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2024-2025 Academic Catalog

Computer Support Specialist, Diploma

Overview

Offered at the Augusta Campus.

Entrance Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer
Length of Program: Four Terms
Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 55

Program Description: The Computer Information Systems - Computer Support Specialist diploma program is designed to provide students with an understanding of the technical areas of computer support of the desktop work environment, including terminology and concepts, program design and development, and computer networking. Program graduates receive a Computer Information Systems - Computer Support Specialist diploma and are qualified for employment as computer support specialists. High school graduation or GED is required for admission to this program.

Employment Opportunities: Today, the majority of service and industrial companies uses standalone and networked computing systems. Computers are sophisticated and require highly trained technicians to install, troubleshoot and support desktop work environments. The demand for technicians with computer skill to meet business needs is expected to continue to grow according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Curriculum Outline

General Core Courses, 8 credits

EMPL 1000INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2

ENGL 1010FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGLISH I

3

MATH 1012FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

3

Occupational Courses, 47 credits

COLL 1060INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE AND COMPUTERS

3

CIST 1001COMPUTER CONCEPTS

4

CIST 1122HARDWARE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

4

CIST 1305PROGRAM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

3

CIST 1601INFORMATION SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS

3

CIST 2130DESKTOP SUPPORT CONCEPTS

4

Computer Operating Systems Course, 3 credits

CIST 1130OPERATING SYSTEMS CONCEPTS

3

CIST 1135OPERATING SYSTEMS AND VIRTUAL/CLOUD COMPUTING

4

CIST 2411MICROSOFT CLIENT

4

CIST 2431UNIX/LINUX INTRODUCTION

4

Database Course, 3 credits

CIST 1220STRUCTURED QUERY LANGUAGE

4

CIST 2129COMP DATABASE TECHNIQUES

4

Introductory Networking Course, 4 credits

CIST 1401COMPUTER NETWORKING FUNDAMENTALS

4

CIST 2451INTRODUCTION TO NETWORKS - CISCO

4

Office Productivity Course, 3 credits

CIST 2127COMP WORD PROCESSING TECHNIQUE

3

CIST 2128COMP SPREADSHEET TECHNIQUES

3

CIST 2129COMP DATABASE TECHNIQUES

4

Note:

BUSN 1400 may be substituted for CIST 2127.

BUSN 1410 or BUSN 2130 may be substituted for CIST 2128.

BUSN 1420 may be substituted for CIST 2129.

CIST Electives, 12 credits

CIST 1135OPERATING SYSTEMS AND VIRTUAL/CLOUD COMPUTING

4

CIST 1220STRUCTURED QUERY LANGUAGE

4

CIST 1510WEB DEVELOPMENT I

3

CIST 1520SCRIPTING TECHNOLOGIES

4

CIST 2127COMP WORD PROCESSING TECHNIQUE

3

CIST 2128COMP SPREADSHEET TECHNIQUES

3

CIST 2129COMP DATABASE TECHNIQUES

4

CIST 2411MICROSOFT CLIENT

4

CIST 2412MICROSOFT SERVER INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

4

CIST 2431UNIX/LINUX INTRODUCTION

4

CIST 2432UNIX/LINUX SERVER

4

CIST 2451INTRODUCTION TO NETWORKS - CISCO

4

CIST 2452CISCO SWITCHING, ROUTING & WIRELESS ESSENTIALS

4

CIST 2453ENTERPRISE NETWORKING, SECURITY, AND AUTOMATION

4

CIST 2480AWS CLOUD FOUNDATIONS

4

CIST 2601IMPLEMENTING OPERATING SYSTEMS SECURITY

4

CIST 2602NETWORK SECURITY

4

CIST 2742BEGINNING PYTHON PROGRAMMING

4

CIST 2992CIST INTERNSHIP II

4

CIST XXXX
PROGRAMMING LANGUAGE(S)

4

Notes:

  • Additional Electives are available upon advisor approval.
  • A grade of “C” or higher is required for all courses.
  • CIST 2411 can be substituted for CIST 1130 and CIST 2451 can be substituted for CIST 1401.

Guided Pathway

You may click on any course below to view the course description and prerequisite information.

Students who do not follow the Course Sequence listed below may not be able to complete the program in the number of semesters shown.

Fall, Spring, and Summer Entrance

PROGRAM NAME: Computer Support Specialist Diploma

AWARD: Diploma

LOCATION: Augusta Campus

SCHEDULE TYPE: Day

Year 1 First Semester

CIST 1001COMPUTER CONCEPTS

4

COLL 1060INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE AND COMPUTERS

3

ENGL 1010FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGLISH I

3

MATH 1012FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

3

Year 1 Second Semester

CIST XXXX
COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEMS COURSE**

3

CIST XXXX
INTRODUCTORY NETWORKING COURSE**

4

CIST XXXX
OFFICE PRODUCTIVITY COURSE**

3

EMPL 1000INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2

**Please refer to the curriculum outline tab for CIST elective options.

Year 1 Third Semester

CIST 1122HARDWARE INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

4

CIST 1305PROGRAM DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

3

CIST 1601INFORMATION SECURITY FUNDAMENTALS

3

CIST XXXX
CIST ELECTIVE*

4

*Please refer to the curriculum outline tab for CIST elective options.

Year 2 Fourth Semester

CIST 2130DESKTOP SUPPORT CONCEPTS

4

CIST XXXX
CIST ELECTIVE**

4

CIST XXXX
CIST ELECTIVE**

4

CIST XXXX
DATABASE ELECTIVE**

4

**Please refer to the curriculum outline tab for CIST elective options.

 

Notes:

  • If a student intends to take Networking or Cybersecurity electives, they may want to take the semester 2 networking level operating systems (CIST 2411) and networking fundamentals (CIST 2451) courses.
  • CIST 2411 can be substituted for CIST 1130 and CIST 2451 can be substituted for CIST 1401.