Program Overview

Overview of the Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology – Networking

The Online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Networking from Arizona State University is an ABET-accredited program that provides a comprehensive understanding of designing, securing, and scaling modern systems. This program prepares students for careers focused on developing and maintaining the networks and infrastructure that keep data flowing.

Program Details

• The program consists of 40 classes, with each class lasting 7.5-15 weeks.
• The total credit hours required for the program are 120.
• The program is designed to be completed in a flexible online format, allowing students to balance their academic and professional responsibilities.

Career Opportunities

The demand for networking professionals is increasing as companies invest in new technologies, mobile networks, and cloud-based infrastructure. With a networking-focused IT degree, students can pursue careers such as:

• Network Administrator
• Network Engineer
• Service Technician
• Systems Architect
• Wireless Network Engineer

Skills Developed

The program builds a strong IT foundation that adapts to industry advancements. Students will develop skills in:

• Infrastructure
• Cloud Computing
• DevOps
• Data
• Cybersecurity
• Industry-standard tools such as Python, Java, Unix, PowerShell, and SQL

Networking Concentration

The networking concentration delves into the design, configuration, and optimization of interconnected systems. Students will gain hands-on experience with:

• Routing protocols
• Network hardware
• Wireless technologies
• Troubleshooting tools
• Securing networks using firewalls, intrusion detection, and VPN configurations

Choosing the Right IT Degree

ASU's ABET-accredited online IT bachelor's degrees build a solid foundation in engineering, mathematics, and core industry concepts. While they share common elements, each program focuses on distinct career goals:

• BS in Information Technology: Covers a broad IT foundation with hands-on projects in network security, data management, and more.
• BS in Information Technology with a concentration in Cybersecurity: Focuses on network forensics, security analysis, cloud security, and risk assessment.
• BS in Information Technology with a concentration in Networking: Emphasizes network design, high-availability architecture, performance analysis, and cloud networking.

Professional Licensure and Certification

ASU's academic programs are designed to meet Arizona's requirements for professional licensure or certification. However, completing an ASU program may not fulfill educational requirements for licensure or certification in other states.

Diploma

Arizona State University's diplomas do not specify whether the degree was earned online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply state "Arizona State University."

IT Networking Degree Courses

The program concludes with a networking-focused capstone course, where students will plan and implement an IT project build. The curriculum also covers integrating on-premise systems with cloud-based infrastructures, a highly sought-after skill as organizations shift to hybrid environments.

Course Curriculum

Some of the courses included in the program are:

• IFT 101: Information Technology Programming Logic: Introduces basic analysis and synthesis procedures for understanding information system logical structures.
• IFT 103: Operating System Architecture: Introduces Linux, Windows, and Mac operating systems, covering user management, memory management, network and disc storage, and more.
• IFT 166: Introduction to Internet Networking: Introduces the OSI model and protocol layers associated with information communication technology.
• IFT 200: Information Modeling, Storage and Retrieval: Covers data modeling, database design, and Structured Query Language (SQL).
• IFT 202: Foundations of Information and Computer System Security: Introduces IT security aspects, privacy, ethics, legal, social, and professional responsibilities for information technology.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to ASU, students must:

• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
• Have completed at least 14 of the required courses, including four years of math, four years of English, three years of lab sciences, and more
• Meet at least one of the following: top 25% in their high school graduating class, 3.00 GPA in competency courses, or ACT/SAT scores

Tuition Calculator

Students can use the tuition calculator to estimate their full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid.

Accreditation

The Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering is dedicated to providing a dynamic learning environment and supporting all students on their paths to their degrees. The school has received numerous peer-reviewed programmatic honors from U.S. News & World Report.