The telecommunications industry provides
telephone, television, Internet and other data services throughout the
world. Installation, repair and maintenance account for half of all jobs
in the industry, and online undergraduate certificate programs prepare
workers to enter these fields. Graduate certificate programs can lead to
design, administration and management positions in telecommunications.
Online Undergraduate Telecommunications Certificate Overview
Undergraduate certificate programs focus on technology systems support. Students learn about the equipment used in the different telecommunications arenas; they also study network configurations required for efficient, scalable systems and the programming languages needed for devices to communicate with one another. Graduates are prepared to install, tune and maintain telecommunications for wired, wireless and satellite systems.Program Information and Requirements
Online undergraduate certificate programs require between 12 and 18 credits, and can offer specializations in voice communications, data communications, network management and instructional systems. Applicants should have a high school diploma or equivalent and be familiar with basic computer applications like word processors and browsers.Distance-learning students need access to a computer with good media capabilities and high-speed Internet access in order to view lectures, review study materials, process assignments and take exams. Classes are completely online, and most are available year-round.
List of Common Courses
The telecommunications industry is largely divided into wired, wireless and satellite sectors. Courses cover communications hardware and protocols utilized in each sector, as well as signal processing and data formats specific to voice, TV, Internet and other data services. Hardware courses discuss installation, configuration, repair and maintenance, as well as communications standards. Courses can include:Telecommunications Fundamentals Course
This course presents an overview of the structure of the telecommunications industry. Subjects reviewed include telephony, switching systems, data communications, multiplexing and networks.Computer Programming Course
The concepts, syntax and instruction sets of common computer languages are compared. Language concepts include different data types, common algorithms, data structures, functions and libraries. The emphasis will be on high-level, object-oriented programming languages.Network Technologies Course
This overview of basic network concepts includes analog and digital signaling, cabling systems and topologies, network hardware and the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) reference model. Students learn to build networks appropriate for different situations.Network Security Course
This course presents a summary of the theory and mechanisms of security in networking systems. Early encryption methods are explained and compared, and students learn about current Secured Socket Layer (SSL) and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) implementations.Distance Education Technologies Course
The study of communications technologies used in distance education and training programs can offer online learners insight into the mechanisms beneath the surface of their own online training. Assignments include the design of a distance learning system incorporating the latest in communications technologies.Career Information
Online undergraduate certificates in telecommunications can prepare students for entry-level positions as technicians for telephone, cable and network system providers. Outside plant personnel may need further training in the power equipment used to dig holes and install telephone poles. Line installers run wires across poles or in subterranean access ways and from central lines to buildings. They also set up cable tracks, conduits, wire routers, hubs, bridges, servers, firewalls, antennas, satellite dishes and other specialized equipment.Technicians may be called upon to troubleshoot dysfunctional network hardware, cabling, switchboards, computers, telephones and televisions. They may perform routine maintenance on existing systems, such as upgrading software, relocating cable drops and replacing outmoded components.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projected that the number of jobs as telecommunications installers and repairers would decline by 11% from 2008 to 2018, although the number of jobs for line installers was predicted to remain the same (www.bls.gov). The median annual wage in 2009 was $55,560 for equipment installers and repairers, and $49,110 for line installers.
Certification Information
Certification for technicians is available from several industry organizations. The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) offers training and certification as a Convergence Technologies Professional (CTP) and a Certified in Convergent Network Technologies (CCNT) professional, as well as several areas of Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) certification via its SIP School (www.tiaonline.org). CompTIA offers training materials and exams for technician certification in basic information technology, networking, security and servers (www.comptia.org).Vendors like Microsoft or Cisco Systems offer training and certification in their own products. Certification is generally provided for increasingly complex levels of proficiency.
Online Graduate Telecommunications Certificate Overview
The telecommunications industry is experiencing a period of technological convergence, as all sectors take advantage of common digital networks and protocols. As the lines between the fields of telephony, television and data transmission continue to blur, proficiency in multiple fields can be helpful to a systems manager. Graduate certificate programs provide training in multiple telecommunications technologies, preparing students to design and administer systems and keep them up-to-date with current advancements.Program Information and Requirements
Applicants to an online graduate certificate program in telecommunications need a bachelor's degree. Most programs require between 15 and 18 semester credits. Subjects for graduate certificate programs include advanced study in telecommunications technology, network administration and communications management. In many cases, credits earned toward the certificate may be applied to a master's degree program.Graduate certificates in this field can be fully completed online. Virtual resources available to online students might include libraries, lectures, syllabi, videos, writing labs and study notes. Some programs may offer the opportunity to mix and match online courses with on-site courses according to the student's wishes.
List of Common Courses
Class participation is encouraged in online classes, and may contribute to as much as 30% of grades. Various software applications keep students in contact with professors and peers, not only through e-mail, but also via chat rooms and classroom forums. Webcams and microphones allow students to face each other remotely while they chat.Courses in telecommunications technology go into more detail than those for undergraduate certificates. Class material is often presented from a design and management perspective. Sample courses include:
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