(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.