Information Technology Specialist
College of Rural Alaska
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
Certificate; A.A.S. Degree
Minimum Requirements for Certificate: 32-33 credits; for A.A.S. Degree: 60 credits
The certificate program trains students in the entry-level skills required to provide microcomputer support in educational, governmental and corporate settings, or to begin their own enterprises in the field.
The A.A.S. degree program builds on the certificate program through additional general education and skill development in microcomputer support. Graduates 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.
- Complete the general university requirements.
- Complete the following certificate requirements (or demonstrate competency):
ENGL 111X—Introduction to Academic Writing (3)
or CIOS 160—Business English (3)
or approved applied written communication course (3) 2-3 credits
ABUS 155—Business Math (2)
or CIOS 116—Business Math Using Calculators (3)
or approved math course at the 100-level or above (3) 3 credits
ABUS 154—Human Relations (3)
or approved human relations course (3) 3 credits
- Complete the following core courses:
CIOS 110—Microcomputer Operating Systems** (3)
or CIOS 212—Advanced Microcomputer Operating Systems (3) 3 credits
CIOS 210—Hardware and Software Configuration and Troubleshooting*** 3 credits
CIOS 211—Computer Technical Support*** 3 credits
CIOS 245—Networking and Communications*** (3)
or CIOS 247—Advanced Networking and Communications (3) 3 credits
CIOS 276—Independent Project*** (3)
or CIOS 282—Cooperative Work Experience*** (3) 3 credits
- Complete 9 credits from the following (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 the Internet 3 credits
CIOS 212—Advanced Microcomputer Operating Systems 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 246—Advanced Internet 3 credits
CIOS 247—Advanced Networking and Communications 3 credits
CIOS 251—Integrated Software 3 credits
CIOS 255—Microcomputer Graphics 3 credits
CIOS 256—Internet Authoring and Design 3 credits
CIOS 270—Microcomputer Programming 3 credits
CIOS 275—Information Technology: Special Topics **** 3 credits
- Pass a certification review of the following skill areas:
Application Skills
Networking Skills
Hardware and Software Configuration and Troubleshooting Skills
Independent Thinking Skills
Human Relations and Support Skills - Minimum credits required 32-33
- Complete the general university requirements.
- Complete the A.A.S. degree requirements (As part of the human relations requirement complete ABUS 154 or approved human relations course.)
- Complete the following core courses:*
CIOS 110—Microcomputer Operating Systems** (3)
or CIOS 212—Advanced Microcomputer Operating Systems (3) 3 credits
CIOS 210—Hardware and Software Configuration and Troubleshooting*** 3 credits
CIOS 211—Computer Technical Support*** 3 credits
CIOS 245—Networking and Communications*** (3)
or CIOS 247—Advanced Networking and Communications (3) 3 credits
CIOS 276—Independent Project*** (3)
or CIOS 282—Cooperative Work Experience*** (3) 3 credits
- 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 the Internet 3 credits
CIOS 212—Advanced Microcomputer Operating Systems 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 246—Advanced Internet 3 credits
CIOS 247—Advanced Networking and Communications 3 credits
CIOS 251—Integrated Software 3 credits
CIOS 255—Microcomputer Graphics 3 credits
CIOS 256—Internet Authoring and Design 3 credits
CIOS 270—Microcomputer Programming 3 credits
CIOS 275—Information Technology: Special Topics **** 3 credits
- Complete CIOS electives* 6 credits
- Complete general electives (may be CIOS courses) 6 credits
- Pass a certification review of the following skill areas:
Application Skills
Networking Skills
Hardware and Software Configuration and Troubleshooting Skills
Independent Thinking Skills
Human Relations and Support Skills - Minimum credits required 60
* 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 constitute 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.