Information Technology
Computer Networking - AAS-T - Articulation to WWU Cybersecurity B.S.
Choose BTC’s Computer Network Technology program to train for positions such as network technician, network specialist, network administrator, and network security administrator, or Local Area Network (LAN) technician. Learn how to manage computer networks, troubleshoot and repair computer systems, and design, install, and maintain LANs.
Graduates will find employment opportunities with computer support firms or with small-sized to large-sized companies that use computer networks, such as financial institutions, insurance companies, schools and universities, a range of corporations, and federal, state, and local government agencies.
Bellingham Technical College is a Microsoft IT Academy member and is a member of CompTIA.
Entry Information
When Can I Start?
Students may begin this program Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer quarters.
What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?
What are My Next Steps?
Classes
Total Program Credits: 100
Basic Requirements
To be eligible for a BTC transfer to Western’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree, students must: - 1. Achieve a minimum grade of D (1.0) in program courses with the exception of IT 210 - Information Security which requires a B (3.0) or higher.
- 2. Achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
General Education Core Courses
CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication 5 CR OR SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology 5 CR OR PSYC& 100 General Psychology 5 CR ENGL& 101 English Composition I (required) 5 CR MATH& 151 Calculus I (required) 5 CR Choose 5 credits of Humanities, Social Sciences or Natural Sciences from approved WWU trasfer course list. Academic Core
BIT 100 Survey of Business and Information Technology 2 CR CS& 131 Computer Science I C++ 5 CR CS 132 Computer Science II C++ 5 CR IT 101 Using Network Computer Systems 5 CR IT 107 Using Cloud Services 3 CR IT 112 A+ Hardware 5 CR IT 120 Command Line Interface & Scripting 5 CR IT 121 Introduction to Programming 5 CR IT 141 A+ Operating Systems 5 CR IT 142 Windows Desktop I 5 CR IT 160 Network Technology I 5 CR IT 161 Network Technology II 5 CR IT 210 Information Security 5 CR IT 240 Linux Server Administration 5 CR IT 242 Windows Server I 5 CR IT 250 Cloud & IOT Fundamentals 5 CR IT 270 Field Based Experience 5 CR
Program Outcomes
After successfully completing the AAS-T degree, students will be able to:
- Install, configure, and administer an advanced application server.
- Install, configure, and administer a Microsoft Windows Network.
- Design, develop, implement, and document a complex project.
- Design and implement a group project.
- Demonstrate industry competency in fundamental networking concepts used by computer networking professionals.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply technical and interpersonal knowledge and skills in a professional setting.
- Meet requirements for articulation to Western Washington University Cybersecurity Program.
Employment Outlook
Start at Bellingham Technical College
Earn your Associate in Applied Science - Transfer in Computer Networking-Computer Programming from Bellingham Technical College to prepare you for mid-level positions.
Mid-level Positions:
- Computer Support Specialist
- Network Support Specialist
- Information Security Specialist
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator
- Other Computer/IT Occupations
- Continue with Western
Continue with Western Washington University
Earn Western’s Cybersecurity Bachelor of Science degree. This two year program will prepare you to fill the urgent need for trained professionals in advanced computer information positions.
Advanced Positions
- Information Systems Security Developer
- Secure Software Assessor
- Cyber Defense Analyst
- Vulnerability Assessment Analyst
- Systems Security Analyst
- Cyber Security Manager
Cybersecurity Occupational Outcomes
The cybersecurity unemployment rate is zero percent, and it’s expected to remain there until 2021, according to Cybersecurity Ventures.
Cybersecurity workers can command an average salary that is nearly 9% more than other IT workers, according to the Job Market Intelligence: Cybersecurity Jobs 2015 report published by Burning Glass Technologies.
84% of cybersecurity job postings specify that a bachelor’s degree is a minimum requirement to apply per Burning Glass’ 2015 Cybersecurity Job report. This illustrates how critical education is to obtaining top-paying positions.
For more information and to start developing the right plan for you, please connect with an academic advisor.
Employment opportunities are available in medium to large businesses with computer networks, such as banks and other financial institutions, schools and universities, insurance companies, federal and state government, and other corporations. As smaller companies move to a client-server model, more opportunities for network specialists will soon become available. Potential positions include network technician, network specialist, network administrator, network security administrator, and LAN technician.
Faculty & Support
Gregory Rehm
Mike Massey
Mike Massey graduated from Western Washington University, in 1985, with a combined Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science and Business Administration, and a minor in History. For the next 15 years he worked as a computer programmer (Dealer Information Systems), and as a database programmer, network administrator and IT Manager at Western Washington University (WWU). During that time he also obtained his commercial pilot license and float plane rating from Trinity Western University. Mike has been teaching Computer Networking at Bellingham Technical College since 2000. He is currently pursuing a degree in Biology at WWU.
Kevin Burkeland
Contacts
If you have questions about this program or want help with the admissions steps to Bellingham Technical College, please email outreach@btc.edu.
Current students wanting academic planning and support, can connect with the program Instructor(s) or email BusinessITNav@btc.edu