- Pilot Program - Currently closed to new enrollees
Network Technology
Learn Network Technology to transform your career!
Calbright’s Network Technology (Network+) program will help you learn specific networking skills, how to support networks on any platform, and design and implement functional networks to advance your IT career. Our program prepares you to earn the industry-recognized CompTIA Network+ Certification, and Calbright will cover your exam fee.
The Network Technology pilot cohort is now filled, and the program is currently closed to new enrollees. Please enter your information below to get updates on future enrollment.
Prepare to earn your industry-recognized credential
The Network Technology program is designed to prepare students for employment in the computer networking field and to successfully complete the CompTIA Network+ certification.
What is CompTIA Network+?
CompTIA Network+ certification is an IT certification exam that verifies you have the essential knowledge and skills in networking to develop a career in IT infrastructure.
What can Calbright's Network Technology program do for you?
- Learn specific networking skills to support networks on any platform
- Learn the necessary technical skills to pursue a career as a network technician or other technical IT roles.
- Become familiar with enterprise network components and communications systems.
Important: Program prerequisite required for enrollment.
Network Technology Program Prerequisite:
Entry into this program requires one of the following:
- Completion of Calbright’s Information Technology (IT) Support program
- CompTIA A+ (or higher-level certification)
- One year of related job experience in any of the following areas, verified and approved by the faculty review panel:
- Helpdesk
- Desktop Technician
- IT/Software Engineering
- DevOps
- Site Reliability Engineer
- Networking
- Telecom Networks
- Outside Field Technician
Other qualifications may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
For those who don’t meet these prerequisites, we recommend our Information Technology (IT) Support program.
Overview
Why do companies need network technologists?
Calbright’s Network Technology program will help you learn network infrastructure, troubleshooting, configuring, and managing common network devices. You’ll participate in hands-on, lab-based learning activities to become familiar with enterprise network components and communications systems. By gaining these foundational technical skills, you’ll be able to pursue career paths like network technician or information security analyst.
According to Lightcast, he demand for network technologists is rising at a rate of 19.3% in California, resulting in over 3,500 job openings, most with a median starting salary of $66,800.
Like all Calbright programs, Network Technology courses are flexibly paced to fit into your busy schedule. The program is designed to reflect labor market insights and the needs of fast-growing sectors, and includes wraparound support for students. Our faculty and our success team, which includes tutors and career services, are with you every step of the way.
The newest addition to our Academic Catalog, with the official name Transition to Technology: Introduction to Networks, this is a pilot program with limited enrollment. Students will receive focused attention from the instruction and support teams and have a chance to help shape the future of the program.
This program is currently free to California residents.
What You'll Learn
- A broad understanding of enterprise network components and communications systems through hands-on, lab-based learning activities.
- How to manage network infrastructure, including troubleshooting, configuring, and managing common network devices.
- How to build out network infrastructure and troubleshoot, configure, and manage common network devices.
Courses in this Program
Introduction to Networks
This course introduces the networking architectures, models, protocols, and hardware elements that connect users, devices, applications and data through the Internet and across modern computer networks. Students will learn to build out network infrastructure and troubleshoot, configure, and manage common network devices. This course will help prepare students for an industry-recognized networking certification. Introduction to Networks serves as an entry point to necessary technical skills for students who want to move into careers as network technicians or those who want to work in other technical roles in IT.
Introduction to Networks - Virtual Lab
This course provides an introduction to the technical skills necessary for students who want to pursue careers as network technicians or other technical IT roles. Students learn these skills through interactive exposure to networking architectures, models, protocols, and hardware elements that connect users, devices, applications and data through the Internet and across modern computer networks. Students who complete this course will be able to build out network infrastructure and troubleshoot, configure, and manage common network devices. Students participate in hands-on, lab-based learning activities to become familiar with enterprise network components and communications systems.
Topics Covered
Build your knowledge and skills in the core Network Technology areas that help businesses operate. The program covers these topics and more:
- Network Administration
- Threats & Vulnerabilities
- Network Systems
- Communications Protocols
- Security Best Practices
- Addressing Schemes
- Network Monitoring
- Traffic Routing
- Network Topologies
Note: While Calbright programs are flexibly paced, enrollment agreements are limited in duration.
Students are enrolled in successive 6-month terms for a maximum program length of three years.
Careers and Outcomes
What can you do with a Network Technology certificate?
The following entry-level roles are examples of attainable positions with the skill set and industry-recognized credential made possible via Calbright's Network Technology program.
Network/Systems Administrator
Network administrators install, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair organizations’ network technology systems. Entry-level administrators primarily learn how to maintain company network systems, which may frequently involve supervising network updates, providing user support, and receiving on the job training from other administrators.
Data Center Technician
Data center technicians install and maintain data servers and network equipment, monitor the day-to-day performance of servers, maintain an optimally controlled environment for servers, and troubleshoot network and server problems. They also analyze data, inputting data into network systems, and work closely with other IT team members on network-specific and enterprise-wide projects.
Computer Support Specialist
Entry-level computer support specialists have a range of responsibilities that incldue installing software, maintaining computer systems and related equipment, and providing technical support and troubleshooting with the computers and/or networks for which they are responsible. An entry-level computer support specialist generally handles user training, answering questions, and solving specific end user issues.
We'll help you get there!
No one should have to be in college alone, and at Calbright you’ve got a team working with you, supporting your success. Whether it’s help with your classes, help with technology, or even someone to help connect you to services you need in your life, we are here to be part of your journey to a better career. Together, we’ll transition you into a job in tech.
>3.5k
Over 3,500 entry level jobs requiring network technology skills in California
>$66k
Median starting salary in network technology
>19%
Expected job growth in California in the next 10 years
Jobs, salary, and growth data via Lightcast, November 2023; ZipRecruiter job descriptions.
Tuition-Free Programs
Our online community college is currently tuition free for residents of California, over the age of 18, with a high school diploma or GED.
Certificate in Less Than One Year
We measure progress by the skills you’ve mastered — not by how many hours you’ve spent in the classroom — so you can move at the speed that’s right for you. Students can complete this course in approximately four months with an average weekly commitment of less than five hours. You will receive a badge verifying completion so you can advertise your new skills on your LinkedIn page and prove your competency to prospective employers.
Academic and Career Support
In addition to tutoring and academic support, our career services team can help you prepare for your job search, from practicing interviews and refining your resume to virtual events with employers and industry professionals.
FAQs
Who can be a student at Calbright?
Calbright is open to all California residents aged 18 years or older who have a high school diploma or GED equivalent.
All Californians — regardless of immigration status — are welcome to enroll.
Why should I attend Calbright?
First, our training programs prepare you to earn industry-recognized certifications (via exams offered by third-party providers like CompTIA and Salesforce), proof to employers that you’re ready to succeed in a new career on day one of employment.
Second, every student that completes a program also gets a dedicated team of professional experts that will coach you to be the best version of yourself during your job search.
Third, all of our courses are flexibly-paced and 100% online — designed around your own unique life circumstances so school never gets in the way of other priorities.
Plus, Calbright comes at no out-of-pocket cost to you. Even the cost of the exams to receive industry-recognized certifications (such as the CompTIA A+, Security+, and Salesforce Certified Administrator exams) in your program of choice are covered.
We also offer resources that include (but are not limited to) technology support through our Chromebook and WiFi hotspot lending library; career counseling; and mental health services. All this and more make Calbright a great choice if you’re looking to level up your skillset.
It is really free? How?
Yes! All of our programs are currently free thanks to public funding from the State of California. That includes program tuition, testing costs, and technology resources like laptops and WiFi devices from our lending library.
Because our programs are free, we don’t need to offer financial aid.
Is Calbright accredited?
Yes! Calbright was granted accreditation by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission in July 2023, more than a year ahead of the deadline provided in the College’s founding legislation. Accreditation is an important consumer protection that validates the integrity and quality of the College’s academic programs and operations.
How long does it take to enroll and start classes?
Starting an application is easy! If you’re ready to begin your journey with us, click here. If you still have questions or would like to get in contact another way, you’ve got plenty of options.
You can always reach out to success@calbright.org and someone from our team will get back with you via email ASAP.
You can also use the webchat function on our homepage, call us at 1-833-956-0225, or text us at (510) 330-1817.
How long will the Network Technology program take to complete?
Calbright’s model is built around the needs of its adult learners. This means students can make progress when it works in their own schedule, whether that’s after your kids have gone to bed, over the weekend, or between shifts at work. Our student support team will work with you when you begin the program to create a realistic timeline to guide you. Timelines are three months, six months, ten months, or 14 months, providing flexibility as well as structure and gentle accountability to help stay on track.
