College of Engineering & Information Sciences

Network Systems Administration Degree Program

Today nothing is more critical to successful business operations than effective networks. Earn your associate degree in Network Systems Administration (NSA) from DeVry University and become a valuable asset to any company. Use the tools and techniques embraced by leaders such as Cisco Systems as you learn how to maintain existing network systems and launch new ones.

Nearly every industry demands these types of professionals who can activate accounts and security controls, install and configure routers and switchers, monitor network performance, and troubleshoot problems. With new positions opening up and older professionals retiring, network systems administration promises to be a growing career field in North America for years to come.

Degree: Associate of Applied Science in Network Systems Administration (In Florida degree is Associate of Science in Network Systems Administration; in Minnesota, New York, and Pennsylvania degree is Associate in Applied Science in Network Systems Administration.)
Requirements: 5 full-time semesters, 67 credit hours (63 in Minnesota)
Flexible Study: Take your classes at a DeVry campus location, through a mix of online and onsite classes, or via our online degree program. Each term you can choose the mix of classes that helps you balance personal priorities and keeps you moving toward your goals. Please note that program and course availability varies by location.
Related Programs: If you are interested in a bachelor's degree program in this field, consider DeVry University's bachelor's degree program in Network and Communications Management. 

Learn more about how your associate degree in Network Systems Administration from DeVry University can be applied in a variety of fields and lead to career success. Download our Networking & Information Security Career Guide.

Career Coursework

Focusing on applying concepts and skills to real-world situations, DeVry's Network Systems Administration curriculum may include these career-enhancing courses:

  • Introduction to Networking – Introducing the underlying technology of local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and the Internet, this course covers networking media, the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model, transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), an overview of routing and switching, and small network configuration and troubleshooting. 
  • Introduction to Routing – This course introduces router configuration, maintenance and troubleshooting, routing protocols, and use of access control lists (ACLs) as a traffic management tool. .
  • Introduction to Switching – Students in this course explore advanced Internet protocol (IP) addressing techniques, intermediate routing protocols, switch configuration and maintenance, and virtual area networks (VLANs) and related protocols.
  • Network Operating Systems – Windows and UNIX – This course explores basic operation and management of local and wide area networks using the Microsoft or UNIX network operating systems (NOSs). Topics include installation of server and workstation software, physical network configuration, network security, policy domain controllers, and performance monitoring and troubleshooting techniques. 
  • Voice/VoIP Administration – Exploring technologies and systems that serve voice traffic, this course covers enterprise switches (e.g., private branch exchanges and Centrex), networked telephony solutions, voice over internet protocol (VoIP), call centers, voice processing and wireless systems.

To learn more about required and elective courses for the Network Systems Administration associate degree program, contact a DeVry University representative or see the undergraduate academic catalog. 

Graduate Success

At DeVry University, everything we do is focused on your career success. The proof is in the numbers. For the year ending with the October '08 graduates, 88% of U.S. DeVry Network Systems Administration graduates in the active job market were employed in their field at an average salary of $38,717.*