Program Worksheet-Computer Support Specialist, AAS Fall 2023
Computer Support Specialist
A.A.S. Degree
Computer Support Specialist
As both small and large firms across all industries expand and develop their computer systems, there is a growing need for computer support specialists. Graduates of this program can install, test, upgrade, and maintain computer hardware and software as well as troubleshoot hardware and software problems. They will be ready for employment in computer support, training, or help desk positions.
Students will develop the skills and knowledge needed to install, maintain and repair computers. They will also develop critical thinking and communication skills that will be essential for providing high quality support services to computer users. In addition to computer applications and computer information systems courses that cover key areas of computer information systems and technology, there are three required courses dedicated to computer support.
CSS 112-Hardware Repair and Maintenance and CSS 212-Help Desk and User Support both include hands-on learning experiences. The fourth semester internship (CSS 240) provides opportunities to apply technical concepts and use interpersonal skills.
Careers on Career Coach
Transfer Options
While intended for students who plan to immediately work in the computer support field after graduation, many of the credits earned in this program should be accepted for transfer to a related four-year degree program in computer and/or information technology. Recent graduates have continued their education at:
- Keuka College
Degree Requirements
A.A.S.
Minimum Credits for Graduation:
60 credits
Fall Term 1
| CAPS111, Introduction to Word Processing, 1 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CAPS121, Introduction to Spreadsheets, 1 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CAPS123, Advanced Spreadsheets, 1 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CSS112, Hardware Repair and Maintenance, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| ENGL100, Academic Writing I, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| Choose one from the courses listed below: Minimum credits required: 3
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Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
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Use Schedule Search for electives |
Spring Term 1
| BUAD106, Foundations of Business, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CAPS131, Introduction to Databases, 1 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CAPS133, Advanced Databases, 1 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CAPS152, Web Page Design, 1 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CIS132, Network Design, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CIS214, Systems Analysis and Design, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| ENGL101, Academic Writing II, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
Fall Term 2
| BUAD203, Business Communications, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CIS215, Operating Systems, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CIS220, Database Concepts, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| CSS212, Help Desk and User Support, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| ENGL103, Report Writing, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
Spring Term 2
| CSS240, Computer Support Specialist Internship, 3 cr. | Schedule: Sp, Su, Fa, Wi |
| Choose one from the courses listed below: Minimum credits required: 3
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Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
ARAB@ ART101, Art History: Ancient to Early Medieval, 3 cr. ART102, Art History: Renaissance to Contemporary , 3 cr. ART104, History of Photography and Video, 3 cr. ASL101, Beginning American Sign Language I, 3 cr. ASL102, Beginning American Sign Language II, 3 cr. CHIN@ CRJU217, Ethics in Criminal Justice, 3 cr. ENGL@ ENVS105, Environmental Ethics, 3 cr. ENVS112, Food Systems III: Identity, Ethics, and Culture in the Global Food System, 3 cr. ESL101, English as a Second Language I, 8 cr. ESL103, English as a Second Language II, 8 cr. ESL120, Writing and Grammar III, 4 cr. ESL121, Reading & Vocabulary III, 4 cr. FREN@ GERM@ HUMN@ ITAL@ MUSI101, Music Appreciation, 3 cr. MUSI108, Music Theory I, 3 cr. MUSI109, Music Theory II, 3 cr. PHIL@ RECR270, Wilderness and the American Culture, 3 cr. RUSN@ SOCE258, Creative Nonfiction Writing, 3 cr. SPAN@ WGST248, Contemporary Women Writers, 3 cr. |
Use Schedule Search for electives |
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Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
ASTR@ BIOL@ CHEM@ CSCI160, Computer Science I, 3 cr. CSCI165, Computer Science II, 3 cr. CSCI205, Computer Science III-Data Structures, 3 cr. ENVS101, Introduction to Environmental Science, 3 cr. ENVS102, Technology and the Environment, 3 cr. ENVS116, Soil Science, 3 cr. ENVS141, Agroecology, 3 cr. ENVS202, Integrated Pest Management, 3 cr. GEOL@ METR@ PHSC@ |
Use Schedule Search for electives |
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Select a minimum of 3 credits from the courses listed below:
ANTH@ COMM101, Mass Media, 3 cr. COMM225, Communication Law and Ethics, 3 cr. CRJU104, Introduction to Corrections, 3 cr. CRJU105, Introduction to Criminal Justice, 3 cr. ECON@ EDUC295, Foundations of Education, 3 cr. ENGL201, Public Speaking, 3 cr. ENGL204, Interpersonal Communication, 3 cr. ENVS295H, Global Seminar-Honor, 3 cr. ENVS107, Economy, Society & Environment, 3 cr. ENVS108, Environmental Psychology, 3 cr. ENVS110, Food Systems I: Introduction to the U.S. Food System, 3 cr. ENVS111, Food System II: Food Movements, 3 cr. GEOG@ HSTY@ POSC@ PSYC@ RECR150, Play Across Cultures, 3 cr. SOCE@ SOCI@ WGST@ |
Use Schedule Search for electives |
SUNY General Education and Tompkins Cortland Liberal Arts courses
Note: The @ symbol represents any course number or discipline. For example, BIOL @ means any course with a Biology course prefix. An @ alone means one course in any course discipline with any course number.
Student Showcase
Jennifer Knowles
Why did you choose to attend Tompkins Cortland? I was ready to make a better future for myself and my family and I had heard that TC3 was a great Community College.
Who at TC3 has had the greatest positive impact on your experience? I have earned 3 degrees from Tompkins Cortland so I can’t just choose one person along the way. Ken Whitener encouraged me to keep trying when I wanted to quit while working on my first degree; Computer Science. I figured out that I wanted to be in the CSS and CIS area so I could work with helping others and with technology; Patty V, Chris A, and Olivia H pushed me to finish these degrees and continue with my Bachelors.
What were your involvements on campus as a student? I was a student tutor in the library’s tutoring center joined the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, but being the mother of 4 boys did not leave a lot of spare time to participate other than providing treats for bake sales.
How did your student/employee experience at Tompkins Cortland prepare you for what you are going on to do? As the project assistant I was a major part of setting up and supporting the lecture capture smart rooms and got a lot of experience and with new equipment, troubleshooting and teaching others how to use it.
What is the name of your (new) employer and job title? Technology Support Generalist at CBORD, a software company in Ithaca