The Technical Support Certificate of Achievement combines information technology courses that provide students with the fundamental skills necessary for entry-level computer technical support careers while preparing students for the A+, Security+ and Network+ entry-level industry-recognized certificates. Students wishing to advance their career in IT might consider advancing to the Computer Science Associate Degree with a focus on Networking and Security Options and/or certificates focused in security or networking. The certificate is intended to be completed in one year.

Based on approximate average enrollments in the courses that lead to a Technical Supportcertificate, it is projected that there will be 1-3 completers per year.

The Technical Support Certificate of Achievement is designed to provide students with the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to work in computer technical support positions and prepare for industry certification exams. The certificate encourages students to get started in entry-level IT courses and advance to more advanced and focused courses. 

Program Narrative for Technical Support Certificate, Hartnell College,Salinas, CA

Emily Gutierrez

March 10, 2021

1.     Program Goal – CTE

the technical Support Certificate of Achievement is designed to provide students with the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to work in computertechnical support positions and prepare for industry certification exams. Thecertificate encourages students to get started in entry level IT courses andadvance to more advanced and focused courses. 

2.     Catalog Description

The Technical Support Certificate of Achievement combines information technology courses that provide students with the fundamental skills necessary for entry level computer technical support careers while preparing students for the A+, Security+ and Network+ entry-level industry-recognized certificates. Students wishing to advance their career in IT might consider advancing to computer Science Associate Degree with a focus on Networking and SecurityOptions and/or certificates focused in security or networking. The certificate is intended to be completed in one year.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the Technical Supportcertificate, students will:

1.     Demonstrate the ability to communicate and present concepts of information Technology (IT).

2.     Demonstrate the ability to communicate and document problems, analysis, and a resolution process for technical-related issues.

3.     Demonstrate the ability to implement solutions to customers' technical problems that minimize risk and disruption to productivity.

 

 

3.     Program Requirements

Requirements for the technical Support Certificate               Units

CSS 169 Computer Maintenance and Repair                                     4

CSS 50 CCNA 1 Introduction to Networks                                           4

CSS 53 Computer Security Principles                                                 4
Choice of Electives:

BUS 43 BIS and Information Literacy
OR

CSS 57 Introduction to Linux                                                                   4

                     TotalUnits         16

Sequence of Courses

Requirements	Course ID	Course Title	Units	Sequence (Semester)
Required	CSS 50	CCNA1 Intro to Networks	4	Fall
Required	CSS 53	Computer Security Principles	4			Spring
Required	CSS 169	Computer Maintenance and Repair	4		Summer
Required	BUS 43 or CSS 57	Business Information Systems and Information Literacy or Introduction to Linux	4	BUS 43 (Fall)	CSS 57 Summer	BUS 43 (Spring)
		Total Units	16

 

Minimum required Math Class: MAT 106

Minimum required Eng Class:[1]  ENG 102

 

4.     Master Planning – how it fits in the mission, curriculum, and master planning of the college and higher education in California

This certificate aligns with the mission statement of the college which is,“Focusing on the education and workforce development needs of communities in the Salinas Valley, Hartnell College strengthens communities by providing opportunities for students to reach career and/or academic goals (associate degrees, certificates of achievement, transfer to four-year institutions) in an environment committed to student learning, achievement and success.”

This certificate was created under the Network and System Administration Associates to be more career-focused in one specific field of Information Technology. The courses were carefully selected to ensure students receive the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in careers related to computer support. The focus of this certificate is CTE and is a response to the shortage of qualified applicants and the growing demand for careers that need to be filled in Information Technology in the Salinas Valley area. Based on labor market information from the Centers of Excellence, there are  364 projected annual openings for computer User Support Specialists occupations for the Santa Cruz/Monterey region, and yet only 10 certificates and degrees were awarded by the community colleges within this region. This leaves a gap of 354 positions. (see attached report)

 

 

 

 

5.     Enrollment and CompleterProjections for Engineering Fundamentals Certificate Courses

	*2019-2020 Enrollments	*2019-2020 Retention	*2019-2020 Success
CSS 50 Intro to Networks	39	64%	62%
CSS 53 Computer Security Principles	15	67%	67%
CSS 169 Computer Maintenance and Repair	15	93%	67%
BUS 43 Business Information System and Information Literacy	256	81%	58%
CSS 57 Introduction Linux	NA	NA	NA

*Data based on PPA data provided by Institutional Research Office

**CSS 57 has not been offered yet

 

COMPLETERS

Based on approximate average enrollments in the courses that lead to a Technical Supportcertificate, it is projected that there will be 1-3 completers per year.

  

6.     Place of Program curriculum/Similar Programs

All of the courses in the Technical Support certificate already exist in the broader context of the Computer Science -  Network and Security option AS degree. The program currently has one degree as follows:

Award	Units Required
Computer Science – Network and Security option —Associate of Science Degree	36 units

 

The CS- Networking and Security option program is being revamped to use a scaffolding approach to achieve various levels of certificates leading up to a degree.

●      The Technical Support certificate will allow students to complete introductory courses.

●      The Cybersecurity certificate offers courses that allow students to advance within the security sector with some overlap of the TechnicalSupport certificate which are the introductory courses that allow students to advance into more advanced topics in security. 

●      The Cisco Certified Network Associate focuses solely on networking, with Intro to Networks being the only introductory course that overlaps with the cybersecurity and technical support certificates. The certificate is meant to prepare students for the CCNA exam for the sole purpose of advancing into a career in networking.

 

 

7.     Place of Program curriculum/Similar Programs

There are three other community colleges within a 35-mile radius of Hartnell College:

●      Monterey Peninsula College

●      Cabrillo College

●      Gavilan College

According to the CCCO Data Mart report, the average annual awards given for degrees information Technology for the 2016 – 2020 years were:

College	AS Degrees Awarded	Certificates requiring 30 to < 60 units	Certificate requiring 6 to < 18 units
Cabrillo	35	12	21
Gavilan	16	4	10
Hartnell	6	2	0
Monterey Peninsula	14	0	5

 

 

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
CSS-50	CCNA1 Intro to Networks	4	S1
CSS-53	Computer Security Principles	4	S2
CSS-169	Computer Maintenance and Repair	4	S3
BUS-43 or CSS-57	Business Information Systems and Information Literacy or  Introduction to Linux	4	S1 or S3

no

Gerlinde Brady Dean CTE Cabrillo ( would like to discuss advanced certificates in the future) Susan Sweeney, Dean CTE Gavilan (no response) Judith Cutting, Dean CTE Monterey Peninsula College (Just said thanks for the information)