IT Networking Courses
A Steadily Evolving Industry
The Information Technology insdustry has seen a steady evolution of innovation and technological advancements, including in the networking subsector of the technology industry.1
George Mason University is proud to offer a curriculum focused on networking courses for all levels of professionals that deliver cutting-edge information and skills that are needed right now by today’s employers.
IT courses and certificates cover the gamut of topics including ethernet and wireless LANs and VLANs, IP addressing, routing, and services, automation, architecture, access control lists, and more.
Whether you'd like to step into the IT field with a networking role or are tasked with developing solutions for complex business problems, we have the online courses you need to qualify for new roles and help you prepare for all-important third-party certifications. Networking courses are designed to build your base of knowledge and advance the skills you have so you can enroll in just the course or certificate you need to take the next step in your career.
If you have any questions or need additional information contact us at cpeinfo@gmu.edu or click on the request information button.
Prepare for In Demand Industry Certifications
Third-party certifications are key to upskilling and advancing your career. They're often recognized by employers globally, so you'll be recognized as a professional whenever you choose to work. George Mason offers coursework that prepares you for the following certifications.
CompTIA's Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+) Certification
CASP+ is an advanced-level cybersecurity certification for security architects and senior security engineers who lead and improve an enterprise’s cybersecurity readiness. It's widely considered the industry standard for cybersecurity practitioners who create systems that prevent, detect, and repel cybersecurity attacks.
The CompTIA A+ Certification is the top credential for associate-level IT professionals and the industry standard for establishing a career in IT. They're recognized as proven problem solvers and support today’s core technologies from security to cloud to data management and more.
CompTIA Network+ Certification
CompTIA Network+ Certification helps you to develop a career in IT infrastructure. It validates you have the technical skills needed to securely establish, maintain and troubleshoot the essential networks that businesses rely on.
CompTIA Security+ Certification
The CompTIA Security+ Certification opens the door to your cybersecurity career. It's considered the global standard to validate you have the baseline skills necessary to perform core security functions and is the most widely-used obtained certification to meet the U.S. Department of Defense's DoD 8570 compliance standard.
(ISC)2 Certified Information Security Professional (CISSP)
Earning the CISSP proves you have what it takes to effectively design, implement and manage a best-in-class cybersecurity program.
ISACA's Certified Information Systems Auditor, (CISA)
CISA is world-renowned as the standard of achievement for those who audit, control, monitor, and assess an organization’s information technology and business systems.
ISACA's Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
ISACA’s Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) certification indicates expertise in information security governance, program development and management, incident management, and risk management.
Explore IT Networking Courses
Choose the programs below that are most beneficial to your position right now and take a look at others that may help you advance your career.
Choose Your Level of Learning
George Mason offers different ways to learn new skill sets that enhance your current role and help you step into new career opportunities.
- Individual courses focus on a specific set of skills or industry knowledge and can vary widely in terms of contact hours. You can spend a week completing a course, or more than a year.
- Professional Certificates can vary widely in terms of contact hours. They can consist of a single course with a multitude of topics or include a series of courses. Some certificates also offer a digital badge that can verify the specific industry skills learned. When you successfully complete the Professional Certificate program, you'll receive a certificate that speaks to your new skill set.
Digital Badges (Optional)
Mason awards a digital badge for a select group of in-demand micro-credentials. A URL is attached to the badge that verifies your skill sets so you can easily display them to current and future employers.
The following badges are available when you complete one of the Professional Certificates the badge is named for.
Strengthen Your Career Opportunities
Reflective of the fast paced world of Information Technology, the Information sector is continuing to generate large number of positions and growing salaries, 2024.2 Additionally, fast advancing technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) are generating new types of jobs. By developing and advancing your networking skills, you'll be ready to take on roles in this fast-paced sector, such as:
Computer Network Support Specialists
Computer support specialists maintain computer networks and provide technical help to computer users.
Computer network support specialists analyze and troubleshoot computer network problems. They have an important role in the daily, weekly, or monthly maintenance of their organization’s networks. This maintenance may be routine or part of the organization’s disaster recovery efforts. Network support specialists also may assist computer users through phone, email, or in-person visits. They often work under the direction of network and computer systems administrators, who handle more complex tasks. The median annual salary for computer network specialists is $71,530 and the role, with fifteen states having the highest employment level as of May 2023, and the positions grower faster than average.3
Computer Network Architects
Computer network architects design and build data communication networks, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Intranets. They're in charge of upgrades in hardware and software and research of new technologies to consider what would best support the organization. Computer network architects earn a median wage of $129,840 a year with fourteen states having the highest employment level as of May 2023.4
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Professionals in this role are responsible for the day-to-day operation of computer networks. They organize, install, and support an organization’s computer systems, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), network segments, intranets, and other data communication systems. Network and computer systems administrators earn an average of $95,360 a year, with the highest level of employment in fifteen states as of May 2023.5
Professionals in this role are responsible for the day-to-day operation of computer networks. They organize, install, and support an organization’s computer systems, including local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), network segments, intranets, and other data communication systems. Network and computer systems administrators earn an average of $84,810 a year and expect 5% growth from 2020 to 2030.2
2. Industries at a Glance: Information: NAICS 51 : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov)
4. Computer Network Architects (bls.gov)
5. Network and Computer Systems Administrators (bls.gov) Computer Network Architects (bls.gov)
6. Bureau of Labor and Statistics
Corporate Training in IT
As the largest public research university in Virginia, we keep our finger on the pulse of skills gaps across industries — and nowhere is it wider than in the IT industry. Overall employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations from 2022 to 2032. About 377,500 openings are projected each year, on average, in these occupations due to employment growth and the need to replace workers who leave the occupations permanently.7
We're ready to help you upskill your staff quickly with continuing education opportunities customized specifically for your organization's needs.
Bringing training to your organization can equip your top performers the industry certifications, skills, and knowledge you need them to have to step into roles you need to fill while attracting and retaining top talent.
As the largest public research university in Virginia, we keep our finger on the pulse of skills gaps across industries — and nowhere is it wider than in the IT industry. A combination of all tech occupations is expected to grow at about twice the rate of overall employment across the economy, but many roles will grow at 4-5 times the national rate.8
We're ready to help you upskill your staff quickly with continuing education opportunities customized specifically for your organization's needs.
This valuable option gives your top performers the industry certifications you need them to have to step into roles you need to fill while attracting and retaining top talent.
To discover more about how we can bring critical IT training and certification preparation to your team, complete the form below and we will contact you: