Information Technology Systems – Network Administration

Learn to build and manage the networks organizations run on. Earn an Associate in Specialized Technology (AST) degree in Information Technology Systems – Network Administration in 18 months, with hands-on training in computer hardware, networking, servers, Linux, Cisco and cloud technologies.

The program is 1,550 hours and 105 quarter credits, includes a student laptop plus a dedicated hardware lab, a 360-hour externship in your final quarter, and the cost of two CompTIA exams. Classes are in person on campus in Washington, PA.

The real world IT experience. Step into our dedicated hardware lab and put your skills to work. Through hands-on practice with tangible hardware equipment, you’ll configure hardware and virtual networks, troubleshoot wired and wireless connections, and tackle a variety of IT networking scenarios that build your confidence in identifying problems and finding solutions.

CompTIA exam costs included. The program includes the cost of two CompTIA exams. Network+, Security+, or A+ (requires two exams, Core 1 and Core 2). Two attempts per exam are included.

Lifetime job placement assistance. Penn Commercial’s Career Services team offers job placement assistance to graduates throughout their careers. Employment is not guaranteed.

Penn Commercial welcomes prospective students interested in its training programs. Prior to signing an enrollment agreement, all applicants are required to review the comprehensive School Catalog and consumer disclosure information. Admission to any of Penn Commercial’s programs requires a high school diploma or GED certificate, and you’ll be asked to sign a release form to obtain your official transcripts so we can confirm that this has been achieved.

Applicants may sign an enrollment agreement and receive conditional acceptance prior to submitting all required documentation. However, enrollment is not complete, and classes cannot commence until all admission requirements, including proof of high school graduation or equivalency, have been fulfilled. High school seniors who submit applications prior to graduation and meet all other admission criteria will be conditionally accepted.

Classes are scheduled Monday through Thursday, any time from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in person on our Washington, PA campus. Externship sites may require attendance on Fridays as well.

The next start date is January 4, 2027.

2026 tuition and fees. The Tuition and Fees Schedule in the school’s 2026-2027 Consumer Handbook lists the following for Information Technology Systems – Network Administration (105 credits, 18 months, Award: AST; program total $32,361):

• Tuition: $25,200
• Books / supplies: $4,850
• Lab fee: $1,000
• Liability insurance: $26
• CPR, certification / licensure fees: $1,100
• Graduation fee: $75
• Application fee: $25 (paid with application for admission)
• Registration fee: $85 (paid upon acceptance for admission)

Financial aid. Financial aid is available for those who qualify. Penn Commercial is an eligible institution approved by the United States Department of Education for participation in various Title IV programs; students who want to apply for federal aid must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year at studentaid.gov. Penn Commercial’s FAFSA school code is 004902.

Payment. For current students who make monthly payments, tuition is due by the second of every month; a twenty ($20) dollar late fee is applied to payments received after the due date. Tuition and fees may be subject to increase with 60-days written notice.

The Information Technology Systems – Network Administration program prepares graduates for entry-level positions in a variety of business and technical environments, such as:

• Computer support specialist
• Help desk specialist
• Network technician
• Network administrator

Occupational profiles (SOC codes) listed by the school: Computer Network and Support Specialists (15-1231.00), Computer User Support Specialists (15-1232.00), Network and Computer Systems Administrators (15-1244.00).

Penn Commercial’s Career Services team offers job placement assistance to graduates throughout their careers. Employment is not guaranteed.

Hands-on lab and schedule. Students get a student laptop plus a dedicated hardware lab, where they configure hardware and virtual networks, troubleshoot wired and wireless connections and work through a variety of IT networking scenarios. Classes are scheduled Monday through Thursday, any time from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., in person on the Washington, PA campus; externship sites may require attendance on Fridays as well. The program includes the cost of two CompTIA exams (Network+, Security+, or A+), with two attempts per exam.

Final quarter. The sixth and final quarter is a 360-hour, 12-credit externship of supervised, hands-on work in a professional IT environment. To begin it, students must complete all core classes and have a 2.0 GPA, and students must earn a C or better in each core networking and security course.

Orientation. All incoming students, and returning students who have been absent for six months or more, are required to attend orientation before classes start. During orientation you become acquainted with the campus, meet key administrative staff, instructors and fellow students, and learn about important policies and procedures. If you cannot attend the scheduled orientation, your admission representative can arrange an alternative date/time before classes start.

Attendance. All students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, including clinical and externship rotations, in a regular and punctual manner. Attendance is recorded in fifteen-minute increments and becomes part of the student's permanent academic record, and there is no distinction between an excused and an unexcused absence. Students who exceed attendance thresholds may be placed on attendance warning and probation, and a student is withdrawn after fourteen consecutive calendar days of non-attendance.

Class size. Class sizes vary by program. Lecture/lab classes typically maintain a student-to-teacher ratio of 9:1, and laboratory/shop classes provide hands-on training using industry-standard equipment.

Dress code and ID. Strict adherence to the dress code is mandatory in all classrooms, laboratories and clinical settings; each program's specific dress code is communicated during enrollment. Students must display their photo identification badge at all times on campus and at externship or clinical sites, and every student receives a personalized key fob to enter and exit the building.

Graduation. To graduate, students must complete all required coursework with a passing grade, accumulate the credits or clock hours required for their program, maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, complete 100% of any required externship or clinical hours, fulfill all financial obligations, complete the exit interview process if applicable, and adhere to their program's attendance policies.

Externship. The externship is a culminating, supervised experience that integrates academic theory with practical, career-oriented skills. The Director of Career Services works with Lead Instructors to prepare students for their externship three months in advance, with orientation sessions on expectations, documentation, professional conduct, attendance, confidentiality, supervision and evaluation. Externships are a mandatory part of the graduation requirements and are typically unpaid; afterwards each student has an exit interview with the Director of Career Services.