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

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Minimum Requirements for Certificate: 30 credits; for A.A.S. Degree: 60 - 61 credits

The Information Technology Specialist certificate and associate programs teach students how to use, support, implement, and troubleshoot the computer and information technology systems found in educational, governmental and corporate settings.

The certificate program focuses on teaching students the essential skills required to effectively use and troubleshoot computer and computer applications. Students completing the certificate program can 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 prepares individuals to implement, support, and troubleshoot computer and information technology systems and obtain employment as an IT professional. Associate degrees in computer technology support, network and system administration, and web development and administration are offered.

Students entering either the certificate or A.A.S. degree program should meet with a faculty advisor to discuss program content requirements and develop an education plan that matches the current skills and goals of the student. Students entering the certificate program are expected to have basic computer skills equivalent to CIOS F150. While not a requirement, it is recommended that students applying for admission into the associate program have computer experience equivalent to CIOS F128.

This degree program is delivered collaboratively within the UA system.

Certificate Program

  1. Complete the general university requirements.
  2. Complete the certificate requirements. (As part of the human relations requirement, complete ABUS F154 or ANTH F100X/SOC F100X or approved human relations course.)
  3. Complete the following program (major) requirements*:
    1. Complete the following essentials in computing courses:
      CIOS F128--Using and Configuring PC Operating Systems
           or CITS F201--Microcomputer Operating Systems Support--3 credits
      CIOS F130--Microcomputer Word Processing--3 credits
      CIOS F135--Microcomputer Spreadsheets--3 credits
      CIOS F146--Using Internet Tools and Technologies (3)
           or CITS F220--Implementing Internet Tools and Technologies--3 credits
    2. Complete 9 credits from the following or program coordinator approved:
      CIOS F133--Microcomputer Presentation Software (3)
      CIOS F189--Microcomputer Applications: Topics ** (3)
      CIOS F233--Desktop Publishing (3)
      CIOS F240--Microcomputer Databases (3)
      CIOS F255--Microcomputer Graphics (3)
      CIOS F258--Digital Photography (3)
      CITS F201--Microcomputer Operating Systems Support (3)
      CITS F202--Microcomputer Hardware Support (3)
      CITS F203--Information Technology Support Fundamentals (4)
      CITS F204--Introduction to Network Support and Administration (3)
      CITS F220--Implementing Internet Tools and Technologies (3)
      CITS F221--Graphics and Multimedia for the Web (3)--9 credits
      CITS F222--Internet Authoring and Design (3)
  4. Pass a certification review requiring students to demonstrate proficiency in the effective use of applications, operating systems, and the Internet.
  5. Minimum credits required--30 credits

Major -- A.A.S. Degree

Concentrations: Computer Technology Support, Network and System Administration, Web Development and Administration

Computer Technology Support

  1. Complete the general university requirements.
  2. Complete the A.A.S. degree requirements. (As part of the human relations requirement complete ABUS F154, ANTH F100X/SOC F100X or approved human relations course.)
  3. Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
    1. Complete the following computer technology support courses:
      CITS F201--Microcomputer Operating Systems Support (3)
           and CITS F202--Microcomputer Hardware Support (3)
           or CITS F203--Information Technology Support Fundamentals (4)--4-6 credits
      CITS F204--Introduction to Network Support and Administration (3)
           or CITS F241--Networking and LAN Infrastructure Basics--3-4 credits
      CITS F205--Introduction to Microcomputer Programming (3)
           or CS F103--Introduction to Computer Programming (3)
           or CS F201--Computer Science I (3)
           or CS F205--C Programming (3)--3 credits
    2. Complete 15-16 credits from the following or program coordinator approved:
      CITS F212--Server Operating Systems (3)
      CITS F219--Microcomputer Operating Systems: Topics ** (3)
      CITS F220--Implementing Internet Tools and Technologies (3)
      CITS F221--Graphics and Multimedia for the Web (3)
      CITS F222--Internet Authoring and Design (3)
      CITS F224--Web Scripting (3)
      CITS F225--Web Databases and Programming (3)
      CITS F228--Advanced Website Design and Development (3)
      CITS F240--System and Network Services Administration (3)
      CITS F241--Networking and LAN Infrastructure Basics (4)
      CITS F242--Routers and Routing Concepts (4)
      CITS F243--Intermediate Networking and LAN Infrastructure (4)
      CITS F244--Advanced Networking Infrastructure Services (4)
      CITS F249--Networking and Communications: Topics** (3)
      CITS F261--Computer and Information Security (3)
      CITS F265--Directory Services Administration (3)
      CITS F282--IT Troubleshooting Skills (3)
      CITS F289--Information Technology: Topics (1-3) **--15-16 credits
    3. Complete the following IT professional courses:
      CITS F281--Computer Technical Support--3 credits
      CITS F284--Independent Project (3)
           or CITS F285--Cooperative Work Experience (3)--3 credits
    4. Complete CIOS, CITS or CS electives--6 credits
  4. Complete general electives--4-8 credits
  5. Pass a certification review requiring students to demonstrate proficiency in the following skill areas: Operating Systems and Hardware Support and Troubleshooting; Network Support and Troubleshooting; Independent Thinking; Human Relations and Support; and Professional Practices.
  6. Minimum credits required--60 credits


Network and System Administration

  1. Complete the general university requirements.
  2. Complete the A.A.S. degree requirements. (As part of the human relations requirement complete ABUS F154 or ANTH F100X/SOC F100X or approved human relations course.)
  3. Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
    1. Complete the following system administration courses:***
      CITS F204--Introduction to Network Support and Administration--3 credits
      CITS F205--Introduction to Microcomputer Programming (3)
           or CS F103--Introduction to Computer Programming (3)
           or CS F201--Computer Science I (3)
           or CS F205--C Programming (3)--3 credits
      CITS F212--Server Operating Systems (3)--3 credits
      CITS F240--System and Network Services Administration--3 credits
      CITS F261--Computer and Information Security--3 credits
      CITS F265--Directory Services Administration--3 credits
    2. Complete the following network infrastructure courses:
      CITS F241--Networking and LAN Infrastructure Basics--4 credits
      CITS F242--Routers and Routing Concepts--4 credits
      CITS F243--Intermediate Networking and LAN Infrastructure--4 credits
      CITS F244--Advanced Network Infrastructure Services--4 credits
    3. Complete the following IT Professional courses:
      CITS F281--Computer Technical Support--3 credits
      CITS F284--Independent Project (3)
           or CITS F285--Cooperative Work Experience--3 credits
    4. Complete 6 credits of CITS or CS electives--6 credits
  4. Pass a certification review requiring students to demonstrate proficiency in the following skill areas: Network Infrastructure and System Administration Skills, Independent Thinking Skills, Human Relations and Support Skills, Professional Practices
  5. Minimum credits required--61 credits


Web Development and Administration

  1. Complete the general university requirements.
  2. Complete the A.A.S. degree requirements. (As part of the human relations requirement complete ABUS F154 or ANTH F100X/SOC F100X or approved human relations course.)
  3. Complete the following program (major) requirements:*
    1. Complete the following system administration courses:***
      CITS F204--Introduction to Network Support and Administration--3 credits
      CITS F205--Introduction to Microcomputer Programming (3)
           or CS F103--Introduction to Computer Programming (3)
           or CS F201--Computer Science I (3)
           or CS F205--Programming (3)--3 credits
      CITS F212--Server Operating Systems--3 credits
      CITS F240--System and Network Services Administration--3 credits
      CITS F261--Computer and Information Security--3 credits
      CITS F265--Directory Services Administration--3 credits
    2. Complete the following web development courses:
      CITS F220--Implementing Internet Tools and Technologies--3 credits
      CITS F221--Graphics and Multimedia for the Web--3 credits
      CITS F222--Internet Authoring and Design--3 credits
      CITS F224--Web Scripting--3 credits
      CITS F225--Web Databases and Programming--3 credits
      CITS F228--Advanced Website Design and Development--3 credits
    3. Complete the following IT Professional courses:
      CITS F281--Computer Technical Support--3 credits
      CITS F284--Independent Project (3)
           or CITS F285--Cooperative Work Experience--3 credits
    4. Complete 3 credits of CITS or CS electives--3 credits
  4. Pass a certification review requiring students to demonstrate proficiency in the following skill areas: Web Development and System Administration Skills, Independent Thinking Skills, Human Relations and Support Skills, Professional Practices
  5. Minimum credits required--60 credits

* Student must earn a C grade or better in each course.

** May be repeated for different topics.

*** Students are expected to have completed CITS F201 and F202 or CITS F203 or possess equivalent skills prior to beginning course work in this area.

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 practical 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.