by Fray » Sat Apr 10, 2010 1:15 am
Yes many colleges provide Bachelor's programs for Networking.
As for certifications the norm is usually:
MCSE (Microsoft's Certified Systems Engineers)
A + (CompTIA)
CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associates)
Network + (CompTIA)
CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional)
The problem is that they are expensive to obtain and maintain and they only really help if the person hiring you doesn't actually work in the IT field (an HR employee for example).
For the most part IT professionals know that certifications and degrees don't mean a lot and in the end only help with getting hired once you have obtained the job the IT department will usually closely evaluate your skills in the field before your moved to a permanent position.