Datacenter Administration
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Datacenter Administration is designed to provide applied skills necessary for government and industry employers through experience in high-tech classrooms, and a datacenter academy lab containing cutting-edge technology. This workforce development program provides students the opportunity for employment in the growing cloud computing and datacenter sectors. This program is also designed to focus on the necessary skills required to prepare students for national industry certifications. The courses in this program help to prepare students for the following industry certification exams: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Linux+, CompTIA Security +, CompTIA Server+.
Details
Field of Interest
Computer and Information Technology
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Datacenter Administration (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5359
Total credits required
24
Catalog Year
2026-2027
Effective Term
Fall 2026
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Courses within any of the following prefixes must be taken within five (5) years prior to completion of the program to be applied toward this award: CIS, CNT, ITS, MST.
What You'll Learn
- Explain basic networking concepts including network services, types of networks, physical connections, topologies and architecture, and cloud connectivity.
- Install the Windows OS to support command line and client support, system configuration imaging and troubleshooting for Mac OS, Chrome OS, Android and Linux OS.
- Configure laptops and other mobile devices and support applications to ensure connectivity for end users.
- Compare and contrast cloud computing concepts and client-side virtualization.
- Explain routing technologies and networking devices including ethernet solutions and wireless technology configurations.
- Demonstrate the ability to identify hardware component and device connections, and system property analysis and processes including the broad knowledge on supporting the remote workforce.
- Troubleshoot real-world device and network issues including common OS issues, common cable, connectivity and software issues.
- Explain key cybersecurity concepts that identify and protect against security vulnerabilities for devices and network connections.
- Demonstrate best practices for permissions and authentication, firewalls, file management, and security implications of proper hardware, software, and data management.
- Create simple shell scripts that execute basic BASH scripts, version control using Git and orchestration processes.
- Identify physical and network data security techniques and disaster recovery and backup techniques including security implications of different architecture models, principles of security enterprise infrastructure, and strategies to protect data.
- Demonstrate the ability to respond to common threats, cyberattacks, vulnerabilities, and security incidents and appropriate mitigation techniques to monitor and security hybrid environments.
- Demonstrate best practices for safety, environmental impacts, risk management, security awareness with professionalism and communication skills.
Career Statistics
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Computer Network Architects
$118,810
Computer Network Support Specialists
$62,540
Information Security Analysts
$108,640
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
$87,900
There are additional career opportunities associated with this certificate that do not have occupational data available for Arizona at this time. These occupations are listed below:
- Computer Network Support Specialists
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPC170 | A+ Exam Prep: Computer Hardware Configuration and Support | 3 | |||
| CIS105 | Survey of Computer Information Systems | CS | 3 | ||
| BPC270 | A+ Exam Prep: Operating System Configuration and Support | 3 | |||
| CIS126RH | Red Hat System Administration I | 3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPC274 | Advanced Server Computer Maintenance: Server+ Prep | 3 | |||
| CIS190 | Introduction to Networking | 3 | |||
| ITS110 or CIS270 |
Information Security Fundamentals or Essentials of Network and Information Security | 3 | |||
| CIS238RH | Red Hat System Administration II | 3 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPC170 | A+ Exam Prep: Computer Hardware Configuration and Support | 3 | |||
| CIS105 | Survey of Computer Information Systems | CS | 3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPC270 | A+ Exam Prep: Operating System Configuration and Support | 3 | |||
| CIS126RH | Red Hat System Administration I | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CIS190 | Introduction to Networking | 3 | |||
| CIS238RH | Red Hat System Administration II | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPC274 | Advanced Server Computer Maintenance: Server+ Prep | 3 | |||
| ITS110 or CIS270 |
Information Security Fundamentals or Essentials of Network and Information Security | 3 |
Course Area Key
- CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=15993358.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.