Technical Support and Networking Specialist

The Technical Support and Networking Specialist Certificate of Achievement is designed for students who wish to learn the essential skills to become a Technical Support and Networking technician. The certificate focuses on developing skills for Technical support and networking. The students would also be able to freelance or establish their own business in this field.  Upon completion of all required courses, students will have the basic skills to compete for entry level positions as Technical Support and Networking technicians, and will be able to use up-to-date technology and network techniques currently used by many technical professionals to analyze business situations and devise appropriate technical solutions to solve a variety of technical and networking issues.  

In the proposed TOP code 070810, the completion rates are good.  According to the Chancellors office Data Mart, the number of certificates issued in the past 2 academic years statewide in TOP code 070810 is 476, with an annual average of 238.  Within the LAOCRC service area, the annual average is 50 (101/2), representing approximately 21% of the state completers. By taking an average of annual enrollment in specific key courses which are included in this proposed certificate (CIS 119 has an average of 16, CIS40 has an average of 22, and CIS 11 has an average of 13), the estimated annual completers at El Camino College is approximately 17.   

Prepare students with the knowledge and skills needed to become candidates as employees that utilize technical support and computer networking skills.

Provide students with an understanding of the various career paths that are available to them in the field of technical support and computer networking.

Provide students with an understanding of the critical importance of technical support and computer networking as it relates to a business environment.

Provide students with the knowledge and skills for a thorough understanding of Technical Support and Computer Networking, with a focus on computer fundamentals, technical knowledge, network issues, communication skills, and other technical aspects of computer networking.

Assist students to achieve a competitive level of performance appropriate to current performance requirements.

Prepare students with the skills and knowledge needed to seek and obtain entry level positions as a Technical Support and Networking Technician in any industry.

Introduce the students to policies, standards, and procedures required in a technical environment.

Promote the development and use of curriculum that fosters creative and analytical thinking, along with problem solving skills, in alignment with the institutions learning outcomes.

Technical Support and Computer networking are one of the most important Information Technology solutions that can be implemented in a company. In addition to a multitude of connected computers that allows data and resource sharing, a good computer networking solution also permits storage of important business data in a centralized location allowing various computers to share and retrieve information. Additionally, it also enables data access from the other computers on the network, resulting in employee collaboration, increased productivity and work efficiency.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
CIS-13	Computer Information Systems	3	Y1/Fall
CIS-137	Computer Networking Fundamentals	3	Y1/Fall
CIS-40	Personal Computer Support and Networking	3	Y1/Spring
CIS-11	Helpdesk Operations	3	Y1/Spring
CIS-150	Cloud Computing with AWS	3	Y2/Fall
CIS-119	Introduction to Cybersecurity	3	Y2/Fall

The proposed Technical Support and Networking Specialist Certificate is completely new and unique at El Camino College and no CCC curriculum inventory was found. No certificate programs need to be inactivated or changed in connection with the approval of this Certificate of Achievement. This program is in addition to the various Computer Information Systems programs already in place and does not replace any programs. Additionally, this certificate does not replace any existing programs at El Camino College.

Coastline College - Computer Networking West Los Angeles College - Network Management Cerritos College - Network Technician Fullerton College - Networking Skills Cypress College - Advanced Networking Saddleback College - Networking

50 (district) and 238 (state)