Information Technology Specialist

College of Rural and Community Development
Bristol Bay Campus (907) 842-5109
Chukchi Campus (907) 442-3400
Interior-Aleutians Campus (907) 474-5439
Kuskokwim Campus (907) 543-4500
Northwest Campus (907) 443-2201
Tanana Valley Campus (907) 455-2800
www.tvc.uaf.edu/its/

Certificate; A.A.S. Degree

Minimum Requirements for Certificate: 32--33 credits; for A.A.S. Degree: 60 credits

Downloadable PDF (PDF 101K)

The certificate program trains students in essential skills required to effectively use and troubleshoot computer systems in educational, governmental and corporate settings. The certificate program is also designed to enable students to continue their education in the Information Technology Specialist A.A.S. or the Applied Business A.A.S. degree program.

The A.A.S. degree program builds on the certificate program through additional general education and skill development in information technology services. Students completing the A.A.S. degree are qualified for more advanced positions such as the state of Alaska's microcomputer/network specialist I and II.

As computer complexity increases, more and more employers are looking for workers with specific training in computer technology and support skills. The state of Alaska's microcomputer/network technician I and II are examples of such positions. Students not interested in employment opportunities may enroll in these programs to improve their computer skills.

Minimum computer knowledge is required for admission to either program. An individualized program of courses, projects, readings, practica and other activities is designed with the help of a faculty mentor based on the student's background and skill level. Students must achieve competency in applications, networking, troubleshooting, hardware and software configuration, and human relations and support.

This degree program is delivered collaboratively within the UA system.

Certificate Program

1. Complete the general university requirements.
2. Complete the following certificate requirements:
   ENGL 111X--Introduction to Academic Writing (3)
         or ABUS 170--Business English (3)
         or approved applied written communication course--3 credits
   ABUS 155--Business Math (2)
         or approved math course at the 100-level or above (3)--3 credits
   ABUS 154--Human Relations or approved human relations course--3 credits
3. Complete the following core courses*:
   CIOS 128--Using and Configuring PC Operating Systems
         or CIOS 110--Microcomputer Operating Systems**--3 credits
   CIOS 130--Microcomputer Word Processing--3 credits
   CIOS 135--Microcomputer Spreadsheets--3 credits
   CIOS 146--Using Internet Tools and Technologies (3)
         or CIOS 246--Implementing Internet Tools and Technologies--3 credits
4. Complete 9 credits from the following (or demonstrate competency)*:
   CIOS 105--Computer Software Applications--3 credits
   CIOS 110--Microcomputer Operating Systems--3 credits
   CIOS 133--Microcomputer Presentation Software--3 credits
   CIOS 210--Hardware and Software Configuration and Troubleshooting--3 credits
   CIOS 233--Desktop Publishing--3 credits
   CIOS 240--Microcomputer Databases--3 credits
   CIOS 246--Implementing Internet Tools and Technologies--3 credits
   CIOS 251--Integrated Software--3 credits
   CIOS 255--Microcomputer Graphics--3 credits
   CIOS 256--Internet Authoring and Design--3 credits
   CIOS 275--Information Technology: Special Topics ****--3 credits
5. Complete CIOS electives--3 credits
6. Pass a certification review of the following skill areas:
   Application Skills
   Operating System Skills
   Hardware Skills
   Networking Skills
   Troubleshooting Skills
7. Minimum credits required  32--33 credits

Major--A.A.S. Degree

1. Complete the general university requirements.
2. Complete the A.A.S. degree requirements. (See As part of the human relations requirement complete ABUS 154 or approved human relations course.)
3. Complete the following core courses:*
   CIOS 110--Microcomputer Operating Systems** (3)
         or CIOS 212--Advanced Microcomputer
   Operating Systems--3 credits
   CIOS 210--Hardware and Software Configuration and Troubleshooting***--3 credits
   CIOS 211--Computer Technical Support***--3 credits
   CIOS 244--Introduction to Network Support and Administration (3)
         or CIOS 245--Introduction to Networking and LAN Infrastructure*** (4)
         or CIOS 247--Advanced Networking and Communications--3 credits
   CIOS 276--Independent Project***
         or CIOS 282--Cooperative Work Experience***--3 credits
4. Complete 15 credits from the following degree (major) requirements (or demonstrate competency):*
   CIOS 105--Computer Software Applications****--3 credits
   CIOS 130--Microcomputer Word Processing--3 credits
   CIOS 133--Microcomputer Presentation Software--3 credits
   CIOS 135--Microcomputer Spreadsheets--3 credits
   CIOS 146--Using Internet Tools and Technologies--3 credits
   CIOS 212--Advanced Microcomputer Operating Systems--3 credits
   CIOS 214--IT Troubleshooting Skills--3 credits
   CIOS 215--Information Technology Certification I--3 credits
   CIOS 216--Information Technology Certification II--3 credits
   CIOS 217--Information Technology Certification III--3 credits
   CIOS 218--Information Technology Certification IV--3 credits
   CIOS 233--Desktop Publishing--3 credits
   CIOS 234--Advanced Desktop Publishing--3 credits
   CIOS 240--Microcomputer Databases--3 credits
   CIOS 242--Advanced Databases--3 credits
   CIOS 245--Networking and LAN Infrastructure Basics--4 credits
   CIOS 246--Implementing Internet Tools and Technologies--3 credits
   CIOS 247--Advanced Networking and Communications--3 credits
   CIOS 249--Routers and Routing Basics--4 credits
   CIOS 251--Integrated Software--3 credits
   CIOS 255--Microcomputer Graphics--3 credits
   CIOS 256--Internet Authoring and Design--3 credits
   CIOS 257--Digital Video--3 credits
   CIOS 258--Digital Photography--3 credits
   CIOS 270--Microcomputer Programming--3 credits
   CIOS 271--Web Databases and Programming--3 credits
   CIOS 275--Information Technology: Special Topics ****--3 credits
5. Complete CIOS electives*--9 credits
6. Complete general electives (may be CIOS courses)--6 credits
7. Pass a certification review of the following skill areas:
   Application Skills
   Operating Systems Skills
   Hardware Skills
   Networking Skills
   Troubleshooting Skills
   Independent Thinking Skills
   Human Relations and Support Skills
   Professional Practices
   Project Management and Implementation
8. Minimum credits required--60 credit
   * Student must earn a C grade or better in each course.
   ** May be satisfied through credit by exam or prior learning.
   *** May not be satisfied through credit by exam or prior learning under any circumstances and constitutes a culminating experience for the course sequence.
   **** May be repeated for different topics.
   Note: Upon admission to the certificate or degree program, each student will be assigned a mentor/committee chairperson who will be responsible for determining the student's current level of competency in the various skill areas; assisting the student in determining the courses/experiences necessary for gaining competency in the deficient skill areas; setting up the student's committee to consist of the mentor and at least one other individual who may be a UA faculty member, an adjunct faculty member, or an expert in the student's community; arranging for practica experiences in the student's community; and organizing the committee's final assessment of the student's work and recommending award of the certificate or degree.
   Note: A 9 credit core sequence, required of all students no matter what their level of expertise, will be assessed by a committee of permanent and adjunct faculty for the final granting of the certificate or degree.