Builds skills in Network Management
Network Management Major
This major involves highly specialized preparation geared toward managing the planning, installation and operations of computer networks in very large enterprises. Network management skills are in demand! After graduation, you will be prepared for career opportunities as a network manager, network engineer or network administrator.
In this major you will learn to:
- use network operating systems, management tools and protocol analysis tools
- design, analyze and manage networks, LANs and WANs
- manage advanced server configuration, network LAN and advanced WAN protocols, and network hardware resources
- provide network client support, and monitor and optimize network performance
Internship Courses
Students must complete one academic year (two 4-month semesters) of mandatory work experience in their related major. Students must have successfully completed 8 academic courses prior to registering for their first work experience term.
Contact the BAIST internship co-ordinator to have the planned work experience evaluated: BAISTinternship@nait.ca.
- Length: two 4-month semesters (8 months total)
- Type of Experience: directly related to the major area selected.
- Salary: will vary by employer, usually based on your prior education and experience.
- Relocation: Students can complete their work experience anywhere.
An internship evaluation will be completed by the student and supervisor.
To complete each 4-month term of work experience, a student must complete each of the following:
- the employer student evaluation pamphlet provided by this program
- research project report
- a student journal report providing feedback on projects worked on and a review of the learning experience
How to get into the BAIST Program
Information Systems Major
This major concentrates on the advanced techniques, current methodologies and tools involved in the analysis, design and implementation of large, scalable computer information systems. Graduates of this major will fill career opportunities as senior systems analysts and designers, and project leaders.
In this major you will learn:
- systems planning
- applying development methodologies and modelling using CASE, database, client and network tools
- rapid application design and development
- designing, building, and testing software, web-based solutions, data warehouses, and databases
- basic ERP system customizations and report creation
- working with object-oriented design techniques
On average, you can expect to spend:
- 27 hours per week attending classes over the 2 academic semesters
- 40-60 hours per week studying, completing assignments and doing research
- 40 hours per week working at the employer's place of business during work experience semesters
Practicum/co-op/work experience
Students must complete one academic year (two 4-month semesters) of mandatory work experience in their related major. Students must have successfully completed 8 academic courses prior to registering for their first work experience term.
Contact the BAIST internship co-ordinator to have the planned work experience evaluated: BAISTinternship@nait.ca.
- Length: two 4-month semesters (8 months total)
- Type of Experience: directly related to the major area selected.
- Salary: will vary by employer, usually based on your prior education and experience. Average earnings in 2014 were approximately $30.00 per hour.
- Relocation: Students can complete their work experience anywhere.
A representative of the BAIST program will visit your work site and supervisor at some point in the middle of each work term.
To complete each 4-month term of work experience, a student must complete each of the following:
- the employer student evaluation pamphlet provided by this program
- a 20- to 25-page research project report
- a student journal report providing feedback on projects worked on and a review of the learning experience
How to get into the BAIST Program
Information Systems Major
This major concentrates on the advanced techniques, current methodologies and tools involved in the analysis, design and implementation of large, scalable computer information systems. Graduates of this major will fill career opportunities as senior systems analysts and designers, and project leaders.
In this major you will learn:
- systems planning
- applying development methodologies and modelling using CASE, database, client and network tools
- rapid application design and development
- designing, building, and testing software, web-based solutions, data warehouses, and databases
- basic ERP system customizations and report creation
- working with object-oriented design techniques
On average, you can expect to spend:
- 27 hours per week attending classes over the 2 academic semesters
- 40-60 hours per week studying, completing assignments and doing research
- 40 hours per week working at the employer's place of business during work experience semesters
Practicum/co-op/work experience
Students must complete one academic year (two 4-month semesters) of mandatory work experience in their related major. Students must have successfully completed 8 academic courses prior to registering for their first work experience term.
Contact the BAIST internship co-ordinator to have the planned work experience evaluated: BAISTinternship@nait.ca.
- Length: two 4-month semesters (8 months total)
- Type of Experience: directly related to the major area selected.
- Salary: will vary by employer, usually based on your prior education and experience. Average earnings in 2014 were approximately $30.00 per hour.
- Relocation: Students can complete their work experience anywhere.
A representative of the BAIST program will visit your work site and supervisor at some point in the middle of each work term.
To complete each 4-month term of work experience, a student must complete each of the following:
- the employer student evaluation pamphlet provided by this program
- a 20- to 25-page research project report
- a student journal report providing feedback on projects worked on and a review of the learning experience
Career Outcomes
Job Opportunities
- IT Manager
- Network Analyst
- Network Design
- Network Engineer
- Network Security
Industries
- Retail
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- High-tech companies
- Civic, Provincial and Federal governments
Median Starting Salary
The expected starting salary for individuals with a(n) Bachelor of Applied Information Systems Technology - Network Management Degree is $60,000.
This salary information was based on graduate data from the past 3 years and reflects annual salaries for graduates who claimed they were working more than 30 hours per week. Graduates who quoted salaries below $10,000 and above $200,000 per year have been excluded. Note that NAIT publishes the median salary instead of the average to minimize the potential of outlying salaries distorting the mean. Data represented here may differ from other data sources due to differences in definition or differences in timing.
Grad Employment Rate
Employment rates are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and do not guarantee future employment opportunities. Please note that data for newer programs may not be included within this report.
Download report
Hear from a BAIST grad
"If you are looking to be in the IT field or learn about it BAIST is a very good program to take. I came in hoping to improve my Networking knowledge since I did not have much experience in that field and I can see I have learned a lot so far in this first semester and not just Networking."
- Zach Kemp (Bachelof of Applied Information Systems Technology '23)
Courses and Advanced Credit
Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.
Advanced Credit
You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).
Transfer Credit
In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:
- You must have completed the course or program no more than 3 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
- You must have a minimum mark of A- in the course(s) or program
Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.
Scholarships & Awards
NAIT awards over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 4,000 students each year, with the support of donors and the government. A variety of awards are available, including ones for academics, community involvement, equity/diversity grants, bursaries for financial need, program-specific awards and more!
Learn how to apply for awards
Admission Requirements
This content is specific to the selected Sep 02, 2025 intake.
Minimum entrance requirements
The specific academic requirements you must meet to be considered for admission. Where applicable, the minimum accepted Alberta high school courses are listed in round brackets ( ). Equivalent or higher-level courses are also accepted.
- A two-year diploma in an IT program related to the selected major
- An overall minimum GPA of 2.3
- Course work must be completed within five years of the application date
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
Acceptable IT-related credentials for each major include, but are not limited to these Schools/Programs.
Additional requirements & considerations
Alternative entrance pathways
If you are missing one or more of the minimum entrance requirements, you may be eligible for an alternative entrance pathway. For any pathway listed below, English language proficiency is also a requirement.
Applicants who do not have a two-year diploma may be eligible for admission if 60 post-secondary credits in an accredited IT or computing science program have been completed. A minimum of 45 credits must specifically be related to the skillsets identified in the additional requirements or considerations of the major selected.
*Applicants that do not meet the minimum GPA requirement but who have a minimum GPA of 1.7 may qualify for admission after completing the following three Open Studies courses for their desired major. These courses must be completed with a minimum grade of 67% (C+) to qualify for admission. If you are interested in the Open Studies pathway for admission, please contact the Program at baist@nait.ca prior to applying.
Information Systems
- BAIS3110 Architecture and Security
- BAIS3130 Software Engineering 1: Product Research Concepts
- BAIS3150 Software Development Tools
Network Management
- NETW3000 Network Architecture and Design
- NETW3200 Network Protocol Analysis
- COMP3000 Advanced Server Infrastructure
Applicants who completed their related education more than five years ago and are working in an IT-related field may be eligible for admission through the Recognition of Prior Learning Pathway.
If you have any questions about your entrance requirements, please contact the program at baist@nait.ca.
Post-admission requirements
Although not required for admission, you must meet the following requirement(s) in order to progress in your program.
In order to have the best opportunity for success, the program recommends that a student have the following skill sets, with the recommended minimum in class-instructional hours listed in brackets
- Network Fundamentals (100 hrs)
- Network Protocols – TCP, IPv4 IPv6 (100 hrs)
- Microsoft OS – Windows 10, Server 2012, 2016, Active Directory (400 hrs)
- Virtualization - HyperV, ESXi (100 hrs)
- Infrastructure Technologies - Cisco (200 hrs)
- Programming/Scripting (100 hrs)
- IT Security (200 hrs)
Additional options
This program has courses that are available for Open Studies. Open Studies allows you to explore credit courses without applying to a program. It is an opportunity to get a feel for school and what program you want to be in.
Learn more about Open Studies
Dates & Deadlines
International
Applications Open:
Aug 01, 2024
International
Applications Deadline:
Once the program is full
Domestic
Applications Open:
Oct 01, 2024
Application Deadline:
Once the program is full
Term Start Date:
Sep 02, 2025
Seats are limited - Apply early! Applications will remain open for at least one month from the open date. If the program/waitlist fill after that date, applications will close.
International Applicants
This program accepts international students.
PGWP Eligibility
Graduates of this program are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requirements. Students must still meet all other PGWP eligibility requirements, including full-time and in-person study requirements.
Co-Op Work Permit
Mandatory Co-op: This program has a mandatory work-integrated learning component. International students must apply for a co-op work permit and have it approved before the start of their work placement.
Learn more about PGWP and explore eligible NAIT programs.
