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Financial Aid Available
Program Transfers
$10,066.86
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Program Overview
An IT-Systems Administration Specialist associate degree from Madison College provides students with a strong foundation in a variety of computer systems, as well as substantial skills in virtualization, cloud computing and networking. Students will deploy and configure devices and configure virtual switches. Students get experience installing, configuring and managing servers in a virtualized environment. They will promote servers to be domain controllers, create and manage resources in Active Directory, use Group Policy, and configure DNS and DHCP. Students will learn to write scripts, as well as manage and automate on premise and cloud IT Infrastructures.
We are in close contact with Madison area information technology employers, and our graduates are well regarded by employers. The skills students gain in the System Administration program, as well as an internship with an area employer, will prepare students for a satisfying career in information technology.
Students will gain the skills necessary to obtain key IT industry certifications such as:
- VMware VCP
- CompTIAA+
Program Details
Students in the IT-Systems Administration Specialist program at Madison College can attend full or part time.
IT-Systems Administration Specialist classes are offered at our Madison Truax campus, with some courses being available online.
** note that if starting in Spring term, it may take 5 semesters to complete program. Courses core to the IT-Systems Administration Specialist program will only be offered online or during the day for students accepted in the Spring term.
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Careers
IT-Systems Administration Specialist graduates from Madison College are ready for a range of professional positions in the field of IT-Systems Administration including:
- Systems Administrator
- Technical Support Services
- Networking Services and Installation
With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:
- Network Administrator
- Data Center Manager
- VMware vSphere Administrator
Typical job duties include installing, configuring and administering client and server systems including Microsoft Windows Server, Windows client, Linux and VMware vSphere. Students will also be prepared to:
- Integrate the hardware and software required to support new initiatives.
- Perform technical troubleshooting of computer systems, virtual devices and networks.
- Install, maintain and troubleshoot Internet connectivity for services such as email, web and other Internet applications.
- Be responsible for critical system backups and plan for the restoration of computing services in the event of disasters.
- Demonstrate initiative as a member of an information technology team.
Resources
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2023-2024 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 SemesterSecond SemesterThird SemesterFourth SemesterElective3 creditsRecommended ElectivesElectives must be associate degree (10-level) or college transfer (20-level) courses. -
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 2023
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2023
Spring 2024
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is January 15, 2024
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
Students must submit official transcripts for one of the following:- High school transcript (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED transcript
- College transcript(s) showing:
- At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0, or
- Completion of an associate degree or higher
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.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your IT-Systems Administration Specialist career.
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Transfer Opportunities
UW System Schools
The terms of the Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete an associates of applied science degree and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis of the Leadership and Organizational Studies at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.Courses that have been completed with a "D" or better may be acceptable to meet program requirements unless UW Stout major requires a higher acceptable grade. The maximum number of transferable credits is 72. Students will be required to meet UW S general education and major requirements.This articulation agreement establishes a cooperative relationship between the 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. Students transferring under the guidelines of this articulation agreement must successfully complete the Associate of Applied Science-Information Technology degree program in one of the following areas: Cybersecurity Specialist, Web Software Developer, Cloud DevOps Specialist, Network Specialist, or Systems Administration SpecialistWisconsin Private Schools
A student who completes an associate of arts, associate of science or associates of applied science is considered part of the ‘advanced core‘. The Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 64 credits of transfer. If students transfer prior to completion or with less than 64 credits they will be considered part of the standard core and credits will be evaluated on a course by course basis.Students will be granted admission to a bachelors degree program upon completion of an approved transfer program at Madison College. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater while at Madison College. Regardless of the number of credits transferred students must complete at least 25% of their baccalaureate degree credits at Herzing University University.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.Any Madison College student who has successfully completed an associate degree in applied science after 2015, and meets admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Technical Sales at MSOE by successfully completing the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Business Administration program. --- In particular, any Madison College student who successfully completes all technical courses and general education courses in their AAS program with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; successfully completes all other specified courses, as defined in this transfer agreement, with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; and meets the MSOE admission requirements for transfer students into the BBA Program at MSOE, minimum 2.75/4.0 cumulative GPA from the last regionally accredited school will be admitted into the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at MSOE.Students who complete the IT-Systems Administration Specialist program can transfer up to 65 credits toward the Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership offered through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies.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. This applies to students who are pursuing a bachelors of arts, bachelors of science or bachelors of fine arts at Bellevue University.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. Articulation agreement is for students who graduate from appropriate program and wish to pursue one of the following degrees at Capella: Bachelor of Science in Business specializations, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Public Safety specializations, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (must hold a valid RN license) and Bachelor of Science in Psychology.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 all Madison College graduates with an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate of Applied Science. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer additional credits (up to a maximum of 94) toward their baccalaureate degree. -
Career Outcomes
After completing the IT-Systems Administration Specialist program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:
- Manage and support client operating systems
- Manage and support server operating systems
- Manage and support virtualization technologies
- Configure network and directory services
- Solve problems individually and in a team environment
- Develop scripts for IT automation
- Deploy, configure, and support services in a cloud environment
- Manage IT hardware and software
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2020 2021 2022 Number of Program Graduates 31 31 17 Number of Surveys Sent 31 31 17 Number of Surveys Returned 23 21 12 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 23 19 11 Percent Available for Employment 100.00% 90.50% 91.70% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 0.00% 9.50% 8.30% Available for Employment
2020 2021 2022 Graduates Employed 22 19 8 Percent of Graduates Employed 95.70% 100.00% 72.70% Employed in Related Occupation 20 15 7 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 90.90% 78.90% 87.50% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 2 4 1 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 9.10% 21.10% 12.50% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Seeking Employment 1 0 3 Percent Seeking Employment 4.30% 0.00% 27.30% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.5 3.4 3.5 Number of Satisfaction Responses 23 21 12 Very Satisfied (4) 12 9 6 Percent Very Satisfied 52.20% 42.90% 50.00% Satisfied (3) 10 12 6 Percent Satisfied 43.50% 57.10% 50.00% Unsatisfied (2) 1 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 4.30% 0.00% 0.00% Very Unsatisfed (1) 0 0 0 Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Number of Primary Reason Responses 23 21 12 Preparation for Getting a Job 9 10 5 Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 39.10% 47.60% 41.70% Career Change 12 8 5 Percent Career Change 52.20% 38.10% 41.70% Improvement of Existing Skills 1 2 1 Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 4.30% 9.50% 8.30% Preparation for Further Education 1 0 1 Percent Preparation for Further Education 4.30% 0.00% 8.30% Personal Interest 0 1 0 Percent Personal Interest 0.00% 4.80% 0.00% Other 0 0 0 Percent Other 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% When Employment was Obtained
2020 2021 2022 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 22 19 8 Before Enrollment 2 6 2 Percent Before Enrollment 9.10% 31.60% 25.00% While Attending the College 14 9 4 Percent While Attending the College 63.60% 47.40% 50.00% After Training at the College 6 4 2 Percent After Training at the College 27.30% 21.10% 25.00% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2020 2021 2022 Number of Employment Location Responses 21 14 8 In College District 20 13 8 Percent In College District 95.20% 92.90% 100.00% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Outside of Wisconsin 0 1 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.00% 7.10% 0.00% Employer Location Unknown 1 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 4.80% 0.00% 0.00% Salary Trend 2020 2021 2022 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 18 11 5 Average Monthly Wage $4,216 $4,561 $3,882 Average Hourly Wage $24.51 $26.52 $22.57 Average Work Hours per Week 40.8 41.1 41.9 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count Average Hourly Wage Average Work Hours per Week -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Converge CFD Software IT Helpdesk Elevity IT Junior Consulting Engineer Fitchburg Kinetic Solutions Enterprise Consultant Marshall Network Engineering Technologies Service Desk Technician Middleton Sun Prairie Area School District Technology Support Technician Sun Prairie Teamsoft Administrator WKOW-TV Channel 27 IT Administrator * - 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
