Computer Support Specialist - Boise, United States - College of Western Idaho

Description

** Computer Support Specialist**

**You are here**

/ / **Background Check**

Students registered for Computer Support Specialist classes must complete a background check prior to the census date of the semester. Completion of the background check and fee is the responsibility of the student.

*Your advisor will have details on the process to complete the background check.*

Results of the background checks are confidentially retained by the Computer Support Specialist program at CWI. If derogatory information is found as a result of the background check, further review of the student in question may be required before beginning the Computer Support Specialist program. Derogatory information, which may preclude a student from entering the Computer Support Specialist program, includes a DUI in the past three (3) years or a felony. **Only students who have officially declared Computer Support Specialist as their chosen program should complete the background check**.

**Mission**

The College of Western Idaho (CWI) provides a Computer Support Specialist program that will prepare you with advanced, market-relevant skills that employers recognize and respect as well as opportunities to connect with a global community of industry professionals.

**Why This Program**

Every business has computers and their supporting hardware and software so IT support technicians will continue to be in demand. This program covers soft skills, such as customer service and professionalism, and skills needed for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals, A+, Network+, and Security+ certifications that will be taken during the course of the program. Attaining these certifications will show potential employers your ability to learn and readiness for the workplace and give you the confidence to excel in your career. Depending on your level of completion, you may earn an Intermediate Technical Certificate, Advanced Technical Certificate, or Associate of Applied Science degree in this field.

Develop the soft skills that assist the diagnosis of and solving of customer technology issues

Build, install, and maintain PCs, servers, networking equipment, and peripherals

Learn how to protect from and safely remove viruses, malware, and other threats from computers, networking components, and mobile devices

Train users to work with new computer hardware or software such as printers, word-processing software, and email

Test and evaluate existing wired and wireless network systems while performing regular maintenance and upgrades to ensure that networks operate correctly

Troubleshoot local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and Internet Systems

Evaluate the security posture of and secure IT hardware and software

**Requirements and Costs**

**Degrees and Certificates**

**Computer Support Specialist - Associate of Applied Science Degree**

2

YEARS AAS

Course Delivery Styles: In-Person

**Computer Support Specialist - Advanced Technical Certificate**

2

YEARS ATC

Course Delivery Styles: In-Person

**Computer Support Specialist - Intermediate Technical Certificate**

1

YEAR ITC

Course Delivery Styles: In-Person

**Important Dates for Credit Programs**

Summer 2021 Fall 2021 Spring 2022 n/a April 12 November 8 February 22 April 19 November 15 May 15 July 31 December 18 May 29 August 14 January 8 June 4 August 20 January 14 June 4 August 20 January 14 June 7 August 23 January 18 1 Priority registration is limited to continuing students. Students are assigned a registration time based upon their cumulative credits earned. Students should check myCWI and their CWI email to learn their assigned registration time. Students may register online anytime on or after their assigned registration time. 2 The admission deadline for international students is earlier than the deadline for non-international students and is only available during the fall and spring semesters. Please consult the for the international student admission deadlines for the fall and spring semesters. 3 Some classes begin before or after this date. Please refer to the *Registration and Refund Deadlines by Class Section Dates* (located beneath each semester) of the for more information. Please refer to our for more information. ** Skills, Traits, and Prep Classes**

Keyboarding

General computer skills

Ability to learn

Basic understanding of how computers work is helpful

Good communication and writing skills are helpful

Ability to troubleshoot complex problems is helpful

**Advising**

Navigating your way through college can be confusing, especially if you try to go it alone. CWI offers advising assistance to help in deciding which courses you need to take to reach your education and career goals. Visit or contact for more information.

**When preparing for a career in the area of information technology, a quality background check is essential for the protection of both the student and the training institution.** Information technology professionals are held to a higher standard than many professionals which is why many employers will require a background check before hiring any new IT personnel. A background check will ensure that the Computer Support Specialist program conforms to industry standards with respect to the training of computer support specialists.

Results of the background checks are confidentially retained by the Computer Support Specialist program at CWI. If derogatory information is found as a result of the background check, further review of the student in question may be required before beginning the Computer Support Specialist program. Derogatory information, which may preclude a student from entering the Computer Support Specialist program, includes a DUI in the past three (3) years or a felony.

**Only students who have officially declared Computer Support Specialist as their chosen program should complete the background check.** If you have questions, please .

**Financial Aid Available**

, and loans, more than 60 percent of first-time, full-time CWI students receive some form of financial assistance. To learn more about financial aid options and whether you may be eligible, visit .

**Tuition and Fees**

Tuition for a full-time CWI student averages half the cost of a state university and a third of the cost of a private college. Tuition and fees vary based on program and residence. Visit for more information.

The Computer Support Specialist program will develop a technicians understanding from the ground up covering: electrical and mechanical components, industry tools, computer hardware and software, network infrastructure support and troubleshooting, plus server support and virtualization. The Computer Support Specialist program also covers soft skills such as customer service and professionalism, and provides the skills needed for the CompTIA IT Fundamentals, A+, PDI+, Network+, and Security+ certifications.

Upon completion of the full program, students will have taken their CompTIA IT Fundamentals, A+, Network+, and Security+ certification exams.

For more information on the Computer Support Specialist career field, its salary range and job growth, visit the US Bureau of Labor Statistics web site:

Computer Support Specialist

Computer Repair Technician

Help Desk Technician

Information Technology Specialist

Service Desk Analyst

MFP/Printer Repair Technician

** Respectful Community**

The College of Western Idaho is committed to maintaining a Respectful Community by providing equal opportunity for all individuals and does not discriminate in services, benefits, or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability status, veteran status, age, or any other legally protected status.