Network Security Engineering: AAS
Associate in Applied Science | 60 credit hours minimum
Area of Interest: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
Program Description:
The Associate in Applied Science degree in Network Security Engineering is a skill-oriented program that prepares students to design, implement, troubleshoot, maintain, and secure enterprise networks. Foundation principles of local, wide-area, and multi-segmented networks lead to a mastery of skills associated with support of enterprise level networks including network and application servers, desktop hosts, infrastructure cabling, and connection devices such as switches and routers (including wireless), security appliances, virtualization of resources for performance optimization, and operating policies. The courses in the program provide a combination of theoretical and hands-on skills development. The demonstration of hands-on knowledge and skills is vital for employment in the IT networking and security industry. Students completing the program are prepared for a variety of industry certification exams as well as entry-level employment.
Locations. This program is offered in its entirety at Forest Park.
Related Programs. The Computer and Information Technology Department offers certificates in the following areas:
Cisco Networking: CCNA, Certificate of Specialization
CompTIA A+ Certificate, Certificate of Specialization
CompTIA A+ and Security+ Certifications, Certificate of Specialization
IT Help Desk/End User Support, Certificate of Specialization
Network Security Engineering, Certificate of Proficiency
Cost of Attendance. For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES.
Program Career and Salary Information. Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest.
The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.
Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page.
At the completion of the program, students are expected to:
- employ the command line interface (CLI) to implement, troubleshoot, maintain, and secure an enterprise network.
- develop a company-wide security solution or a security plan that follows industry best practices as a member of a team.
- use network methodologies to implement a secure Local Area Network (LAN) network.
- describe the proper implementation and use of Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), trunks, Etherchannel, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), routing, and First Hop Redundancy Protocols (FHRP).
- explain the network layered models and the use of global, local, and internal network addressing.
- explain how to initiate, monitor, and secure data as it is traveling across the network.
- deploy network security by configuring and monitoring defensive measures to protect the network.
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
Program of Study
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 |
| ENG 103 | Report Writing (MOTR ENGL 110) | 3 |
| or ENG 102 | College Composition II (MOTR ENGL 200) | |
| MTH 161 | Quantitative Reasoning (MOTR MATH 120) | 3 |
| or MTH 180 | Introductory Statistics (MOTR MATH 110) | |
| XXX xxx | Social & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement | 3 |
| XXX xxx | MOTR Elective: Natural Science/Math (MOTR Requirement) | 3 |
| Program Requirements | ||
| IS 229 | Unix/Linux I | 3 |
| IS 264 | Unix/Linux II | 3 |
| IS 237 | Fundamentals of Information Assurance/Security - CompTIA Security+ | 3 |
| IS 280 | Python | 3 |
| IT 100 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 1 |
| IT 120 | Enterprise Security Management | 3 |
| IT 121 | Secure E-Commerce | 3 |
| IT 101 | Cisco Networking Academy I: Introduction to Networks | 5 |
| IT 201 | Cisco Networking Academy II: Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials | 5 |
| IT 202 | Cisco Networking Academy III: Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation | 5 |
| Select One (5 credits): | 5 | |
| Cisco Networking Academy: CCNA Security | ||
| Cisco Networking Academy: CCCA Cybersecurity Operations | ||
| Select 2 of the Following Electives (6 credits minimum): | 6 | |
| Hardware Support - CompTIA A+ Core 1 (Hardware) | ||
| Desktop Software Support - CompTIA A+ Core 2 (Software) | ||
| Introduction to Virtualization and Cloud Computing | ||
| Ethical Hacking | ||
| Cloud Security | ||
| Digital Forensics | ||
| Cisco Networking Academy: CCNA DevNet Associate | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
Full-Time Academic Plan
Missouri Civics Examination. Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2025, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements. Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| IS 229 | Unix/Linux I | 3 | Reading Proficiency | Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer |
| MTH 161 or 180 | Quantitative Reasoning (MOTR MATH 120) or Introductory Statistics (MOTR MATH 110) | 3 | Satisfactory score on placement test and Reading Proficiency | Students may choose which general education courses to take first. These are in recommended order. |
| IT 101 | Cisco Networking Academy I: Introduction to Networks | 5 | Reading Proficiency | Offered Fall and Spring 1st 8 weeks and Summer |
| IT 201 | Cisco Networking Academy II: Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials | 5 | IT 101 with a minimum grade of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Offered Fall and Spring 2nd 8-weeks and Summer |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| IS 264 | Unix/Linux II | 3 | IS 229 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered Fall and Spring |
| IT 100 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 1 | Reading Proficiency | Offered Fall and Spring |
| IT 202 | Cisco Networking Academy III: Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation | 5 | IT 201 with a minimum grade of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Offered Fall and Spring 1st 8-weeks |
| IT 208 or 250 | Cisco Networking Academy: CCNA Security or Cisco Networking Academy: CCCA Cybersecurity Operations | 5 | IT 201 with a minimum grade of "C" or a Cisco CCENT or CCNA certification and Reading Proficiency | One of these will be offered in Fall and Spring 2nd 8 weeks. |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |||
| Second Year | ||||
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| IS 237 | Fundamentals of Information Assurance/Security - CompTIA Security+ | 3 | IT 102 or IS 229 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered Fall, Spring, and Summer |
| XXX xxx | Natural Science/Mathematics Elective (MOTR Requirement) | 3 | ||
| XXX xxx | Program Elective | 3 | See choices below. | |
| IS 280 | Python | 3 | Reading Proficiency | Offered Fall and Spring |
| ENG 101 | College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100) | 3 | Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| IT 121 | Secure E-Commerce | 3 | IS 229 and IS 237, both with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered Spring and Summer |
| IT 120 | Enterprise Security Management | 3 | IS 237 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered Spring only |
| XXX xxx | Program Elective | 3 | See choices below. | |
| XXX xxx | Social & Behavioral Sciences: Civics | 3 | ||
| ENG 102 or 103 | College Composition II (MOTR ENGL 200) or Report Writing (MOTR ENGL 110) | 3 | ENG 101 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |||
Program Electives-Select two of the following (6 credits minimum):
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| IS 130 | Hardware Support - CompTIA A+ Core 1 (Hardware) | 3 |
| IT 102 | Desktop Software Support - CompTIA A+ Core 2 (Software) | 3 |
| IT 211 | Introduction to Virtualization and Cloud Computing | 3 |
| IT 212 | Ethical Hacking | 3 |
| IT 215 | Cloud Security | 3 |
| IT 216 | Digital Forensics | 3 |
| IT 251 | Cisco Networking Academy: CCNA DevNet Associate | 5 |
*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.
**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.
*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice. Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.