Computer Support Specialist

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Do you enjoy working with technology and feel a sense of satisfaction when helping others? Computer support specialists use the combination of information technology, problem solving, and customer service soft skills to help individuals and organizations overcome technical challenges and maintain productivity. In the Computer Support Specialist program, we take pride in teaching and learning these skill sets needed to be successful in the IT support field. At the College of Western Idaho (CWI), we will develop your understanding of technology from the ground up giving you the computer, networking, and security knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the IT support industry.

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.

What You Will Learn to Do

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

Clubs

Business Professionals of America

Business Professionals of America is the leading CTSO (Career and Technical Student Organization) for students pursuing careers in business management, office administration, information technology and other related career fields. BPA has 43,000...

Gaming Club

The gaming club is a club for everyone who plays games, whether that be video games, board games, tabletop, or even card games. Our goal is to help better establish the gaming community here at CWI, and show the students that there are a lot of...

Degrees and Certificates

Computer Support Specialist - Associate of Applied Science Degree

YEARS

AAS

Course Delivery Styles: In-Person
*See the Course Delivery Styles page for details about class options

Plan of Study - Fall Start

View Full Catalog

Computer Support Specialist - Advanced Technical Certificate

YEARS

ATC

Course Delivery Styles: In-Person
*See the Course Delivery Styles page for details about class options

Plan of Study - Fall Start

View Full Catalog

Computer Support Specialist - Intermediate Technical Certificate

YEAR

ITC

Course Delivery Styles: In-Person
*See the Course Delivery Styles page for details about class options

Plan of Study - Fall Start

View Full Catalog

Important Dates for Credit Programs


	Summer 2022	Fall 2022	Spring 2023
Priority Registration Begins¹	n/a	April 11	November 14
Open Registration Begins	February 28	April 18	November 21
Financial Aid Priority Deadline	May 14	July 30	December 17
Admission Deadline²	May 28	August 13	January 7
Last Day to Register for Classes	June 3	August 19	January 13
Tuition and Fees Due	June 3	August 19	January 13
Classes Begin³	June 6	August 22	January 17
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 Academic Calendar 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 Academic Calendar 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 Advising or contact One Stop Student Services 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.

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

Financial Aid Available

Did you know that as a student in this program you may be eligible for financial aid? Through grants, scholarships, 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 Financial Aid.

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 Tuition and Fees for more information.

The Computer Support Specialist program will develop a technician’s 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: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists.htm

Professions

Computer Support Specialist
Computer Repair Technician
Help Desk Technician
Information Technology Specialist
Service Desk Analyst
MFP/Printer Repair Technician

Program Department Chair

Eric Miner

Interim Department Chair

Dept of Computer Science & Tec

208.562.2523

ericminer@cwi.edu

Instructor(s)

Bartt Anderson

Assistant Professor

Computer Support Specialist

208.562.2521

barttanderson@cwi.edu

Jeremy Noyes

Instructor

Computer Support Specialist

208.562.2524

jeremynoyes@cwi.edu

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. More on Title IX

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News and Blogs

Jessica Chapple, College of Western Idaho’s Staff of the Month for January 2022.

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