Network Administration & Engineering Technology

Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)
Student working in computer lab

About this program

From schools and hospitals to IT companies, many organizations rely on specialists to keep their networks running smoothly and safely. Here, you’ll take away the advanced skillset needed to design, install, manage, and troubleshoot networks. And tap into all the technical aspects from network installation, monitoring, and maintenance to resource allocation, user management, and performance optimization.

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

92%

Overall Placement

4

Specialized Computer Labs

Technical Plus Business Skills

Careers

  • Network architects or engineers
  • Information systems administrators
  • Network administrators or analysts
Courses

At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.

​​Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.

  • Introduction to Programming (CIT160)
  • Networking I (EET145)
  • Introduction to Database (CIT180)
  • Programming II (CIT260)
  • Networking II (EET247)
  • Fundamentals of Information Security (CIT230)
  • Introduction to UNIX/Linux (CIT240)
  • Systems Administration (CIT273)
  • Principles of Management (MGT115)
  • Systems Programming (CIT241)
  • Directed Networking Elective (BNE)
  • System Analysis I (CIT246)
  • Server Administration (CIT355)
  • Network Administration II: Real-time Services (CIT371)
  • Network Defense (IAS312)
  • Network Simulation (CIT372)
  • Virtualization, Storage & Cloud Computing (CIT343)
  • Wireless & Mobile Computing (CIT310)
  • Multi-Platform Architecture (CIT448)
  • Management of Organizational Behavior (MGT410)
  • Project Management in IT (CIT485)
  • Legal Issues in Information Security Management (LAS350)
  • Network Design & Management (CIT476)
  • Advanced Topics in Networking (CIT449)

​Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.

  • Science Elective (SCI)
  • Core Arts Perspective (ARP)
  • Science Elective with lab (SCL)
  • Core Social Science Perspective (SSP)
  • Core Historical Perspective (HIP)

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • Information, Technology & Society (CSC124)
  • English Composition I (ENL111)
  • College Algebra & Trigonometry I (MTH181)
  • Technical & Professional Communication (ENL201)
  • College Algebra & Trigonometry II (MTH183)
  • Fundamentals of Speech (SPC101)
  • Statistics for STEM Fields with Computer Applications (MTH161)

What's the difference between Information Technology and Computer Science?

Computer science is more theoretical, with increased math requirements. Many tend to focus on programming or cutting-edge computing, like artificial intelligence and augmented reality.

IT is focused on supporting the user. It is more people-focused, making the tools of computing accessible to fit the needs of people and organizations, as well as creating computing tools and systems to meet the user's needs.

Virtual Tour

Information Technology

Get a glimpse inside the labs where future IT professionals learn how to install, configure, and maintain computing systems. Meet Dr. Sandra Gorka, Associate Professor of Computer Science. And check out everything from gaming and simulation spaces to the hands-on labs decided to cyber security, networking, database management, and Linux systems.

IT Labs
Facilities

IT Labs

Apply theory to the real thing in our specialized IT labs. Here, you’ll have access to both physical and virtual labs designed for networking, IT security, operating systems, and gaming. Apply the principles of ethical hacking, intrusion detection, and digital forensics in both physical and virtual environments. Labs also allow students to create 3D models, investigate hypervisors, build networks from bare metal to full production, and simulate a host of applications and network configurations.

Featured Video

Women In STEM

What does it take to succeed in a STEM career? Curiosity. Critical thinking. A can-do spirit. And an educational experience that meets your passion head-on. Here, you’ll meet a community of innovators. Future pioneers who are learning by doing. Breathing new life into old concepts. Testing theories. And breaking barriers. Because the more you explore, the more you grow. And the bigger difference you can make.

Maker Profiles
Tour Schedule

Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Feb 24

Undergraduate Open House

Saturday, February 24 8:30 AM - 3 PM

Apr 7

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 7 8:30 AM - 3 PM

More tour dates are on the way.

But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Need a different date?

Let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

Contact

Admissions Office

Internship

Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your know-how in the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand. 

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Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

 

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)

Our student chapter of ACM serves as the college's "computer club" as well as a common ground for all those who wish to supplement their education with topics prevalent in the world of computing technology today. 

Student Organizations at Penn College

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Penn College News
11.08.2023

College alum, VP among cybersecurity panelists at summit

IBM and Penn College partnered to sponsor a half-day Attack Surface Management Summit on campus Wednesday, assembling a top-notch lineup of cybersecurity speakers who shared their expertise on a number of relevant topics. Among the highlights was a discussion of ASM – the continuous process of identifying, monitoring and managing internet-connected devices for potential attacks and exposure – that involved a Penn College administrator and a graduate.

10.17.2023

Industry recruiters drawn yet again to talent-rich student body

About two dozen employers made themselves available to job-seeking students in the semester's penultimate Recruitment Day, arranged by Career Services and held Tuesday in the Carl Building Technologies Center. Occupying perpendicular hallways of the BTC, recruiters shared their industry needs with tomorrow makers enrolled in electrical technology, electronics & computer engineering technology; engineering & industrial design technology, and information technology.

09.19.2023

Penn College receives grant for cybersecurity education

Pennsylvania College of Technology is the recipient of a $140,792 federal grant to offer free cybersecurity education to secondary school teachers. Awarded through the GenCyber program, the grant will facilitate a weeklong camp next June 24-28 on main campus for 25 Pennsylvania teachers of grades five through 12. The program’s goal is to build a strong cybersecurity workforce by sparking interest in the field at the secondary level.

Gain global experience
Study Abroad

Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

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Our Leadership

Faculty Story

Lisa Bock, associate professor of computer information technology, not only teaches students, but has literally written the book for IT professionals.

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More Information

Students must complete all required major courses in the Network Administration and Engineering Technology major (those with the alpha-designators CIT, EET, IAS, LAS, and MTH) with a grade of "C" or higher. Additionally, any course approved for use as a Directed Networking Elective must also be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.

All transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis to determine where they would fit into the curriculum sequence. Students must have earned a grade of 'C' or better in courses transferred into the major.

View general transfer information

A laptop/notebook computer is required for enrollment in all Information Technology major courses CIT 160 and higher. Laptop specifications

Uniforms and tools are available for purchase through The College Store and Penn State Computer Store .

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

  • Mr. James R Ankers, CISSP, CISA, IT Specialist (INFOSEC), United States Navy
  • Mr. Daniel J Clarke, '07, Senior Solutions Architect, Arraya Solutions
  • Dr. Todd W Griffith, Chief Technology Officer, Discovery Machine Corporation
  • Mr. Brandon J Howe, '01, Sr. IT Analyst, Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
  • Dr. Karl M Kapp, Assistant Director, Institute for Interactive Technologies, Bloomsburg University
  • Dr. Krish Pillai, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Lock Haven University
  • Mr. Mark J Watson, '85, Administrative Director, Corporate Information Technology, Susquehanna Health