IT Support Specialist Boot Camp
This program is designed to take a learner, who is interested in the field of technology, from a beginner to someone who is ready to enter into the field as an IT Support Specialist. During the boot camp students will be prepared and tested with the intent that they will be able to pass both the CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ certification exams. This will be done through the use of online virtual labs, prep tests and exercises which prepare the students to think through situations and determine the proper solutions.
If a student is wanting to progress into the fields of security and cybersecurity, this boot camp will prepare them for the next phase of their training which would be to prepare for the CompTIA Security+ certification and then depending on their interests continuing on into preparation for either the CompTIA CySA+ certification or the CompTIA PenTest+ certification as can be seen in the CompTIA Cybersecurity pathway chart.
This program consists of the following seven courses:
- CIT-224 – Network Systems
- CIT-272 – Hardware and Software Troubleshooting
- NTWK-230 – Client Server Networking I
- NTWK-240 – Client Server Networking II
- NTWK-250 – IP Networking
- NTWK-260 – Windows Server Administrator
- CBSC-320 – Network Communication Infrastructure and Technology
Pre-requisites
There are no enrollment requirements, however students need to understand how to use a computer (turn it on, browse the internet, bookmark pages, create a user id and password) and be able read and follow instructions.
Program Length
Courses are each designed to be completed in 3 weeks, therefore the full program (7 courses) can be completed in as few as 21 weeks.
Program Cost
The cost of the program is $4950 and includes:
- All 7 courses
- All textbooks for the courses
- All labs for the courses
- An Exam Voucher to take the CompTIA A+ exam
- An Exam Voucher to take the CompTIA Network+ exam
Course Descriptions
The description for each of the courses in the program are listed below.
CIT-224 – Network Systems
This course provides an overview of networking, networking history, and the internet. Networking edge, core, and performance will be presented. Networking protocol layers, service models, and hardware will help students to understand the organization of networks.
CIT-272 – Hardware and Software Troubleshooting
Students in this course will explore hardware and software troubleshooting used in the role of an IT support technician. Students will focus on the nine areas covered in two industry exams needed to achieve certification (CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core2). These two exams cover hardware, software troubleshooting, operating systems, networking, security, mobile devices, virtualization/cloud computing, hardware and network troubleshooting, and operational procedures.
NTWK-230 – Client Server Networking I
This course introduces operating principles for client-server-based networking systems and is broken into two parts. In the first courses, students will examine processes and procedures involving the installation, configuration, maintenance, and routine administrative tasks of the network services provided by the server in relation to its clients and other servers. The course also covers troubleshooting for standalone and network client computers, and related aspects of typical network server functions.
These two course (together) prepare students to develop the skills needed to deploy and manage Windows 10 and to prepare to pass the Microsoft Desktop Administrator MD-100 certification exam. Students learn about the features in Windows 10 and learn how to manage Windows 10 devices in a secure network environment.
NTWK-240 – Client Server Networking II
In this second of two courses, you will study the typical network server operating system and its functions. Areas of study include installation, configuration, maintenance, and routine administrative tasks of the network services provided by the server in relation to its clients and other servers.
This course will continue to prepare you to develop the skills needed to deploy and manage Windows 10 and to prepare to pass the Microsoft Desktop Administrator MD-100 certification exam. You learn about the features in Windows 10 and learn how to manage Windows 10 devices in a secure network environment.
NTWK-250 – IP Networking
The Internet has become an integral part of our daily lives. This course will teach you about the technological foundation of this worldwide network. You will learn about its physical foundation of data transmission based on the functional principles and technologies of local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). The TCP/IP reference model, which lies at the base of the Internet, its protocols, and countless applications, will be presented in the modules that follow. The learner will gain comprehensive insight into the complex world of Internet technologies.
More specifically, the purpose of this course includes the following:
- Identifying and using network transmission media
- Explaining the OSI model
- Recognizing the primary network topologies/protocols, identifying their characteristics, and determining which would be most appropriate for a proposed network
- Identifying the functions of a network operating system and distinguishing between centralized, client/server, and peer-to-peer systems
- Distinguishing between Local Area Networks (LANs) and Wide Area Networks (WANs) and identifying the components used to expand a LAN into a WAN.
NTWK-260 – Windows Server Administration
In this course you will learn how to deploy Windows Server 2019 in multiple environments, including data center and cloud environments that rely on virtualization and containers. You will also learn how to configure and manage server storage and troubleshoot performance issues. You will work with common Windows Server technologies and network services, including Active Directory, Certificate Services, DNS, DHCP, WSUS, IIS, file sharing, printing, and remote access.
Career Outlook
The demand for careers that align with this program, especially the ones tied to cybercrimes is expected to grow at 33% over the next several years, according to the BLS. Careers that students who complete the program and earn their A+ and Network+ Certificates may be able to obtain are:
- Data Support Technician
- IT Server Technician
- Field Service Technician
- Technical Support Specialist
- Help Desk Technician
- IT Specialist
- IT Support Manager
- Business Analyst
- Systems Administrator
- Data Center Manager
- Data Architect
- Server Administrator
- Network Security Specialist
- Network Security Operations
Organizations that recommend or require CompTIA A+ Certifications are:
- Dell
- Intel
- HP
- Nissan
- BlueCross BlueShield
- RICOH
Organizations that recommend or require CompTIA Network+ Certifications are:
- Apple
- BlueCross BlueShield
- Dell
- Intel
- RICOH
- US Department of Defense
Faculty Credentials
The faculty who teach in this program are industry experts and carry the following credentials:
- CompTIA
- Network+
- Security+
- Cloud+
- Linux+
- CySA+
- CASP+
- PenTest+
- Cisco
- CCNA
- CCNP
- CCIE
- EC Council
- Security certification
- ISC2
- SSCP
- CISSP
- LPI: Linux Professional Institute Certified
- LPIC 1
- LPIC 2
- LPIC 3
- Microsoft
- MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional)
- MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer)
- Novell
- Certified Linux Administrator
- Certified Linux Professional
- Certified Linux Engineer
- Red Hat
- Red Hat Certified Technician (RHCT)
- Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE)
- Red Hat Certified Security Specialist (RHCSS)
- Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA)