Networking Specialist
Program Overview
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.
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.
Offered at the Following Campuses/Delivery Mode
- North Campus (Sandersville)
- South Campus (Dublin)
- Online (Distance Education)
Salary Potential
$30,000.00 – $60,000.00
Program Costs
Tuition & Fees: $8,255.00
Books & Supplies: $2,300.00
(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)
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.
Admission Requirements
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Submit a completed application and application fee;
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Be at least 16 years of age;
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Submit official high school transcript or GED transcript;
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Submit official college transcripts, if applicable;
- 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 GED.
The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy.
Articulation Agreements
For information on further advancing your education after completing your Associate of Applied Science Degree, see our Articulation (Transfer) Agreements.
Course Overview
AREA I - Language Arts/CommunicationENGL1101Composition and Rhetoric3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Appropriate Degree Level Writing (English) Placement Test Score and Appropriate Degree Level Reading Placement Test Score or ENGL 0988
Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.186AREA II - Social/Behavioral SciencesPSYC1101Introductory Psychology3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Appropriate Degree Level Writing (English) and Reading Placement Test Scores
Introduces the major fields of contemporary psychology. Emphasis is on fundamental principles of psychology as a science. Topics include research design, the organization and operation of the nervous system, sensation and perception, learning and memory, motivation and emotion, thinking and intelligence, lifespan development, personality, psychopathology and interventions, stress and health, and social psychology.
473AREA III - Natural Sciences/MathematicsChoose one of the following:MATH1103Quantitative Skills and Reasoning3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Appropriate Placement Test Score or MATH 0098
This course focuses on quantitative skills and reasoning in the context of experiences that students will be likely to encounter. The course emphasizes processing information in context from a variety of representations, understanding of both the information and the processing, and understanding which conclusions can be reasonably determined. Students will use appropriate technology to enhance mathematical thinking and understanding. Topics covered in this course include: sets and set operations, logic, basic probability, data analysis, linear models, quadratic models, exponential and logarithmic models, geometry, and financial management.3183MATH1111College Algebra3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Appropriate Degree Level Math Placement Test Score or MATH 0098 and MATH 0099.
Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, and systems of equations; optional topics include sequences, series, and probability or analytic geometry.187AREA IV - Humanities/Fine ArtsChoose one of the following:ENGL2110World Literature3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: ENGL 1101 with a "C" or better
This course explores the history of the human experience through literature and writing across the cultures of the world. Surveys of important works across multiple genres of fiction and non-fiction as a reflection of cultural values. Explores themes from the ancient through modern era6832ENGL2130American Literature3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: ENGL 1101
Emphasizes American literature as a reflection of culture and ideas. A survey of important works in American literature. Includes a variety of literary genres: short stories, poetry, drama, nonfiction, and novels. Topics include literature and culture, essential themes and ideas, literature and history, and research skills.
471Program Specific General Education Course RequirementsTo meet the minimum required 15 semester credit hours in General Core Courses, students must take an additional 3 semester credit hours.ENGL1102Literature and Composition3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: ENGL 1101
Emphasizes the student's ability to read literature analytically and meaningfully and to communicate clearly. Students analyze the form and content of literature in historical and philosophical contexts. Topics include reading and analysis of fiction, poetry, and drama; research; and writing about literature.
472HIST2111U.S. History I3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Degree Level Writing (English) and Reading Placement Test Scores or ENGL 0988
Emphasizes the study of U. S. History to 1877 to include the post-Civil War period. The course focuses on the period from the Age of Discovery through the Civil War to include geographical, intellectual, political, economic and cultural development of the American people. It includes the history of Georgia and its constitutional development. Topics include colonization and expansion; the Revolutionary Era; the New Nation; nationalism, sectionalism, and reform; the Era of Expansion; and crisis, Civil War, and reconstruction.623HIST2112U.S. History II3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Appropriate Degree Level Writing and Reading Placement Test Scores or ENGL 0988
Emphasizes the study of the social, cultural, and political history of the United States from 1865 to the beginning of the twenty-first century and will equip the student to better understand the problems and challenges of the contemporary world in relation to events and trends in modern American history. The course also provides an overview of the history of Georgia and the development of its constitution. Topics include the Reconstruction Period; the great West, the new South, and the rise of the debtor; the Gilded Age; the progressive movement; the emergence of the U. S. in world affairs; the Roaring Twenties; the Great Depression; World War I; World War II; the Cold War and the 1950's; the Civil Rights Movement; the 1960's and 1970's; and America since 1980.3716POLS1101American Government3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Appropriate Degree Level Writing (English) and Reading Placement Test Scores
Emphasizes study of government and politics in the United States. The focus of the course will provide an overview of the Constitutional
foundations of the American political processes with a focus on government institutions and political procedures. The course will examine the
constitutional framework, federalism, civil liberties and civil rights, public opinion, the media, interest groups, political parties, and the election
process along with the three branches of government. In addition, this course will examine the processes of Georgia state government.
Topics include foundations of government, political behavior, and governing institutions.2792SOCI1101Introduction to Sociology3 credit hours45 contact hoursPrerequisites: Appropriate Degree Level Writing (English) and Reading Placement Test Scores
Explores the sociological analysis of society, its culture, and structure. Sociology is presented as a science with emphasis placed on its methodology and theoretical foundations. Topics include basic sociological concepts, socialization, social interaction and culture, social groups and institutions, deviance and social control, social stratification, social change, and marriage and family.622OCCUPATIONAL COURSESCIST1001Computer Concepts4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: None
Provides an overview of information systems, computers and technology. Topics include: Information Systems and Technology Terminology, Computer History, Data Representation, Data Storage Concepts, Fundamentals of Information Processing, Fundamentals of Information Security, Information Technology Ethics, Fundamentals of Hardware Operation, Fundamentals of Networking, Fundamentals of the Internet, Fundamentals of Software Design Concepts, Fundamentals of Software, (System and Application), System Development Methodology, Computer Number Systems conversion (Binary and Hexadecimal), Mobile computing.
162CIST1122Hardware Installation and Maintenance4 credit hours105 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission
This course serves to provide students with the knowledge of the fundamentals of computer technology, networking, and security along with the skills required to identify hardware, peripheral, networking, and security components with an introduction to the fundamentals of installing and maintaining computers. Students will develop the skills to identify the basic functionality of the operating system, perform basic troubleshooting techniques, utilize proper safety procedures, and effectively interact with customers and peers. This course is designed to help prepare students for the CompTIA A+ certification examination.
163CIST1401Computer Networking Fundamentals4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission
Introduces networking technologies and prepares students to take the CompTIA's broad-based, vendor independent networking certification exam, Network +. This course covers a wide range of material about networking, including local area networks, wide area networks, protocols, topologies, transmission media, and security. Focuses on operating network management systems, and implementing the installation of networks. It reviews cabling, connection schemes, the fundamentals of the LAN and WAN technologies, TCP/IP configuration and troubleshooting, remote connectivity, and network maintenance and troubleshooting. Topics include: basic knowledge of networking technology, network media and topologies, network devices, network management, network tools and network security.
164COLL1060Introduction to College and Computers3 credit hours50 contact hoursPrerequisites: Provisional Admission
This course is designed to provide tools to assist students in the acquisition of skills necessary to achieve academic and professional success in their chosen program of study. Topics include: Getting to Know Your College, Learning Styles, Computer Literacy, Time and Financial Management, Stress Management and Wellness, Studying and Test-Taking Skills, and Communication Skills.3741XXXXXXXXGuided Elective - 14 Credit Hours14 credit hours contact hoursPrerequisites:
3185XXXXXXXXCIS Operating Systems Course3 credit hours0 contact hoursPrerequisites:
965XXXXXXXXCIS Security Course3 credit hours0 contact hoursPrerequisites:
1112MICROSOFT SPECIALIZATIONCIST2411Microsoft Client4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission
Provides the ability to implement, administrator, and troubleshoot Windows Professional Client as a desktop operating system in any network environment.
558CIST2412Microsoft Server Directory Services4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program Admission
Provides students with knowledge and skills necessary to install, configure, manage, support and administer Microsoft Directory Services559CIST2413Microsoft Server Infrastructure4 credit hours90 contact hoursPrerequisites: Program admission
Provides students with knowledge and skills necessary to install, configure, manage, support and administer Microsoft network infrastructure.560XXXXXXXXMS Elective4 credit hours0 contact hoursPrerequisites:
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