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UNIX Administrator/Cloud Computing Certificate

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Program Available at:

  • Brookhaven

Catalog Year 2022-2023 You may use this pathway if you entered Dallas College on or before this date.

Degree Type Level 1 Certificate

GPA Requirement Student must earn a GPA of 2.0 or higher

TSI May be Exempt

This program deactivated September 1, 2023; automatic closure September 1, 2026.

For more information, visit the Dallas College Computer Information Technology webpage and your success coach at your campus.

This is an example course sequence for students interested in pursuing Networking Security Awards. It does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. Following this pathway will help you earn a UNIX Administrator/Cloud Computing Certificate. Courses from this certificate may apply to the related A.A.S. degree. Students must earn at least 25% of the credit hours required for graduation through instruction by Dallas College. See catalog for official certificate requirements.

This certificate option prepares the student to be a UNIX system administrator. Students will learn basic and advanced hands-on skills associated with the UNIX user interface environment, file system structure, account setup and maintenance, system security, shell scripting, and other general tasks associated with day-to-day UNIX management operations in both standalone and networked systems. Multiple versions of UNIX such as Solaris and/or Linux may be presented to better enable student success in varying commercial environments. Courses that complete the certificate and Linux/Open Source Skills Achievement Award (A) are noted below.

Students pursuing this certificate are waived from the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) standards, but must meet course prerequisites, as long as the student completes the TSI waiver form prior to enrollment.

SEMESTER-BY-SEMESTER MAP FOR FULL-TIME STUDENTS

All plans can be modified to fit the needs of part-time students. This is not an official degree plan. See catalog for official certificate requirements.

CERTIFICATE MINIMUM: 20 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

SEMESTER 1

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • ITNW 1425 – Fundamentals of Networking Technologies OR
  • ITCC 1414 – CCNA 1: Introduction to Networks

CHOOSE ONE  

  • ITSC 1407 – UNIX Operating System I OR
  • ITSC 1416 – Linux Installation and Configuration (Course also applies to A)

SEMESTER 1 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your success coach to confirm academic and career goals before the end of the semester.
  2. Meet with your success coach to research your career options and opportunities for job shadowing.

Total Hours: 8

SEMESTER 2

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • ITSC 2437  UNIX Operating System II
  • ITSC 2425 – Advanced Linux (Course also applies to A) OR
  • ITCC 1444 – CCNA 2: Switching, Routing, and Wireless ​​

CHOOSE ONE:   

SEMESTER 2 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your success coach to request an official degree plan and confirm or update your academic and career path and program of study.
  2. Meet with your success coach to apply for the LINUX/Open Source Skills Achievement Award.

Total Hours: 8

SEMESTER 3

CHOOSE ONE:   

  • ITSC 1458  UNIX System Administration I*
  • ITNW 2471 – Server Virtualization: Optimize and Scale* OR
  • ITNW 1492 – Special Topics in Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications*

*This is the capstone experience for this award.

SEMESTER 3 ACTION ITEMS

  1. Meet with your success coach for assistance in preparing for job search.
  2. Meet with your success coach to apply for the UNIX Administrator/Cloud Computing Certificate.

 

Total Hours: 4

DALLAS COLLEGE PATHWAY TOTAL: 20 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS

Updated July 27, 2025