Computer Networking
Computer Networking - AAS
The rapid expansion of the computer industry has generated a growing need for highly skilled workers to repair, network, and support these complex computer systems. Employment of computer networking engineers is expected to increase much faster than average as information technology becomes more sophisticated and organizations continue to adopt and integrate these technologies. The computer networking field requires specialists who continually learn new skills to keep pace with the rapidly changing IT industry.
BTC’s degrees and certificates in the Information Technology Program are ideal for students with skillsets and interests in information technology, working with and troubleshooting computers, assisting the public, customer service, and more. Your Information Technology career training will help you learn in-demand skills for a rewarding career in the fast-paced world of modern business.
Information Technology Jobs & Employment
Choose BTC’s Information Technology programs to train for positions such as network technician, network specialist, network administrator, and network security administrator, or local area network (LAN) technician. Through our top career training, you will learn how to manage computer networks, troubleshoot and repair computer systems, and design, install, and maintain LANs.
BTC’s top-quality computer networking training is widely respected by businesses and information technology (IT) professionals. The average annual wage in the computer networking field is $87,485, with an earning potential of about $111,446 per year.
Information Technology Program graduates will find employment opportunities with IT and computer support firms or with a wide range of companies that use computer networks, including software companies, manufacturers, industrial firms, retail and wholesale companies, financial institutions, insurance companies, schools and universities, corporations, and federal, state, and local government agencies.
Bellingham Technical College is a Microsoft IT Academy member and is a member of CompTIA.
Employment Information
Data are provided on a program (not credential) level
72% BTC graduate placement rate1
$63,311 starting annual wage2$79,867 average annual wage2
$94,358 potential annual wage2
Estimated Program Costs
Entry Information
When Can I Start?
Students may begin this program in Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer quarter.
What are the Minimum Entry Requirements?
Admissions application and assessment testing in Reading, Math and Writing is required. Your score on the test and/or your previous transcripts will determine where you begin your course sequence. Contact Admissions at 360.752.8345 or at admissions@btc.edu for assistance with academic planning.
What are My Next Steps?
Classes
Total Program Credits: 99
Quarter 1
AMATH 100 Applied Occupational Math 5 CR OR BUS 150 Math for Business 5 CR OR 5 CR MATH& 107 Math In Society 5 CR Or higher BIT 100 Survey of Business and Information Technology 2 CR IT 101 Using Network Computer Systems 5 CR IT 141 A+ Operating Systems 5 CR Quarter 2
CMST& 210 Interpersonal Communication 5 CR OR PSYC& 100 General Psychology 5 CR OR SOC& 101 Introduction to Sociology 5 CR IT 112 A+ Hardware 5 CR IT 120 Command Line Interface & Scripting 5 CR IT 160 Network Technology I 5 CR Quarter 3
AENGL 100 Applied English 5 CR OR BUS 191 Technical Communications 5 CR OR ENGL& 101 English Composition I 5 CR OR ENGL& 102 English Composition II 5 CR IT 107 Using Cloud Services 3 CR IT 142 Windows Desktop I 5 CR IT 161 Network Technology II 5 CR Quarter 4
IT 242 Windows Server I 5 CR IT 240 Linux Server Administration 5 CR Specialty/Elective 5 CR Computer Networking students may choose elective credits from any 100 level or higher courses with the following prefixes: ACCT ACCT& BUS CAP CET CS CS& ECON ECON& EMTEC ENGR ENGR& ENGT HT INST IT PHIL PTEC, or instructor permission. Courses taken to meet the general education or program core requirements may not be used for electives. Quarter 5
IT 210 Information Security 5 CR IT 250 Cloud & IOT Fundamentals 5 CR Specialty/Elective 5 CR Computer Networking students may choose elective credits from any 100 level or higher courses with the following prefixes: ACCT ACCT& BUS CAP CET CS CS& ECON ECON& EMTEC ENGR ENGR& ENGT HT INST IT PHIL PTEC, or instructor permission. Courses taken to meet the general education or program core requirements may not be used for electives. Quarter 6
IT 270 Field-Based Experience 5 CR Specialty/Elective 10 CR Computer Networking students may choose elective credits from any 100 level or higher courses with the following prefixes: ACCT ACCT& BUS CAP CET CS CS& ECON ECON& EMTEC ENGR ENGR& ENGT HT INST IT PHIL PTEC, or instructor permission. Courses taken to meet the general education or program core requirements may not be used for electives. Program Specialty
Cloud Computing: IT 252 Amazon Cloud 5 CR IT 253 Microsoft Cloud 5 CR IT 254 Web Applications 5 CR Computer Programming: CS& 131 Computer Science I C++ 5 CR CS 132 Computer Science II C++ 5 CR IT 121 Introduction to Programming 5 CR Generalist: Students may select any three classes from the Cloud Computing, Network Management or Computer Programming tracks to complete the Generalist track. Network Management: IT 241 Windows Desktop II 5 CR IT 243 Windows Server II 5 CR IT 260 Network Technology III 5 CR
Online Asynchronous
Online Synchronous
Hybrid Asynchronous
Hybrid Synchronous
Self-SupportProgram Outcomes
After successfully completing this program, 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.
Employment Outlook
The rapid expansion of the computer industry has generated a growing need for highly skilled workers to repair, network, and support these complex computer systems. Employment of computer network engineers is expected to increase much faster than average as technology becomes more sophisticated and organizations continue to adopt and integrate these technologies. This field requires networking specialists to continually learn new skills to keep pace with the rapidly changing industry.
The average annual income in this field is $87,485, with an earning potential of about $111,446 per year.*
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.
