The IT-Cybersecurity and Network Administration program provides students with the skills required to maintain a secure IT system along with the expertise to design, install, and manage the integrity of a computer network infrastructure. Equipment and technology used in this program includes firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, anomaly identification systems, physical server computing, cloud computing, and associated physical security technologies. Students will work with business class systems such as Microsoft, Linux, and Mac OS. Extensive hands-on, real-world, experiences with real equipment are provided to gain the immense knowledge required to accurately configure and secure network systems.
- Overview
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Is This Program for You?
Students entering the IT-Cybersecurity and Network Administration program should:
- Be a digital native and have a curiosity for technology.
- Have an eye for detail and possess an analytical and creative mind.
- Like to solve problems and be challenged.
- Enjoy working independently and in teams.
Program Basics
- Associate degree, requiring a minimum of two years to complete.
- High school articulation courses accepted.
- Financial aid available.
- Classes start in August and January.
- Modified plan available.
- Curriculum & Costs
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Cost of Attendance (COA) 25-26
Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.
Category Amount Tuition and Fees $4,932 Living Expenses (Housing and Food) $10,305 Books and Supplies $1,463 Personal Expenses $3,065 Transportation $4,103 Charger Tech 360 Fee $700 Loan Fees $85 Yearly Total (Living Away from Home) $24,653 1 Semester Total (Living Away from Home) $12,327 Based on Wisconsin Residents.
Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.
Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.
These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.
- Admissions & Requirements
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Admission and Program Requirements
- Submit Application
Most programs admit students as applications are completed. For certain high-enrollment programs with limited space, applications are reviewed in order of residency and review dates. Programs currently in this category include Radiography, Electrical Power Distribution, Midwifery, Cosmetology, and Nail Technician. Learn more about our Admissions and Wait List Policy.Academic Preparedness Requirements
- Log in to your MySWTC account, go to My Profile → Document Center → All Programs to complete the following:
- Send your transcripts and scores to Southwest Tech: While not required, sending your transcripts and test scores helps us make sure your classes are the right fit. We consider any previous college credit you’ve earned, Accuplacer or ACT scores, high school GPA, or an assessment at your registration session. Submit your high school transcripts, college transcripts, and test scores by emailing admissions@swtc.edu, or mailing them to Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
- Career Assessment Plan
Start your Student Success Plan by exploring your career interests, talking through your program choice, and confirming your path feels like the right fit. This step can be completed either by setting up a One-on-One Career Assessment Meeting with a recruiter or as part of your Student Success Plan Meeting with an advisor. Schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor. - Academic Map + Supports & Services Plan
Continue building your Student Success Plan by planning your courses, reviewing funding options, and connecting with resources. To complete this step, schedule a Student Success Plan Meeting by clicking “Make an appointment” with your program advisor.
- Submit Application
- Outcomes
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Program Outcomes
At the completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:
- Identify security strategies
- Implement secure infrastructures
- Conduct security testing
- Analyze security data
- Mitigate risk
- Develop security documentation
- Career Opportunities
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Graduates are prepared for positions in a wide variety of organizations and businesses. Opportunities for employment exist in accounting firms, banks, schools, hospitals, insurance companies, manufacturing firms, and government agencies as:
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- IT Support Specialist
- System Administrator
- Information Security Analyst
- Information Security Engineer
- Network Systems Administrator
- Network Security Technician
- Penetration Testers
- Digital Forensics Analysts
Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.
- Transfers
- Prior Learning
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Credit for Prior Learning
Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!
Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.
For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.
At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.
IT - Cybersecurity Specialist Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:
Course # Course Title Challenge Exam
(Demonstration)Challenge Exam
(Standard)CLEPCredentialPortfolio10-103-106 Beginning Microsoft Excel Any Microsoft MOUS certification (even an old certification) will also be considered for CPL 10-103-118 Intermediate Microsoft Excel Any Microsoft MOUS certification (even an old certification) will also be considered for CPL 10-150-121 VMWare VCP Essentials VMWare Certified Professional - Data Center Virtualization (VCA6-DCV) 10-150-126 Premises Cabling Technician FOA Certified Premises Cabling Technician (CPCT) 10-151-102 Cybersecurity Essentials + Cisco Networking and Security (10-151-103) Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity 10-151-103 Cisco Networking and Security + Cybersecurity Essentials (10-151-102) Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity 10-151-104 Linux Administration and Security LPI LPIC-1 101 exam (need 102 exam for LPIC 1 Certification) 10-151-107 Cybersecurity Operations Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate (CBROPS) 10-151-110 Network Defense & Forensics CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) 10-620-156 Fiber Optic Cabling Technician FOA Certified Fiber Optic Technician (CFOT) 10-801-136 English Composition 1 CLEP Test - College Composition 10-801-196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication 10-809-195 Economics CLEP Test - Principles of Macroeconomics