Bachelor's degree programs in computer network administration

We live in a world of integrated information. Transportation networks, import/export networks, satellite telephone networks, and the World Wide Web are now ingrained so deeply into the fiber of our daily routines that we can scarcely imagine an ordinary day without them. Some aspects of our lives have come to be so strongly defined by their interconnectedness that cultural critics are suggesting we refer to our modern era as the Network Age.

Computer network technology stands out among the networks of the world, partially because of its recent rise and meteoric expansion. Twenty years after the inception of the modern Internet, the list of possibilities available to professionals with computer network administration bachelor degrees continues to grow. Find out what a campus or online bachelor's degree in computer network administration can do for you.

Computer network technology degrees: What to expect from coursework

Coursework may vary from program to program, but a bachelor's degree in computer network administration contains a few standard items, including advanced mathematics and general education, or "core" classes, during the first two years. Basic computer programming and languages, such as C++, HTML and JavaScript, are other standard fare.

The last two years of a bachelor's degree program focus on more advanced, subject-area specific coursework. In this case, common classes might include advanced computer courses, such as:

• computer operating systems
  
• concepts and protocols of network routing and wireless technologies
• network engineering
• telecommunications
• fundamentals of internet development
• advanced systems and database administration
• advanced computer programming languages

Regardless of the concentration, students who graduate with a bachelor's degree in computer network administration can rest easy knowing they are pursuing a higher education that prepares them for one of the strongest job markets in the nation.

Computer network administration bachelor's degrees and the job market

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than 3.3 million people held computer and mathematical science jobs in 2009. About 2 million of those jobs are associated with computer network technology. Nearly 600,000 deal with computer network technology as their primary function.

Careers available to people with computer network administration bachelor's degrees are among the fastest growing and most secure professions in the nation. Here's a short list of occupations and their BLS growth projections from 2008-2018:

• Network systems and data communications analysts: 53 percent
• Network and computer systems administrators: 23 percent
• Computer and information systems managers: 17 percent
• Computer support specialists: 14 percent
• Nationwide average for all occupations: 11 percent

Occupations that deal with computer network technology are also among some of the highest paid professions. Take a look at 2009 mean annual wages from the BLS:

• Computer and information systems managers: $120,640
• Network systems and data communications analysts: $76,560
• Network and computer systems administrators: $70,930
• Computer support specialists: $47,360
• Nationwide average for all occupations: $43,460

Computer network administration bachelor degrees can have potent influence over your earnings and job security. To learn more about computer network administration bachelor's degrees, explore WorldWideLearn's Guide to Technology Majors, where we provide you with an in-depth look at Majors in Computer Networking, Network Security and more.

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