Program Preparatory Courses and Departmental Requirements

1. ENG 87, ENG 88, ENG 99, IT 98, MATH 90, and MATH 97 are preparatory courses for the college-level work required of this major. To determine if students must complete these courses, see Course Descriptions beginning on page 152. These courses are non-matriculating and do not count toward credit hours required for graduation.
2. IT 120, Integrated Computer Applications is required the first semester. The competency prerequisite for this course indicates that students should have basic computer literacy including knowledge of the Windows® operating system. In addition, it is recommended that students who do not keyboard at a minimum speed of 20 correct words per minute without looking at the keyboard take IT 98, Introduction to Keyboarding, concurrently with IT 120.
3. Because of the need to stay current with technology, computer software courses must be taken within three (3) years of graduation, except IT 120, which must be taken within four (4) years of graduation.
4. To start in the IT Support Specialist certificate, students should have strong computer hardware and software competence including working knowledge of Microsoft Windows.
5. LE 100 Learning Techniques is recommended for all students with a high school grade point average of less than 3.0 and is recommended for all students needing improved college-level learning skills. LE 100 is required to be taken during the first semester for all students with a high school grade point average of 2.5 or less and for all students placed on academic probation the next semester and must be passed with a B- grade or higher. Students required to take LE 100 must enroll in that course to be allowed to enroll in other courses.
6. To continue in the IT Support Specialist Certificate, students must receive a B- or better in IT 182, Hardware/Software Support.
7. Students who have passed industry certification exams from Microsoft, Novell, CompTIA, or others may be able to test out of some of the IT courses by passing a practical exam administered by the IT Support Director. Check with the IT Support Director for more information.