What is the Computer Support Specialist (Level 2) Certificate?The Computer Support Specialist (Level 2) Certificate is a college issued certificate that builds on the Computer Support Technician (Level 1) Certificate.It is called the Computer Support Specialist Certificate because students must earn the Note: The Computer Support Specialist (Level 2) Certificate is planned to be available in late 2023 or 2024. What are Computer Support Specialists?Computer Support Specialists provide more advanced technical support to users of Information Technology (IT) including computers, applications, operating systems, and network based resources. They are versed in customer service techniques as well as technical experience and are prepared to handle a variety of technical issues and customer complaints and may work in person or remotely to resolve hardware and software problems. Computer Support Specialistss may be called by a variety of titles such as Technical Support Specialist (Level 2), Information Technology (IT) Support Specialist, Computer Technician (Level 2), and several others. How long does it take to complete the The Computer Support Specialist (Level 2) Certificate?The Computer Support Specialist (Level 2) Certificate may be completed in less than a year along with the Computer Support Technician (Level 1) Certificate. What are the prerequisites for the The Computer Support Specialist (Level 2) Certificate?To earn Computer Support Specialist (level 2) Certificate, students first complete the 4 courses of the Computer Support Technician (Level 1) Certificate, which are currently ELTEC 300 (3 units), CMPET 206 (3 units), CMPET 210 (3 units), CMPET 214 (3 units). As part of the courses for the Computer Support Technician (Level 1) Certificate students earn the TestOut IT Fundamentals Pro Certification and the TestOut PC Pro Certification. As part of the courses for the Computer Support Technician (Level 1) Certificate students also prepare for the CompTIA IT Fundamantals (ITF+) Certification and the CompTIA A+ Certification. At that time, students also have the option of participating in the Google IT Support Professional Certificate Program. which is optional for the the Computer Support Technician (Level 1) Certificate, but it is required for the Computer Support Specialist (level 2) Certificate. Students may start the the Google IT Support Professional Certificate Program at any time and go at your own pace to complete it. Most start the Google IT Support Professional Certificate Program in the first course (Course 1) of the 4 core courses (ELTEC300, soon to be CMPET311). Completing the 4 core courses of the Computer Support Technician (Level 1) Certificate currently earns 12 college units. (This is planned to be changed to 10 units.) How do I earn The Computer Support Specialist (Level 2) Certificate?To earn the Computer Support Specialist (level 2) Certificate students will then earn an additional 10 units. They will do this by earning the CompTIA IT Fundamantals (ITF+) Certification , the CompTIA A+ Certification, and the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. By earning these certifications the students will also be preparing for the SkillsUSA Computer and Information Technology competitions. By earning the certifications, the students will then receive college credit units by way of Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)Four special competition based lab courses are currenltly going through curriculum review for this purpose. The current plan is to impliment this by 2024. The CompTIA IT Fundamantals (ITF+) Certification will earn 2 units, the CompTIA A+ Certification will earn 4 units, and the Google IT Support Professional Certificate Program will earn 4 units. Students will then earn 10 additional college credit units. Therefore, students who complete the Computer Support Specialist (level 2) Certificate will have earned a total of at least 20 college units. Note, this plan is subject to change and approval by the MJC Curriculum Committee and the California Community College Chancelor's Office.