Nov 12, 2024  
2024-2025 Course Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Course Catalog

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Network Technology-Telecommunications/Data Communications, AAS

Location(s): West Des Moines



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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.

Program Details


Location: West Des Moines


Pathway: Information Technology


More information on this Pathway.

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.)

Selected courses in this program are offered at other campuses


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……………………………………………………………………………………..$193.00 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) 350        

Approximate total for the program: $14,531**

**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 Degree program?


  • 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).

Program Competencies


  1. Help prepare students to work in the Information Technology areas of telecommunications and/or data communications. Prepare students for work (vocational) at an Internet Service Provider company or a similar technology related company.
  2. Demonstrate a broad general knowledge of telecommunications including emerging technologies.
  3. Perform tasks common to the major disciplines of telecommunications.
  4. Interpret and prepare routing translations.
  5. Isolate and correct faults in a digital central office switch.
  6. Isolate and correct faults on trunks and subscriber lines/circuits.
  7. Install and test central office and PBX lines and trunks.
  8. Install and test point-to-point voice and data circuits.
  9. Construct and evaluate AC, DC and digital electronic circuits.
  10. Describe basic LAN, WAN, MAN and Internetworking designs and configurations.
  11. Install and test a basic customer LAN.
  12. Demonstrate the workplace basic skills of listening, writing, computing, problem-solving, interpersonal relationships and leadership.

Nondiscrimination Statement


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, or hiring practices, and harassment or discrimination based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information (in employment) and actual or potential parental, family or marital status. Veteran status in educational programs, activities, employment practices, or admission procedures is also included to the extent covered by law. Lack of English language proficiency will not be a barrier to admission and participation in career and technical education programs.

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 Executive Campus Dean’s office, the Executive 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, dso@dmacc.edu. Title IX questions and concerns may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator at 2006 S. Ankeny Blvd, Bldg 1, Ankeny, IA 50023, phone 515/964-6216, Title9@dmacc.edu. Questions or complaints about this policy may be directed to the Director of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczysnki Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-7204, phone 312/730-1560, fax 312/730-1576, TDD 800-877-8339 Email OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.

DMACC offers career and technical programs in the following areas of study:
Agriculture, Natural and Environmental Science
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
Arts, Design, and Visual Communication
Business, Management, and Marketing
Education, Public, and Human Services
Health Science
Hospitality and Culinary
Information Technology
Manufacturing
Transportation & Logistics

Entrance requirements for specific programs can be found at Academic Pathway website.(2024)

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