Academic Calendar 2013-2014 - St. Louis Community College

It is recommended that the Board approve the new Network Engineering Associate in Applied
Science approved and submitted by the District Curriculum Committee.
Program: Network Engineering
Associate in Applied Science
Campus: FP
Effective: Pending CBHE approval
Impact Statement
The Information Systems Department, in collaboration with the Center for Emerging and
Advanced Information Technologies (CEA-IT) is proposing an Associate of Applied Science
degree program in Network Engineering. The program, to be offered through the Center, a St.
Louis Community College Center of Excellence, will include hands-on industry certification
preparation courses and will fully utilize the CEA-IT’s comprehensive, state-of-the-art
laboratory and classroom facilities. The US Department of Labor, the Missouri Economic
Research and Information Center (MERIC), and the St. Louis RCGA Greater St. Louis Works
Project identify Network and Data Communication Analysts and Network and System
Administrators as among the fastest growing occupations—both nationally and locally. The U.S.
Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics also states that “growth in network and
computer system administrator jobs will be much faster than average.” Occupational data
summaries prepared September, 2011 for SOC codes 15-1071, Network and Computer Systems
Administrators, and 15-1081, Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts, project
12% growth in jobs 2010-2020 with 2,793 openings in the St. Louis statistical area. 1 The
Department of Labor projects average annual openings of 279; however, an August 31, 2011
search of www.indeed.com resulted in 453 current network-related job listings.
In this rapidly changing field employers continue to ask for certified workers with both
academic credentials and intensive hands-on training in the latest networking technologies.
The Information Systems Department in collaboration with the CEA-IT has the resources
required to meet these demands. This program will require industry certification courses
taught by the College’s certified faculty and the final exams will simulate the industry
certification exams. Students will be encouraged to sit for the certification exams administered
through the College’s testing center located at the Corporate Center. This program is the third
in a series of proposals following a nested or stackable credential framework within the
networking and cyber security specialties of the information technology career cluster.
Upon approval, the department will deactivate the Information Systems: Computer Network
Specialist Associate of Applied Science degree and will develop a transition plan for current
students. There are no additional costs associated with this program.
1 Economic Modeling Specialist, Inc., September 7, 2011.
Board Meeting 12/15/11 4