Computer and Information Technology: Career Studies Certificates
This page covers the career studies certificate programs in the Computer and Information Technology career pathway. For the degree programs in this pathway, see AA&S General Studies – Computer Science (697-02) and AS Computer Science (246). See also Camp’s AAS Management with specializations in Hardware and Software Support and Computer Support Specialist in the Business career pathway.
Computer Support Specialist
Purpose
The Computer Support Specialist Career Studies Certificate trains students to provide technical assistance, support, and advice to customers and other users. This occupational group includes technical support specialists and help-desk technicians. These troubleshooters interpret problems and provide technical support for hardware, software, and systems. They answer telephone calls, analyze problems using automated diagnostic programs, and resolve recurrent difficulties. Support specialists may work either within a company that uses computer systems or directly for a computer hardware or software vendor. Increasingly, these specialists work for help desk or support services firms, where they provide computer support to clients on a contract basis. In smaller firms, the support specialists will solve a variety of computing problems to help businesses serve their customers.
Occupational Objectives: Skills Upgrading for Office Personnel, Technical Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, Microcomputer Support Specialist, Office Automation Specialist, Office Computing Liaison, E-business account manager, Network Administrator, E-business support technician.
Admission Requirements: Students must meet general admission requirements established by the College. General keyboarding and computer skills are required.
| Course | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ITE 152 | Introduction to Digital and Information Literacy and Computer Applications | 3 |
| ITE 140 | Spreadsheet Software | 3 |
| ITE 160 | Introduction to E-Commerce | 3 |
| ITE 215 | Advanced Computer Applications | 3 |
| ITN 101 | Introduction to Network Concepts | 3 |
| ITN 106 | Microcomputer Operating Systems | 3 |
| ITN 107 | Personal Computer Hardware and Troubleshooting | 3 |
| ITN 111 | Server Administration | 3 |
| ITN 150 | Networking Fundamentals and Introductory Routing-Cisco | 3 |
| Total Program Credits (as printed) | 18 | |
Note: The source catalog lists this same 9-course sequence under two headings – here with a stated total of 18 credits, and again under Hardware and Software Support (below) with a stated total of 27 credits. Nine 3-credit courses sum to 27, so the “18” printed for this program appears to be an error, but it is preserved here exactly as printed rather than silently corrected. Flagging for your review.
Hardware and Software Support
Purpose
Hardware and Software Support is designed to provide a business and computing background as preparation for a career in computing. The importance of studying computing in the context of business is that the student has an area to start applying computer problem solving and methodology.
Upon completion of the program, students should possess basic skills to enter a variety of computing jobs in computer support services including repair and Installation Repair Technicians. Students may also use this program as a step toward advanced study in specialized areas of computing such as the Network Hardware and Software Support Specialization.
Program Outcomes
Students that complete this program should be prepared to take the A+ industry certification exam. The student will have also studied some material covered in the Exam 70-058: Networking Essentials, Network+, iNet+, and MCSE 70-270 – MS Windows XP Professional exams.
Occupational Objectives: Computing Resource Consultant, Help Desk Technician, Technical Resource Consultant, Install/Repair Technician, Computer Sales Representative.
Admission Requirements: Students must meet general admission requirements established by the College. General keyboarding and computer skills are required.
| Course | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ITE 152 | Introduction to Digital and Information Literacy and Computer Applications | 3 |
| ITE 140 | Spreadsheet Software | 3 |
| ITE 160 | Introduction to E-Commerce | 3 |
| ITE 215 | Advanced Computer Applications | 3 |
| ITN 101 | Introduction to Network Concepts | 3 |
| ITN 106 | Microcomputer Operating Systems | 3 |
| ITN 107 | Personal Computer Hardware and Troubleshooting | 3 |
| ITN 111 | Server Administration | 3 |
| ITN 150 | Networking Fundamentals and Introductory Routing-Cisco | 3 |
| Total Program Credits | 27 | |
Cybersecurity
Purpose
The Cybersecurity Career Studies Certificate helps the learner develop skill in building and protecting computer networks in the age of the Internet, the Web, cloud computing and the mobile computing explosion. The heart of the study is the protection of computing and data resources in a highly connected, Internet-centric environment. Students in the program will study network resource protection and extend that skill up to and beyond technical industry certification points. The program is built using the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) framework and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and National Security Administration (NSA) resources.
Upon completion of the program, the student will be prepared to assume a role in networking in today’s highly competitive market. The program requires successful completion of at least one technical computing certification such as A+, Network+, Security+, CCENT or CCNA.
Program Outcomes
Students that complete this program have obtained an industry certification and have demonstrated proficiency in building and protecting networks.
Occupational Objectives: Cybersecurity analyst, network analyst, network technician, Computing Resource Consultant, Help Desk Technician, Technical Resource Consultant, Install/Repair Technician, Computer Sales Representative.
Admission Requirements: Students must meet general admission requirements established by the College. General keyboarding and computer skills are required.
| Course | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term | ||
| ITN 101 | Introduction to Network Concepts | 3 |
| ITN 107 | Personal Computer Hardware and Troubleshooting | 3 |
| CSC 110 | Introduction to Computer Science | 3 |
| ITN 106 | Microcomputer Operating Systems | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 12 | |
| Spring Term | ||
| ITN 260 | Network Security Basics | 3 |
| ITN 261 | Network Attacks, Computer Crime, and Hacking | 3 |
| ITN 266 | Network Security Layers | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 9 | |
| Fall Term | ||
| ITN 262 | Network Communication, Security, and Authentication | 3 |
| ITN 267 | Legal Topics in Network Security | 3 |
| Total Semester Credits | 6 | |
| Total Program Credits | 27 | |
Cybersecurity and Networking Foundations
Purpose
The Cybersecurity and Networking Foundations Career Studies Certificate helps the learner develop skill in building and protecting computer networks with the goal of employment in the short term. Students in the program will study network resource protection and extend that skill up to and beyond technical industry certification points. This is a part of the state level workforce initiative, linking a short program to College resources, curriculum and industry certifications.
Upon completion of the program, the student will be prepared to assume a role in networking in today’s highly competitive market. The program will usually have as result a student with an academic credential and at least one industry technical computing certification such as A+, Network+, Security+, CCENT or CCNA.
Program Outcomes
Students that complete this program have usually obtained an industry certification and have demonstrated proficiency in building and protecting networks.
Occupational Objectives: Cybersecurity analyst, network analyst, network technician, Computing Resource Consultant, Help Desk Technician, Technical Resource Consultant, Install/Repair Technician, Computer Sales Representative.
Admission Requirements: Students must meet general admission requirements established by the College.
| Course | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ITN 106 | Microcomputer Operating Systems (Software Study, One part of A+ Certification, See Note 2) | 3 |
| ITN 107 | Personal Computer Hardware and Troubleshooting | 3 |
| ITN 101 | Introduction to Network Concepts (Networking Study, Network+ Certification) | 3 |
| ITN 260 | Network Security Basics (Security Study, Security+ Certification)† | 3 |
| CSC 110 | Introduction to Computer Science (Includes major programming segment) | 3 |
| Elective | ITN, ITE, ITP, CSC or SDV Elective (See Note 1) | 1-4 |
| Total Program Credits | 16-19 | |
† Source printed no credit value for this row; 3 is used here since it’s the only value consistent with the stated 16-19 credit total across the other listed courses.
Note 1 – Students with limited computing background may want to start in ITE 152. Students needing career planning help may benefit from an SDV course or an IT Careers Course. Students may also want to consider an ITN, ITE, ITP or CSC internship for academic credit. In addition, all students may benefit from a course that focuses on the Linux and Windows command line processing.
Note 2 – Some sections of ITN 106 and ITN 107 are accelerated to include the preparation for the entire A+ test in one semester. If the student already has an A+ certification, or obtains it in one of the accelerated classes, this course can be substituted by a general ITN or CSC elective.
General Note on Certifications: Some sections will have the certification test available as a part of the class. If that is the case, it is funded through the class and there is no extra fee for it. If a certification is provided in a class, the student must meet the instructor’s requirements to have it paid by the College. These requirements are successful performance on a certification preparation tool used in the course at a level that indicates passing of the test is highly probable. In addition, the certification is for a test in our certification testing center, and a voucher is not provided to the student. The College purchases the vouchers and uses them for qualified students. There may also be additional certification options available for enrolled students. The College is actively seeking ways to have the cost of the certification tests paid for the students.
Geographic Information Systems Technician
Purpose
The Geographic Information Systems Technician Career Studies Certificate trains students to provide technical assistance, support, and advice to customers and other users. The goal of this program is to prepare students to apply geospatial problem-solving techniques to problems in the workplace. Geospatial problem solving brings together computing support, database technology, mapping, high resolution content, and computing resources to present data in new, visual ways to help analyze and solve problems. This occupational group includes technical support specialists and help desk technicians. These troubleshooters interpret problems and provide technical support for hardware, software, and systems. In smaller firms, the support specialists will solve a variety of computing problems to help businesses serve their customers. In addition, many organizations now have GIS content presented and maintained on web sites, and the GIS technician often maintains and uses that information.
Occupational Objectives: Skills Upgrading for Office Personnel, Technical Support Specialist, Computer Support Specialist, Office Automation Specialist, Office Computing Liaison, Geographic Information Systems Technician.
Admission Requirements: Students must meet general admission requirements established by the College. General keyboarding and computer skills are required.
| Course | Description | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Term | ||
| GIS 101 | Introduction to Geospatial Technology I | 3 |
| GIS 102 | Introduction to Geospatial Technology II | 3 |
| GIS 200 | Geographical Information Systems I | 3 |
| GIS Elective | GIS Approved Electives (see Note 1) | 6-8 |
| Total Program Credits | 15-17 | |
Note 1 – The GIS Electives can be technical electives or application electives based on student needs. Acceptable technical elective courses are GIS 201, GIS 215, ITE 140 or ITE 150. ITE 55 can also be chosen, but only if the student passes a Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification test. Any GIS prefix or titled course can also be used in this requirement. Acceptable application electives would be those classes enhanced by the faculty to include a significant GIS application component. The current courses in this category are ENV 230, BIO 270, ITE 130, and CSC 110. The two science classes and GIS 215 are 4 credits each, which accounts for the credit hour variation. With prior approval of the program advisor, the elective credits can also be a sequence of courses (part I and II) from an area the student wishes to use to develop GIS projects.
Note 2 – Students working in the GIS field may be able to use these courses to count toward professional certification. Students are encouraged to visit the GIS Certification Institute for more information. GIS 101 is the only GIS prefixed course offered by Camp as an online course. All other GIS courses are offered in a traditional or hybrid classroom format. This includes institute style offerings of GIS 102 and 200 to accommodate the needs of working professionals.