The November 30, 2009 intake is now full with a wait list. The next intake is scheduled for June 2010.
The Network Administration and Security Professional (NASP) is a joint program offered in partnership with the University of British Columbia (UBC).
The NASP program is an intensive eleven month program that prepares students for a career in Network Administration and Security. The program includes nine months full time classroom learning and a two month industry work term. The program is designed for post-secondary graduates who want a challenging career in the fast paced Network Administration and Security field.
The NASP program prepares individuals to plan, manage, and secure the network infrastructure of an enterprise. The program includes knowledge and skill development in business communications and leadership as well as the essential technical knowledge. The technology focus of this program is network administration, with an emphasis on Windows environments, Linux environments, hardware tools, networking tools, project management, and security of the network infrastructure in both environments.
Students graduate with a joint Certificate from BCIT and the University of British Columbia, working experience in an industry networking administration and security capacity, and nine industry certifications highly relevant to Network Administration and Security. A very impressive package of credentials, experience, and achievement for prospective employers!
The Program
The Network Administration and Security Professional program curriculum includes:
Computing fundamentals (hardware and operating systems);
Networking fundamentals in the Windows and Linux environments;
Security fundamentals in the Windows and Linux environments;
Business skills for IT professionals;
Professional skills for IT professionals; and
An industry work term.*
Students also complete ten highly relevant industry certifications from Microsoft, CompTIA, and the Linux Professional Institute.
*Please note that work terms placements are not guaranteed
While some direct admission from high school is possible, most candidates have several years of job experience, some in the Information Technology area.
BC provincial exams
For programs beginning in August 2007 or later which require Grade 12 Math and Science courses, BCIT will not require the applicant to write the provincial exam. Provincial exam marks will still be required for English 12, Communications 12, and Technical and Professional Communications 12.
Apply to program
Application packages and information can be obtained from the High-Tech Professional Program office. Call 604-412-7788, email
htp@bcit.ca or visit www.bcit.ca/cas/htp/apply.
PLAR
For further information please contact Debra Williams, 604-412-7695
Please see the Fees, Payments and Refunds section of the website for more information on full-time tuition fees.
Books and supplies
All books are included in tuition fees. Vouchers for most of the industry certifications are also included in tuition.
Refund policy
Students who withdraw two weeks prior to program start will receive a full refund minus 15%. Students who withdraw by or on Friday of the first week of the program will receive a refund of $2,500 from their initial payment. No refunds are made after this date.
courses
Class hours
Monday - Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm excluding normal statutory holidays
Program delivery
The program includes an intensive classroom component augmented by labs, assignments, team projects, and case studies. This component of the program covers the essential hardware, networking, and security knowledge, tools, and techniques.
The program is delivered at the downtown campuses of both BCIT and UBC. The final two months are spent on site in industry working with a live network administration and security team.
Program matrix
Required Courses:
Credits
NASP 1100
Business Skills for IT Professionals
This course addresses the business skills important to individual practicing IT professionals.
NASP 1200 introduces students to the principles of business operations, strategic and operational planning, cost/benefit analysis, information technology investment payback considerations and strategic uses of IT in business operations today. Students also acquire the skills necessary to plan an IT project. Prerequisites: 60% in NASP 1100
Students will acquire a fundamental understanding of computing and networking and its impact on the business. Students will gain the ability to analyze computing and networking environments through a thorough introduction to networking infrastructure and computer architecture. Concepts include computer hardware, operating systems, networks, and network security. The impact that Infrastructure Design has on business operations is covered in this course.
Students advance their knowledge and skills related to network management, with the opportunity to work with multiple operating platforms that include Microsoft and Linux. Further study focuses on the key elements that are needed to create a secure network environment in today's enterprise. Students will also learn script writing to help automate administrative tasks, such as, mapping a network drive, connecting a printer or automating a backup from the command prompt. Students will advance their skills in the analysis and design of a networking environment, considering both technical and business impacts of the design alternatives. Prerequisites: 60% in NASP 1300
Network Administration and Security Professional Practicum
Students will work in industry/government organizations and will complete 8 weeks full-time in an IT network administration and security related position. The practicum is a minimum of 30 hours per week for 8 weeks. The actual weekly hours will depend on the organization providing the Practicum. Note: Students are required to return to the BCIT Downtown Campus for a one-week period following the completion of NASP 2400 to deliver their Practicum presentations, have their Practicum evaluated and marked, and summarize the NASP Program prior to graduation. Prerequisites: 60% in NASP 1100 and 60% in NASP 1200 and 60% in NASP 1300 and 60% in NASP 2200
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if
they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's
Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
program details
Program length
11 months full time. Start dates set by individual offerings of the program. Please see the HTP website for current offerings of the program.
Grading
Students are graded as follows:
A student must attain a minimum of 60% weighted average for all the modules listed for a course to pass that course.
Attendance must fall within program specifications - see student handbook for details.
Participation grades are earned by responding to instructor questions in class, participating actively in classroom discussions with the instructor and fellow students, and by asking questions of the instructor and other students.
Student progress in each course is evaluated through quizzes, case studies, team projects, assignments, and exams. Students are also assessed on their participation in classroom activities and discussions.
Accreditation
Students are required to pass the following nine (9) vendor certifications to graduate:
CompTIA A+ Core Hardware Certification exam;
CompTIA A+ Operating system Technologies Certification exam;
CompTIA Network+ Certification exam;
CompTIA Security+ Certification exam;
Microsoft Exam 70-270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Microsoft Exam 70-290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment;
Microsoft Exam 70-291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure;
The Linux Professional Institute Junior Level Administration (LPIC - 2 exams).
Program location
The program is delivered at the BCIT downtown campus and at the nearby University of British Columbia Robson Square downtown campus. The Cisco networking module is delivered at the BCIT Burnaby campus.
graduating & jobs
Job Opportunities
Students are well equipped to compete for
entry level and intermediate level jobs in network administration and
security. While actual jobs obtained depend on the individual student's
background prior to the program and their achievements during the
program, typical jobs for graduates include:
Network Administrator;
Computer Network Administrator;
Senior Network Administrator;
Network Director;
Network Analyst;
Network Security Analyst;
Network Manager;
Security or Network Assistant;
Project Manager;
Project Leader;
System Engineer/Network Administrator.
Graduate employment outcomes
The following link takes you to graduate outcome survey results containing mostly labour market results from the 2007-2009 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2006-2008 Graduates. Note: The survey results will be displayed in a separate browser window. To view these results, you need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
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As BCIT strives to keep our programs current, programs and courses are subject to change without notice.
