2025-2026 Catalog

Networking & Virtualization Associate of Applied Science

Program Description

This program is designed for students wanting to complete a two-year AAS Degree in Networking & Virtualization and enter the workforce. Students explore network operating system management. This degree prepares students for positions in network administration and infrastructure, including installing, configuring and troubleshooting networking hardware such as wireless equipment, switches and routers. Students are introduced to the concepts of installing, configuring, and managing multiple operating systems, and will gain the knowledge and skills to configure, administer and secure data, users, and services using multiple servers. Cloud and virtualization cover the technical skills required to install, configure and/or manage cloud infrastructure. Students will be exposed to equipment from multiple networking vendors and will be prepared for multiple industry certifications such as the core Microsoft Certified Professional examinations or the CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Cloud+, and CompTIA Cloud Essentials, or the CISCO CCNA certifications. Some careers may require a Bachelor's degree. Although some courses may transfer, this AAS degree program is designed for students to enter the workforce.

Learn more about this program.

What You Will Learn

Upon completion of the program you will be able to:
 1.  Demonstrate foundation skills in PC hardware, client operating system (OS), networking, security, and scripting
 2.  Administer networked OS servers
 3.  Exhibit basic office application skills
 4.  Demonstrate business skills such as technical writing, documentation, communications, statistics, ethics, and business management
 5.  Compile a portfolio of work from technical courses
 6.  Prepare for industry certifications
 7.  Apply cybersecurity skills in areas such as firewalls, auditing, disaster recovery, forensics, penetration testing, and enterprise security
 8.  Demonstrate basic and advanced skills in virtualized and cloud environments
 9.  Utilize networking skills with switches, routers, firewalls, wireless, and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
10.  Demonstrate comprehension of enterprise level network administration and scalability

My Academic Plan: Full-Time

Courses are displayed in a full-time sequence showing the fastest path to your degree. Follow the pathway below to complete your AAS degree in 4 semesters (2 years). For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.

First Semester

MAT 1340 or Higher College Algebra (MAT 1340) or Higher

3

CIS 1018Introduction to PC Applications

3

CNG 1020A+ Certification Preparation

4

CNG 1024Networking I: Network+

3

CNG 2001Linux Configuration: (OS)

3

Total Credit Hours:16
Semester Note:  Upon completion of CNG 1020, CNG 1024, and CNG 1032, you should apply for the Networking Basics Certificate.

Second Semester

CNG 1032Network Security Fundamentals

3

CNG 1033Firewalls/Network Security

3

CNG 2012Configuring Windows Server

4

CNG 2040Virtual Environment Admin

3

CNG 2160CISCO CCNA Network Associate I

4

Total Credit Hours:17

Semester Note:  Upon completion of CNG 1020, CNG 1024, CNG 1032, CNG 2012 and CNG 1025, you should apply for the Network Technician Certificate.

Third Semester

Networking Elective Any Networking & Visualization AAS Degree Elective*

3

CNG 1031Principles of Information Assurance

3

CSC 1001 or CSC 1019Principles of Computing (CSC 1001) or Intro to Programming (CSC 1019)

3

ENG 1031 or ENG 1021 or ENG 1022Technical Writing I (ENG 1031) or English Composition I (ENG 1021) or English Composition II (ENG 1022)

3

CNG 2161CISCO CCNA Network Associate II

4

Total Credit Hours:16

Semester Note:  Complete 8-10 credits from CNG electives this semester. Westminster campus offers CNG 2030 and CNG 2040. Larimer campus offers CNG 2030, CNG 2040, CNG 2002 and CNG 2013.

Fourth Semester

Networking Elective Any Networking & Visualization AAS Degree Elective*

3

CNG 1036Guide to IT Disaster Recovery

3

CNG 2162CISCO CCNA Network Associate III

4

General EducationPersonal Finance (BUS 1016), Any Art (ART), Any Communication (COM), Any World Language Course (1001 or higher), or Any GT Pathways Course

3

Total Credit Hours:13

Semester Note:  Upon completion of CNG 1024, CNG 1032, CNG 2030, CNG 1025, CNG 1033, and CNG 2031, you should apply for the Network Infrastructure Certificate.

My Academic Plan: Part-Time

Courses are displayed in a part-time sequence providing flexibility for the working professional. Follow the pathway below to complete your AAS degree within 8 semesters (3 years). This pathway may be accelerated by applying transfer credit, credit for prior learning, and/or completing one or more additional courses each semester. For more information, please see your Academic Advisor.

Fall Semester 1

MAT 1340 or Higher College Algebra (MAT 1340) or Higher

3

CNG 1020A+ Certification Preparation

4

CNG 1024Networking I: Network+

3

Total Credit Hours:10

Spring Semester 2

CIS 1018Introduction to PC Applications

3

CNG 2001Linux Configuration: (OS)

3

CNG 1031Principles of Information Assurance

3

Total Credit Hours:9

Summer Semester 3

ENG 1031 or ENG 1021 or ENG 1022Technical Writing I (ENG 1031) or English Composition I (ENG 1021) or English Composition II (ENG 1022)

3

Total Credit Hours:3

Fall Semester 4

CNG 1032Network Security Fundamentals

3

CNG 1033Firewalls/Network Security

3

CNG 2012Configuring Windows Server

4

Total Credit Hours:10

Semester Note:  Upon completion of CNG 1020, CNG 1024, and CNG 1032, you should apply for the Networking Basics Certificate.

Upon completion of CNG 1020, CNG 1024, CNG 1032, CNG 2012, and CNG 1025, you should apply for the Network Technician Certificate.

Spring Semester 5

CSC 1001 or CSC 1019Principles of Computing (CSC 1001) or Intro to Programming (CSC 1019)

3

CNG 2040Virtual Environment Admin

3

CNG 2160CISCO CCNA Network Associate I

4

Total Credit Hours:10

Summer Semester 6

General EducationPersonal Finance (BUS 1016), Any Art (ART), Any Communication (COM), Any World Language Course (1001 or higher), or Any GT Pathways Course

3

Total Credit Hours:3

Fall Semester 7

Networking Elective Any Networking & Visualization AAS Degree Elective*

3

Networking Elective Any Networking & Visualization AAS Degree Elective*

3

CNG 2161CISCO CCNA Network Associate II

4

Total Credit Hours:10

Semester Note:  Complete 8-10 credits from CNG electives this semester. Westminster campus offers CNG 2030 and CNG 2040. Larimer campus offers CNG 2030, CNG 2040, CNG 2002 and CNG 2013.

Spring Semester 8

CNG 1036Guide to IT Disaster Recovery

3

CNG 2162CISCO CCNA Network Associate III

4

Total Credit Hours:7

Total Credit Hours: 62

Prior Learning eligible course

•  Learn more about Credit for Prior Learning

•  View all eligible courses

 

Important Program Notes:

To fulfill Networking & Virtualization AAS degree requirements, you must complete a minimum of 6 Networking & Visualization AAS degree elective credits.

*Networking & Visualization AAS Degree electives: CNG 1025, CNG 1036, CNG 1042, CNG 2002, CNG 2003, CNG 2013, CNG 2014, CNG 2015, CNG 2030, CNG 2031, CNG 2040, CNG 2041, or CNG 2043.

You must complete a minimum of 62 credits to complete this degree. If receiving financial aid, you should only take courses and credits as required for this degree. Check with your advisor to monitor your completion progress.