What can I do with this?
The Information Technology Certificate
- Provides students with skills to enter the job market as help desk providers, computer support specialists, entry level programmers, networking technicians, information assurance technicians, and cybersecurity technicians.
- Prepares students to transfer to a Baccalaureate program in Computer Information Systems, Management Information Systems or related programs.
You can use this to:
- Earn a two-year Associates degree.
- Enhance career opportunities as a:
- Computer Programmer
- Computer Repair (A+ Certified)
- Computer Help Desk Support
- Computer Support Specialist
- Network Technician
- Information Assurance Technician
- Cybersecurity Technician
As technology advances, computer specialists are in more demand than ever before. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the computer information systems profession will grow at a faster than average rate through 2020, by 22 percent.
What will I learn?
- To demonstrate competency in client computing and user support including the ability to configure, install, diagnose, and support hardware and software issues.
- To demonstrate competency in database and information management including the ability to design, implement, query, and manage relational databases.
- To demonstrate competency in networking and convergence including the ability to design, analyze, and support computer networks.
- To demonstrate competency in problem solving, programming, and application development including the ability to design, test, debug, and implement complex computer programs.
- To demonstrate competency in working with servers, storage, and virtualization including implementing and evaluating network security solutions.
- To demonstrate an ability to read and interpret technical information, as well as communicate with and write clearly for wide ranges of audiences.
Program Learning Outcome Assessments
What courses do I take?
Note: Some courses within the major may have a required prerequisite. If you feel you have equivalent knowledge and skills to those included in the prerequisite course through professional experience, licensure, or certification, you have the opportunity to submit a Prerequisite Challenge to be reviewed by the faculty chair. For the Prerequisite Challenge to be considered, you must submit documentation/verification to substantiate the basis for the challenge. Please consult a counselor for more information regarding Prerequisite Challenge.
Complete all of the following courses:
C-ID: BUS 140 Business Information Systems, ITIS 120 Computer Information Systems
Advisory: ENGL C101
36 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. This course is an examination of information systems and their role in business. The course focuses on information systems, database management systems, networking, e-commerce, ethics and security, computer systems hardware, and software components.
C-ID: ITIS 110 Information & Communication Technology Essentials
Advisory: IT C101
54 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. This course provides an introduction to the computer hardware and software skills needed to help meet the growing demand for entry-level Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professionals. The fundamentals of computer hardware and software as well as advanced concepts such as security, networking, and the responsibilities of an ICT professional are introduced. This course prepares students for the CompTIA's A+ certification exam.
C-ID: ITIS 150 Computer Network Fundamentals
Advisory: IT C142 or 1 year equivalent building and/or maintaining computer systems which includes setting up equipment, installing software and repairing. Additional experience in setting up computers on a network is needed.
36 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. This course introduces the architecture, structure, functions, components, and models of the Internet and other computer networks. The principles and structure of IP (Internet Protocol) addressing and the fundamentals of Ethernet concepts, media, and operations are introduced to provide a foundation for further study of computer networks. It uses the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) layered models to examine the nature and roles of protocols and services at the application, network, data link, and physical layers. This course prepares students for the current version of CompTIA's Network+ certification exam.
C-ID: ITIS 160 Introduction to Information Systems Security
Advisory: IT C101 and IT C142, or 2 years equivalent experience in the Information Technology field
36 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. This course provides an introduction to the fundamental principles and topics of Information Technology Security and Risk Management at the organizational level. It addresses hardware, software, processes, communications, applications, and policies and procedures with respect to organizational Cybersecurity and Risk Management.
C-ID ITIS 130 Introduction to Programming Concepts and Methodologies
Prerequisite: IT C101
36 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. This course is an introduction to the fundamental concepts and models of application development including the basic concepts of program design, data structures, programming, problem solving, programming logic, and fundamental design techniques for event-driven programs. Students receive hands-on experience with a modern application programming language and development platform.
C-ID ITIS 180 Introduction to Database Management Systems
Prerequisite: IT C101. Advisory ENGL C070
36 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. This course provides the students with an introduction to the core concepts in data and information management. It is centered around the core skills of identifying organizational information requirements, modeling them using conceptual data modeling techniques, converting the conceptual data models into relational data models and verifying their structural characteristics with normalization techniques, and implementing and utilizing a relational database using an industrial-strength database management system. The course also covers basic database administration tasks and key concepts of data quality and data security. In addition to developing database applications, the course helps the students understand how large-scale packaged systems are highly dependent on the use of Database Management Systems (DBMSs). Building on the transactional database understanding, the course provides an introduction to data and information management technologies that provide decision support capabilities under the broad business intelligence umbrella.
Select 4-5 units from the following courses:
C-ID: MATH 110 Introduction to Statistics
Prerequisite: MATH C053 or MATH C055
54 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. This course covers data analysis using descriptive and inferential statistics. Graphs and computations include measures of central tendency and dispersion, correlation and regression, and presentation of data on a histogram, scatter plot, box plot, and the normal curve. Probability concepts include those for discrete and continuous random variables. Sampling and hypothesis testing are covered for means and variances. Topics from algebra are combined with applications in statistics in the lab portion of the class. This course applies to the degree requirements for students not majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields. Approved for IGETC Area 2, CSU GE Area B4, Local GE Area 4.
C-ID: MATH 110 Introduction to Statistics
Prerequisite: MATH C053 or MATH C055. Advisory: ENGL C101 Limitation on Enrollment: Acceptance to the Honors Program or eligibility for this honors course as determined by the instructor.
72 hours lecture/54 hours laboratory. This course covers elements of descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency, dispersion and presentation of data. Included are concepts of probability, random variables and normally distributed random variables. Sampling error, sampling processes and the distribution of sample means are applied to real life examples. Students will conduct hypothesis testing of means and proportions for one and two populations and linear regression testing using the least squares criterion. Students use descriptive and inferential methods employing linear regression and study one and two way analysis of variance. The honors section provides more content and requires greater intensity and depth of study than the non-honors class; the honors course also requires at least one extra research assignment. Approved for IGETC Area 2, CSU GE Area B4, Local GE Area 4.
Prerequisite: MATH C055
72 hours lecture. Finite Mathematics is designed for students majoring in Business/Economics, Computer Information Systems, and Social Sciences. Topics to be covered include matrices, linear programming, mathematics of finance, sets and Venn diagrams, descriptive statistics, probability and combinations. Approved for IGETC Area 2, CSU GE Area B4, Local GE Area 4.
C-ID: MATH 140 Business Calculus
Prerequisite: MATH C055
72 hours lecture. This course emphasizes the concepts of differential calculus and integral calculus as they relate to business and economics. The course integrates rates of change, interest formulas, concepts of demand and elasticity, as well as exponential and logarithmic applications. Approved for IGETC Area 2, CSU GE Area B4, Local GE Area 4.
Prerequisite: MATH C141, MATH C142
72 hours lecture. This course provides students with a foundation in differential and integral calculus with emphasis on both skills and applications. Topics include functions, limits, derivatives of polynomial, trigonometric, parametric, and implicit functions, applications of differentiation, the indefinite integral, the definite integral, and applications of the definite integral. Approved for IGETC Area 2, CSU GE Area B4, Local GE Area 4.
Program Pathways
All classes needed for this certificate are available at the following campuses: CC Online
See Counseling for specific help with enrolling and completing this major.
How can I afford it?
This certificate requires 23.0 units and will likely take 2 semesters.
Approximate Total Costs
CA Residents
23.0 units
at $46 per unit
Equals $1,058 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $1,380* for books and supplies
Total cost $2,438 for 2 semesters
Non-residents
23.0 units
at $388 per unit
Equals $8,924 in tuition and fees
Plus approximately $1,380* for books and supplies
Total cost $10,304 for 2 semesters
*This is an estimate. Actual costs will vary.
Need help? Financial Aid can help with fee waivers and scholarships and other aid. Make sure to fill out your FAFSA every January.
