Many businesses rely on network administrators to ensure security of information, maintain computer networks, and help troubleshoot problems that arise with computer systems. In this critical role, you have direct impact on every department and every employee because the network infrastructure touches all aspects of the business. The Network Administration bachelor’s degree program at American National University is intended for students seeking to gain training in the major areas of network operations and administration. Because our courses are modeled on professional certification standards, you can gain an educational background to help you prepare for recognized industry certification examinations while earning your degree.
The program combines technical skills and knowledge with a focus on professional skills in areas including leadership and communications. In this curriculum you will:
Distance = Synchronous video & asynchronous online learning.
See our eLearning page for details on our exciting and innovative course delivery methods.
Check out our “Not-What-You-Would Expect” Guide to Technology to learn more about this high-demand field.
180 credit hours required/360 quality points required. All courses are 4 credit hours
Program Core (Required) 92 total credit hours required
BUS420 Project Management
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – This course can only be taken during the last two terms of a student’s program) This course helps students create project plans, assemble and lead problem-solving teams, eliminate or manage potential stumbling blocks, and complete projects on time and within budget.
COM151 The Microsoft® Office
4 Credit Hours
This is an introductory course that provides a comprehensive study of The Microsoft® Office. This course is a combination of lecture and hands-on training.
CS105 Introduction to Relational Database Management Systems
4 Credit Hours
This course provides a vendor-neutral survey of Relational Database Management Systems Technology. Students will study the relational model and relational design including E-R diagramming and normalization techniques. The course introduces the student to Query-By-Example (QBE) and Structured Query Language (SQL) and introduces the fundamentals of database administration and management, data integrity and data security.
CY200 Security+
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– IT110 and IT111) This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the core concepts of computer and network security. This course explains key security concepts including understanding threats to a computing infrastructure, securing a network infrastructure, understanding encryption technologies, securing communication and applications, and responding to security incidents. This course is designed to help prepare students for the CompTIA Security+ Certification Examination.
IT100 Electronics and Systems
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will obtain a background in digital electronics, digital devices, digital circuits, safety, digital security, and will obtain an introduction to networking.
IT101 Implementing &Troubleshooting Operating Systems Technology
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT100) This course is designed to prepare students for the CompTIA A+ Certification software examination. Topics include operating system fundamentals; operating system architecture; comparison of operating systems; the boot process; installing, configuring, supporting, and upgrading operating systems; diagnosing and troubleshooting operating systems, and file systems. Students will also be introduced to networking, hard drive support, and Internet concepts and configurations as related to operating systems. At the conclusion of the course students will sit for the CompTIA A+ Certification software examination.
IT102 Computer Hardware Technology
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT100) This course is designed to prepare students for the CompTIA A+ Practical Application Hardware Certification examination. Students taking this course will develop the knowledge and hands-on skills necessary to install, troubleshoot, service, and support microcomputer hardware. At the conclusion of the course students will sit for the CompTIA A+ Hardware examination.
IT110 Network I
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT101) Students taking this course will prepare for the CompTia Net+ certification. The will use their knowledge of networking technology for local area networks (LANS), wide area networks (WANS), and the Internet.
IT111 Network II
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.— IT110) Students taking this course will obtain an understanding of networking technology for local area networks (LANS), wide area networks (WANS), and the Internet. As well as prepare them for the CompTia NET+ certification.
IT200 Technical Writing for Information Technology Professionals
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– ENG090, if applicable) Students taking this course will develop the skills necessary to produce clear and effective technical documents and reports.
IT215 Client Configuration I
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT102) Students taking this course will obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to implement, administer, and troubleshoot a desktop operating system in a network environment. This course aligns with the objectives in the Microsoft certification for client configuration.
IT216 Client Configuration II
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT102) Students taking this course will obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to implement, administer, and troubleshoot a desktop operating system in a network environment. This course aligns with the objectives in the Microsoft certification for client configuration.
IT220 CISCO I
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT110, IT111) Students taking this course will obtain a strong foundation in each aspect of computer networking. This course aligns with the objectives in the ICND1 blueprint from Cisco Systems.
IT221 CISCO II
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT220) Students taking this course will obtain a strong foundation in each aspect of computer networking. This course aligns with the objectives in the ICND2 blueprint from Cisco Systems.
IT300 Linux Operations I
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– IT111) Students taking this course will build the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively deploy, manage and administer servers and clients using the Linux operating system in the enterprise and to effectively integrate devices using Linux based operating systems into the enterprise network.
IT310 IT Operations Management
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– NET229) Students in this course will explore a unifying paradigm for understanding operations based on the design and management of business process. They will learn how managers can control process structure and process drivers to achieve desired business process performance and understand which level managers have to control: cycle-time, capacity, inventory and quality.
IT330 Project Management for Information Technology Professionals
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—NET205) Students taking this course will develop skills in project integration, scope, time, cost, quality, human resource, communications, risk, procurement and stakeholder management as well as planning, executing, monitoring, controlling and closing processes. This course emphasizes the principles distinctive to managing information technology projects that extend well beyond standard project management requirements.
NET205 Windows Server Administration I
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT111) This course provides students with a broad understanding of Microsoft Windows Server 2016 as well as the knowledge and skills necessary to plan, implement, administer, and troubleshoot Windows Server 2016 in an Active Directory domain environment.
NET227 Network Server Installation and Configuration
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—NET205) Students taking this course will build the skills and knowledge necessary to implement a core Windows Server 2016 infrastructure in an enterprise environment. This course focuses on implementing, managing, maintaining, and provisioning services and infrastructure using Windows Server 2016. It covers the initial implementation and configuration of core services, such as Active Directory Domain Services, networking services, and Hyper-V configuration.
NET228 Network Server Core Services
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—NET205) Students taking this course will build the knowledge and skills necessary to implement a core Windows Server 2016 infrastructure in an enterprise environment. This course focuses on mastery of core services such as user and group management, network access, and data security.
NET229 Network Server Advanced Services
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—NET205) Students taking this course will build the skills and knowledge necessary to implement advanced Windows Server 2016 Services in an enterprise environment. This textbook focuses on mastery of fault tolerance; load balancing, failover clustering, certificate services and identity federation.
NET300 Designing and Implementing a Server Infrastructure
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– NET229) This is first of two courses covering the planning, design and deployment of a physical and logical Windows Server 2016 Active Directory Domain Services infrastructure. Students taking this course will gain the knowledge and skills to perform name resolution, application integration, optimization and automatic remediation and maintenance of network services. This course maps to the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) Cloud Platform and Infrastructure certification credential.
NET400 Implementing an Advanced Server Infrastructure
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– NET300) This course focuses on how to secure Windows Server 2016. Students will learn methods and technologies for hardening server environments and securing virtual machine infrastructures using Shielded and encryption-supported virtual machines and Guarded Fabric. This course maps to the Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) Cloud Platform and Infrastructure credential.
Electives – Select 8 32 total credit hours required
BUS101 Introduction to Business
4 Credit Hours
This introductory course in modern business focuses on basic business terms, business concepts, organization structures, and the functions of business.
BUS217 Organizational Behavior
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will learn how interpersonal relationships develop in an organization and how the organization deals with both formal and informal power structures. Topics for discussion include motivation, leadership, organizational environment, and communication.
IT200 Technical Writing for Information Technology Professionals
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– ENG090, if applicable) Students taking this course will develop the skills necessary to produce clear and effective technical documents and reports.
IT230 Helpdesk Remote Services
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT111) Students completing this course will be able to understand concepts that a service and help desk use to solve simple to complex computer and server issues. These issues will be addressed using phone, remote services, and face to face interaction. Upon completion of the course the student will have also acquired skills necessary to measure performance and manage a service and help desk environment.
IT315 Application Development
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– IT110, IT111) This course introduces students to multiple areas of application development while stressing Python style, best practices and good programming habits. The course covers application development for clients and servers, databases, interfacing with popular Microsoft Office applications, the World Wide Web, the cloud and social media.
IT335 Principles of Cryptography
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– CY200) This course provides a practical survey of both the principles and practice of cryptography in computer security. Students are introduced to the basic concepts of cryptography and their use in protecting data and resources from disclosure, to guarantee the authenticity of data and messages, and to protect systems from network-based attacks.
IT400 Information Security Governance
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– CY200) Students in this course will learn the basic strategies and tools used for developing a business case for information security/information assurance governance and will learn how to develop and implement a strategy to increasingly integrate assurance functions to improve security, lower costs and ensure the preservation of the enterprise and its ability to operate.
IT425 Managing Innovation
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– IT310) Managing innovation – a critical skill set in today’s technical enterprise requires skills and knowledge that are significantly different than the traditional management toolkit and experience. Students in this course will learn a complete framework for thinking about innovation across technological, market and organizational perspectives, while integrating the latest developments in the field.
NET310 Implementing Collaboration Services
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– NET229) Students taking this course will obtain the knowledge and build the skills necessary to install, configure, and administer Microsoft SharePoint in the enterprise. The course also covers managing and monitoring sites and users. This course is designed to help students prepare for and pass Microsoft Certifications.
NET315 VOIP & Unified Communications I
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– NET205) This course provides students with an introduction to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and emerging Unified Communication technology. Students will learn the component technologies, how they work, how they work together and how to employ them profitably in the enterprise.
General Education: At least 1 from each discipline required; a minimum of 3 must be 300–400 level courses, 56 total credit hours required
Written and Oral Communication
ENG102* English Composition
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – ENG090 if applicable) Students taking this course will study and discuss rhetoric, style, and composition, with special emphasis on written communication skills.
ENG126 Oral Communication
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will develop the ability to express themselves effectively in public and private settings.
Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
LOG215 Thinking Critically
4 Credit Hours
This course introduces students to the process of critical thinking and offers knowledge and experience that can be applied to academic, professional, and personal growth. Students will learn to examine and evaluate the information they are exposed to, confidently select appropriate evidence from conflicting data, and craft that evidence into viable answers, arguments or solutions.
LOG357* Logic and Critical Thinking
4 Credit Hours
This practical course provides students with an introduction to the art of thinking based on examining and discussing different types of reasoning and the requirements of logical consistency.
MAT101 Understanding Mathematics
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – MAT090 if applicable) Students taking this course will examine the fundamental principles of mathematical theory and grow to understand the logic and inter-relationship of various mathematical functions.
MAT214* Algebra
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – MAT090 if applicable) Students will learn algebraic problem solving, radicals, quadratic equations, polynomials, inequalities, and applied problem solving.
MAT220 Algebra and Basic Statistics
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. MAT090, if applicable) This course introduces algebra topics and basic elements of exploratory data analysis. This course will cover constructing, evaluating and analyzing mathematical models, specifically linear and exponential functions, to represent relationships in quantitative data.
MAT419 Introduction to Statistics
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – MAT214) Students will be introduced to common statistical methods. The focus of the course is to increase each student’s statistical literacy. Upon completion of the course students should be able to identify and perform appropriate statistical procedures, and properly interpret the results.
Arts and Humanities
ETH205 Ethics
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will study ethical thought and ideals, with emphasis on the central assumptions of personal and social morality. Students will also investigate ethics and related problems in industry, civil society, and the typical American community.
GEN241 Cultural Appreciation
4 Credit Hours
The need for cultural awareness doesn’t just apply to one’s relationship with others; conflicting cultural perspectives often exist within the individual. Students will learn to appreciate their own heritage and understand how their heritage influences their perspectives while gaining an appreciation for the cultural heritage of those around them. Students will be challenged to think and discuss their beliefs and opinions in light of cultural influence and understand how those values affect their work ethic and working relationships. Course content will incorporate experiences similar to those that will occur in the vocation’s students have chosen to study.
REL330 World Religion
4 Credit Hours
A concise examination of the historical and philosophical foundations of the major living religions of the world. Students taking this course will also explore the lives and teachings of the founders of these major religions and the cultural factors that produced them.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
GOV340 American Government
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will study constitutional principles, institutions, functions, and processes as they relate to government in the United States.
HIS290 American History 1945–Present
4 Credit Hours
This course documents the exciting political, social, and corporate events that forged the United States’ industrial and technological power from 1945 to the present.
HIS490 American Economic History
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this survey course will examine the complete range of economic ideas from ancient times to the present.
POL202 Political Science
4 Credit Hours
This course provides the student with the means and opportunity to engage their government as a concerned individual. Global political systems and principal theories will be examined and compared to events and decisions affecting each student at the local level. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to become participants in their local government and to recognize and understand the various challenges that influence local decisions. The information and skills students learn in this course may be applied to many professional fields.
PRO453 Parliamentary Procedures/ Group Dynamics
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will study the rules that govern the proceedings of many businesses and civic organizations. Emphasis is placed on effective group interaction and communication skills to include group dynamics, group structure, and group roles.
PSY127* Psychology
4 Credit Hours
This course provides students with an overview of the fundamental principles and methods of psychology. Topics for discussion include biological basis of behavior, sensory and perceptual processes, learning, motivation, developmental changes, personality, social behavior, and behavioral disorders.
PSY200 Human Growth and Development
4 Credit Hours
This course is designed to study human growth and development across the life span with emphasis upon normal growth and milestones achieved in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional systems. Professional consideration is given to understanding changes that occur at different stages of development, and how care and interaction with individuals needs to be appropriate for their stage of development.
SOC103 General Sociology
4 Credit Hours
This course is a combination of applied sociology, communications and interpersonal relations designed to acquaint the student with the tools for self-examination and understanding of business and social relationships.
SOC463 Social Problems
4 Credit Hours
This course explores a variety of contemporary social problems utilizing a sociological framework and a variety of theoretical perspectives. Both structural and cultural aspects of social problems will be examined and analyzed with specific focus on their origin, development, and proposed solutions. Students will evaluate current data and research and will have an opportunity to propose solutions to various social problems.
Physical/Natural Science
ENV101 Environmental Science
4 Credit Hours
Environmental Science is a general course for non-biology majors in which students will explore the following basic principles: concepts required to understand interrelationships of the environment and the natural world; environmental problems both natural and man-made; risks associated with air, water, land pollution; health of humans and ecosystems; deforestation and climate change; overpopulation, and environmental law, economics, and ethics.
BIO101 Introduction to Biology
4 Credit Hours
Introduction to Biology is a general biology class for non-biology majors in which the following basic principles are explored: Characteristics of Life, Basic Biochemistry, Cell Structure and Function, Cell Metabolism and Reproduction, Genetics and Heredity, and Scientific Method. This class is intended for students who have never studied biology or who need to review basic biology.
PER330 Personal Health
4 Credit Hours
This course provides students with an introduction to contemporary health concerns and issues. Students will discuss mental health, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, physical fitness, nutrition, and disease.
For all courses: See course description for applicable prerequisites.
* This program requires this General Education course or equivalent