Cloud Network Technology Certificate (I-BEST)
Welcome to the Program Page dedicated to the Cloud Network Technology certificate! Here is a general overview of what your classes will look like following each quarter. Please contact your adviser for more information regarding the courses. To see which materials are needed for your courses, click this bookstore link (Links to an external site.) and enter the course information.
General Overview
When can I start? Fall (September), Winter (January), or Spring (April)
How long is the program? 3 quarters (9 to 11 months) with 47 total credits
When do classes meet? Mondays - Thursdays, times vary between early mornings to evenings. Hybrid and online options are available.
Are summer classes required? No.
The Cloud Network Technology certificate is designed for entry-level students to develop skills needed to gain employment as computer network technicians or configuration and support technicians. You progress through classes in maintenance and repair of Microsoft Windows systems and learn networking fundamentals.
You may also be interested in continuing with the Cloud Network Associate of Applied Science-Transfer Degree (AAS-T), which prepares you to enroll in Renton Technical College’s BAS in Computer Network Engineering.
You can learn more about the Cloud Network Technology program in our $25 class CCP 046 Bridge to Information Technology Programs.
What does a computer support specialist do?
What is the average salary?
$83,000 annually Links to an external site. in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. Most computer network support specialists earn at least $59,560; there is a wide salary range. Jobs that pay higher salaries may require a four-year bachelor degree.
Who can I contact with questions?
- New students, please visit our Zoom lobby (Links to an external site.) to talk with someone by video chat, or e-mail our advising department.
- For current students, please visit RTC's advising page (Links to an external site and look for the faculty counselor assigned to Cloud Network Technology.
Overall Materials Needed:
- Functioning, recent Windows laptop or computer, not an Apple or Chromebook (you must be able to install software)
- 32GB USB drive ($20)
- Webcam
- Headset with microphone
- Working internet connection
- Textbooks and software ($550 total)
Materials Warning
Some materials on this page are listed as TBD, which means that the materials have yet to be determined. Please consult your instructor on what textbooks or materials are required for the class. If you rent a textbook, make sure you return it by the deadline. If you purchase a textbook, you can sell it back to the RTC bookstore -- but make sure that you won't need the book again for classes in the future!
Key Course Icons (learn more)
green means the class has expensive materials
red means the class has lots of assignments
purple means the class has a lot of technical vocabulary
orange means the class has complex content
blue means the class moves at a fast pace
gold means that this is the most challenging quarter in the whole program
Mobile Browser Information
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Quarter 1
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
| IT 101 | Fundamentals of Computing | YES | 5 |
| ENGL& 101 | English Composition (required for AAS-T) or a different communication or humanities General Education class |
YES | 5 |
| ANTH& 106 | American Mosaic or other social science class |
varies by class | 5 |
Quarter 2 
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNT 140 | Routing and Switching I |
YES | 5 |
| CNT 156 | Bits and Bytes of Cloud Computing | NO | 5 |
| AMATH 175 | Financial Math or a more advanced math class |
NO | 5 |
Quarter 3
Course ID |
Course Name |
Materials |
Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNT 150 | Routing and Switching II |
same as 140 | 5 |
| CNT 160 | Core Networking and Cloud Computing | YES | 5 |
| --- | elective from General Education or computer science (CSI) or cybersecurity (CYA) | YES | 5 |
Grand Total Estimate: $6,494
Not quite the career path you want to take? Let's go back to the Program Map!