Power Up Your Career as a Network Security Engineer
The network security engineering programs at St. Louis Community College prepare you with the skills needed to design, implement, troubleshoot and secure enterprise networks. You’ll learn how to protect systems and data while gaining experience with the technologies used by today’s IT professionals.
Through the program, you’ll work with servers, routers, switches and security tools while developing skills in network management, cybersecurity practices and problem-solving. This training helps prepare you for industry certification exams and entry-level opportunities in information technology and network security.
What is Network Security Engineering at St. Louis Community College?
Network security engineering focuses on designing, building, securing and maintaining computer networks that organizations rely on every day. Network engineers help ensure systems stay connected, reliable and protected by managing network infrastructure, identifying security risks and supporting secure communication between devices and users.
STLCC offers two programs to start your career in network security engineering:
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Associate in Applied Science (AAS): This program combines general education courses with technical training in network security, preparing you for long-term career growth or continued education toward a bachelor’s degree.
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Certificate of Proficiency (CP): This shorter program focuses on essential network security skills and certifications, making it a good option for students who want to quickly enter the workforce, advance their current IT skills or build a foundation for further education.
The National Security Agency and the National Centers for Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity have designated STLCC as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD). The goal of the program is to reduce vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense and producing professionals with cyber defense expertise. This means that STLCC has robust network security programs that meet the national training standards.
What Can You Do with a Network Security Engineering Degree?
A network security engineering degree prepares you for careers focused on building, maintaining and protecting computer networks. Graduates can pursue entry-level roles such as network technician, network support specialist, junior network engineer and other IT positions involving network operations and security.
Both the AAS and CP programs prepare you for industry certification exams that can help demonstrate your skills and advance your career. You can prepare for certifications and credentials from organizations such as Cisco, CompTIA and others, including:
- Cisco Certified Network Associate Routing and Switching (CCNA®)
- Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate (CBROPS®)
- Cisco CCST Networking (lifetime certification)
- Cisco CCST Cybersecurity (lifetime certification)
- CompTIA A+®
- Linux Professional Institute Certifications (LPIC)
- Network+®
- Security+®Cloud Security Alliance Certificate of Cloud Security Knowledge (CCSK®)
Students who complete Cisco Networking Academy coursework also gain access to the Cisco online community, which offers career resources, job postings, free seminars and additional professional development opportunities.
Network Security Engineering Programs
- Degrees offered: Associate in applied science (AAS), certificate of proficiency (CP)
- Location: Forest Park
- AAS hours to complete: 60
- CP hours to complete: 36
- Program contact name: Will Hocker
- Program contact email: whocker@stlcc.edu
Tuition for district residents is $127 per credit hour for in-district students. Find out more about our straightforward and low-cost tuition structure.
Please note that certification exam fees are outside of the cost of tuition, but are recommended to advance in the field. Students should work with enrollment services for options to pay for exam fees.
Student Testimonials
Cory Williams: Senior Network Operations Analyst for Mastercard
"The Cisco Networking Academy laid the foundation for my success by providing me with the tools needed to be successful. I was not only given the opportunity to be hands on with network equipment (routers, switches, access points, etc.), but was also provided with detailed lab environments that helped me hone my skills. I believe what sets the Cisco Network Academy apart from any other program is its accelerated program and its dedicated instructors. The Cisco Network Academy allows institutions to offer a very flexible schedule while delivering affordable courses. In my case, the College’s flexible schedule allowed me to attend class only on the weekends. This was extremely important especially since I have children and other work obligations throughout the week. This is why I am so grateful for the Cisco Networking Academy program and STLCC. I graduated from the Cisco Networking Academy in 2018 with a 3.0 GPA and my CCNA Certificate. Shortly after graduating, I successfully landed my first IT job.
"In September 2019, I started working for Express Scripts as a lead infrastructure engineer within an enterprise environment. I was responsible for insuring the availability and stability of network infrastructure devices. In April of 2022, I started a new position working for Mastercard as a senior network operations analyst. As a senior analyst for Mastercard, I provide oversight for network operations to the members of the engineering team. My recent success in IT is a direct result of my attending the Cisco Networking Academy at STLCC. I would like to thank my dedicated professors and staff running the Cisco Network Academy program. Your guidance and leadership have forever changed my life for the better! I started the CCNA journey in 2018 and it has led me to a successful career in the IT industry. I look forward to other prospective IT students taking this journey in the near future. I promise you will not regret it!"
Harold Lipson Jr.
"I am on my final year of college and only one semester away from graduating with my degree in information technology with emphasis in networking. I am so excited for this. Not only that, I have been working in IT ever since graduating from the Academy. Cisco Networking Academy has laid the groundwork and has given me not only the skills to be successful in an IT world but confidence to know that I will do well in my pursuit. I am so very grateful for the experience that STLCC has given me and hope the program continues to captivate bright young minds."
Related Programs
At STLCC, you can combine this degree with a number of certificates to enhance your career opportunities, including:
Why You Should Choose STLCC's Network Security Engineering Programs
Stackable Credentials
When you pursue STLCC's network engineering AAS, many of your credits will transfer to any of a number of certificate programs, allowing you to build your skills in multiple areas simultaneously and making you a qualified job candidate in many fields.
Get Hands-On Training with Tech Academy
STLCC's Tech Academy jump-starts tech careers in cybersecurity, software development and network engineering through the support of advisors and faculty coaches. Participants in the program qualify for free laptops with software, free industry certification exams, paid internships and more.
Earn College Credit While in High School
Earn up to 60 hours of college credit while in high school with dual credit and dual enrollment. Pay one-sixth the price for classes you'd be taking at a four-year university.
Schedules Built for Your Busy Life
Because this program is specifically designed for working students, evening and Saturday classes are available. Some courses are online, while others involve intensive, classroom-based, hands-on skill development.
STLCC. What's your reason?