The Network Administrator track prepares learners for roles that design, configure, secure, and support enterprise network infrastructure — the people who keep business, school, and government networks running. Programs align with vendor-neutral CompTIA credentials and the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), covering the full progression from entry-level technician to mid-career network engineer and security-focused administrator.
Who This Track Is For
Help-desk technicians moving into network roles, career-changers entering IT from adjacent fields (electrical / cable work, IT support, telecom), military transitioning service members, and community-college students targeting a first network-administration job. It also works well for working network technicians who have built experience informally and want recognized credentials to match.
Certification Pathways
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) — the recognized vendor-specific networking credential
- CompTIA Network+ — vendor-neutral networking fundamentals
- CompTIA Security+ — cybersecurity baseline required for most security-adjacent admin roles
- CompTIA Server+ — physical, virtual, and cloud server administration
Skills Covered
- Network fundamentals, IP addressing (IPv4 and IPv6), routing, and switching
- Wireless, WAN, SD-WAN, and cloud-connected network topologies
- Server installation, virtualization (VMware, Hyper-V), and day-to-day administration
- Network security, segmentation, access control, and incident-response basics
- Troubleshooting methodology, packet analysis, and performance optimization
- Documentation, change management, and basic automation (Python, Ansible)
Recommended Stack Order
For learners new to networking we usually recommend: Network+ first (to build the vendor-neutral vocabulary), then CCNA for Cisco-specific depth, then Security+ for security responsibilities, and Server+ when the target role is data-center or server-administration oriented. Learners who already hold A+ can move directly into Network+.
Target Roles and Salary Context
Graduates pursue network administrator, network technician, junior network engineer, NOC analyst, wireless technician, and MSP field-technician positions. Mid-career progression leads into network engineer, senior network engineer, cloud network engineer, and network architect roles. Security-adjacent pathways branch into SOC analyst, security engineer, and eventually cybersecurity architect positions once additional credentials (CySA+, CASP+, CISSP) are added.
Lab Practice
Every pathway in this track includes hands-on lab work. Network+ and CCNA learners use Cisco Packet Tracer and simulated topologies to practice subnetting, VLAN configuration, routing, and troubleshooting. Security+ labs cover hash analysis, certificate generation, SIEM log review, and incident-response tabletops. Server+ exercises include virtualization, storage configuration, and backup / restore scenarios. Lab-based practice is what converts classroom knowledge into exam-ready and job-ready performance.
Who Should Enroll
Adult learners, career-changers, and working professionals who want to move into network-administration or IT-infrastructure roles — or who want to validate existing experience with industry-recognized credentials. Programs are self-paced and online, with an instructor-reviewed study plan, progress dashboards, and optional live review sessions before each exam attempt.
Employer Recognition
CompTIA Network+, Security+, and CASP+ are approved under U.S. Department of Defense Directive 8140 / 8570 for multiple Information Assurance job categories — which is why they appear on federal-contractor hiring requirements. Cisco CCNA remains the standard vendor-specific networking credential and is recognized globally by enterprise employers and MSPs. Server+ is widely recognized in data-center and server-administration roles.
Funding
Qualifying learners can apply for Workforce Grant-funded seats and other CyberLearning grant and scholarship programs to offset course and exam fees. Employer-sponsored cohorts get volume pricing and consolidated reporting. For enrollment, funding eligibility, or employer sponsorship, contact our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need A+ before Network+? CompTIA recommends A+ (or equivalent experience), but it is not a hard requirement. Learners without A+ usually need a bit more time on foundational hardware and OS concepts.
Should I do Network+ or jump directly to CCNA? Network+ is vendor-neutral and broader; CCNA is Cisco-specific and deeper. Most learners benefit from Network+ first, especially if they are new to networking. If you already have strong networking experience, CCNA first is reasonable.
How long does the full stack take? Plan on roughly 2–3 months for Network+, 3–5 months for CCNA, 8–10 weeks for Security+, and 6–8 weeks for Server+. The full stack typically runs 9–14 months at part-time pace.