Online Network Administration Degree Programs

Few job fields have exploded in both demand and salary potential the way network administration has over the past decade. Ever since the Internet revolutionized the way that we communicate and do business, companies have scrambled to maintain data security while pushing the bounds of speed and reliability.

The business consulting firm Robert Half polled hundreds of CIOs across the country, and 70 percent responded that network administration is the skillset most in demand. Keeping a business connected and functioning has become the responsibility of IT departments across numerous industries.

Network Administration: Connecting and Protecting Businesses

Network administration students learn to connect computers and their users to each other using a vast infrastructure of software and networks. Although most people have become familiar with the personal computer, few of us truly understand the kind of devices and networks that operate behind the scenes. Networking specialists learn to build and maintain servers, routers, fiber optic networks, and all of the other complex components that make the Internet seem so effortless to the rest of us.

Network Administrators Can Choose from Several Degrees

Two- and four-year degrees are available both online and on-campus in information systems, database administration, network administration, and more. Courses may focus on establishing and maintaining local and wide area networks and databases, TCP/IP protocols, firewalls, encryption, network security, and more.

Career training is also available through certification courses offered by major companies, like Microsoft and Cisco. These certifications can strengthen your resume and qualify you for more positions in network administration. They may also be required of some positions, as some companies (like Cisco) dominate certain areas of the market in this area. Over 1 million people are Cisco certified, and joining them could make you a more competitive candidate to employers.

Careers in Network Administration

Earning a degree in network administration can be a good way to qualify for entry-level positions in IT departments. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects significant growth in network administration industries between 2006 and 2016, including:

• Computer systems administrators: 13 percent
• Database administration: 37 percent
• Computer system analysis: 29 percent

In addition to solid job growth, individuals with career training in network administration can expect to see solid annual earnings as well. According to the BLS, these occupations earned the following median annual wages in 2007:

• Network administrator: $64,690
• Database administrator: $67,250
• Computer systems analyst: $73,090

From employment with computer systems design companies to colleges and universities, natural gas distributorships to rail transportation companies, graduates of network administration programs can enjoy a bevy of choices when it comes to making a career decision.

As the survey conducted by the consulting firm Robert Half showed earlier, many CIOs are planning to increase the hiring of support technician in the coming years. The key to taking advantage of the significant growth in database administration is to earn the degree you need to qualify for that first job.

• Network Administration
• Technology & IT