Computer Systems Technology - Networking (Fast-Track) (Optional Co-op)

How To Apply

This Computer Systems Technology – Networking (Fast-Track) (Optional Co-op) program is for students who previously completed a relevant college or university program and wish to receive their diploma in two years (four semesters) by entering the second year of the three-year Networking offering.

This college engineering program prides itself on facilitating an ideal balance between hands-on experience and theory in its Computer Systems Technology courses. As such, you'll learn by using state-of-the-art testing and measurement equipment in purpose-built labs to develop a solid foundation in network design and testing as well as project management.

Hands-on activities will include delving into computer hardware and learning the intricacies of operating systems, exploring current computer systems and networks technology, and assembling and maintaining systems that will empower users in creative, business and communication activities.

You'll develop technical expertise in areas that include:

Network design, management, and troubleshooting
PC hardware and multivendor operating systems
Data centre
Virtualization and cloud technologies
Converged (VoIP) networks
Network security
Wireless networks
Administration and management of Windows/Linux systems

With its lessons that centre on the latest technological advances in the ever-growing digital industry, the Computer Systems Technology – Networking (Fast-Track) program will ensure you're fully prepared for a challenging career in the world of computers.

The program offers a co-op option (program #3435) that includes four semesters and two co-op work terms. Academically qualified students may enhance their education and gain work experience to support employability through field placement in the IT-related industry as paid employees. The college’s department for Co-op Education and Career Services provides support for resumé development, mock interviews, and industry outreach for job postings. Students in the co-op program will learn to prepare for their co-op via COOP-121 (Co-op Preplacement Course).

Program Overview

You'll develop technical expertise in areas that include:

Network design, management, and troubleshooting
PC hardware and multivendor operating systems
Data centre
Virtualization and cloud technologies
Converged (VoIP) networks
Network security
Wireless networks
Administration and management of Windows/Linux systems

Courses

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

Career Options and Education Pathways

Companies Offering Jobs

Transport Canada, AIM Funds Management Inc., Canada Life, RBC, Celestica, CIBC Mellon Trust, Enbridge, StorageTek, Toronto Hydro, IBM, the Ministry of Government Services

Program Highlights

You enter the industry quickly by completing a three-year program in two years.
The theory you learn in the Computer Systems Technology – Networking (Fast-Track) courses is reinforced by laboratory work.
Modern labs and lecture facilities create a realistic learning environment.
The program attracts university graduates from around the world.
Once you complete this Applied Sciences, Engineering Technology, Trades and Transportation (ASENT3), you will be prepared to work with internet, intranets, extranets, and telecom and wireless networks.

Career Outlook

Network/system analyst
Security analyst
Wireless network administrator/technician
Network/system administrator
Data centre/cloud technician
Network/system technologist
VoIP administrator
Network technical support specialist

Education Pathways

Graduates of this Computer Systems Technology – Networking (Fast-track) advanced diploma program have the opportunity to apply learning achieved at Centennial for credits toward further study at the degree level. Listed below are institutions offering pathways for this program.

Please note that each receiving institution has minimum admission requirements in order to qualify for transfer credits, which are assessed by the receiving institution.

Region	Institution
Toronto GTA	Seneca Polytechnic
Toronto GTA	York University
Ontario	Algoma University
	Nipissing University
	Ontario Tech University
	Wilfrid Laurier University
	Windsor, University of

For more detailed pathways information, explore Centennial’s partner pathway options. Use the Education Pathways Checklist (pdf) as a guide as you explore your options.

For pathways to other Ontario post-secondary institutions, please visit ONTransfer.

Recognitions

OACETT

The Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (OACETT) recognizes this TAC nationally-accredited program as meeting the academic standard for certification in the Certified Engineering Technologist (C.E.T.) category as well as the OACETT technology report and language benchmark requirements.

OACETT logo

Accreditation

TAC

This program has met the national educational standards of Canada’s engineering technology and applied science profession, as such, has received national program accreditation by Technology Accreditation Canada (TAC).

Please note: The qualification requirements and costs for each external accreditation, designation, certification or recognition are set by the granting body — not by Centennial College. In order to qualify for any external accreditations, designations, certifications or recognition, students, and graduates will need to follow the processes and meet the applicable requirements listed on the websites and in the materials of those external bodies.

National Accredited Program logo

Further Education

Computer Systems Technology - Networking (Fast-Track) program grads can enrol, with advanced standing, in Centennial's unique four-year degree program in Computer and Communication Networks to obtain a Bachelor of Information Technology.

The graduates of this program have the opportunity to transfer and, in two years, graduate from one of many Canadian, US and international Bachelor programs, such as:

McMaster University (Computing and Information Technology)
University of Ontario Institute of Technology (Networking and IT Security)
Seneca College (Informatics and Security)
Athabasca University
Memorial University

Areas of Employment

Telecommunications
Network administration
Network support
Help desk support
LAN support
LAN administration
Equipment manufacturing or installation
Research and testing
Equipment maintenance and repair
Sales

Admission Requirements

Academic Requirements

Degree or a three-year college diploma in computer science, engineering, or a related discipline.
We will consider applicants with a combination of partial degree or diploma and relevant work experience.
Centennial English Admission Test.
English language proficiency.

Additional Requirements

Transcript and resumé review.

Co-op Option

The co-op option in this program will provide you with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience while you complete two co-op work term as an employee in the field. This experience not only allows you to put classroom learning into practice, but will also provide valuable contacts for your future career.

To participate in this co-op option, you will need to complete an application process in Semester 1. If academically qualified, you may be admitted to the co-op program. Academically qualified students who are accepted into the program will register for the co-op preparation course as scheduled.

Co-op Requirements

Minimum of 80% of courses completed from Semester 1
Completion of COMM-160/161 by the end of Semester 1 with a C grade (60%) or higher
A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher (this must be maintained for the duration of the program)
Students must be legally eligible to work in Canada
Students who meet the above prerequisites will submit their application for co-op to the Career Services & Co-operative Education department in Semester 1

Note: Meeting the minimum co-op program requirements does not guarantee admission into the co-op program.

Co-op Model Route

Fall Semester Intake
Fall	Semester 1
Winter	Semester 2
Summer	Co-op Work Term 1
Fall	Co-op Work Term 2
Winter	Semester 3
Summer	Break
Fall	Semester 4

Winter Semester Intake
Winter	Semester 1
Summer	Semester 2
Fall	Co-op Work Term 1
Winter	Semester 3
Summer	Co-op Work Term 2
Fall	Semester 4

Summer Semester Intake
Summer	Semester 1
Fall	Semester 2
Winter	Co-op Work Term 1
Summer	Co-op Work Term 2
Fall	Semester 3
Winter	Semester 4

Learn more about co-op programs.

How to Apply

1. Apply Online

Domestic Students

If you are applying through the Better Jobs Ontario Program, please work with an Employment Ontario service provider. For more information go to Better Jobs Ontario Program.

If you have previously attended a full-time program at Centennial College, you may be eligible for a Program Transfer. Visit Enrolment Services at any Campus for information.

All other applicants must apply online at Ontariocolleges.ca. A non-refundable application fee must accompany applications. The fee is payable online, by telephone, online banking, by mail, or in-person to Ontariocolleges.ca. For more information go to Ontariocolleges.ca Application Fees.

International Students

Apply directly to Centennial College here.

2. Submit Documents

Domestic Applicants

Current Ontario high school students and graduates from Ontario high schools: Notify your guidance counsellor that you have applied to college and your school will forward transcripts to Centennial College via Ontariocolleges.ca.

Graduates of college/university, or high school outside Ontario but within Canada: You are responsible for requesting that your educational institute sends any required documents and transcripts to Ontariocolleges.ca.

International Applicants

Please refer to the International Education Application Guide.

3. Confirm Your Offer of Admission

Offers of Admission are sent by mail to eligible applicants. When you receive your offer, you must login to your account at Ontariocolleges.ca and confirm before the Deadline to Confirm noted in your offer letter.

You may confirm only one college and one program offer at a time.

You must confirm your offer by the Deadline to Confirm noted in your Offer of Admission letter or your seat may be given to another applicant.

When you confirm your Offer of Admission at Centennial College you are given access to your personal myCentennial account where you can check your email, grades, register for courses, pay tuition fees, and see your class timetable.

4. Pay Fees

Centennial fees statements are sent by email to your personal email account and to your myCentennial email account. Fees statements are not mailed.

You must make a minimum payment by the Fees Deadline noted in your Fees Statement or your seat may be given to another applicant.

5. Build Your Timetable (Register for Courses)

Build your timetable (web-register for courses) at my.centennialcollege.ca.

Your web-registration will not open if:

You have not submitted your minimum fee payment by the deadline
You received a Conditional Offer of Admission and you have not met the conditions of your offer.

Once you have paid your fees or have made appropriate arrangements, register for your courses online through myCentennial.

Tuition and Fees

Fees noted below are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters, beginning Fall 2025.

Student	Tuition (2 Semesters)	Ancillary Fees	Total
Canadian	$3,396.50	$1,365.33	$4,761.83
International	$18,254.00	$1,863.28	$20,117.28

Technology Requirements

Students taking this program will need to be able to consistently access and use a mobile computing device that meets or exceeds the program’s recommended hardware requirements.

Students with Accessibility Needs: If you require accommodations for a documented disability, please consider your adaptive technology needs when you select a device for your program. If you want to access disability services, you can make an appointment with the Centre for Accessible Learning and Counselling Services (CALCS), by calling 437-568-4799, or by email at calcs@centennialcollege.ca.

Students in this program will need to have consistent access to the following:

Minimum Recommended Specifications:

Windows PC Laptop with:
- 13-inch screen, FHD resolution
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD HD
- Intel Core i7 (6 Gen or later) or equivalent; USB+HDMI Ports
- Windows 10th or 11th Ed. OS, X-64 based processor
- Camera, microphone and speaker
- Built-in ethernet port
- Internet access interfaces (LAN and wireless)
Recommended:
- A Solid State Drive (SSD)
- A laptop with a battery life of three (3) hours or better
Note: MacBooks and Chromebooks are NOT acceptable alternatives. Some subjects may require additional devices such as an external hard drive.

Minimum Internet Requirement:

You will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection. High-speed broadband access (LAN, Cable or DSL) with a minimum 50mbps download speed is highly recommended.

ClassAPPs 2.0

Students are invited to use Centennial College’s ClassAPPs 2.0, an all-in-one system that lets you use all of the digital tools you need to complete your college courses from the comfort of your own home, at any time, instead of finding the time to head to a computer lab. Any student can use the ClassAPPs 2.0 system with any modern, HTML5 enabled web browser, like Chrome, Edge or Firefox. Just log in to the service with the same ID and password you use to get into a College PC, and you instantly gain access to cloud-based software, and other learning resources.

Program Vocational Learning Outcomes

Program Vocational Learning Outcomes describe what graduates of the program have demonstrated they can do with the knowledge and skills they have achieved during their studies. The outcomes are closely tied to the needs of the workplace. Through assessment (e.g., assignments and tests), students verify their ability to reliably perform these outcomes before graduating.

Identify, analyze, design, develop, implement, verify, and document the requirements for a computing environment.
Diagnose, troubleshoot, document, and monitor technical problems using appropriate methodologies and tools.
Analyze, design, implement, and maintain secure computing environments.
Analyze, develop, and maintain robust computing system solutions through validation testing and industry best practices.
Communicate and collaborate with team members and stakeholders to ensure effective working relationships.
Select and apply strategies for personal and professional development to enhance work performance.
Apply project management principles and tools when responding to requirements and monitoring projects within a computing environment.
Adhere to ethical, social media, legal, regulatory, and economic requirements and/or principles in the development and management of the computing solutions and systems.
Investigate emerging trends to respond to technical challenges.
Analyze, plan, design, implement, and administer computer systems and cloud solutions.
Research, design, deploy, configure, troubleshoot, maintain, upgrade, and decommission computing system infrastructures.
Select and apply scripting tools and programming languages to automate routine tasks.
Install, monitor, optimize, and administer a database management system in response to specified requirements.
Design, implement, and administer technical support processes for computing system infrastructures that align with industry best practice.
Develop strategies for entrepreneurial growth and development that enhance career opportunities and maintain currency with the IT industry.

Advising

https://www.centennialcollege.ca/student-life/student-services/centennial-advising-and-pathways-services/