Get Matched With Network Administration Programs

If you are planning on earning your master’s degree in network administration, it may open the door for you to develop and design new ways of using computing technology. You will be responsible for finding new uses for existing technology and you can be a leader in discovering new pathways to innovation in network administration and computer systems administration. Even if you’re not interested in creating new technologies, you will likely need a master’s if you want to enter the field in a managerial position, such as network administrator or computer systems administrators jobs. With this degree, you can step right into management without taking years to earn the otherwise necessary experience required for network administrators. Luckily, those who are busy at work can choose to earn this degree through part-time online courses, a hybrid program with some courses you attend online and some courses you attend in-person, or even fully online network adminstration degrees that are more intense and allow you to complete the degree in 2 years, which is the usual timeframe for master's degrees.

Core courses in a Master of Science degree in network administration might include a variety of subjects, including:

  • General Computer Science and Information Technology
  • Data Communications
  • Local Area Networks (LAN) - Wide Area Networks (WAN) - Intranets
  • Network Security
  • Operating Systems and Computer Systems
  • Data Management and Database Management Systems
  • Network Design and Networking Techniques
  • Cloud Computing
  • Computer Networking
  • Network Hardware
  • Communications and Network Management
  • Networking Administration
  • Online Network Security
  • Computer Engineering and Network Engineering

PROS

If students would like to go straight from bachelor's in network administration degree programs into a master’s, they may be able to find bridge courses. These require you to have strong backgrounds in networking administration and other areas. In these bridge networking administration programs, you would take core courses that help you correct any deficiencies in your bachelor's degree program. Barring this, students might find accelerated online courses to complete their bachelor's and master's quickly or an accelerated master's program that is fully online.

Earning a Master of Science degree in network security, network administration, or network and communications management allows you to set yourself apart from the crowd of people who have earned a bachelor’s in network administration degree, network security degrees, computer science degrees, or others in this field. Future employers will know that you have the qualifications they want in their network administrators.

You should already know what you want to gain from a Master of Science degree. Having this information allows you to be more selective in choosing your master’s program, whether you are interested in online or traditional courses.

You may see a salary increase after earning a bachelor's in network administration degree, and another once you’ve earned your master’s degree. That degree means you may earn a premium beyond what other network administrators earn.

CONS

While earning a master’s degree may be a tempting consideration, you might want to think about gaining job experience first and even joining network administration professional organizations. If you decide to apply to online programs in network administration without gaining the necessary experience and knowledge, you’re running the risk of still being declined for a network administrator job or any other high-level jobs you apply for. And graduate programs, even an online network administration degree, sometimes requires that you have experience to be accepted.

You may dread the thought of returning to school to work on a new degree. You might lose time at work or with your family, as well as pay.

The time required for a master’s network administration degree program means you’re going to be studying for long hours every week, even if you attend online. If you have a family, you may miss out on activities and everyday family time.

Compare Popular Online Network Administration Programs

Top 10 Best Online Masters in Network Administration Programs


1

North Carolina State University at Raleigh

Score: 86.97

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $9,095
    • Out-of-State: $28,301
  • Net Price: $14,852
  • Acceptance Rate: 47%
  • Retention Rate: 94%
  • Graduation Rate: 85%
  • Total Enrollment: 36,700
  • Undergrad Students: 26,254
  • Graduate Students: 10,446
  • Grads Salary: $78,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • North Carolina State University at Raleigh
2

University of Southern California

Score: 86.38

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $63,468
    • Out-of-State: $63,468
  • Net Price: $36,808
  • Acceptance Rate: 12%
  • Retention Rate: 97%
  • Graduation Rate: 92%
  • Total Enrollment: 48,945
  • Undergrad Students: 20,699
  • Graduate Students: 28,246
  • Grads Salary: $89,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 9:1
  • University of Southern California
3

Virginia Tech

Score: 85.36

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $14,521
    • Out-of-State: $29,267
  • Net Price: $19,301
  • Acceptance Rate: 57%
  • Retention Rate: 91%
  • Graduation Rate: 86%
  • Total Enrollment: 38,170
  • Undergrad Students: 30,434
  • Graduate Students: 7,736
  • Grads Salary: $81,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 17:1
  • Virginia Tech
4

North Carolina A&T State University

Score: 78.66

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,745
    • Out-of-State: $17,545
  • Net Price: $9,189
  • Acceptance Rate: 56%
  • Retention Rate: 74%
  • Graduation Rate: 57%
  • Total Enrollment: 13,487
  • Undergrad Students: 11,833
  • Graduate Students: 1,654
  • Grads Salary: $77,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 19:1
  • North Carolina A&T State University
5

East Carolina University

Score: 72.5

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $4,749
    • Out-of-State: $17,898
  • Net Price: $14,410
  • Acceptance Rate: 92%
  • Retention Rate: 80%
  • Graduation Rate: 65%
  • Total Enrollment: 27,151
  • Undergrad Students: 21,688
  • Graduate Students: 5,463
  • Grads Salary: $67,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 18:1
  • East Carolina University
6

Rochester Institute of Technology

Score: 71.43

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $54,176
    • Out-of-State: $54,176
  • Net Price: $39,600
  • Acceptance Rate: 67%
  • Retention Rate: 85%
  • Graduation Rate: 72%
  • Total Enrollment: 16,615
  • Undergrad Students: 13,940
  • Graduate Students: 2,675
  • Grads Salary: $82,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 13:1
  • Rochester Institute of Technology
7

Marist College

Score: 69.36

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $16,020
    • Out-of-State: $16,020
  • Net Price: $39,364
  • Acceptance Rate: 63%
  • Retention Rate: 86%
  • Graduation Rate: 81%
  • Total Enrollment: 6,464
  • Undergrad Students: 5,475
  • Graduate Students: 989
  • Grads Salary: $72,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 16:1
  • Marist College
8

Colorado Technical University

Score: 63.33

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $13,937
    • Out-of-State: $13,937
  • Net Price: $16,106
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 46%
  • Graduation Rate: 20%
  • Total Enrollment: 24,808
  • Undergrad Students: 22,393
  • Graduate Students: 2,415
  • Grads Salary: $89,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 31:1
  • Colorado Technical University
9

DeVry University-Illinois

Score: 59.77

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $17,072
    • Out-of-State: $17,072
  • Net Price: $29,115
  • Acceptance Rate: 46%
  • Retention Rate: 54%
  • Graduation Rate: 42%
  • Total Enrollment: 20,832
  • Undergrad Students: 17,174
  • Graduate Students: 3,658
  • Grads Salary: $72,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 27:1
  • DeVry University-Illinois
10

Strayer University-Global

Score: 51.56

  • Graduate Tuition
    • In-State: $14,940
    • Out-of-State: $14,940
  • Net Price: $19,727
  • Acceptance Rate: 100%
  • Retention Rate: 33%
  • Graduation Rate: 32%
  • Total Enrollment: 11,017
  • Undergrad Students: 8,368
  • Graduate Students: 2,649
  • Grads Salary: $66,000
  • Student-to-faculty: 41:1
  • Strayer University-Global

Overview of an online Master's in Network Administration


What Network Administration Master’s Degrees are Available Online?


  • Master of Science in Information Technology
    You’ll learn about information security and assurance, business intelligence, analytics, and project management. You’ll also gain hands-on learning experience because the courses have been created and built by practicing IT professionals. As with online bachelor's degrees with this focus, courses on this topic are easy to shift to online learning platforms, making this an optimal choice for those who with to learn online.
  • Master of Business Administration with an Information Assurance Concentration
    You’ll work on learning about secure networks, computers, and practices that help to reduce threats from outside and inside sources. Your courses help you learn to protect hardware and software, as well as how to communicate effectively with personnel at all levels of your employer’s business. These degrees can be found online and in more traditional settings.
  • Master of Science in Information and Communications Technology with a Concentration in Database Design and Administration
    This graduate program teaches online and traditional students how to improve business efficiency and performance by building credible databases. You’ll learn that it’s up to a knowledgeable database administrator to develop and provide those advanced solutions for your organization. You’ll perform data warehousing, data modeling, and performance tuning.
  • Business Administration - Information Management (MBA-IM)
    You’ll begin to augment your management skills in this program and begin to provide management perspectives in several areas of business, including information technology. You’ll learn both practical and theoretical approaches to business administration as you develop your own leadership style. This degree also lends itself well to online learning, though many students choose to attend through a hybrid program (a mix of online and in-person) in order to gain networking possibilities with other students.

Admission Requirements for a Masters in Network Administration


As with other admissions processes, you’ll have to submit your personal and educational paperwork. This will begin with official transcripts from your last university. Take the GRE or GMAT and have your test scores sent to each university you’re considering. Testing agencies will send your scores directly to each school.

Submit a personal statement, letters of recommendation, a curriculum vitae (CV) or resume, along with any other required materials. These may include a portfolio, writing sample, and a self-study. After gathering all required documents, submit them to each university you are considering. Submit your application fee with all of your application materials. Online programs will require the same admission materials as traditional programs.

How long does it take to earn a Network Administration Master’s Online?


Because you have already taken all of the general education requirements in your undergraduate program, you’ll simply move right into the courses required of your specific network admin degree. Programs require about 36 credit hours for you to complete your degree program. If you’re attending full-time, strive to take a full course load. If you’re going to school online, you may be on the quarterly term system. Then, you’ll be able to take one or two courses per quarter. An online, quarterly term or semester program means you may be in school a little more than two years.

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Potential Careers in Network Administration with a Master’s


Once you graduate from your online master’s program in network administration, you may decide to continue in your former job. Or, if you left work to go to school full-time, you may decide to return or find a new position. Here are a few of the positions you may be able to enter.

  • System Administrator
    While this may be a lower level position for someone with a master’s degree, your job role is still vital to your employer. You ensure that your employer’s computer systems are maintained regularly and operating correctly. You will coordinate workflow. Expect to communicate with your co-workers as you troubleshoot issues.
    Average annual salary - $62,800
  • Computer Network Architect
    You are responsible for designing and reviewing all network requirements and capabilities within your employer’s company. You’ll validate high-level design plans so that the new network operates as desired. You’ll al
  • Digital Forensic Examiner
    You have to analyze computer-based information and find any forensics evidence that may exist. You’ll go through large amounts of data, looking for specific items for your employer. You’ll work with computer hard drives and storage devices, looking for computer programs and user patterns so you can recover information from destroyed devices.
    Average annual salary – $64,100
  • Information Security Analyst
    It’s your job to find and provide security solutions for your employer. You’ll research, collate data, develop secure strategies, and ensure maximum productivity. You also implement security by following strict privacy policies. Your skills need to be advanced so you can find vulnerabilities and eliminate them.
    Average annual salary – $72,700
  • Network Engineer
    You will design and create new computer networks for your employer, then ensure they work properly. You may also maintain networks for third-party clients. You’ll use problem-solving skills to find solutions when the networks don’t work correctly. You’ll monitor and diagnose performance issues with network architecture and design and implement business solutions with network equipment.
    Average annual salary - $74,600

Options to Advance


You could begin working as a computer network architect and get experience in the building and use of new computer networks. After accumulating some experience, you can more easily move into an online master’s network administration program. Once you have earned your online master’s degree, you may receive a promotion to a senior network architect position. You’ll create plans and layouts for new data communication networks, present these plans to management, and explain why the organization needs them.

If you plan to move into leadership, an online master’s degree will allow you to do so. You may begin to take the lead with IT activities, managing technology teams.

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