Computer & Network Systems Administration
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About Computer & Network Systems Administration
The Computer and Network Systems Administration program prepares students for employment in a wide variety of positions in the information technology field. Students work in a “live” network environment, managing their own servers, clients, routers, and switches by applying concepts learned in the theory classroom. The combination of theory and hands-on lab exercises allows CNSA students to acquire comprehensive skills in the following technical areas: The internal operation of personal and server computer systems; the physical infrastructure of local and wide area networks; the design and management of computer networks; the administration of Microsoft Windows and non-Windows server and client operating systems; the design and development of Windows-based and web-based applications; the management and design of relational databases; and the integration of enterprise software applications to solve business problems.
Upon completion of the program, graduates of the CNSA program have obtained employment in information technology as systems administrators, network administrators, network technicians, PC technicians, help desk analysts, systems engineers, structured data cabling installers, application programmers, web application developers, web administrators, database administrators, and sales engineers.
What you’ll learn
- Solve business problems by applying sound information technology principles.
- Implement and administer a broad range of information technology systems, networks, and applications.
- Manage information technology projects from conceptualization through implementation.
- Make significant contributions as a member of an information technology team.
- Explain with authority current technologies and standards in the field.
- Maintain information technology skills through appropriate industry certifications and/or continuing education.
- Demonstrate a strong professional work ethic.
- Protect and preserve a business organization’s critical information assets from all threats.
Sample Job Titles
Systems administrators, network administrators, network technicians, PC technicians, help desk analysts, systems engineers, structured data cabling installers, application programmers, web application developers, web administrators, database administrators, and sales engineers.
Essential Skills Needed
This program requires a variety of foundational skills for students to thrive. Click the button below to view the full list of essential skills you’ll need before enrolling.
Quick facts
Location
Kreider Building, Main Campus
Type of program
Associate Degree
Job/Salary Outlook
See industry data
Length of program
2 years, 73 credits
Cost of program
$4,500/semester tuition
$3,105 – $3,623/semester housing
$1,915 – $2,417/semester meal plan
Tool List (PDF)
Program details
Courses
MODEL SCHEDULE FOR COMPUTER & NETWORK SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION (OPTION #1)
Semester 1
- CNSA 107 PC Hardware and Support Fundamentals (3 credits)
- CNSA 108 Operating Systems and Software Fundamentals (3 credits)
- CNSA 111 Intro to Networking (3 credits)
- CNSA 117 Analysis of TCP/IP & Local Area Networking (3 credits)
- ENG 106 English Composition (3 credits)
- MATH 137 Intermediate Algebra (3 credits)
Semester 2
- CNSA 156 Operating Systems I (3 credits)
- CNSA 161 Systems Administration I (3 credits)
- CNSA 166 Internetworking Devices and Concepts (3 credits)
- CNSA 172 Web Technologies and Network Security Fund (3 credits)
- MATH 141 Trigonometry (3 credits)
- ENG 216 Technical Report Writing (3 credits)
Semester 3
- CNSA 212 Programming I (3 credits)
- CNSA 222 Database Management Systems (3 credits)
- CNSA 227 Management Information Systems (3 credits)
- CNSA 256 Operating Systems II (3 credits)
- ELECTIVE General Elective (3 credits)
- ENG 221 Public Speaking (3 credits)
Semester 4
- CNSA 216 Web Programming (3 credits)
- CNSA 266 Systems Administration II (3 credits)
- CNSA 271 Network Design (3 credits)
- CNSA 276 Practical Applications (3 credits)
- SCIENCE Elective (3 credits)
- HUMANITIES Elective (3 credits)
Additional General Education Requirements
- Health/PE Elective (1 credit)
Total Credits 73
COMPUTER & NETWORK SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATION (OPTION #2)
Semester 1
- CNSA 107 PC Hardware and Support Fundamentals 3
- CNSA 111 Intro to Networking 3
- CNSA 117 Analysis of TCP/IP & Local Area Networking 3
- CNSA 123 LAN Cabling and WAN Technologies 3
- ENG 106 English Composition 3
- Math 207 Pre-Calculus 4
Semester 2
- CNSA 156 Operating Systems I 3
- CNSA 161 Systems Administration I 3
- CNSA 166 Internetworking Devices and Concepts 3
- CNSA 172 Web Technologies and Network Security Fund 3
- ENG 216 Technical Report Writing 3
Semester 3
- CNSA 212 Programming I 3
- CNSA 222 Database Management Systems 3
- CNSA 227 Management Information Systems 3
- CNSA 256 Operating Systems II 3
- ENG 221 Public Speaking 3
Semester 4
- CNSA 216 Web Programming 3
- CNSA 266 Systems Administration II 3
- CNSA 271 Network Design 3
- CNSA 276 Practical Applications 3
- PHYS 106 Physics in Everyday life (or Higher) 3
- HUMANITIES Elective 3
Additional General Education Requirements
- ELECTIVE General Elective 3
- HEAL Elective HEAL 106 or HEAL 111 1
Total Credits 74
Faculty
Matthew McLaughlin
Instructor, Computer & Network Systems Administration, First-Year Students, ’19 mclaughlin@stevenscollege.edu
Jameson McFarlane
Professor, Computer & Network Softward Administration, Second-Year Students mcfarlane@stevenscollege.edu
Rebecca Schultz
Instructor, Computer & Network Systems Administration, First-Year Students schultz@stevenscollege.edu
Timothy Freund
Instructor, Computer & Network Systems Administration, Second-Year Students freund@stevenscollege.eduOccupational Advisory Committee
The Occupational Advisory Committee (OAC) serves as a vital link between the Program of study and industry, ensuring that the program remains aligned with current workforce needs, technological advancements, and best practices in the field. Composed of employers, educators, and other community members, the committee provides guidance, feedback, and recommendations to enhance the curriculum, instructional methods, and student learning experiences.
Purpose and Responsibilities:
- Curriculum & Industry Alignment
- Workforce Readiness
- Student & Faculty Support
- Internship & Employment Connections
- Accreditation & Program Evaluation
- Facilities & Equipment Recommendations
By fostering a strong relationship between academia and industry, the OAC helps ensure that Thaddeus Stevens College programs maintain the highest standards in CTE (career and technical education).
- Madonna Arntz, Armstrong World Industries
- Chad Burger, DentsplySirona
- Matt Carroll, Clair Global
- Christine Cruz, Clark Associates
- Mitchel Erb, Benchmark Construction Company
- Kevin Flory, Retired
- Timothy Headings, Retired
- Tyler Hildebrand, Clark Associates
- Megan Hirst, Clark Associates
- Shawn Mellinger, Oxford Area School District
- Brandon Pearce, Match Group
- Evan Phyillaier, Ecore International Inc.
- Adam Schaeffer, Full Span Solutions
- Billy Sprankle, One 2 One Inc.
- Evan Templin, Crestwood Associates
- Eric Velky, The Conrad Company
- Gregory Weichert, ConnectUs Corp
- Ross Dederer, TSR, Inc.
- Paul Maurer, WebstaurantStore
The outcomes speak for themselves
Upon completion of the program, graduates of the CNSA program have obtained employment in information technology as systems administrators, network administrators, network technicians, PC technicians, help desk analysts, systems engineers, structured data cabling installers, application programmers, web application developers, web administrators, database administrators, and sales engineers.
85%
employment
$45K
median first-year salary
People of TSCT
Success stories
Performance Measures
Internal Key Performance Indicators (Sources: Internal data collections, and Post-Graduate Surveys)
Retention Rate
This rate reflects the continuous term-to-term persistence rate for certificate programs and the fall-to-fall retention rate for associate degree programs.
Graduation Rate
This rate reflects the number of freshmen who were officially enrolled in the fall semester and earned a certificate or degree within the expected timeframe.
Post Graduate Survey Response Rate
The post graduate survey is an annual on-line post graduate survey utilized by the college to gather vital information regarding career placement, starting salary, and level of satisfaction.
Employed Full Time Outside of Major
Percentage of graduates who reported being employed full-time outside their field of study.
Graduate Satisfaction
This is the median graduate survey response evaluating the level of preparation for workforce entry (based on a 5-Item Likert Scale).
Placement Rate
This is the percent of graduate survey respondents who reported being employed or continued their education on a full-time basis.
Employed Full Time Within Major
Percentage of graduates who reported being employed full-time within their field of study.
Annual Median Starting Salary
This number is based on the graduate survey response to the request to identify a starting salary from a range of options. This graph shows the median first-year annual salary. All calculations are based on the respondent’s self-reported first-year annual income.
Reported Hourly Rate
This number is determined by dividing the reported median salary by the number of hours in a traditional full-time work week (40), then the number of weeks in a year (52).
Our graduates work with the industry’s best
Soar Agreements
This program enables students to apply certain credits earned in high school to the credits needed for a degree or certificate through Thaddeus Stevens College. Computer & Network Systems Administration degree qualifies for this program – see our SOAR program page for details!