Linux Administrator

Solve real problems, build a great career

Harness this powerful operating system

Learn to configure, monitor and support systems running Linux. These range from servers and mainframes to netbooks, smart phones and highly specialized devices. You gain a working knowledge of Linux kernel modules, server side, command line, device management, networking and firewalls.

As you learn to solve real-world problems in a variety of Linux environments, you are building a career that is:

always in demand
filled with diverse challenges
capable of paying you well
flexible

What can you do with a Linux Administrator Certificate?

This certificate prepares you to work in Network Administration, Cybersecurity, IT or related fields.

You can take certification exams for Linux+ after you earn the certificate.

Expand your skillset with stackable certificates

The six college credits you earn with your certificate in Linux administration can all apply to an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) (63-65 credits). This certificate can also be earned along the way as you complete your A.A.S. with the specialty option of Network Administration and Cybersecurity. That’s one way to stack this certificate toward another credential.

You can also earn a second certificate, upgrading or expanding your skillset. Choose a certificate combination that matches your interests and career goals. Choose from these other certificates:

Highlights

100% Online

Can be completed 100% online.
Career Certificate

Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.
Program Length: 4 Months

Full-time students finish in 4 months.

Career Outlook

Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $90,425
  
  Median
  
  $140,396
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $196,237
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $43.47
  
  Median
  
  $67.50
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $94.34
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Some college
  
  4.55%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  4.55%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  45.46%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  45.45%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cloud networks, servers, and other data communications networks. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $49,005
  
  Median
  
  $77,400
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $136,622
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $23.56
  
  Median
  
  $37.21
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $65.68
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  4.23%
  
  Certificate
  
  10.16%
  
  Some college
  
  13.63%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  21.68%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  48.77%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  1.53%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. Assess system vulnerabilities for security risks and propose and implement risk mitigation strategies. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $69,722
  
  Median
  
  $120,338
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $181,940
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $33.52
  
  Median
  
  $57.85
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $87.46
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Certificate
  
  7.16%
  
  Some college
  
  2.01%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  12.87%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  75.16%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  2.8%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Plan, initiate, and manage information technology (IT) projects. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. Serve as liaison between business and technical aspects of projects. Plan project stages and assess business implications for each stage. Monitor progress to assure deadlines, standards, and cost targets are met.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $52,677
  
  Median
  
  $112,361
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $166,479
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $25.32
  
  Median
  
  $54.01
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $80.03
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Certificate
  
  9.52%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  23.81%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  57.15%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  9.52%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Install, configure, and maintain an organization's local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), data communications network, operating systems, and physical and virtual servers. Perform system monitoring and verify the integrity and availability of hardware, network, and server resources and systems. Review system and application logs and verify completion of scheduled jobs, including system backups. Analyze network and server resource consumption and control user access. Install and upgrade software and maintain software licenses. May assist in network modeling, analysis, planning, and coordination between network and data communications hardware and software.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $65,636
  
  Median
  
  $99,540
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $144,551
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $31.55
  
  Median
  
  $47.85
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $69.49
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Certificate
  
  7.49%
  
  Some college
  
  9.72%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  20.3%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  52.37%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  10.13%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Design or configure wired, wireless, and satellite communications systems for voice, video, and data services. Supervise installation, service, and maintenance.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $90,425
  
  Median
  
  $140,396
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $196,237
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $43.47
  
  Median
  
  $67.50
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $94.34
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  4.76%
  
  Certificate
  
  23.81%
  
  Some college
  
  14.29%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  14.29%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  33.34%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  9.52%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Install, set up, rearrange, or remove switching, distribution, routing, and dialing equipment used in central offices or headends. Service or repair telephone, cable television, Internet, and other communications equipment on customers' property. May install communications equipment or communications wiring in buildings.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $41,299
  
  Median
  
  $70,224
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $103,586
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $19.85
  
  Median
  
  $33.76
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $49.80
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  43.06%
  
  Certificate
  
  21.36%
  
  Some college
  
  10.38%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  7.77%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  17.44%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

View program in catalog

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Credit for prior learning available
Dual credit options available
Global citizenship
Online/Virtual options available

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Highlights
CIT 132	CIT 132 Linux Operating System Class Description This course introduces students to the Linux operating system and the skills they need to effectively use and administer the Linux operating system. The course includes Linux installation and configuration, shell commands and scripts, Linux file system and processes management, basic system administration tasks, network configuration and services, and security. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with the Linux command-line environment, utilities, applications, network configuration and services, security and troubleshooting, as well as the graphical X Window environment. Students completing this course may work towards the CompTIA Linux+ and LPIC-1: Linux Administrator industry certifications. This course was previously titled CIS 117 – Linux Operating System and before that was titled CIS 115 – PC Operating Systems, Linux OS topic.	3
CIT 139	CIT 139 CCNA I: Introduction to Networks Class Description This course covers the architecture, structure, functions, components, and models of the Internet and other computer networks. The principles and structure of Internet Protocol (IP) addressing and the fundamentals of Ethernet concepts, media, and basic network operations are introduced. Students will build simple local area networks, perform basic configurations for routers and switches, and implement IP addressing schemes. This is the first of the three courses sequence to prepare for CCNA industry certification. Recommended: CIT 120	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	CIT 132
Course Title	CIT 132 Linux Operating System Class Description This course introduces students to the Linux operating system and the skills they need to effectively use and administer the Linux operating system. The course includes Linux installation and configuration, shell commands and scripts, Linux file system and processes management, basic system administration tasks, network configuration and services, and security. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with the Linux command-line environment, utilities, applications, network configuration and services, security and troubleshooting, as well as the graphical X Window environment. Students completing this course may work towards the CompTIA Linux+ and LPIC-1: Linux Administrator industry certifications. This course was previously titled CIS 117 – Linux Operating System and before that was titled CIS 115 – PC Operating Systems, Linux OS topic.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	CIT 139
Course Title	CIT 139 CCNA I: Introduction to Networks Class Description This course covers the architecture, structure, functions, components, and models of the Internet and other computer networks. The principles and structure of Internet Protocol (IP) addressing and the fundamentals of Ethernet concepts, media, and basic network operations are introduced. Students will build simple local area networks, perform basic configurations for routers and switches, and implement IP addressing schemes. This is the first of the three courses sequence to prepare for CCNA industry certification. Recommended: CIT 120
Credits	3

Total Credit Hours

6

*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

Computer Information Technology at CLC

Get the bigger picture

This certificate is just one possible way to study Computer Information Technology. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the Computer Information Technology program overview

Frequently asked questions

You qualify for the following exam:
- CompTIA Linux+
- Linux Professional Institute LPIC-1
Our student profile is varied. You’ll be in classes with many people who are working already, with those who are changing careers, and with those who just finished high school.
First, there’s the cost. Tuition at CLC is lower than almost anywhere else, and you have financial aid and scholarship options that don’t saddle you with debt.

Second, the classes. They’re small and hands-on, so you get the attention you need to learn the skills you’ll use every day. You’re taught by experienced instructors who will also talk you through career and college choices.
Yes—well, most of them. Every course in this program is offered in an online format, except for our field courses which must be taken in-person.
Attend class in the way that works best for your goals:
- Virtual Live: Learn remotely in real time. Take classes taught live via Zoom.
- Online: Have the flexibility to complete course work without scheduled meetings while staying actively engaged in a fully online environment.
- In-person: Keep your degree on track with classes that meet face-to-face, providing you with opportunities to interact in person with faculty and peers.
The estimated cost of this program appears at the top of this web page, under the program title.
The cost is based on recommended pathway credit hours. It includes in-district tuition and fees, such as for books and materials. It does not factor in financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships) that you may receive.
View current tuition and fees
Some courses in this program are subject to variable tuition and course fees because they provide specialized experiences, instruction or technology/equipment.
View courses with variable tuition and fees
Many opportunities exist at CLC to get financial assistance. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

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Solve real problems, build a great career

Harness this powerful operating system

What can you do with a Linux Administrator Certificate?

Expand your skillset with stackable certificates

Highlights

100% Online

Career Certificate

Program Length: 4 Months

Career Outlook

Computer Network Architects

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Computer Network Support Specialists

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Information Security Analysts

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Information Technology Project Managers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Network and Computer Systems Administrators

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Telecommunications Engineering Specialists

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help?

Recommended Pathway

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Semester 1 6 Credits

Total Credit Hours

Computer Information Technology at CLC

Get the bigger picture

Frequently asked questions

What exams will I qualify for after I complete the program?

Are there students like me in the program?

Why should I choose CLC?

Can I take my classes online?

How much does this program cost?

Take the next step...

Be debt-free at CLC

Request info

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