Best Associate's Network Administration Degree Programs in Maryland
Montgomery College — Rockville, MD
Hakia Insight: Montgomery College's geographic proximity to federal agencies (NSA, NIST) and defense contractors (Booz Allen, Lockheed Martin) means its cybersecurity-forward networking curriculum feeds directly into security clearance-eligible positions that pay 18-25% above regional civilian IT averages.
At the associate's level, montgomery College's Network Administration program emphasizes hands-on cybersecurity fundamentals alongside traditional networking skills, giving you a competitive edge in a field increasingly focused on threat prevention. You'll work in modern labs configured with real enterprise-grade equipment, then transfer seamlessly to University of Maryland College Park or UMBC with junior standing. The program's strong relationship with regional tech employers means internship opportunities during your second year, and many graduates land roles at federal contractors in the DC corridor within months of earning their degree.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Booz Allen Hamilton, Lockheed Martin, Federal government agencies (NSA, NIST), Regional health systems, Fortune 500 tech companies in DC metro.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Maryland College Park
- University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
- Towson University
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Network Support Specialist
- Junior Network Administrator
- System Administrator (Entry-Level)
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCNA
Location Advantages:
Anne Arundel Community College — Arnold, MD
Hakia Insight: Anne Arundel's proximity to the U.S. Naval Academy and Northrop Grumman creates an unusually direct pipeline to defense contracting help desk roles—graduates often enter positions supporting classified networks, a credential advantage most community college peers lack.
At the associate's level, working directly with Chesapeake Bay-region employers, Anne Arundel's program graduates enter help desk and junior admin roles with real-world troubleshooting experience baked into every semester. The college maintains partnerships with defense contractors and healthcare IT departments around Annapolis, meaning capstone projects often come from actual client needs. You'll earn your Network+ and A+ while studying, then many students leverage AACC's transfer agreements to finish a bachelor's at nearby universities without losing credits or time.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: U.S. Naval Academy, Northrop Grumman, Chesapeake Regional Health Systems, Anne Arundel County government, Local managed service providers.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Maryland College Park
- Towson University
- University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Network Support Specialist
- Field Service Technician
- Junior Network Administrator
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCENT/ICND1
Location Advantages:
Community College of Baltimore County — Baltimore, MD
Hakia Insight: CCBC's curriculum explicitly maps to Johns Hopkins Medicine's infrastructure needs, meaning students troubleshoot healthcare IT scenarios that employers will actually deploy them into, collapsing the typical gap between classroom labs and first-day responsibilities.
At the associate's level, CCBC's multi-campus network administration curriculum adapts to Baltimore's booming biopharmaceutical and healthcare IT sector, with coursework designed around the actual infrastructure challenges you'll see on the job. The program's laboratory environment mirrors enterprise setups, so when you graduate you're not learning systems for the first time—you're deepening existing knowledge. Evening and weekend sections make the degree accessible for working adults, and transfer options to UMBC and Towson position you for a four-year degree without unnecessary repetition.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Johns Hopkins University / Johns Hopkins Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Baltimore-area pharmaceutical companies, State government IT departments.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
- Towson University
- University of Maryland College Park
- Morgan State University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Network Support Specialist
- Computer Support Specialist
- Junior System Administrator
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Microsoft Windows Server Certification
Location Advantages:
College of Southern Maryland — La Plata, MD
Hakia Insight: CSM's instructors bring active DoD compliance expertise into the classroom, so graduates understand security protocols before their first interview—a rare advantage when federal contractor firms like Booz Allen Hamilton require immediate clearance readiness.
At the associate's level, CSM's network administration track prepares you for the federal contractor ecosystem thriving across Charles and Calvert counties, with instructors who understand DoD compliance and security clearance pathways from day one. Your labs simulate real military-grade networks, and the college actively helps graduates transition into contractor roles that often start at $45k+ with benefits. The cohort-based model means you'll graduate alongside classmates you already know and trust, a significant advantage when job leads come through your peer network.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Federal contractor firms (Booz Allen Hamilton, BAE Systems), U.S. Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay (contractor support), Patuxent River Naval Air Station (contractor roles), Charles County government, Regional healthcare IT.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Maryland College Park
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Towson University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Network Support Specialist
- Junior Network Administrator
- IT Support Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Security+
- Cisco CCNA
Location Advantages:
Prince George's Community College — Largo, MD
Hakia Insight: PGCC sits at the epicenter of federal IT hiring; graduates routinely secure positions at DoD and State Department directly from the associate's level, a career acceleration most two-year programs outside the DC beltway simply cannot match.
At the associate's level, PGCC's program taps directly into the massive federal IT market spanning Washington DC and Prince George's County, where clearance-ready graduates routinely find positions paying well above typical associate-degree entry levels. You'll spend hands-on time in networking labs designed to meet current industry standards, then move into roles supporting government agencies and major contractors—many employers hire cohorts straight from the classroom. The college's proximity to DC means recruiting events happen on campus regularly, giving you face-to-face access to hiring managers.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of State, Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, General Dynamics, Federal government agencies across DC metro.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Maryland College Park
- Howard University
- University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Network Support Specialist
- Junior Network Administrator
- IT Support Specialist
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCNA
Location Advantages:
Baltimore City Community College — Baltimore, MD
Hakia Insight: BCCC's program directly addresses Baltimore's documented healthcare IT talent gap, meaning employers like Johns Hopkins actively recruit from the program and often fast-track graduates into specialized roles rather than generic help desk queues.
At the associate's level, BCCC's network administration program addresses the Baltimore tech talent shortage head-on, training locals for the high-demand roles at healthcare systems, universities, and growing tech startups across the city. Hands-on lab work happens in spaces that mirror real enterprise networks, and the college's connections to employers mean internship opportunities and job interviews often precede graduation. With evening and weekend scheduling, working adults can earn their degree without sacrificing current employment or family commitments.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Johns Hopkins University / Johns Hopkins Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center, University of Baltimore, Bon Secours Baltimore health systems, Baltimore City government.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
- Towson University
- University of Maryland College Park
- Morgan State University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Network Support Specialist
- IT Support Technician
- Junior Network Administrator
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Microsoft Windows Server Certification
Location Advantages:
Harford Community College — Bel Air, MD
Hakia Insight: Harford's tight alignment with Northrop Grumman's local operations creates predictable employer demand for each cohort, translating to job placement certainty that most regional community colleges cannot guarantee.
At the associate's level, harford's network administration track prepares you for roles in the Chesapeake region's defense contracting and manufacturing IT sectors, with curriculum shaped by employer advisory boards that know exactly what skills the jobs require. You'll graduate with hands-on experience troubleshooting real networks, not theoretical knowledge—a distinction that shows up immediately when you interview. The college's smaller class sizes mean personalized attention from instructors who remember your name and your goals, translating into strong reference letters and targeted job leads.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Northrop Grumman, Manufacturing firms in the Harford region, Harford County government, Regional healthcare IT, Local managed service providers.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Maryland College Park
- University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC)
- Towson University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Network Support Specialist
- Junior Network Administrator
- IT Support Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Cisco CCENT/ICND1
Location Advantages:
Carroll Community College — Westminster, MD
Key Distinction: Carroll Community College provides affordable Network Administration education with flexible scheduling and transfer pathways to four-year universities.
Hakia Insight: Carroll's flexible scheduling and transfer pathways acknowledge that many network administration students are already working—the program design assumes that reality rather than fighting it.
Carroll Community College offers Network Administration programs in Westminster, MD. As a public institution and community college, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Hagerstown Community College — Hagerstown, MD
Hakia Insight: HCC's curriculum targets the Hagerstown manufacturing corridor's specific infrastructure challenges (legacy systems, downtime-intolerant environments), preparing graduates for roles most broader programs don't adequately address.
At the associate's level, HCC's network administration program serves the Hagerstown corridor's manufacturing and small-to-medium business IT needs, creating a talent pipeline employers actively recruit from each semester. You'll learn foundational networking on real equipment in small, focused cohorts where instructors know each student's career goals and can tailor guidance accordingly. Affordable tuition plus strong regional job placement means many graduates enter help desk and junior admin roles within weeks of earning their degree, without significant student debt.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Network Administration — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Network Administration — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Hagerstown-area manufacturing IT departments, Washington County government, Regional healthcare systems, Small-to-medium businesses in the corridor, Local managed service providers.
Top Transfer Destinations
- University of Maryland College Park
- University of Maryland Eastern Shore
- Towson University
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- Network Support Specialist
- Junior Network Administrator
- IT Support Technician
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- Microsoft Windows Server Certification
Location Advantages:
Cecil College — North East, MD
Key Distinction: Cecil College offers comprehensive Network Administration programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Cecil College's North East location serves a regional employer base where IT talent shortage is acute, meaning graduates face unusually strong local hiring even without national credential prestige.
Cecil College offers Network Administration programs in North East, MD. As a public institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Best Bachelor's Network Administration Degree Programs in Maryland
University of Maryland Global Campus — Adelphi, MD
Key Distinction: Global Campus offers the only fully online network administration pathway designed specifically for working IT professionals, balancing rigor with the flexibility that career changers and advancement-seekers require.
Hakia Insight: Global Campus's fully online architecture isn't just convenient—it's architected for IT professionals who learn best through problem-solving they're already doing at work, making the curriculum feel like credentialing expertise rather than building it from scratch.
At the bachelor's level, as the online-first arm of the University of Maryland system, Global Campus delivers network administration education specifically designed for working professionals who need flexibility without sacrificing technical depth. The program structures courses in accelerated 8-week formats and supports part-time enrollment, allowing IT practitioners to layer advanced networking credentials onto their existing experience. Students engage with the same curriculum rigor as College Park but gain the advantage of cohorts filled with peers from across the country—many already employed in IT roles—creating a peer-learning environment rooted in real workplace context. The asynchronous and hybrid delivery model accommodates shift work common in network operations, while virtual labs and remote access to lab environments mean no geographic barrier to hands-on learning. Career outcomes tend to favor mid-career advancement: professionals use the degree to transition into network architect or senior engineer roles, often within their current organizations or as a stepping stone to enterprise-focused positions. Employer tuition reimbursement partnerships (particularly with federal contractors and healthcare systems) make the program accessible to students whose organizations value formal credentials for advancement.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: No geographic restrictions—fully accessible to distributed IT workforceStrong employer partnerships in federal contracting, healthcare IT, and financial services
Stevenson University — Owings Mills, MD
Hakia Insight: Stevenson's partnership with AT&T and PayPal provides direct internship access to enterprises managing infrastructure at massive scale, giving undergraduates exposure to network problems that most bachelor's programs relegate to electives.
Stevenson's Computer Information Systems program offers specializations in application, network, and database design with strong industry partnerships including major employers like AT&T and PayPal. The program features accelerated Bachelor's to Master's options and extensive scholarship opportunities for transfer students up to $21,300 annually.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: AT&T, Clearview Group LLC, PayPal, Social Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, US Army National Guard.
Location Advantages:
Capitol Technology University — Laurel, MD
Key Distinction: Capitol Technology stands out for embedding industry certification pathways (CompTIA, Cisco) directly into its curriculum design and maintaining project labs that mirror production environments, ensuring graduates are job-ready from day one.
Hakia Insight: Capitol Technology embeds CompTIA and Cisco certifications directly into degree requirements rather than treating them as optional add-ons, meaning graduates exit with both a bachelor's degree and industry credentials—eliminating the post-graduation certification grind most peers face.
At the bachelor's level, capitol Technology University's Information Technology and Cybersecurity programs are purpose-built for hands-on network and systems administration training, with a curriculum that doesn't assume prior IT experience but moves quickly into practical configuration and deployment. The program's defining feature is its industry-aligned, project-based learning model: students work through real network scenarios—setting up windows domain controllers, configuring routing and switching, implementing VLANs, hardening firewalls—in dedicated lab environments from week one. Capitol emphasizes CompTIA Security+, Network+, and Cisco CCNA certification readiness as built-in program outcomes, not as afterthoughts; courses are timed to align with exam windows. The faculty blend includes active IT professionals who bring current-year challenges into the classroom, ensuring curriculum stays ahead of industry shifts. Internship partnerships with local and regional managed service providers (MSPs) and corporate IT departments mean students transition from lab work to real support ticket environments quickly. Capitol's smaller size and career-focused culture also mean advising is individualized—students work with mentors who track certification progress and job placement. The program deliberately targets working adults and recent high school graduates alike, offering flexible scheduling and recognizing that many students are balancing coursework with part-time IT support roles that accelerate their learning.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- Regional Managed Service Providers (MSPs) (corporate)
Accreditations and Certifications
- CompTIA Network+ preparation
- CompTIA Security+ preparation
- Cisco CCNA pathway
Location Advantages: Washington, DC metro area with robust IT services sectorAccess to government and contractor IT employers
SANS Technology Institute — North Bethesda, MD
Hakia Insight: SANS Technology Institute's curriculum is built by the instructors who design the GIAC certifications themselves, ensuring students learn from the architects of industry standards rather than educators interpreting them.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Mount St. Mary's University — Emmitsburg, MD
Key Distinction: Mount St. Mary's distinguishes itself through a mentorship-first model where faculty directly supervise real infrastructure projects, ensuring graduates have documented, portfolio-ready implementations rather than just coursework credentials.
Hakia Insight: Mount St. Mary's mentorship model produces portfolio-documented infrastructure projects that replace vague job descriptions on resumes—employers can see exactly what each graduate built and troubleshot, not just what they passed.
At the bachelor's level, mount St. Mary's network administration program emphasizes hands-on lab work and real-world troubleshooting from the foundation courses onward. Rather than treating infrastructure as theoretical, the curriculum integrates active directory management, virtualization environments, and network security configurations through guided projects where students build and maintain actual systems. The program's strength lies in its accessible class sizes and mentorship model—faculty maintain open-door policies and directly supervise capstone projects where students design complete network solutions for local organizations. This approach means graduates leave with portfolios documenting live implementations rather than just coursework. The Catholic liberal arts context doesn't dilute technical rigor; instead, it reinforces ethical frameworks around data governance and system reliability. Students benefit from partnerships with mid-market regional businesses that host internships and often convert strong performers into full-time roles. The program deliberately avoids overspecialization early, allowing students to sample security, cloud infrastructure, and systems administration before committing to a track.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Proximity to Baltimore/Washington corridor technology employers
Frostburg State University — Frostburg, MD
Key Distinction: Network administration program uniquely positioned to train administrators for small-to-medium businesses and rural environments, with curriculum reflecting SMB infrastructure and staffing realities.
Hakia Insight: Frostburg's intentional focus on small-to-medium business realities (limited budgets, multi-role responsibilities, rural connectivity constraints) trains administrators for the 95% of IT employers that aren't Fortune 500 companies.
At the bachelor's level, frostburg State University's information and computer technology program offers a network administration track that emphasizes small-to-medium business IT operations and rural infrastructure challenges—a niche strength absent from many university programs. Students engage with real case studies of network design and management for organizations without dedicated IT staff, learning to prioritize efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and multi-role responsibility. The curriculum balances hands-on infrastructure skills (Cisco and Juniper routing/switching, Windows and Linux server administration) with business-oriented topics like IT budgeting, vendor management, and technology ROI. Faculty bring experience from regional businesses and educational institutions, offering mentorship grounded in practical constraints and real deployment scenarios. The program's capstone projects often involve consulting engagements with actual regional SMBs, providing portfolio-building experience and networking opportunities. Graduates succeed in network administrator and IT manager roles at regional healthcare systems, educational institutions, manufacturing firms, and as independent consultants, with particular strength in securing positions in the Appalachian and Mid-Atlantic SMB market.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Network Administration — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Network Administration — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Strong connections to Appalachian regional businesses and educational institutionsAccess to SMB and rural IT infrastructure challengesRegional healthcare and manufacturing IT operations
Best Master's Network Administration Degree Programs in Maryland
University of Maryland Global Campus — Adelphi, MD
Key Distinction: Global Campus offers the only fully online network administration pathway designed specifically for working IT professionals, balancing rigor with the flexibility that career changers and advancement-seekers require.
Hakia Insight: UMD Global Campus's federal contracting partnerships give online students access to cleared security work immediately upon graduation—a credential tier most fully remote programs can't offer.
At the master's level, as the online-first arm of the University of Maryland system, Global Campus delivers network administration education specifically designed for working professionals who need flexibility without sacrificing technical depth. The program structures courses in accelerated 8-week formats and supports part-time enrollment, allowing IT practitioners to layer advanced networking credentials onto their existing experience. Students engage with the same curriculum rigor as College Park but gain the advantage of cohorts filled with peers from across the country—many already employed in IT roles—creating a peer-learning environment rooted in real workplace context. The asynchronous and hybrid delivery model accommodates shift work common in network operations, while virtual labs and remote access to lab environments mean no geographic barrier to hands-on learning. Career outcomes tend to favor mid-career advancement: professionals use the degree to transition into network architect or senior engineer roles, often within their current organizations or as a stepping stone to enterprise-focused positions. Employer tuition reimbursement partnerships (particularly with federal contractors and healthcare systems) make the program accessible to students whose organizations value formal credentials for advancement.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Network Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Network Administration — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages: No geographic restrictions—fully accessible to distributed IT workforceStrong employer partnerships in federal contracting, healthcare IT, and financial services
Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, MD
Key Distinction: Johns Hopkins differentiates through embedding network administration within a research-intensive engineering context, giving students exposure to mission-critical infrastructure design and the opportunity to conduct research on systems reliability rather than complete only coursework.
Hakia Insight: Johns Hopkins embeds students in APL's mission-critical infrastructure rather than sandbox labs, meaning your capstone isn't hypothetical: you're solving real reliability problems for systems that can't fail.
At the master's level, johns Hopkins' network administration and systems engineering training operates within its Whiting School of Engineering and carries the applied research intensity that defines the institution. Rather than a traditional undergraduate major, network administration knowledge is embedded in systems engineering and computer science curricula, with students building expertise through electives in network protocols, distributed systems, and infrastructure resilience. What distinguishes Hopkins' approach is its emphasis on large-scale, mission-critical systems—the same principles used in Johns Hopkins Medicine's hospital networks and Applied Physics Laboratory's defense systems inform classroom projects. Students gain exposure to enterprise-grade network design, high-availability architectures, and security-first infrastructure thinking. The institution's extensive research portfolio in cybersecurity and systems reliability means undergraduates can pursue directed research projects rather than just coursework, collaborating with faculty on problems that matter at scale. Hopkins graduates in this space typically move into senior infrastructure roles at tech companies or into specialized positions at research institutions faster than peers from programs with narrower technical focus. Internship opportunities span both industry and the institution's internal IT operations, where students work on networks serving medical research and biodefense initiatives.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Network Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Network Administration — 1-2 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL)
Industry Partners
- Johns Hopkins Medicine (nonprofit)
Location Advantages: Proximity to Applied Physics Laboratory (Columbia, MD)Access to Johns Hopkins Medicine's enterprise infrastructureBaltimore/Washington corridor tech and defense sector
Capitol Technology University — Laurel, MD
Key Distinction: Capitol Technology stands out for embedding industry certification pathways (CompTIA, Cisco) directly into its curriculum design and maintaining project labs that mirror production environments, ensuring graduates are job-ready from day one.
Hakia Insight: Capitol Technology's labs don't just teach Cisco and CompTIA—they're designed to mirror production environments so closely that graduates often skip the waiting period and test for industry certs during their final semester.
At the master's level, capitol Technology University's Information Technology and Cybersecurity programs are purpose-built for hands-on network and systems administration training, with a curriculum that doesn't assume prior IT experience but moves quickly into practical configuration and deployment. The program's defining feature is its industry-aligned, project-based learning model: students work through real network scenarios—setting up windows domain controllers, configuring routing and switching, implementing VLANs, hardening firewalls—in dedicated lab environments from week one. Capitol emphasizes CompTIA Security+, Network+, and Cisco CCNA certification readiness as built-in program outcomes, not as afterthoughts; courses are timed to align with exam windows. The faculty blend includes active IT professionals who bring current-year challenges into the classroom, ensuring curriculum stays ahead of industry shifts. Internship partnerships with local and regional managed service providers (MSPs) and corporate IT departments mean students transition from lab work to real support ticket environments quickly. Capitol's smaller size and career-focused culture also mean advising is individualized—students work with mentors who track certification progress and job placement. The program deliberately targets working adults and recent high school graduates alike, offering flexible scheduling and recognizing that many students are balancing coursework with part-time IT support roles that accelerate their learning.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Network Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Network Administration — 1-2 years, online
Industry Partners
- Regional Managed Service Providers (MSPs) (corporate)
Accreditations and Certifications
- CompTIA Network+ preparation
- CompTIA Security+ preparation
- Cisco CCNA pathway
Location Advantages: Washington, DC metro area with robust IT services sectorAccess to government and contractor IT employers
SANS Technology Institute — North Bethesda, MD
Hakia Insight: SANS's approach weaponizes its reputation: employers actively recruit from this program because they know graduates have completed the same immersive, adversarial training that SANS delivers to government agencies.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Network Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Network Administration — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages:
Hood College — Frederick, MD
Key Distinction: Network administration curriculum uniquely emphasizes business continuity and disaster recovery design alongside technical infrastructure skills.
Hakia Insight: Hood College's integration of business continuity and disaster recovery into core coursework fills a hiring gap most programs miss—companies need admins who can design for failure, not just manage steady state.
At the master's level, hood College's information technology program with network administration specialization stands out for integrating business continuity and disaster recovery planning into the core curriculum—a rarity at the undergraduate level. Rather than treating network administration as purely technical infrastructure, students learn to align network design and management with organizational resilience objectives. The program leverages Hood's location in the Frederick, Maryland region to facilitate internships with healthcare IT operations and mid-sized manufacturing firms, where network uptime directly impacts revenue and patient safety. Faculty bring experience from enterprise environments, particularly in virtualization, cloud infrastructure transitions, and hybrid on-premises/cloud management. The capstone project requirement often centers on redesigning a real organization's network for redundancy and scalability, giving students portfolio pieces that resonate with operations-focused employers. Graduates enter roles as network administrators, systems engineers, or IT infrastructure specialists, many with prior internship offers secured before commencement.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Network Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Network Administration — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages: Regional hub for healthcare and manufacturing IT operationsProximity to federal cybersecurity initiatives in Northern Virginia corridor
University of Maryland Eastern Shore — Princess Anne, MD
Key Distinction: UMES distinguishes itself through its commitment to building diverse talent in network administration with personalized mentorship and integrated cybersecurity awareness across the curriculum.
Hakia Insight: UMES's location in the Hampton Roads region unlocks federal IT contracts worth billions, and the program's mentorship model specifically prepares underrepresented students to navigate the clearance process and secure those positions.
At the master's level, as Maryland's historically black university on the Eastern Shore, UMES delivers network administration training with deliberate focus on serving underrepresented populations in technology fields. The program integrates networking fundamentals with practical cybersecurity awareness—recognizing that modern network administrators must understand both infrastructure management and threat mitigation. Students benefit from small cohort sizes that enable individualized mentorship and direct faculty access; professors know each student's learning style and can tailor guidance toward specific career goals, whether those involve system administration, network operations, or infrastructure consulting. The curriculum threads hands-on experience throughout, with labs covering routing, switching, and wireless networking technologies relevant to enterprise and government deployments. UMES's location in the Peninsula region connects students to a growing healthcare and biotechnology sector, plus proximity to federal installations seeking diversified talent pipelines. Graduates frequently enter roles in network operations centers, government IT support, or regional corporate network teams.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Network Administration — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Network Administration — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages: Access to federal IT opportunities in Hampton Roads regionProximity to growing healthcare IT sector
