Senior Network Specialist Certificate

(30 semester hours minimum)

This certificate program is an occupational program that will prepare successful students for immediate employment in the networking area of computer services occupations. Students who take the required NetPrep courses are eligible for certification by the National Association of Communication Systems Engineers.

Learners who complete this certificate will:

Identify the different types of hardware and software that are required in networking
Distinguish between computer processes, services and protocols
Describe how protocols are used to transmit information across a network
Identify the flow of information between two communicating computers
Describe current technologies used in local area networks (LANs)
Describe current technologies used in wide area networks (WANs)
Identify when to use a switch, hub or router
Identify TCP/IP layers, components and functions and the services these applications provide
Identify the need for Virtual LANs
Describe common application servers used for Internet access
Retrieve Internet information through a wide variety of applications
Discuss routing methodologies and routing protocols
Be able to list the common WAN protocols, and understand the specific functions of the Network Layer in terms of network addressing
Determine the root cause of a technical problem
List ways to measure networking traffic
Evaluate networking equipment to solve a performance problem

For more information, contact Program Coordinator Chris Parden.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program and other important information, please visit our website at:

https://qvcc.edu/discover-qvcc/accreditation/gainful-employment-3/

Becoming Connecticut State Community College

STUDENTS: The Community Colleges will become Connecticut State Community College in fall 2023; please work closely with your advisor/program coordinator to plan your courses accordingly. Click here About the College for more detail about this exciting transition!

Program Requirements

CST* 130 Network Essentials I Network Essentials I
CST* 170 Introduction to Local Area Networks Introduction to Local Area Networks
CST* 196 Protocol Analysis Protocol Analysis
CST* 229 Network Routers and Switches
CST* 234 Network +
CST* 260 System Architecture System Architecture
CST* 261 Network Design Network Design
CST* 275 Information Security
CST* 270 Network Security Fundamentals Network Security Fundamentals
Technical Elective ¹

Total Program Credits: 30

¹	Course to be selected from the following areas only: CSA, CSC, or CST*

The candidate for this certificate must have placed at the College level on the Basic Skills Assessment in English and mathematics, or completed the recommended developmental coursework.