Computers were born to network – but they need a little help. Learn your LANs from your WANs and you’ll be lifelong friends.
IT-Network Specialist Image
91%
Work Local
91% of our recent graduates work in Wisconsin.
99%
Student Satisfaction
99% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
$63k
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $63,168.

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IT-Network Specialist
Program Number: 101502
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Information Technology
Delivery Method:
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
61 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
transfer icon Program Transfers
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$10,454.10

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    The Information Technology-Network Specialist program will prepare you to install, troubleshoot, and maintain computer networks.

    The IT-Network Specialist program is designed in on-going collaboration with local hiring managers and the Cisco Networking Academy.

    You will gain a working knowledge of networking devices such as routers and switches, as used in deployments for both Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs).  Additionally, you will gain first-hand experience planning, troubleshooting, and implementing wired networks, wireless networks, perimeter networks, Voice over IP (VoIP), and Software Defined Networking (SDN).

    Network Specialists are involved in all facets of network installation and management. Typical duties might include:

    • Evaluation and design of products/technologies to scale the network
    • Capacity management
    • Creation of software programs or scripts that aid in network automation, analysis and troubleshooting utilities
    • Securing the enterprise from the Internet
    • User administration and event log monitoring

    Program Details

    Students in MATC's IT-Network Specialist program can attend full or part time.

    IT-Network Specialist classes are offered at our Madison Truax campus.

    If you start this program in the spring semester it may take 5 semesters to complete and classes are only offered in the daytime.

    Careers

    Madison College's IT-Network Specialist graduates are ready for a range of professional entry-level positions in the field of Network Specialist including:

    • Cable Installer-Voice/Data
    • Network Control Operator
    • Network Support Technician
    • Network Support Services
    • Network Technician
    • Network Specialist
    • Network Professional
    • Networking Services
    • Assistant LAN Manager
    • Assistant LAN Administrator
    • Assistant Network Administrator

    Resources

    Get certified
    You will be prepared to earn these certifications
    • Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA)
    • Cisco Certified DevNet Associate
    • Cisco CCNA-Voice

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  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    First Semester
    10-150-121
    3 credits
    10-151-102
    1 credit
    10-154-184
    3 credits
    10-154-190
    3 credits
    10-156-105
    1 credit
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-150-122
    3 credits
    10-150-190
    3 credits
    10-152-109
    3 credits
    10-154-171
    3 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    Third Semester
    10-107-175
    1 credit
    10-150-123
    3 credits
    10-150-150
    3 credits
    10-150-163
    3 credits
    10-804-144
    3 credits
    10-809-199
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-150-151
    3 credits
    10-150-166
    3 credits
    10-150-195
    3 credits
    10-809-197
    3 credits
    Elective
    3 credits
    Recommended Electives
    10-151-114
    3 credits
    10-157-101
    3 credits
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!

    International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.

    Application Dates

    Fall 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is August 31, 2024

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is January 15, 2025

    Admission Requirements

    All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

    1. Admission Application

    The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.

    2. Education Completion
    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

    • High school transcript (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) showing:
      • Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
      • At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
        • The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
        • Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum

    All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.

    Additional Notes

    • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
    • Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.

    After Acceptance

    Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College. 

    Questions?

    Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your IT-Network Specialist career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Transfer Opportunities

    UW System Schools

    The terms of the B.S in Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete selective A.A.S or A.A.A. degrees and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis at UW-Oshkosh. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
    Students will be required to meet UW Stout general education and major requirements. Up to 72 may transfer. Courses that have been completed with a D or better may be acceptable to meet program requirements unless UW Stout major requires a higher grade.
    This agreement establishes a cooperative relationship between the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-W) and Madison College studentsin the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Cybersecurity-Cyber Operations Emphasis, in or after the fall 2022 term
    University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-W) and Madison College effective for students starting the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)- Computer Science-Applied Computing Emphasis, in or after the fall 2022 term

    Wisconsin Private Schools

    Students witn an AA, AS or AAS are Advanced Core. Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 60 credits. Students transferring prior to completion or with less than 60 credits are standard core and credits are evaluated course by course.
    Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.
    Completion of an A.A.S. Degree at Madison College after 2015, and meeting admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a B.B.A degree in Technical Sales at MSOE.
    Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership

    Out-of-State Schools

    Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement.
    Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring.
    Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.
    Franklin University will guarantee acceptance of Madison College graduates with an AA, AS, or AAS. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer up to 94 additional credits toward their baccalaureate degree.
  • Career Outcomes

    After completing the IT-Network Specialist program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:

    • Implement computer networks
    • Implement client systems
    • Implement server operating systems
    • Implement network security components
    • Develop technical documentation
    • Troubleshoot network systems
    • Implement programmability and flexibility on networks
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      2023
      Number of Program Graduates16
      Number of Surveys Sent16
      Number of Surveys Returned14
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment13
      Percent Available for Employment92.9%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market7.1%
      Available for Employment

      2023
      Graduates Employed12
      Percent of Graduates Employed92.3%
      Employed in Related Occupation9
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation75.0%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation3
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation25.0%
      Employed - No Response0
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%
      Seeking Employment1
      Percent Seeking Employment7.7%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      2023
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.3
      Number of Satisfaction Responses14
      Very Satisfied (4)4
      Percent Very Satisfied28.6%
      Satisfied (3)10
      Percent Satisfied71.4%
      Unsatisfied (2)0
      Percent Unsatisfied0.0%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)0
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      2023
      Number of Primary Reason Responses14
      Preparation for Getting a Job
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job
      Career Change
      Percent Career Change
      Improvement of Existing Skills
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills
      Preparation for Further Education
      Percent Preparation for Further Education
      Personal Interest
      Percent Personal Interest
      Other
      Percent Other0.0%
      When Employment was Obtained

      2023
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses12
      Before Enrollment2
      Percent Before Enrollment16.7%
      While Attending the College4
      Percent While Attending the College33.3%
      After Training at the College6
      Percent After Training at the College50.0%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      2023
      Number of Employment Location Responses12
      In College District11
      Percent In College District91.7%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District1
      Percent of In Wisconsin8.3%
      Outside of Wisconsin0
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.0%
      Employer Location Unknown0
      Percent Location Unknown0.0%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend2023
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count8
      Average Monthly Wage$5,264
      Average Hourly Wage$30.60
      Average Work Hours per Week41.3
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count1
      Average Hourly Wage$47.12
      Average Work Hours per Week30.0
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Educational Communications BoardIS Network Services Technician
      Electronic Theatre Controls IncDevOps EngineerMiddleton
      GencommNetwork Engineer
      Kwik Trip IncIT Retail Services Field Technician
      Singlewire SoftwareTechnical Support Specialist
      State of WisconsinHelp Desk 2 TechnicianMiddleton
      Teel Plastics IncNetwork AdministratorBaraboo
      UW - MadisonVoIP Engineer
      UW - Madison Division of Information TechnologyNetwork Operations Engineer

      * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

      ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

      *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

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School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Madison Truax Campus
Main Building, C2433

1701 Wright Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

schoolofstem@madisoncollege.edu
608.246.6990

Hours

  • Monday – Thursday: 8 am - 4:30 pm
  • Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm (Phone and email only.)