Online degrees in telecommunications

A career in telecommunications begins with technical training. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) recommends earning a college degree to secure a position in the increasingly competitive telecom job market; specifically, the BLS reports that "opportunities will be best for applicants with two-year or four-year degrees."

Online telecommunications degrees are available at all levels, from associate to doctorate. The most common qualification for telecom installers and maintenance workers is the two-year Associate of Science degree. IT networking jobs generally require a four-year bachelor's degree. All degree types are also available online to accommodate busy professionals. Hands-on training and project work may be completed in the workplace, either at an existing job or an internship.

Online degrees in telecommunications include:

• Associate of Science, a career-focused college degree with an emphasis on applied training in telecom equipment maintenance and repair. The A.S. is available at vocational and technical schools, community colleges and universities.
• Bachelor of Science, a college degree with a combined general education and technical curriculum. The B.S. offers a broad foundation in telecommunications and networking technology as well as applied skills training.
• Master of Science, a two-year graduate degree. The M.S. offers advanced coursework in telecom specialties and the opportunity to complete an independent project.
• PhD, the terminal degree in the field, culminates in an independent and original research project. Graduates may teach at the college level or lead telecom research and development teams in the private sector.

In addition, post-secondary certificates in telecommunications offer mid-career professionals the opportunity to keep pace with emerging technologies.

Online telecommunications degrees cover all the specialties of contemporary telecom technology, ranging from wired to broadband networks. The National Coalition for Telecommunications Education and Learning (NACTEL) divides the telecommunications discipline into the following categories:

• Telecom: Voice communication, signal transmission, data systems
• Video technologies: Digital television, video and smart technologies, home wiring
• Mobile technology: Basic radio concepts, analog cellular, digital cellular, mobile devices and operating systems, VoIP in mobile networks, high-level convergence
• Broadband and networking technology: Cabling, signal and data transmission, operating systems, hardware maintenance and troubleshooting
• Wireless networking: Solid states devices and circuits, wireless LANs, data transmission systems, wireless network security

In addition, online degrees in telecommunications incorporate general education and computer technology coursework.

Online telecommunications degrees lead to careers in telecom and broadband network installation, maintenance and repair. Job titles include network and data communications analyst, telecommunications line installer and repairer, telecom equipment engineer and network administrator.

Telecommunications technology is evolving rapidly, driving up the training requirements for workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics sees overall employment in the field declining by 9 percent over the 2008-2018 period, as improved technology reduces the ranks of entry-level repair workers. Telecom specialists with degrees and up-to-date training in the field, however, can expect job growth. Computer network administrators should see the most demand, with job growth of 23 percent predicted for the 2008 to 2018 period.

• Growth: Telecommunications network and data communications analysts can expect 53 percent job growth in the 2008-2018 period, making this one of the fastest-growing occupations in the U.S, according to the BLS.
• Salaries: Network administrators earned a mean salary of $72,200 in 2010, the BLS reports.
• Education: Sophisticated technology is reducing the number of entry-level telecommunications jobs available; advanced training can help workers qualify for growing areas within the field such as computer network administration.