Degree and Certificate Programs

Computer Sciences and Information Technology

Computer Information Technology (Help Desk and Technical Support) (2268)

Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science

Help desk and technical support operations are an important part of computer operations in almost every company and organization today. The rapid growth of computer technology has created a need for help desk and technical support personnel. Many organizations centralize these functions for more efficient operations. Help desk and technical support may be provided internally to employees and outside the corporation to customers and vendors.

Help Desk and Technical Support Specialists provide technical support and business tool usage advice and guidance to other employees, vendors and business customers for computers, computer systems, software systems and peripheral equipment usage. These individuals troubleshoot and restore routine technical service and equipment troubles by analyzing, identifying and diagnosing errors, using established processes and procedures. They document events using database systems and they track resolution of problems. This degree prepares students for positions in help desk and technical support problem resolution at first level for problem resolution and second level for more complex problems.

FCCJ offers an A.S./A.A.S. Computer Information Technology (Help Desk and Technical Support) program of study that gives students experience in computer hardware, computer software, technical support, and problem solving and customer service skills. This program puts you on the fast track for careers in help desk support operations and technical support.

An internship experience is provided with this degree to allow work experience.

Note: Students have two degree alternatives in this program: The associate in science (A.S.) and the associate in applied science (A.A.S.). If you intend to pursue further education at the university level, you should enroll in the A.S. option. If you intend to go directly to work after completing your associate’s degree, consider the A.A.S. While the A.A.S. will not provide you with the articulation benefits of the A.S., the A.A.S. will provide you with the skills required to begin working in the field immediately upon graduation. If you are unsure of which option is best for you, please see an advisor for further counseling.

Required Courses

The following is a list of courses required for this program presented in a recommended sequence of completion. The sequence is only a suggested guide, and there is no requirement to follow the sequence precisely. Students in this program may register for any course as long as the student has met any prerequisites for that course. Where a “professional elective” is indicated in the course sequence, students may choose any course from the group of professional electives that follows the full course sequence.

Course Number and Title	Credits
CGS 1060 Introductory Computer Concepts	3
CGS 1260 Microcomputer Configuration	6
ENC 1101 English Composition I	3
SOP 1002 Human Relations	3
*Mathematics	3
OST 1384 Introduction to Customer Service	3
*Humanities	3
CGS 1570 Microcomputer Applications	3
OR
CGS 1100 Microcomputer Applications for Business and Economics (4 cr.)
ENC 1102 English Composition II	3
OR
SPC 2600 Fundamentals of Speech Communication
OR
SPC 2016 Speech Communication for Business and the Professions
OR
SPC 2040 Introduction to Oral Communications
GEB 1011 Introduction to Business	3
Professional Electives Group I	9
Professional Electives Group II	12
CIS 2401 Help Desk Support Operations	3
OST 1581 Professional Development in the Work Environment	3
CIS 1943 Internship	3
Total Credit Hours	63

Professional Electives Group I

CDA 2500 Introduction to Data Communications
COP 2612 Microcomputer Operating Systems
COP 2344 Introduction to Unix/Linux
COP 1341 Unix System Administration
CGS 2263 Computer Network Concepts and Operations
OR
CDA 2502 Computer Networks

Professional Electives Group II

OST 2771 Word Processing for Windows I
CGS 1580 Introduction to Desktop Publishing
CGS 2512 Spreadsheet Concepts and Practices
CGS 2542 Database Concepts for Microcomputers
CGS 2525 Introduction to Multimedia
CGS 2820 Web Site Design and Development
COP 1000 Introduction to Programming and Algorithm Design
CIS 2321 Information Systems
CGS 2555 Introduction to the Internet
OR
COP 2827 HTML Programming

*Refer to A.S. degree General Education Requirements.

Note: Students earning an A.S. degree must take MAC 1105, MGF 1106 or a higher level mathematics course. Students earning an A.A.S. degree must take MTB 1314, MAT 1033, or a higher level mathematics course.