Stark State’s help desk and computer support specialist program prepares you to provide technical support for computer systems, software and networks in a variety of workplace settings. You’ll build the skills needed to diagnose and resolve technical problems, assist users in person and remotely, and support today’s essential technologies. The program is ideal if you enjoy problem-solving, working with people and technology, and want a direct path into the IT workforce.
Major code: 5011 Business, Engineering, and Information Technologies Division Computer Science and Information Systems Department
The catalog in force is assigned to students based on the academic year they first applied to the college, and changes only when students change their major or request the change in writing. Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-28.
2026-27 Catalog
Effective Summer 2026
Some courses listed within the program may require a prerequisite or co-requisite.
Pre/Co-requisites will be listed within each course hyperlink below.
Refer to Policy No. 3357:15-13-04 and 3357:15-13-05
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | ||
| AOT226 | Spreadsheet - Microsoft Excel | 3 |
| CIS125 | Data Analysis and Decision Making | 3 |
| CIS221 | Generating Reports for Decision Making | 3 |
| CIS224 | Advanced Help Desk | 3 |
| CPD123 | Structured Query Language | 3 |
| CPD224 | Microsoft SQL Server Database Administration | 3 |
| CSE236 | Analyzing Software Requirements and Developing Solutions | 3 |
| NET120 | PC Upgrading and Maintenance | 3 |
| NET118 | Network Basics | 3 |
| or NET121 | Introduction to Computer Networking | |
| NET131 | Microsoft Client Operating System | 3 |
| NET244 | Microsoft Networking I | 3 |
| Non-technical | ||
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Effective Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Small Group Communication | ||
| CIS121 | Help Desk and Computer Support Concepts | 3 |
| CIS126 | Fundamentals of Information Systems | 3 |
| CPD121 | Data Modeling Database Design | 3 |
| CSE122 | Programming Logic and Problem Solving | 3 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| MTH118 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| or MTH124 | Statistics | |
| WDD121 | Internet Design and Development | 3 |
| Select one (1) Arts & Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| Select one (1) Social and Behavioral Sciences Electives | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 64 | |
Students completing this degree may be eligible to also receive a Computer Maintenance & Desktop Support Technician One-Year Certificate (5026) and a Management Information Systems – Help Desk and Computer User Support Career Enhancement Certificate (5030).
Full-time Student Advising Notes
Academic Advising
Students should make an appointment to see their advisor before registering for classes each semester. They should have prepared a completed registration form, including courses they wish to take, prior to this meeting.
Course Sequence
The semester-by-semester listing below provides the normal scheduling option for full-time associate degree students who plan to finish in two years.
| First Semester | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| SSC101 | Student Success Seminar | 1 |
| CIS121 | Help Desk and Computer Support Concepts | 3 |
| CIS126 | Fundamentals of Information Systems | 3 |
| CPD121 | Data Modeling Database Design | 3 |
| NET120 | PC Upgrading and Maintenance | 3 |
| NET118 or NET121 |
Network Basics or Introduction to Computer Networking |
3 |
| Hours | 16 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CIS224 | Advanced Help Desk | 3 |
| CPD123 | Structured Query Language | 3 |
| CSE122 | Programming Logic and Problem Solving | 3 |
| ENG124 | College Composition | 3 |
| MTH118 or MTH124 |
Quantitative Reasoning or Statistics |
3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Semester | ||
| AOT226 | Spreadsheet - Microsoft Excel | 3 |
| CIS221 | Generating Reports for Decision Making | 3 |
| CIS125 | Data Analysis and Decision Making | 3 |
| CPD224 | Microsoft SQL Server Database Administration | 3 |
| NET131 | Microsoft Client Operating System | 3 |
| WDD121 | Internet Design and Development | 3 |
| Hours | 18 | |
| Fourth Semester | ||
| Arts Humanities Elective | 3 | |
| Social Behavioral Sciences Elective | 3 | |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Effective Speaking | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Small Group Communication | ||
| NET244 | Microsoft Networking I | 3 |
| CSE236 | Analyzing Software Requirements and Developing Solutions | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 64 | |
Arts & Humanities Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ENG233 | British Literature: Medieval to 1785 | 3 |
| ENG234 | British Literature: 1785 to Present | 3 |
| ENG236 | American Literature: Colonial to 1865 | 3 |
| ENG237 | American Literature: 1865 to Present | 3 |
| HIS121 | United States History I to 1877 | 3 |
| HIS122 | United States History II from 1877 | 3 |
| PHL122 | Ethics | 3 |
Social and Behavioral Sciences Electives
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PSC121 | United States Government and Politics | 3 |
| PSY121 | General Psychology | 3 |
| PSY123 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| PSY124 | Industrial/Organizational Psychology | 3 |
| PSY221 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| SOC121 | Sociology | 3 |
| SOC122 | Society and Technology | 3 |
| SOC123 | Dynamics of the Family | 3 |
| SOC221 | Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC225 | Diversity in American Society | 3 |
Program Learning Outcomes
This program is designed to prepare students to demonstrate the following learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate the ability to repair personal computers (PCs).
- Demonstrate understanding of networking fundamentals.
- Apply critical thinking skills to develop efficient algorithmic solutions to solve problems effectively.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply structured programming techniques and languages to create software and web solutions.
- Design, create, and manipulate a relational database.
- Manipulate data to generate data-driven and customized reports.
- Identify and apply Help Desk best practices including processes and procedures, tools and technologies, and the responsibilities of Help Desk analysts.
- Demonstrate professionalism and leadership skills as well as the ability to work individually and in diverse team settings.