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Your Guide to System Administration Degrees

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A degree in system administration isn't always required for entry-level roles, but you may find that you qualify for more roles with one. Learn more about each type.

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System administrators are IT professionals who oversee an organization鈥檚 servers and networks, ensuring that they鈥檙e running efficiently. Given that many companies rely on technology to operate their businesses, sysadmins (as they are often called) are vital to a company鈥檚 work.听

While it鈥檚 possible to become certified in system administration, and a degree is not always required for entry-level roles, you may find that you qualify for more roles鈥攁nd more advanced roles鈥攚ith a degree. Earning a degree to work in system administration often means studying computer science or a related field rather than majoring in system administration, though some schools do offer a specific network systems administration major.听

In this article, we鈥檒l cover the types of degrees you can earn, what you鈥檒l likely study, and what you can do with your degree.听听

System administration degrees

Working in system administration often involves designing plans for a company鈥檚 IT operations, problem-solving when issues arise, installing and updating software, and other tasks pertaining to a company鈥檚 computer systems. As such, it requires an understanding of IT along with strong critical thinking skills.听

There are three primary degree types you can earn if you want to work as a sysadmin: associate, bachelor鈥檚, and master鈥檚. Although programs differ by school, each degree is typically designed to help you gain a general understanding of computer science and the specific methodologies that inform working with, and managing, a company鈥檚 network. Let鈥檚 go over each one.听

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You can earn your associate degree online or in-person from an area community college. You may have the option to earn your Associate of Science (AS) degree, which tends to offer a more academic approach to a subject and can fold into a bachelor鈥檚 degree, or your Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, which is often considered a terminal degree that provides more hands-on training.

Not every degree listed below is available at every school, so it鈥檚 important to understand what you want to study so that you can find the best program to help you achieve that education. It may mean enrolling in a broader computer science program or finding a specific network systems administration program.听

Sample degrees:听

  • Associate of Science in Information Technology

  • Associate of Science in Computer Science听

  • Associate of Science in Information Systems听

  • Associate of Science in Network Systems Administration听

  • Associate of Applied Science in System Administration听

Length of time and coursework

An associate degree typically takes around two years to complete when you attend full-time. Depending on your school and program, you may be expected to complete a number of general education classes before beginning to work through your area of concentration.听

Typical coursework may include:听

  • 颁测产别谤蝉别肠耻谤颈迟测听

  • Systems analysis

  • Server operating systems

  • Principles of IT security听

  • Ethical hacking

Learn more: What is an Associate Degree? Requirements, Costs, and More

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You have several options when it comes to earning your Bachelor of Science (BS) degree, either in-person or online, for a role as a system administrator. Some common majors that can help you gain important subject knowledge include:听

  • Information science听

  • Computer systems networking

  • Computer science

  • Information technology

  • Software engineering

  • Systems & network administration听

  • Information networking and telecommunications

Choosing the best major for a sysadmin career

Not every school offers a bachelor鈥檚 degree in the majors listed above. If you鈥檙e interested in working as a system administrator, you may want to earn your Bachelor of Science in Systems and Network Administration specifically. But you may also find that a bachelor鈥檚 program with a broader computer science focus helps introduce you to system administration, while offering you a more comprehensive understanding of the field.听听

As you look at various bachelor鈥檚 programs, pay close attention to the major courses and electives available. If a school doesn鈥檛 offer a system administration major, do they offer classes in that subject? If you have questions about a program鈥檚 fit, reach out to an advisor to get more details, which will help you make an informed decision.听

Learn more: What Should I Major In?

Length of time and coursework

A bachelor鈥檚 degree in a computer-related subject takes around 120 credits to earn, which can amount to between four and five years when you attend full-time. You will likely work through two years鈥 worth of general education requirements before beginning your major.听

Typical coursework may include:听

  • Introduction to computer programming

  • Systems analysis and design

  • Data principles

  • Networking fundamentals

  • Software configuration

  • Hardware configuration听

  • Server configuration听

  • Software defined networking

Learn more: What is a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree? Requirements, Costs, and More

Master鈥檚听

In order to begin a master鈥檚 program, you must first have earned your bachelor鈥檚 degree. You can earn your Master of Science (MS) degree in the following areas:听

  • Information technology management

  • Information systems management

  • Network technology听听

  • Computer information systems听

Not every school will offer a master鈥檚 program in the areas listed above. Again, take time to research which programs most interest you鈥攁nd how the coursework you鈥檒l fulfill will help you advance your knowledge of computer science, computer systems, and system administration.听

Length of time and coursework

A master鈥檚 degree in a computer-related subject takes around two years to complete when you鈥檙e able to attend full-time. You may be expected to complete a thesis or capstone project as part of your graduation requirements.听

Typical coursework may include:听

  • Enterprise risk management

  • Managing information systems听

  • Information system analysis

  • Introduction to data science听

  • Cloud management

  • Ethical issues in information technology听

  • Advanced network security听

  • Dynamic web services听

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Do you need a degree to become a system administrator?听

Education is often a way to develop your knowledge, experience, and skills, and many employers still list it as a formal requirement. In that case, it can be helpful to have a two-year associate degree or a four-year bachelor鈥檚 degree to qualify for a wider array of sysadmin roles.听

Without a degree, you can expect an employer to look for significant experience in computers because the work is highly technical. You also may spend longer in an entry-level role acquiring the knowledge and experience that a degree is often designed to confer. In that case, earning your degree may help you advance more quickly.听

Learn more: What Can You Do with a Computer Science Degree?

Alternatives to a system administration degree

If you鈥檙e interested in exploring options outside of a traditional academic degree, there are certain sysadmin certifications you can earn to help prepare you for an entry-level job. These include the Cisco Certified System Administrator, Red Hat System Administrator Certification, and the Google IT Support Professional Certification.听

What can you do with a system administrator degree?听

A system administrator in the United States earns a median annual salary of $90,520, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) []. Some typical job titles for this line of work include:听

  • Junior system administrator听

  • IT system administrator听

  • Content management system administrator

  • System administrator听

  • Senior system administrator听

Next steps听

Check out the Google IT Support Professional Certificate on 糖心vlog官网观看 to see if it's a good fit鈥攁nd get a seven-day free trial. If you enroll and complete the certificate program, you can earn an ACE Credit Recommendation of 12 college credits鈥攖he equivalent of four college courses at the associate or bachelor鈥檚 degree level.

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Article sources

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 鈥,听 https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/network-and-computer-systems-administrators.htm.鈥 Accessed March 22, 2024.

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糖心vlog官网观看鈥檚 editorial team is comprised of highly experienced professional editors, writers, and fact...

This content has been made available for informational purposes only. Learners are advised to conduct additional research to ensure that courses and other credentials pursued meet their personal, professional, and financial goals.