Information Technology Infrastructure Degrees and Certificates
Information Technology Infrastructure, commonly called IT, is the collection of careers which deal with selecting, installing, integrating, protecting, and maintaining the software and hardware which enables society, business, and the Internet as we know it. This field focuses primarily on the integration of multiple existing hardware and software systyems into a single cohesive design solution to complex problems.
Inver Hills Community College offers a variety of certificates and degrees in the IT area. Depending on your previous experience and comfort with computers we have entry-level certificates and degrees, premier certificates and degrees, and advanced professional development certificates. You’ll find descriptions of each of these and more information below.
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Credit for Professional Certifications
Many of the classes in our IT degrees and certificates are aligned with professional industry certifications. If you already have one or more of these certifications you may be able to receive credit for courses. Review the ITC Course Credit Equivalency for IT Exams chart and then contact a faculty member for more information. |
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Course Order
Many of the courses in ITC degree programs have prerequisites which effectively limit the number of technical courses which can be take in any one semester. In order to ensure timely graduation, appropriate course loads, and the correct mix of technical and liberal arts courses students are strongly encouraged to meet with an academic advisor, counselor, and having that plan reviewed by a faculty member from the ITC department before registering for classes to determine a degree plan. You can also review a suggested course sequence online to give you a starting point. |
Premier Certificates and Degree
If your friends and family regularly come to you for support with their computer and network issues, consider yourself a "power user" of computers already, or you are dedicated to learning new information about computers, networking, and security in a fast-paced environment our flagship degree in Network Technology and Security may be a good choice for you. Courses you will complete in the first year of this degree are many of the same courses found in the second year of our more entry-level IT Support degree.
These are focued on being well prepared for a career as a network or systems administrator, security architect, and other technically focused IT infrastructure positions at any size enterprise.
Certificate: Networking and Cybersecruity Operations - 18 Credits
Official Description: This certificate provides students with knowledge and skills essential to configuring, securing, and maintaining modern business networks and Internet connections. Centered around preparation for the Cisco Certified Network Associate industry credential this certificate bolsters confidence in small and medium sized business networks with courses about user facing network devices and security operations center skills. Courses in this certificate help prepare students for the CompTIA A+, Cisco Certified Network Associate, and Cisco CyberOps Associate industry certifications.
The Bottom Line: This is a great option if you want to prepare for a network or security administrator position where you will manage routers, switches, and firewalls. This certificate can be completed in two semesters (one year) and will prepare you for several industry certifications, especially the CompTIA A+ which is required for many entry level IT positions and may be all you need to start working in IT and the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) which is the most widely recognized entry level network administration certification. All of the credits in this certificate will count towards the AAS in Network Technology and Security if you decide to continue towards a degree.
Certificate: Enterprise Networking - 18 Credits
Official Description: This certificate provides students with knowledge and skills to configure and maintaining large enterprise networks and WAN connections. Centered around preparation for the Cisco Certified Network Associate and Cisco CCNP Enterprise industry credentials this certificate includes hands-on experience with EIGRP, OSPF, BGP, multicast, QoS, wireless, overlay networks, and network programmability. Courses in this certificate help prepare students for the Cisco Certified Network Associate, and CCNP Enterprise industry certifications.
The Bottom Line: This is a great option if you want to prepare for a more advanced network administrator position where you will manage routers, switches, and firewalls at a large enterprise with advanced routing protocols and technologies. This certificate can be completed in two semesters (one year) if you have CCNA experience and will prepare you for the next level of several industry certification, namely the widely respected Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services. All of the credits in this certificate will count towards the AAS in Network Technology and Security if you decide to continue towards a degree.
AAS in Network Technology and Security - 60 Credits
Official Description: This program prepares students for rewarding careers in the dynamic field of computer networking and security. The continued growth of the Internet, wide area networks (WANs) and local area networks (LANs) requires people with the broad knowledge and skills needed to design, manage, secure, and troubleshoot sophisticated information storage, retrieval and presentation systems. The program covers the workings of networks and systems from desktop and mobile devices to cloud servers that could be located anywhere in the world. The curriculum has been designed to encompass many of the same competencies that are covered by several recognized IT industry certifications, for example CompTIA’s A+; Cisco’s CCNA, CCNP, and CyberOps Associate; and Microsoft’s Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure, so students will gain the knowledge and skills that are recognized as important for employment in the field.
The Bottom Line: This degree is designed to prepare you for network, system administration, and cybersecurity positions. You will build on a foundation of PC support to learn about more complex network design, server administration, and security concepts the very basics of IT you will learn the skills required to support users and business needs. This degree can be completed in four semesters (two years) and includes preparing you for many industry certifications including the CompTIA A+, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Advanced Routing and Services, and more!
The Big Bonus: You will earn the Networking and Cybersecruity Operations and Enterprise Networking certificates (one each year) while you complete this degree so you will graduate with three credentials!
Continuing Your Education: Inver Hills has relationships with multiple 4-year schools where you can transfer all your credits if you would like to continue on to a bachelor’s degree program. You may also decide to continue on to more advanced technical studies in networking and/or cybersecuirty at IHCC by finishing the requirements for one or more of our advanced certificates which are described below.
Entry Level Certificates and Degree
If you are interested in getting into a career in IT but are a more typical computer user, or want to learn new things about computers, networks, servers, and security at a slower pace with more introductory information our entry level degree in IT Support may be a good choice for you. Courses you will complete in the second year of this degree are many of the same courses found in the first year of our flagship Network Technology and Security degree.
These are focued on being well prepared for a career as an IT Support, helpdesk, junior network or systems administrator, or security event analyst positions. System administration, network, and security content in this degree is geared more towards smaller companies with less complex infrastructure.
Certificate: IT Helpdesk and Cybersecurity Operations - 18 Credits
Official Description: This certificate provides the knowledge and skills for employment in entry-level positions in the information technology field that support security operations center and technology end-users. Students will learn the essential components and function of hardware and software systems used in modern businesses as well as analysis techniques used in security operations centers. Courses in this certificate help prepare students for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals, CompTIA A+, LPI Linux Essentials, Cisco CyberOps Associate, and Microsoft Windows 10 industry certifications.
The Bottom Line: This is a great option if you are unsure about your technical skills but are interested in getting into a computer career or continuing on towards a degree. This certificate can be completed in two semesters (one year) and will prepare you for several industry certifications, especially the CompTIA A+ which is required for many entry level IT positions and may be all you need to start working in IT. All of the credits in this certificate will count towards the AAS in Information Technology Support if you decide to continue towards a degree.
Certificate: IT System Administrator - 18 Credits
Official Description: This certificate provides IT employees with knowledge and skills needed to administer Linux and Windows clients and servers. Courses in this certificate help prepare students for the Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate, Microsoft Certified: Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate, and LPI Linux Essentials industry certifications.
The Bottom Line: This is a great option if you want to move from an entry level helpdesk position into a server administrator position where you will manage Windows or Linux servers. This certificate can be completed in two semesters (one year) if you already have helpdesk experience and will prepare you for several industry certifications. All of the credits in this certificate will count towards the AAS in Information Technology Support if you decide to continue towards a degree.
AAS in Information Technology Support - 60 Credits
Official Description: The Information Technology Support program trains workers for employment providing service to computer users, including hardware and software installation and technical assistance. Coursework includes experiences and instruction in communication and problem-solving skills, as well as technical training with hardware, software, operating systems, applications software, security, and computer network operations. Designed to prepare graduates to select, maintain, configure, and oversee installation of business-oriented personal computers, software, and to support and train users. This program provides the student training for a variety of IT industry certifications including the CompTIA A+, Microsoft Windows Server Hybrid Administrator Associate, and Cisco Cyber Operations Associate.
The Bottom Line: This degree is designed to prepare you for entry level IT support, system administration, networking, and cybersecurity positions. Starting from the very basics of IT you will learn the skills required to support users and business needs. This degree can be completed in four semesters (two years) and includes preparing you for many industry certifications including the CompTIA A+ which is required for many entry level IT positions.
The Big Bonus: You will earn the IT Helpdesk and Cybersecurity Operations and IT System Administrator certificates (one each year) while you complete this degree so you will graduate with three credentials!
Continuing Your Education: Inver Hills has relationships with multiple 4-year schools where you can transfer all your credits if you would like to continue on to a bachelor’s degree program. You may also decide to double-major at IHCC and continue on to finish requirements for the AAS in Network Technology and Security to prepare you for more advanced IT positions.
Advanced Certificates
If you are interested in advancing your IT career with in depth study of advanced networking or security concepts our advanced certificates in networking or cybersecurity provide great options. These are designed for either professionals working in the field looking for professional technical development or students who have completed our Networking and Security degree who want to specialize further in either networking or cybersecurity with advanced certifications.
Certificate: Advanced Network Technology - 18-21 Credits
Official Description: This certificate program provides an opportunity for IT professionals who have large enterprise network administration responsibilities or experience to learn about state-of-the-art networking concepts and configuration beyond that covered in the Network Technology and Security degree program. Courses cover network programmability, QoS, advanced BGP, advanced OSPF, advanced EIGRP, overlay networks, VPNs, wireless networking, and multicast. Courses in this certificate help prepare students for the Cisco DevNet Associate, CCNP Enterprise, and additional CCNP Enterprise concentration areas based on the student’s career path and interests.
The Bottom Line: This is a great option if you want to move beyond traditional networking into the world of DevOps, network as code, and additional CCNP concentration areas such as SD-WAN, network design, enterprise wireless, or automation. These advanced networking technologies are in demand by the biggest companies. This certificate can be completed in one or two semesters (one half to one year) if you have CCNP Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services experience and will prepare you for the the Cisco DevNet Associate and another CCNP concentration.
Certificate: Advanced Cybersecurity Infrastructure - 18-21 Credits
Official Description: This certificate program provides an opportunity for IT professionals who have network security and information assurance responsibilities or experience to learn about advanced cybersecurity concepts and configuration beyond that covered in the Network Technology and Security degree program. Courses cover industry standard topics including security incident management, firewalls, pen testing, VPNs, intrusion detection, and overall security policy and practices. Courses in this certificate help prepare students for the Cisco CyberOps Associate, EC-Council CEH, and other professional security certifications such as CCNP Security, CISSP, GSEC, CISM, or CISA based on the student’s career path and interests.
The Bottom Line: This is a great option if you want to gain advanced experience in cybersecurity including penetration testing, network security device configuration, and security management. This certificate can be completed in one or two semesters (one half to one year) if you have basic security, networking, and systems administration experience and will prepare you for the the EC-Council CEH and at least one other professional security certification.
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