Bachelor of Science in Information Technology – Network and System Administration Online
Perform a vital role in any organization by ensuring networks and servers operate securely and at top efficiency. Our generous credit transfer policy enables you to graduate quickly with highly valued IT skills.
Now lower tuition to make your undergraduate journey even more affordable! $320 per credit hour with Path to Success Scholarship*
Program Overview
Expand your options with a B.S. in IT – Network and System Administration
Earn a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology – Network and System Administration and explore how to keep networks and servers performing at optimum efficiency by configuring the latest hardware, software, and upgrades. Offered by NKU's respected College of Informatics, this affordable online program will prepare you for Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification, as you learn how to provide technical support, manage user access and system permissions, troubleshoot IT issues, and maintain network security.
Finish your information technology degree quickly by transferring up to 90 credit hours and gain immediately applicable skills in incident response, security protocols, and implementation of firewalls.
In this 100% online network and system administration program, you will learn how to:
- Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions
- Perform system administration tasks and apply programming concepts to software implementation
- Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats
- Understand networking fundamentals and be able to design and troubleshoot networks
- Analyze a complex computing problem and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions
- Perform system administration tasks and apply programming concepts to software implementation
- Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats
- Understand networking fundamentals and be able to design and troubleshoot networks
Potential networking administrator jobs:
- Systems Administrator
- Network Engineer
- IT Architect
- Systems Engineer
- Systems Administrator
- Network Engineer
- IT Architect
- Systems Engineer
Also available:
Northern Kentucky University offers a variety of technology programs online. Learn more about our online technology programs.
Tuition
See the benefits of our budget-friendly tuition
The B.S. in Information Technology – Network and System Administration online program offers the same affordable, pay-by-the-course tuition to in-state and out-of-state students. Financial aid may be available to students who qualify.
| Program | Per Credit Hour | University Fee Per Credit Hour |
|---|---|---|
| B.S. in IT – Network and System Administration | $485 | $16 |
| With Path to Success Tuition* | $320 | $16 |
*The Path to Success Scholarship is available to first-time NKU OnlineA students only; existing students may not participate. The Scholarship cannot be combined with any other offer and is not available for the RN to BSN online program. Students who step out of the program for more than a year (thus requiring a new application) will no longer receive the offer; instead, they must pay the tuition or scholarship rate available at the time of new enrollment. Excludes some program-specific fees that will be divided and assessed by credit hour based on the number of hours taken. Tuition and fees subject to change at any time.
Tuition Breakdown:
“Top Public College”
Ranked among the “Top Public Colleges” by Forbes, 2022
Renowned for Information Technology
Ranked among the “Best Colleges for Information Technology in America” by Niche.com, 2024
Calendar
Note these important deadlines
The B.S. in IT – Network and System Administration is delivered in a convenient online format, with 7-week courses that start six times a year. View the full calendar to see all upcoming dates. When you're ready to get started, be sure to submit your application, registration, documents, and tuition by the corresponding deadlines.
| Session | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Registration Deadline | Payment Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2 | 10/16/24 | 10/3/24 | 10/8/24 | 10/11/24 | 10/16/24 |
| Spring 1 | 1/13/25 | 1/3/25 | 1/7/25 | 1/10/25 | 1/13/25 |
| Spring 2 | 3/17/25 | 3/5/25 | 3/10/25 | 3/14/25 | 3/17/25 |
| Summer 1 | 5/12/25 | 4/30/25 | 5/5/25 | 5/9/25 | 5/12/25 |
| Summer 2 | 6/30/25 | 6/18/25 | 6/23/25 | 6/27/25 | 6/30/25 |
Now enrolling:
Admissions
Gather these admission materials for this online networking administration degree in information technology program
The admission process is the first step toward earning your online network and system administration degree. Please reach out to one of our enrollment specialists for any questions you might have.
Admission Requirements:
- Official transcripts from each college attended
- Online application fee waived for active/veteran military
- 2.0 GPA or higher on a 4.0 scale
B.S. in IT – Network and System Administration Online Admission Requirements
Applicants for the B.S. in Information Technology – Network and System Administration online program are evaluated on a holistic basis and must meet the following requirements:
Transfer Admission
Transfer applicants are students who have graduated from high school and have previously attempted coursework for credit (other than college credits taken while in high school) at another accredited college or university.
Students with a minimum 2.0 GPA from an accredited institution and 24 or more transferable credit hours must submit the following:
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee. The fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
- Official transcripts from each college attended
Students with a minimum 2.0 GPA and fewer than 24 transferable credit hours are evaluated based on the freshman admission standards and must supply the following:
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee. The fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
- Official transcripts from each college attended
- Final and official high school transcript or GED scores
- New transfer students who apply to the University with fewer than 24 college credit hours earned and a 2.75 and greater unweighted high school GPA will be offered admissions regardless of ACT/SAT scores. Please note: Nursing and respiratory care programs require ACT/SAT scores.
- New transfer students with a 2.7499 unweighted high school GPA and less will be required to submit ACT or SAT test scores:
- Required ACT scores:
18 (English, math, reading) - Required SAT scores:
Prior to March 2016: 430 (math, writing); 450 (critical reading)
March 2016 to present: 480 (evidence-based reading and writing); 470 (math)
- Required ACT scores:
Freshman Applicants
A freshman applicant is a prospective student who has not attempted coursework at an accredited college or university (other than college credit earned while in high school or during the summer immediately following high school graduation).
Students who are 21 years or older and have never attended college (other than college credits taken while in high school) must supply:
- Complete online application and pay $40 non-refundable application fee
- If you are an NKU alum or active/veteran military member, your application fee will be waived. Simply submit the online application without payment of the application fee. The fee will be waived when your credentials are verified. No further action is required.
- Official high school transcripts or GED scores
Students who are under 21 years old and have never attended college (other than college credits taken while in high school) must supply:
- You might qualify to apply Direct Admit to NKU, view the direct admit requirements.
- An online application form
- A $40 nonrefundable application fee
- Official high school transcripts or GED scores
- Freshmen applicants must have at least a 2.0 unweighted high school GPA to be considered for admissions.
- Freshman applicants with a 2.75 and greater unweighted high school GPA will be offered admissions regardless of ACT/SAT scores. Please note: Nursing and respiratory care programs require ACT/SAT scores.
- Freshman applicants with a 2.7499 unweighted high school GPA and less will be required to submit ACT or SAT exam scores:
- Required ACT scores:
18 (English, math, reading) - Required SAT scores:
Prior to March 2016: 430 (math, writing); 450 (critical reading)March 2016 to present: 480 (evidence-based reading and writing); 470 (math)
- Required ACT scores:
NKUWrite (English and reading) and ALEKS (math) scores are encouraged for placement. Some courses may require placement testing depending on transfer credit or ACT scores. Our Testing Services office can help you schedule these tests.
Official documents may be mailed or emailed to:
Northern Kentucky UniversityOffice of Admissions
Lucas Administrative Center
400 Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Have a question? Call us at 800-985-7215.
Direct Admit for Freshmen Applicants
High school seniors with a current, unweighted GPA of 2.75 or higher can be directly admitted to NKU. No application, essays, or fees are required.
How Direct Admit works:
- Are you a high school senior with an unweighted GPA of 2.75 or higher?
- Will you be a new, first-time freshman?
- Are you a resident of the United States?
If you answered "yes" to all of the above, you are eligible to receive a direct admissions offer from NKU. Once you receive the email from NKU offering you direct admissions, click the embedded link to accept Direct Admit. Your personal NKU enrollment specialist will reach out promptly to begin solidifying your spot at NKU.
Direct Admit is a conditional admission offer for qualified students as determined by your current high school GPA.* Submit your unofficial transcripts to verify your current GPA. Final admission to NKU will be determined by official final transcripts submitted upon your high school graduation. You will work with NKU and your high school counselor to submit all unofficial and/or official final transcripts. Learn more about Direct Admit.
Click the button to begin!
*Conditional based on submission of high school transcript.
If you answered "no" to any of the above questions, we still offer a streamlined path to admissions! Please follow the instructions under "Freshman Applicants" above.
Courses
Preview your network and system administration courses
For the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology – Network and System Administration online, students must complete a total of 120 credit hours. Students are required to take 5 informatics core courses (13 credit hours), 7 information technology core courses (19 credit hours), 3 additional core courses (9 credit hours), 5 major electives (15 credit hours) and general education courses (37 credit hours). Students must select either a minor (21-28 credit hours) or an area of focus (12 credit hours). The remaining hours are to be taken as free electives.
Students must take the following courses:
Students must take all of the following courses:
Students must take the following courses:
Students must take the following courses plus one additional 300 or 400 level CIT course.
Students must complete a minor or take 12 credit hours from a declared area of focus outside of INFO, CIT or CYS courses.
Students must take 13 credit hours of free electives. Remember, some of these may have to be at the 300/400 level to reach the required 45 total hours of 300+ work for graduation.
- General Education Courses:
- Communication; Written (3 credits)
- Communication; Written II (3 credits)
- Communication; Oral (3 credits)
- Scientific and Quantitative Inquiry
- Mathematics and Statistics (3 credits)
- Scientific and Quantitative Inquiry
- Natural Sciences with lab (4 credits)
- Scientific and Quantitative Inquiry
- Natural Sciences without lab (3 credits)
- Self and Society
- Cultural Pluralism (3 credits)
- Self and Society
- Individual and Society (3 credits)
- Self and Society
- Individual and Society (3 credits)
- Culture and Creativity (3 credits)
- Culture and Creativity (3 credits)
- Global Viewpoints (3 credits)
Credit for prior learning acknowledges your experiences and can save you time and money on your degree.
You might be closer to graduation than you think!
