General Questions

 

What courses should I take?

Use the Course Map to determine which courses to take.

For your first semester (both AAS degrees) take the top three courses listed along the top of the chart.

For your second semester (both AAS degrees) take the three courses listed in the second row.

For the Information Systems AAS choose the courses on the left side of the page, depending on what you want to specialize in.

For the Networking AAS choose the courses on the right side of the page (pink).

Pay close attention to when the courses are offered. Each box on the course map has an "S" for Spring or an "F" for Fall. Many of the advanced courses are only offered once each year, either Fall semester or Spring semester. If you drop a class or miss one it could put your degree off for over a year.

Here is a PDF file listing all the courses for each degree and certificate.
Course Plan if you start in Fall.
Course Plan if you start in Spring.

The course plan for the Web Programming Certificate is listed below.

What is the difference between an AA degree and an AAS degree?

Both of these are considered two-year degrees.

An Associate of Art (AA) degree covers the general education requirements of the first two years of a Bachelor Degree.

An Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree consists of technical credits as well as some general education credits. An AAS degree is focused on a specific trade or skill set such as computer programming or network support.

What is the difference between a degree, diploma, and certificate?

A degree includes both technical credits and general education credits. A diploma has only technical credits.

Employers prefer graduates with a degree because the general education credits (composition, speech, algebra, etc.) give students more of the "soft" skills needed in today's business environment.

A diploma is often earned by students who already have a bachelor degree and need training in a specific technical area. They have already earned their general education credits for their BA and only need the technical credits and possibly a few required courses such as Public Speaking and Composition.

A certificate is a group of specialized classes focused on a specific area. One example is the Web Programming Certificate. A certificate is often earned by established professionals who want to add another skill set to their resume. Or, a person working on one degree may decide to also earn a certificate to broaden their skill set for the job market.

What is the difference between Computer Science (CS) and Information Technology (IT) degree?

For computer degrees there are general two main types. An Computer Systems (CS) degree focuses more on theory and how to design operating systems. A CS student learns in great detail how a computer works, how a chip parses through language statements, what makes a computer language a computer language, and how data can be stored as a structure. Some courses normally include things such as Finite Automata Theory, Compiler Design, and Computer Architecture.

An Information System (IS) or Information Technology (IT) degree normally deals with more practical uses such as computer support, programming, and using operating systems (instead of writing them).

CS degrees generally require higher math skills such as calculus more math than an IS or IT degree.

In today’s market it seems that employers are more interested in graduates that know how to design and code. although some have told me that if a person understands the theory, they can always learn how to write in any language or work with any system.

The one thing I hear from almost every employer is not what classes you took or which degree you have, but what are your problem solving skills? What are your communication skills? Do you know how to learn on your own and use available resources? Are you passionate about what you do?

I am having a hard time distinguishing the differences between a web designer, web master, web programmer, and web developer.

A web designer normally does the layout, color, font, graphic stuff of a web site.

A web programmer or web developer writes the code that makes a web page happen. For example, a designer might design how a form is laid out and then give this idea (often as a PhotoShop or Illustrator file) to the programmer. The programmer than writes the code to make the form work when the user clicks on the submit button: saving data to a table, sending information as an email, creating and displaying a web page telling the user that something happened. (The web designer will probably dictate what that user-feedback web page will look like).

A web designer uses CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) while a web programmer uses tools such as PHP or ASP.NET (languages that run on a web server).

Based on these descriptions you can see that often a person can be both a web designer and web programmer. However, with larger web sites and organizations these two areas become more distinct and have people with different skills doing the particular jobs. Designers are usually more artistic and programmers are generally more technical and detail oriented. A designer’s work is seen and most often a programmers work is “behind the curtain”.

Skill sets for web designers include PhotoShop, DreamWeaver, InDesign, and Illustrator. Also a good sense of layout and design, psychology, and a strong understanding of human interfaces are important.

Skill sets for web programmers include PHP, ASP.NET, XML, Java, XHTML/CSS, Flex, DreamWeaver, Eclipse and/or Visual Studio, Linux. Understanding programming logic, database design, programming frameworks like WordPress and/or Drupal, and client/server relationships are all important skill areas.

A Web Master is more of a job description. Most web masters design and programming the web site or manage the designers and programmers that do the work. Who ever is in charge of the web site is normally considered the web master.

Can I take classes during the summer?

The Computer Careers only offers classes during the Fall (Aug-Dec) and Spring (Jan - May) semesters. We recommend that you take your general education classes during the summer semester.

Will I be able to get a job?
What about outsourcing?
What's the future look like for Computer Careers?

Right now (Fall 2009) there is a large and growing demand for competent Information Technology (IT) people. We get calls almost every week from employers needing programmers.

The highest demand seems to be in the web programming area and customer support as well as computer programming in general.

The job market is always changing. However, here's an article by one of our instructors that shows you where to search on the Web for the different classes you plan to take, "What are my courses worth?"  The results will give you a good picture of what is available in the job market today.

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Outsourcing has become a part of our business environment. It is part of being a global economy. Being able to send emails and view web pages from anywhere the world also makes it possible for people to program anywhere in the world.

The key is that there is a growing demand for people who can problem solve, create, communicate, and understand the business world. If you hone these skills as well as your technical abilities you too can program for anyone anywhere in the world. There's an excellent book, My Job Went to India, that outlines 52 things you can do to help you establish yourself in this new world of global opportunities.

Here are three PDF excerpts from the book:

• Be a generalist
• Be a specialist
• The Monkey Trap

The future? Well, for companies using mid-range and main frame systems (Wells Fargo, General Mills, West Publishing, Carlson Companies, insurance companies, and casinos) it is estimated that 30-50% of their programmers will be retiring before 2012. Many of these companies prefer American citizens to write and maintain their programs for both security and cultural reasons. COBOL is a great language to learn if you want to cash in on this niche of the market.

As the Web becomes more and more ubiquitous (it is found everywhere), there will be a continuing demand for web programmers. Everyone from entrepreneurs, small businesses and other organizations are discovering how critical it is to be available on the Web.

Also, if you look around you will notice that virtually every field relies on computers. There is growing demand for skills in the medical areas, banking and business, sales, and agriculture.

There is also a need for networking and computer hardware support although this seems to be leveling off and is not in the high demand that it was a few years ago.

Check out the South Central Job Postings to see what is available right now. Or do a search on Dice.com for web programmer, programmer, or networking to see what skills are needed in today's market place.

The bottom line is that the successful students with the soft skills (communication, problem-solving, business sense) and a passion for what they do are able to get work even before they graduate.

How many credits should I take?

12 credits is considered a full load. If you are on your parent's insurance policy, there may be a requirement that you take a full load to be considered a full-time student.

However, the number of credits you take should depends on your life. The key is to find a balance between your family, your job, and school.

Some students take one class each semester. They often are working a full time job and have family responsibilities. Others take four or five and dedicate almost all of their time to their studies. Study time varies but you can estimate a 4-credit course as being equivalent to a part-time job or 15 hours per week.

Twelve credits would be like having a full-time job or 40 hours a week study/class time.

You only need to take one course each semester (fall and spring) to maintain your current catalog status.

If you are receiving financial aid your amount will be prorated based on the number of credits you are taking. You don't have to take a full load in order to receive financial aid.

Do you offer any courses in game programming?

At this time we don't. Although most of our programming courses are designed to give you strong, basic skills that can be applied to any industry including game programming.

Java should be of special interest to you because it has a close-commonality to many other languages including ActionScript (Flash), PHP, C++, and C.  You will also want to take all the math classes you can including Calculus and Physics.

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Web Programming Certificate Questions

Can I earn the Web Programming Certificate online?

Yes, this certificate was designed as an online certificate. However, we often list the classes as face2face classes. Any student in the face2face class can request to take the course online with the instructor's permission.

You should not have to attend the face2face orientation/registration session if you live further than 50 miles from campus and are registered as an online student.

How long will it take to complete the Certificate?

It is possible to complete this certificate in three semesters following this course plan:

First Semester: (Spring or Fall Semester) Web Development COMP1140 and Programming Fundamentals COMP1130.

Second Semester if Spring semester:
Java COMP2300  and Web Programming COMP2145

Third Semester if Fall semester:
VB.NET COMP2310  and Web Services (XML) COMP2150 and Capstone/Internship COMP2496

Notes:
(1) Java and Web Programming are only offered in the Spring. 

(2) VB.NET and Web Services are only offered in the Fall.
If your second semester is in the Fall than you would take VB.NET and Web Services.

(3)You do not have to take both Java and VB.NET although it is recommended. The Certificate only requires one or the other.

(4) Each course is 4 credits with the capstone/internship being 3 credits.

(5) If you want to take more than eight credits each semester you can take other Computer Career courses or general education courses. However, these will not count toward your certificate requirements. Graphic Software I GCC1120 which teaches Adobe's PhotoShop, Illustrator, and InDesign is very popular (Keep in mind that these are not available as online classes at this time.)

I have no experience. Can I still take the Web Programming Certificate?

The Web Programming Certificate is designed for people that have been working in the computer industry and need to learn more about how to do web pages.

It is assumed that you have the following qualifications:

(1) A typing speed of 35wpm or higher.

(2) The critical computer skills. When to use the left mouse button, when to use the right mouse button. Resizing windows so two or more programs will display on the screen at the same time. Installing programs downloaded from the Web.

(3) A very good understanding (expert level) of file management and Windows. Can you make new files/folders? Can you find a file that is inside a folder that is inside another folder that is inside another folder? Can you delete/move/copy files using the hot keys CTRL C, CTRL V, CTRL X? Do you know how to zip files together into a single file? Do you use a flash drive on a regular basis?

(4) Do you understand basic computer logic and have basic math skills? If I do this, such and such will happen. If this is true than this will happen otherwise this other thing will happen. This is < that. This is > than that other thing.

If you do not meet all of these criteria we would recommend the Information Systems (IS) AAS which is a two-year degree. The first semester courses for this degree will teach you all of these things (except the typing) getting prepared for the later courses which make up both the IS degree and the Web Programming Certificate.

How much will a Web Programming Certificate cost?

The certificate is 23 credits and currently credits cost $150 for face-to-face credits and $185 for online credits. This does not include the cost of books and other supplies, such as flash drives and software programs. Books can cost anywhere from $30 to $120 depending on the course.

We try to use free, open-source programs whenever possible. We also are a member of the Microsoft Academic Alliance which gives you free access to programs such as Visual Studio, Windows 7 beta, and other software programs.

What jobs will this certificate prepare me for?

Having a Web Programming Certificate will make you eligible for all types of web development work. Web Master, web programmer, and programmer. There is a growing demand for all of these positions.

The job market is always changing. However, here's an article by one of our instructors that shows you where to search on the Web for the different classes you plan to take, "What are my courses worth?"  The results will give you a good picture of what is available in the job market today.

Will I learn how to use Visual Studio?

Yes, Visual Studio is the editor you will be using when you are learning ASP.NET in Web Programming COMP2145 as well as in the VB.NET COMP2310. This is a very popular and well-written editor that is gaining popularity around the world.

Will I learn how to use DreamWeaver?

DreamWeaver as a web editing platform has been included as an optional part to the Web Development COMP1140 course. Each module has textbook readings and exercises you can do to learn the DreamWeaver platform as you learn XHTML and CSS.

I get an error message about pre-requisite requirements when I try to register for Web Development and Programming Fundamentals. What should I do?

Contact the instructor. The system is set up for the Information Systems AAS degree which are different from the Web Programming Certificate. Your instructor will be able to contact the people who can override this error message.

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Testing Center Questions

What courses do you offer for the MCSE exam?

John Burns teaches the MCSA class and you can use financial aid to pay for it.

COMP2462 - MICROSOFT NETWORK ADMINISTRATION 4 credit (requires prerequisites or experience in the industry). After taking the class you would qualify for the Academic price of $60 an exam. Microsoft usually offers a free retake at the end of the semester as well.

What is the difference between the MCSA and MCSE exams. How much are they?

The main difference between the MCSA and MCSE certification is the number and difficulty of
exams you are required to take. Four exams are required for MCSA and seven for MCSE. As of Sept 2008, Microsoft is also changing their certifications and coming out with new exams.

We are a VUE and Prometric test center. After taking the class you would qualify for the Academic price of $60 an exam. Microsoft usually offers a free retake at the end of the semester as well.

Other questions? Send us an email.