Mar 28, 2024  
2017-2018 Course Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Course Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Network Technology-Telecommunications/Data Communications AAS


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The Network Technology-Telecommunications/Data Communications program begins with the study of electronics and basic voice communications training. Students progress to data network technologies and fiber optics that are the driving force of the information age. The program provides a blend of lecture and hands-on training courses that gradually introduce students to a variety of areas within the field of IT (Information Technology). Graduates may pursue a career in several different areas of telecommunications, including network engineering and installation and repair of network services including voice, video and data. Careers can be found at companies ranging from local telephone companies, internet service providers, data centers, hospitals, financial institutions, municipalities and a variety of other companies.

For more information about the Telecommunications Technology program, please visit our website at https://www.dmacc.edu/it/Pages/networking.aspx.

Program Details


Location: West


Selected courses in this program are offered at other campuses.

Students may start any semester


(For students starting the program in a semester other than Fall, please visit with the program chair or West Campus advisor to assist with proper course sequencing.)

Program Entry Requirements


  1. Complete an application for admission.
  2. Attend any required information/registration session.
  3. Obtain minimum ALEKS math placement score of 9 or ACT math score of 14.
  4. Submit proof of high school graduation or GED completion.

Graduation Requirements


To earn a Telecommunications Technology AAS degree, a student must complete all coursework as prescribed and maintain a 2.0 grade point average.

Semester 3


Semester 5


Total Credits Required to Complete this AAS Degree - 67


Fixed Costs


Tuition……………………………………………………………………………………..$151.00 per credit

The costs for each program are estimates and subject to change.

Varied Costs


Costs Semester 1 Semester 2 Semester 3 Semester 4 Semester 5
Books (approximate) 300 300 150 200 300
Equipment/Software/Tools (approximate) 200        

Approximate total for the program: $11,567**

**Program entry requirements are not included in the total approximate cost.

What Kind of Work Will You Do?


There are many different types of technical and management positions in telecommunications.

  • Installation and repair of business telecommunications services.
  • Installation and repair of residential telecommunications services.
  • Service delivery and provisioning specialists.
  • Fiber-optic transmission specialists.
  • Telephone technicians.
  • Data specialists and data communications technicians.
  • Switching specialists.
  • Network operations center technician.
  • Network surveillance technicians.
  • Data center technician
  • Outside plant specialists. (fiber and copper cable splicing and repair)
  • Telecommunications network systems design and engineering.

What Skills and Abilities Will You Need?


  • The constant desire to learn new tasks.
  • Dependable worker.
  • Ability to work with teams and individual tasks.
  • Critical thinking skills and ability to analyze situations.
  • Some positions require the ability to use small hand tools or other equipment.
  • Some positions require the ability to distinguish cable or wire colors.

What Else Should I Consider about this Program or Career Choice?


  • IT/Telecommunications technicians are needed worldwide.
  • Graduates can choose to travel or relocate.
  • A wide variety of small to large companies employ telecommunications professionals.
  • Employment rate for the last ten years averages 80%.
  • More than 80% of graduates are employed in Iowa.
  • Average starting salary $33,711 (2013-2014 Placement Report).

Nondiscrimination Statement


DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:

Agriculture, National & Environmental Services /Architecture, Engineering, and Construction/Arts, Design, and Visual communications/Business, Management, and Marketing/Education, Public, and Human Services/Health Science/Hospitality and Culinary/Information Technology/Manufacturing/Transportation & Logistics

Des Moines Area Community College shall not engage in nor allow discrimination covered by law against any person, group or organization. This includes in its programs, activities, employment practices, hiring practices or the provision of services, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, age (in employment), disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status of a person. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law.

Individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may file a complaint through the College Discrimination Complaint Procedure. Complaint forms may be obtained from the Campus Provost’s office, the Academic Deans’ office, the Judicial Officer, or the EEO/AA Officer, Human Resources. ADA questions and concerns may be directed to the Section 504/ADA Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6857, sgbittner@dmacc.edu.  Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 6, Ankeny, IA  50023, phone 515/964-6574, dkmckittrick@dmacc.edu.  Question or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Citigroup Center, 500 W. Madison, Suite 1475, Chicago, IL 60661, phone 312/730-1560, tax 312/730-1576..

Legal references: Iowa Code §§ 216.6 and 216.9, Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S. C. §§ 2000d and 2000e), the Equal Pay Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 206, et seq.), Title IX (Educational Amendments, 20 U.S. C. §§ 1681-1688), Section 504 (Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S. C. § 794), and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (42 U.S.C. § 12101, et seq.).(2017)

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