Get the broadest possible training in IT. Then decide on a specialty or go on for a bachelor’s. Transfer options!
IT-Systems Administration Specialist Image of Student
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99% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.

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IT-Systems Administration Specialist
Program Number: 101547
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Information Technology
Delivery Method:
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
63 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

$11,138.28

Financial Aid

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

    Be job-ready!
    Learn how to install, configure and administer client and server systems.
  • 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
    10-103-133
    1 credit
    10-103-139
    1 credit
    10-150-104
    3 credits
    10-151-102
    1 credit
    10-154-104
    3 credits
    10-154-184
    3 credits
    10-156-105
    1 credit
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-154-122
    3 credits
    10-154-171
    3 credits
    10-154-190
    3 credits
    10-157-101
    3 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    Third Semester
    10-107-175
    1 credit
    10-154-118
    3 credits
    10-154-147
    3 credits
    10-804-144
    3 credits
    10-809-199
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-152-109
    3 credits
    10-154-172
    3 credits
    10-154-198
    3 credits
    10-809-197
    3 credits
    Elective
    3 credits
    Recommended Electives
    Electives must be associate degree (10-level) or college transfer (20-level) courses.
    10-151-114
    3 credits
    10-157-130
    3 credits
    10-157-141
    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-Systems Administration 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-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
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      2023
      Number of Program Graduates10
      Number of Surveys Sent10
      Number of Surveys Returned6
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment6
      Percent Available for Employment100.0%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market0.0%
      Available for Employment

      2023
      Graduates Employed6
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.0%
      Employed in Related Occupation6
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation100.0%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation0
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation0.0%
      Employed - No Response0
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%
      Seeking Employment0
      Percent Seeking Employment0.0%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      2023
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.8
      Number of Satisfaction Responses6
      Very Satisfied (4)5
      Percent Very Satisfied83.3%
      Satisfied (3)1
      Percent Satisfied16.7%
      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 Responses6
      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 Responses6
      Before Enrollment1
      Percent Before Enrollment16.7%
      While Attending the College3
      Percent While Attending the College50.0%
      After Training at the College2
      Percent After Training at the College33.3%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      2023
      Number of Employment Location Responses6
      In College District6
      Percent In College District100.0%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District0
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.0%
      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 Count6
      Average Monthly Wage$4,359
      Average Hourly Wage$25.35
      Average Work Hours per Week41.3
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count
      Average Hourly Wage
      Average Work Hours per Week
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Converge CFD SoftwareAssistant Administrator
      Dept of CorrectionsInformation Security Analyst
      Per Mar Security ServicesSecurity System Technician
      UW Credit UnionDesktop Support Analyst
      Wisconsin Alumni Research FoundationDesktop Support Technician
      Wisconsin Mutual InsuranceIT Specialist

      * - 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.)