLS 1101	American Government	3	45
OR
SOCI 1101	Introduction to Sociology	3	45
ENGL 2110	World Literature	3	45
OR
ENGL 2130	American Literature	3	45

Year 2

Semester 4

Course Name	Course Title	Credits	Contact
CIST 2411	Micorsoft Client	4	90
CIST 2412	Microsoft Server Directory Services	4	90
	Elective

Semester 5

Course Name	Course Title	Credits	Contact
CIST 2413	Microsoft Server Infastructure	4	90
	Elective
	Elective
PSYC 1101	Introductory Psychology	3	45