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Cisco Network Associate

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
School of Information Technology
This program provides a strong foundation of business and technology skills that apply to modern offices. It combines basic business concepts, interpersonal communication, customer service skills, and standard applications training with technical skills in the area of operating systems and Cisco infrastructure. The curriculum prepares students with the skills necessary to start their career in the telecommunications field as cable installers or staff in a network operations center environment. The program utilizes the internationally recognized Cisco Networking Academy curricula. Students are encouraged to sit for the CCNA and Network+ certification exams.

Program Details

Total Credit Hours: 96

*Estimated Total Quarters: 8
What's a quarter?
A quarter is approximately one fourth of the year, shorter than a standard semester.

Available at these campuses:
Indianapolis - Downtown

* The number of "estimated total quarters" for each program assumes you are enrolled full-time (at least 12 credit hours per quarter) throughout the entire program. Students taking more than 12 credit hours in a quarter will finish in fewer quarters; likewise, students taking fewer than 12 credit hours in a quarter may require additional quarters. Transferred credits from previous colleges, testing out of classes, and successfully completing classes (avoiding having to repeat a class) may also affect program length.

Bachelor degrees only: Why "8-16" quarters? The time it takes to earn a Bachelor degree is shorter (typically 8 quarters) if you’ve already earned an applicable Associate degree. The estimated program length without an Associate degree is 16 quarters.

Career & Skills

Possible Job Titles

Network Support Technician, Network Support Associate, Network Administrator, Network Engineer

Estimated Salary (Entry Level to Mid-range)*
What affects salary?

Education: Level of education has a direct impact on salary or hourly wage. In general, the more education a person has the higher the salary he or she can potentially earn. Someone with a high school diploma will most likely make less than someone with a Bachelor Degree.

Experience: Experience level can have a significant impact on salary or hourly wage. Even with a college degree, an entry level job will pay less than a job several years down the road. Nothing can replace experience.

Location: Depending on where you live in the United States your income can vary greatly. The cost of living in metropolitan areas or coastal areas usually warrants a higher salary or hourly wage than rural areas or other more affordable parts of the country.

National median: $40,300 – 47,000  

Skills, Tasks & Knowledge of the Job

  • Install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size routed and switched networks, including implementation and verification of connections to remote sites in a WAN
  • Other required skills include: Basic business concepts, interpersonal communication, customer service skills, and technical skills in the area of operating systems and Cisco infrastructure

Typical Work Environments

  • Office environments, including corporations, government, schools and hospitals

* Salary information is an estimate based on several sources of research data, including the U.S. Department of Labor, O-Net, MSN Careers and PayScale.com. The salary estimates listed on this website should be considered general guidelines and IBC encourages its students to conduct their own research. For personalized career planning, contact an IBC Admissions Representative.

Curriculum

Credit Hours

Core Courses

What are core courses? Any class that is categorized as "core" is considered central to the program and requires a grade of "C" or higher to pass.
BUS1000
Principles of Business

This course presents fundamental business concepts and contemporary issues to introduce the student to the purposes and functions of business.

4
CIS1600
Cisco I

This course will covers topics of interest to computer professionals in the area of Network Administration. Instruction includes safety, networking, network terminology and protocols, network standards, LANs, WANs, OSI Models, cabling, cabling tools, routers, router programming, topologies, and IP addressing. Particular emphasis is given to the use of decision-making and problem-solving techniques to solve networking problems. In addition, instruction and training are provided in the proper care, maintenance, and use of networking software, tools, equipment, and all local, state, and federal safety, building, and environmental codes and regulations.
Prerequisite: ITS1000.

4
CIS2000
Cisco II and Lab

This course covers topics of interest to computer professionals in the area of Network Administration. Instruction and lab work includes safety, networking, network terminology and protocols, network standards, LANs, WANs, OSI Models, Ethernet, Token Ring, Fiber Distributed Data Interface, TCP/IP Addressing Protocol, dynamic routing, routing, and the network administrator’s role and function. Particular emphasis is given to the use of decision-making and problem-solving techniques to solve networking problems. In addition, instruction and training are provided in the proper care, maintenance, and use of networking software, tools, equipment, and all local, state, and federal safety, building, and environmental codes and regulations.
Prerequisite: CIS1600.

8
CIS2200
Cisco III and Lab

This course covers topics of interest to computer professionals in the area of network administration. Instruction and lab work includes and extends the student’s knowledge of switches, LAN’s and Virtual Local Area Networks (VLAN’s) design, configuration and maintenance. Students learn how to configure LAN’s, WAN’s, Novell networks, Internetwork Packet Exchange (IPX) routing and Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (IGRP) protocols and network troubleshooting.
Prerequisite: CIS2000.

8
CIS2300
Cisco IV and Lab

This course covers topics of interest to computer professionals in the area of network administration. Instruction and lab work includes and extends students’ knowledge of WANs, Integrated Services Data Networks (ISDN) and Point-to-Point Protocols (PPP), and Frame Relay design, configuration, and maintenance. Students will learn how to configure these protocols and perform network troubleshooting.
Prerequisite: CIS2200.

8
CPU2120
Word Processing

This course prepares students for an in-depth study of word processing techniques. Students completing this course are able to perform word processing functions ranging from document editing and formatting to graphics and web design. The class is structured to provide students with hands-on opportunities to practice and apply their skills.
Prerequisite: CPU1000 or ITS1000.

4
CPU2200
Spreadsheets

This course prepares students for an in-depth study of spreadsheet techniques. Students learn skills that will enable them to organize and analyze numerical data, perform calculations, graph data, develop reports, create macros, use data analysis tools, and incorporate the use of the Internet. The class is structured to provide students with hands-on opportunities to practice and apply their skills.
Prerequisite: CPU1000 or ITS1000.

4
ITS1000
Introduction to Technical Computer Concepts

This course offers an accelerated compilation of the material covered in both Computing Fundamentals and Computers and Office Automation. The course material will cover all of the material necessary for the IC3 Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications, and Living Online exams. Students are strongly encouraged to complete all three IC3 exams.

4
ITS2500
Hardware Technician Capstone

This course will provide hands-on experience and expert resources to help students configure, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair computing devices in a simulated work environment. Competencies will be used to evaluate student progress, and successful completion of a capstone project will be required for course credit.
Prerequisite: ITS1500.

4
MAT1500
Math for IT Professionals

The topics for this course will focus on preparing technology students for the higher level mathematics found in all technology disciplines through specific, technology-related applications. Topics of discussion will include basic algebra, DC & AC electronics, number systems and conversions, and Boolean algebra.
Prerequisite: Passing score on entrance assessment or MAT0950.

4

General Education Courses

What are general education courses? Gen Ed courses fall outside the program's core curriculum but provide valuable, applicable skills and knowledge.
BUS2050
Economics

This course is concerned with the allocation of scarce resources among competing interests. This course presents economics as a method of thought and a way of taking hold of a problem, breaking it down, and working systematically through a solution.

4
COM1050
Composition I

This course focuses on helping students develop writing, researching, and critical thinking skills through writing paragraphs and essays using different rhetorical styles. Students also gain experience with peer reviewing. Students are required to earn a grade of C or higher to satisfy the requirements of this course.
Prerequisite: Passing score on entrance assessment or COM0900.

4
COM2060
Composition II

This course builds on skills learned in Composition I and further develops writing, researching, and critical thinking skills with a focus on writing and reading academic essays. The course culminates in a well-reasoned research paper.
Prerequisites: COM1050, KEY1010.

4
SPC1010
Presentation Skills

This course provides students with the basic skills necessary to organize their thoughts and communicate effectively through public speaking. Students learn to research, organize, and properly convey oral messages. Through practical classroom application, students gain sound experience in the art of oral presentation. Students are required to earn a grade of C or higher to satisfy the requirements of this course. Students earning a grade of C- or below will be required to repeat the course.

4

Required Courses

What are required courses? These courses provide a foundation to your program and are often required by the field in which you’ll work.
BUS2600
Career Development

This course provides information and resources important for anyone’s career development. It uses guest presenters and mock interviews, in addition to individual consultations, to provide career guidance. The class starts by having the students perform a self-assessment of their interests and values while at the same time, focusing on their professional goals. It emphasizes the importance of understanding how to create a successful resume no matter where a person is in their career path. In addition, it highlights how to apply a variety of other job search documents and execute follow-up. Instructors illustrate traditional and nontraditional methods of job searching to include some of the latest online resources. A significant element of this course is training students to have great interviewing skills. Additional time is spent researching employers, exploring employment opportunities available in the area, and setting up interviews with prospective employers. Toward the end of this course, students also learn value of teamwork and being successful in their career. By applying these techniques and suggestions in this course, students are able to approach their career exploration and job search with a more confident and winning attitude. This course is scheduled during the final or next to last quarter of the program.

2
INT2990
Internship

This course provides students with actual on-the-job learning activities during the final quarter of instruction.
Prerequisite / Co-Requisite: All required program courses.

4
ITS1500
Computer Systems & Emerging Technologies

In this course, students will take an in-depth look at advanced computer maintenance concepts and techniques. Students will examine theoretical concepts that make the world of technology unique, and they will examine current and emerging trends in computer technology. The course content will also include troubleshooting and problem-solving techniques.
Prerequisite: ITS1000.

4
ITS2300
Strategies & Ethics for the IT Professional

This course reviews the characteristics and trends of the global information society including basic information processing, Internet research, and other skills used by the technical professional. Techniques that can be used for independent technical learning will also be explored. This course also provides students the opportunity to explore competing ethical theories and use analysis and critical thinking to determine their own code of ethics.
Prerequisite: ITS1150 or CIS1600.

4
KEY1010
Keyboarding I

This course teaches students the fundamentals of keyboarding, including correct finger positions, machine operation, and correct posture. An introduction is made to the word processing program.

2
LEG1010
Business Law

This course combines the understanding of legal theory with an acquaintance of the various forms of contracts. Students are taught the essentials of the legal environment of business, tort law, contracts, commercial transactions, government regulations, and property.

4
MGT2000
Management

This course provides valuable information for students who will be entering business as employees and who eventually may have the opportunity to manage a business for others. Also, students who may eventually own and operate their own business will benefit greatly from this course. The material is presented to aid students in learning the appropriate terminology used in business and the many activities involved in the successful operation of a business.

4
PSY1050
Strategies for Success

This course is designed to enhance the college learning experience and prepare students for personal and professional success. Concepts presented include managing change, setting and achieving goals, and thinking in ways to create success. This course also incorporates assessments that will increase one’s self-awareness, and improve the student’s interpersonal and intrapersonal skills.

4
Total Credit Hours96

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