Program Tips

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic Advisors assist students with developing academic plans based on their degree evaluations.  Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing student's potential and ensuring success based on the student's previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student.  Student Success Specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career.  Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals.  More information can be found on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Technology Requirements

Students are expected to have access to a computer/device with reliable Wi-Fi at home/off-campus to complete their online course hours and homework. It is recommended that your home internet speeds meet or exceed 10 Mbs. Use of a VPN (virtual private network) is required for this program. The computer must meet the minimum requirements (see below) or better to be used for the duration of the program. Courses may also require the current version of the software utilized in class, along with the necessary hardware to support it. Check with the program instructors for more information.

Minimum Computer Specifications: Windows 10 PC or Laptop,  2 Ghz. Quad core CPU, 8 GB of RAM, 200 GB of available storage (Prefer SSD over HDD). A Mac computer can be used as well if it has a M1 processor or better. 

Academic Support

Free academic help including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, and technology support available online and face-to-face. More information is available on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Computer Skills

Before beginning this program, experience with the basic use of current Windows operating systems, word processing, and presentation software is highly recommended. Students that are uncomfortable using the above-mentioned software should take 103-102 Microsoft Office Suite, 2 credits, before starting the program or during the first semester. Students should also be able to type at least 20 words per minute, accurately and without looking at the keyboard.

Age of IT Credit

Students are strongly encouraged to complete all their core IT courses within a 7 year timeframe from the time they start their first semester core IT courses. Students who do not complete IT core courses within this timeframe may be subject to further review to determine if course repeats are necessary to progress through and to complete the program. This is to ensure knowledge of current industry concepts in a continuously changing field.

Transfer Credit

Students planning to transfer to a university have the option to take 200-level courses that will count toward general education requirements in the four-year degree being pursued. While some of the 100-level general education courses listed on the program sheet may meet approval for transfer, the 200-level courses are more widely accepted for transfer. To determine what courses may transfer, utilize Transferology.com. Students should also contact the college or university they are pursuing to determine exactly what the school will accept and when to seek admission. Students should maintain contact with the other institution, given that program requirements are subject to change.

Required 100 Level Courses	Alternate 200 Level Courses
801-136 English Composition 1	801-219 English Composition 1
804-133 Math and Logic	804-224 College Algebra
809-166 Introduction to Ethics: Theory and Application	809-225 Ethics
801-196 Oral/Interpersonal Communication	801-223 English Composition 2
809-198 Introduction to Psychology	809-251 General Psychology
809-196 Introduction to Sociology	809-271 Introductory Sociology

Internship Credit

The IT-Network Specialist Program offers a two-credit Network Specialist Internship in the third semester of the program. Students who are working in an industry-related job at the start of their third semester in the program are eligible to enroll in the internship. The Network Specialist Internship can be taken in lieu of the "Service Center" third semester course. It is recommended that online students pursue and internship or plan to come in for Service Center requirements. Hours at the service center are flexible but must take place during CVTC business hours. Prior approval from the Network Specialist Internship instructor is required before registration for the internship. It is the student's responsibility to locate the place of the internship. The industry-related job must meet the criteria of the internship, including 144 total hours.

Certifications

The cost of the following professional certification exams is included in the course fees for the corresponding courses:

• CompTIA A+ Certification
  • Endpoint Management
  • IT Essentials

Additionally, after completing the appropriate courses, students may qualify to take the following professional certification exams (exam fees are not included in IT-NS program course fees for these certifications):

• CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate)
• MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist)
• CWS (Certified Wireless Specialist)
• CWT (Certified Wireless Technician)
• CompTIA Linux+

CVTC is a Pearson VUE Test Center. Pearson VUE delivers exams through the world's most comprehensive and secure network of test centers in 175 countries. Scholarships may be available to help defray the cost of completing these additional certifications.

Certification Preparation Software

The IT-NS program utilizes CompTIA's certification preparation software to assist students' study and preparation for several CompTIA certification exams that students will take as they work toward their degree. The cost for each specific CompTIA software subscription will be applied as a fee at registration to each applicable course. The CompTIA subscription is valid for eighteen months from the time of purchase.

Access to Discounted and/or No-Cost Software

During the second week of the semester, all IT students will receive an invitation from Microsoft. This partnership between CVTC and Microsoft gives the student access to several software titles such as Visio, Windows 10, Windows Server, and Azure services. Students will be able to download most MS software with the exception of MS Office (see WISC below). The use of this software is free and students may continue to use the software after graduation for their personal use. CVTC also provides students access to popular virtualization software from VMware.

Students have access to discounted software using the WISC (Wisconsin Integrated Software Catalog). Please note that available software titles, as well as student discounts, change from time to time. Students can take advantage of the discounted software titles once they have received a CVTC email account.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit towards an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experience, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses completed at other institutions. If a student wished to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of the class to be eligible for a tuition refund. More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL.

Financial Aid Consideration

Courses must be part of the student’s program to be eligible although some specific courses may not be eligible for financial aid. Students must follow their program requirements to be eligible for financial aid. To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress of a 2.0 Term GPA, 2.0 Cumulative GPA, complete 67% of attempted credits each semester, and complete their program by the time 150% of the published credits have been attempted.

Students with Disabilities

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Title IX Pregnancy and Postpartum

CVTC does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy and maternity leave will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student's medical provider, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Students are encouraged to contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to set up an appointment as soon as the pregnancy is known.

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CVTC Credit for Professional Network Certification

If you hold any current (date-validated) professional network certifications from the categories below, credit can be granted for the associated CVTC courses, provided that you furnish the academic advisor or the IT-NS Program Director with official proof of your currently valid certification. A fee of twenty-five percent (25%) of the tuition for the associated courses will be assessed. A form will be placed in your file noting the courses for which you have been granted credit. Credit for certification must be applied for and approved prior to the start of the class for which you seek credit. Credit for certification will not be awarded in lieu of the student obtaining an acceptable passing grade (greater than C) in any professional certificate creditable course after the student has begun attending class.

Certifications Accepted for CVTC Credit

Current CCNA Certification verified by the IT Program Director which meets course requirements.
150-150  |  3 Credits  |  CCNA 1: Introduction to Networks
150-151  |  3 Credits  |  CCNA 2: Switch/Routing/Wire Essentials
150-153  |  3 Credits  |  CCNA 3: Netwkg/Security/Automat

Current CompTIA A+ certification verified by IT Program Director which meets course requirements.
154-111  |  3 Credits  |  Endpoint Management
150-143  |  3 Credits  |  IT Essentials

Linux+ or Linux Foundation Certification which meets course requirements.
150-176  |  2 Credits  |  Linux 1
150-177  |  2 Credits  |  Linux 2

Current Wireless Network Certification verified by IT Program Director which meets course requirements.
150-183  |  2 Credits  |  Wireless Networking

Last Updated: March 4, 2024 @ 3:29 p.m.