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Network Administration and Engineering

Learn to design, layout, setup, and maintain every aspect of a computer network. You’ll train in Hawkeye’s state-of-the-art data center, where you learn to build a network, secure the network, and restore the network after an outage.

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Program Overview

The Network Administration and Engineering program prepares students to work as Systems Administrators in a tier-3 capacity, which involves directly working with clients to resolve more complex issues that are unable to be resolved by tier-1 (Help desk) and tier-2 (PC / User support) personnel. In addition, program graduates are also prepared to manage IT infrastructures for area business and do so on-site or remotely.

Students will learn:

  • Basic PC hardware and operating systems
  • Microsoft Office
  • Databases
  • Server operating systems
  • Computer networking.
  • Advanced IT technologies including virtualization, email systems, server management, project management, SQL, IT security, and more!

Students will also complete an internship to gain valuable work experience prior to graduation.

Hands-on Learning Experiences

  • Data Center: Learn to build and maintain industry-standard networks, including how to secure the network, protect against hacking attacks, and how to recover from an attack. Gain experience with the latest Microsoft desktop, server, Exchange, and SQL server platforms.

  • Internship: Gain 192 hours of real-world work experience ensuring you have the skills you need to succeed in your future career.

Certifications

In the information technology industry certifications are a must. Hawkeye is recognized as a Cisco Regional Academy and a VMware IT Academy. You may receive the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), CompTIA, and VMware certifications.

Why Pursue a Career in Information Technology?

Information Technology (IT) is something that every company needs in order to compete in the world today. This program has a tremendous reputation with employers around the state for preparing students very well to enter the IT workforce. Placement in the IT field averages 85% within 90 days for new graduates seeking work.

Transfer Information

This program is geared towards students wishing to complete two years of education and enter the workforce. For students wishing to continue education, this program has articulation agreements with Upper Iowa University as well as a transfer relationship with the University of Iowa

The University of Northern Iowa's Department of Applied Engineering and Technical Management has a documented pathway between Hawkeye's Network Administration and Engineering AAS degree program and UNI's Technology Management Bachelor of Arts degree. Check out UNI's transfer guide to learn more.

If you plan to transfer, work closely with a program advisor to ensure courses transfer and you meet program requirements.

At A Glance
Awards
  • Associate of Applied Science
  • Diploma
Length of Study 9 months – 2 years
Program Start Fall
Tuition-Free Eligible

This program qualifies for the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship and will pay up to 100% of your tuition.

Students must apply for, be awarded, and meet the ongoing eligibility requirements for the Last-Dollar Scholarship.
 

Faculty Spotlight

Todd Bengen

"There's a strong need for IT professionals. If you complete your degree, acquire an internship to gain valuable on the job experience, and earn a certification—there's a job with your name on it."

Each year students in the IT programs organize an alumni event that includes fundraising for IT Scholarships. Make your gift today!

Video Overview

Advantages of the Network Administration and Engineering Program at Hawkeye Community College

Graduates and instructors discuss the advantages of the Network Administration and Engineering program at Hawkeye Community College.

A great career in Network Administration: Featuring Joe Gordon

After graduating from Postville High School in 2015, Joe Gordon decided he needed time to decide on the right career. He worked odd jobs, took some college classes, and after a while, he was drawn Hawkeye's Network Administration and Engineering program.

"IT has always been a fascinating thing to me," he said. "I had heard a lot of good things about Hawkeye and this program. Specifically, the IT program holds a lot of weight. The name Hawkeye holds a lot of weight around this area."

While at Hawkeye, Joe gained experience on campus working in the data center, and off campus in an internship with Cedar Falls Schools. He also got involved, playing on the RedTail Esports team and volunteering for the campus food pantry.

Now a proud Hawkeye graduate, he has multiple job offers in hand. His only decision now is what's next?

"It's really cool seeing this dream kind of come into reality," he said. "Getting back out there into the workforce is going to be a great time. I'm excited for it. Hawkeye's really put me in the right spot to pursue, I guess whatever I want to do with IT as far as IT goes. I feel ready for it."

Program Pathways

Computer Networking Technician Diploma

Program Details

Award Diploma
Credits 31
Program Start Fall
Number of Terms 2
Time to Complete 9 months
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Network Administration and Engineering – AAS
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Program Courses

Term 1 — Fall
  • A+ Certification Prep Course
  • Cisco Networking
  • College Experience
  • Introduction to Database
Term 2 — Spring
  • Cisco Networking II
  • Human and Work Relations
  • Linux System Administration
  • Windows Server
  • Written Communication in the Workplace

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

Next step: Continue to terms 3 and 4 of the Network Administration and Engineering Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree or graduate and enter the workforce.

Network Administration and Engineering Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree

Program Details

Award Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Credits 64
Program Start Fall
Number of Terms 4
Time to Complete 2 years
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Network Administration and Engineering – AAS
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Program Courses

Term 1 — Fall
  • A+ Certification Prep Course
  • Cisco Networking
  • College Experience
  • Introduction to Database
Term 2 — Spring
  • Cisco Networking II
  • Human and Work Relations
  • Linux System Administration
  • Windows Server
  • Written Communication in the Workplace
Term 3 — Fall
  • Administering Windows Server
  • Cisco Networking III
  • Fundamentals of Network Security
  • Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
  • Virtual Machines
Term 4 — Spring
  • Experiential Learning
  • Internship
  • Project Management
  • SQL Database
Electives
  • Advanced Network Technology
  • Certification Preparation
  • Certification Preparation
  • Cybersecurity Analyst
  • Intro to Cyber Security
  • Programming for Network Administrators
  • Special Topics
  • Visual Basic

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

You have completed the Network Administration and Engineering Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program. Check out the Computers and Technology continuing education courses to keep up to date in your profession.

Careers

Positions

Our graduates can be employed in many careers, including:

  • Network administrator
  • Network technician
  • LAN/WAN engineer
  • LAN/WAN administrator
  • Help desk technician

Example Careers and Average Wages
Entry Average Experienced
Computer Network Support Specialists $48,420 $63,730 $78,910
Computer User Support Specialists $37,180 $52,280 $64,860

Source: 2023 Iowa Wage Report, Iowa Workforce Development – Statewide Wages

Industry Growth

State, National, and Regional indicators for related careers for this program show large growth in opportunities of 6–32% with steadily increasing median annual wages of $47K statewide to $52K – $65K nationally.

Supply indicators show a large shortage of trained workers for IT positions.

Sources: Economic Development and Employer Planning System and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Employers

The following is a partial list of employers who have hired graduates from this program:
Business Location
ACES Cedar Falls, IA
BerganKDV Waterloo, IA
CBE Group Cedar Falls, IA
CDW Minneapolis, MN
Cedar Falls Utilities Cedar Falls, IA
John Deere Waterloo, IA
EO Johnson Business Technologies Cedar Falls, IA
The VGM Group Waterloo, IA

Program Admission

Step #1: Apply at Hawkeye

  1. Apply for admission at Hawkeye.

  2. Send official transcripts to Admissions.

Step #2: Program Admittance Score Requirement

In order to be eligible for the Network Administration and Engineering program, all students must meet minimum score requirements in math and literacy. For appropriate college success course placement, work with your program advisor.

Minimum score requirements
ALEKS ACCUPLACER Next Generation ACCUPLACER Classic COMPASS ACT GPA
Math 14 255 Arithmetic
246 Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS)		 63 Arithmetic
56 Elementary Algebra		 39 Pre-Algebra 16
Literacy 239 Reading or
240 Writing		 58 Reading or
64 Sentence Skills		 69 Reading or
41 Writing		 16 Reading or
16 English		 2.25

The ALEKS Placement Assessment can be taken online. ACCUPLACER Next Generation and ACT can be taken at Hawkeye. ACCUPLACER Classic and COMPASS are no longer offered, but if you've taken either in the past your test scores can be used for program admittance.

Step #3: Program Acceptance

Applicants successfully demonstrating college readiness criteria are eligible for acceptance.

Applicants falling short of successful demonstration of college readiness criteria will be accepted to a Pre-Program. As a pre-program student, you will begin with general education and prerequisite classes. An advisor will help you create an academic plan to meet your program admission requirements. Once you have completed your pre-program coursework contact Admissions.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Program Contacts
Admissions
Email Admissions 319-296-4000 Hawkeye Center 114
Academic/College Success Advisor
Last Names A – L
 Brittany Warren Email Brittany Warren 319-296-4014 ext.1086 Hawkeye Center 208J
Academic/College Success Advisor
Last Names M – Z
 Honey Lynn Email Honey Lynn 319-296-4014 ext.1083 Hawkeye Center 208E
Faculty Advisor
Last Names A – M
 Todd Bengen Email Todd Bengen 319-296-2329 ext.1124 Black Hawk Hall 114
Faculty Advisor
Last Names N – Z
 Chad Dean Email Chad Dean 319-296-2329 ext.1707 Black Hawk Hall 106

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