Stark State’s computer network administration and security technology program prepares you to design, manage and secure computer networks in today’s technology-driven workplaces. Learn how to install, configure and troubleshoot network systems while developing the skills to defend against cybersecurity threats. This program is ideal if you’re interested in IT support, network administration or information security and want hands-on, career-ready training.
Major code: 5400 Business, Engineering, and Information Technology Division Computer Science and Information Systems Department
The catalog in force is assigned to students based on the academic year they first applied to the college, and changes only when students change their major or request the change in writing. Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-28.
2026-27 Catalog
Effective Summer 2026
Some courses listed within the program may require a prerequisite or co-requisite.
Pre/Co-requisites will be listed within each course hyperlink below.
Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-04 and 3357:15-13-05
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | ||
| CPD123 | Structured Query Language | 3 |
| NET137 | CCNA Phase 2 | 3 |
| NET121 | Introduction to Computer Networking | 3 |
| NET244 | Microsoft Networking I | 3 |
| NET245 | Microsoft Networking II | 3 |
| NET246 | Microsoft Networking III | 3 |
| NET253 | Securing Network Switches and Routers | 3 |
| NET256 | CCNA Phase 3 | 3 |
| NET264 | UNIX/LUNIX System Administration | 3 |
| NET281 | Firewall and Network Security | 3 |
| Non-technical | ||
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| COM121 | Effective Speaking | 3 |
| CPD121 | Data Modeling Database Design | 3 |
| CSE122 | Programming Logic and Problem Solving | 3 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| MTH125 | College Algebra | 4 |
| NET120 | PC Upgrading and Maintenance | 3 |
| NET220 | UNIX/LINUX Operating Environment | 3 |
| NET131 | Microsoft Client Operating System | 3 |
| Select one (1) Arts & Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| Select one (1) Social and Behavioral | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 62 | |
Students completing this degree may be eligible to also receive a Microsoft Networking Career Enhancement Certificate (5407) and a Cisco Technology Career Enhancement Certificate (5408).
Full-time Student Advising Notes
Academic Advising
Students should make an appointment to see their advisor before registering for classes each semester. They should have prepared a completed registration form, including courses they wish to take, prior to this meeting.
Course Sequence
The semester-by-semester listing below provides the normal scheduling option for full-time associate degree students who plan to finish in two years.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| CSE122 | Programming Logic and Problem Solving | 3 |
| NET120 | PC Upgrading and Maintenance | 3 |
| NET121 | Introduction to Computer Networking | 3 |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| MTH125 | College Algebra | 4 |
| NET131 | Microsoft Client Operating System | 3 |
| NET137 | CCNA Phase 2 | 3 |
| NET220 | UNIX/LINUX Operating Environment | 3 |
| NET244 | Microsoft Networking I | 3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| CPD121 | Data Modeling Database Design | 3 |
| COM121 | Effective Speaking | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| NET253 | Securing Network Switches and Routers | 3 |
| NET245 | Microsoft Networking II | 3 |
| CPD123 | Structured Query Language | 3 |
| Arts Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| NET246 | Microsoft Networking III | 3 |
| NET264 | UNIX/LUNIX System Administration | 3 |
| NET256 | CCNA Phase 3 | 3 |
| NET281 | Firewall and Network Security | 3 |
| Social Science Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 62 | |
Arts & Humanities Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG233 | British Literature: Medieval to 1785 | 3 |
| ENG234 | British Literature: 1785 to Present | 3 |
| ENG236 | American Literature: Colonial to 1865 | 3 |
| ENG237 | American Literature: 1865 to Present | 3 |
| HIS121 | United States History I to 1877 | 3 |
| HIS122 | United States History II from 1877 | 3 |
| PHL122 | Ethics | 3 |
Social and Behavioral Science Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSC121 | United States Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSY121 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PSY123 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| PSY124 | Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| PSY221 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| SOC121 | Sociology | 3 |
| SOC122 | Society and Technology | 3 |
| SOC123 | Dynamics of the Family | 3 |
| SOC221 | Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC225 | Diversity in American Society | 3 |
Program Leaning Outcomes
This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Install, configure and administer common operating systems to meet operational needs.
- Analyze network security needs and apply standard security techniques to network equipment in a business environment.
- Use the appropriate design and coding of structured programs in the major software development languages relating to the computer programming and database field.