BS in Information Technology - Network Design and Management

Bachelor of Science Information Technology—Network Design & Management

Degree Overview

Our network design degree will launch your network systems engineering career. The B.S. in Information Technology—Network Design and Management will give you leading-edge network design and engineering skills that employers demand along with 11 recognized industry certifications. You will become a better network designer and network systems engineer.

Who the Program is for:

• Established network designers and systems engineers who need a bachelor’s degree and additional certifications to advance their network systems engineering careers.
• Experience IT professionals with “real world” experience who wish to become network systems engineers and need the credentials to do so.
• Individuals who have completed some college coursework or have applicable work experience.
• Individuals who can typically spend 15 or more hours per week on their studies.

This program will be flexible and adaptable to your schedule. Click here to learn how your program works.

What You’ll Learn — Areas of Study:

In this online network design degree program, you’ll learn all the essential skills and knowledge needed. This program includes eight domains of study and completion of a capstone project.

• Foundations
• General Education
• Information Technology Fundamentals
• Networking Server Administration
• Organizational Behavior and Management
• Systems Administration and Management
• Technical Writing
• Web Development

Total Program: 120 Competency Units (credit equivalents)
Less: Any competency units waived through transfer of prior college credits.

Note: Your prior college experience and IT certifications may waive some degree requirements. Click here to see what IT certifications may transfer to WGU.

More details about your challenging course of study

View the PDF program guide

What You’ll Earn — IT Certifications:

This program incorporates 11 industry recognized IT certifications as part of your degree program. You will study for and complete the following certification exams (which are all included in your tuition—a huge cost savings for you):

• CIW Web Foundations Associate
• CIW JavaScript Specialist
• CompTIA A+
• CompTIA Network+
• CompTIA Project+
• CompTIA Security+
• Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Active Directory, Configuring
• Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS): Network Infrastructure, Configuring
• Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Windows OS Fundamentals
• Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Networking Fundamentals
• Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) Security Fundamentals

Note: Your IT certifications may waive some degree requirements. Click here to see what IT certifications may transfer to WGU.

WGU is a Microsoft IT Academy Member

As a Microsoft IT Academy program member, WGU is able to offer students a world-class technology curriculum and courseware provided by Microsoft. Many (but not all) of your Microsoft courses will use this rich online learning resource which includes virtual labs that provide hands-on experience with Microsoft software to supplement your learning. The cost of certification exams is included in WGU tuition.

Answers to your questions
Click a question, see the answer below.

• Is this program for me?
• Can I accelerate my progress?
• How will I complete my degree?

Is this program for me?

Whether you’re interested in starting or advancing your career in networks design and network systems engineering, this program will provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. Multiple respected industry certification tests are built into the program’s curriculum. If you already hold a major certification, you can use your knowledge to move more quickly through the required subject area assessments. However, this is not an "easy" program. You are a good candidate only if you are prepared to work independently, study hard, and pass the required assessments.

Can I accelerate my progress?

As a WGU student you progress through your program by passing assessments and IT certification tests. In consultation with your mentor, you set the pace at which you prepare for and take the assessments. Consequently, some WGU students with strong academic or career experience in the fields or those who already hold one or more major IT certifications are able to go faster than the standard rate of progress. However, doing so isn’t easy. Many of the assessments are quite challenging, and students sometimes overestimate the knowledge they possess when they enter a program. On the other hand, a highly-motivated, independent individual is precisely the kind of student who does well at WGU. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor to discuss whether you’re the kind of student who might go faster.

How will I complete my degree?

As a WGU student, you take and complete assessments. You’ll prepare for your assessments by engaging various learning resources including textbooks, web tutorials, and online courses. You will determine what learning resources are best for you in consultation with your mentor using your personalized Degree Plan. You can learn by exploring the exploring the WGU Experience. Speak to an Enrollment Counselor who can explain this program in greater depth.