ProfessorTimothy Vaughan

Timothy Vaughan
Title:
Professor - Electronics & Industrial Technology
Department:
Technical Education, Career, Community Education, Community & ED
Office:
Center for Advanced Technology 222
Phone:
209-575-6735
Office Hours:
Friday, 7:30a.m. - 10:00a.m.
Thursday, 3:30p.m. - 6:00p.m.

Information

Are you interested in becoming a Computer Support Specialist?

The Computer Support Specialist Program is an exciting new career training opportunity for people who like working with computer technology and enjoy helping people use it. The program is part of the MJC Computer Electronics Certificate and Degree Program. The Computer Support Specialist Program is designed to assist students to start or advance in a career as Information Technology (IT) Support Professionals by helping them acquire the knowledge and skills required to earn industry standard IT certifications. Based on standards set by the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), the core or first level of the Computer Support Specialist Program is called the Computer Support Technician (level 1) Certificate. Currently Students will earn up to 10 units of college degree credit from MJC by completing the 4 courses of the Computer Service Technician Certificate, which are also the required courses for the MJC Computer Electronics Certificate and Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree. These courses provide training for the CompTIA Tech+ Certification and the CompTIA A+ Certification . The accelerated online format of the Computer Support Specialist Program allows students to complete this certificate in about 8 months by completing four 7-week courses of about 20 hours per week (about 130 hours per course). The Computer Support Specialist Program makes extensive use of courseware developed and maintained by the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA).

By using professionally produced courseware, the Computer Support Specialist Program is able keep current with the fast changing Computer and Information Technology Industry. CompTIA certification testing requires purchasing vouchers for exams that will be taken at the testing center. An academic discount is available for MJC students for CompTIA certification exam vouchers. Students may elect to test for any of the other certifications which may require the purchase of certification exam vouchers. Through a partnership with the Google.org Foundation, qualified students will also be granted free access to the Google IT Support Professional Certificate online courses which can be completed in about 6 to 8 months by studying an additional 5 hours per week.

With an CompTIA A+ Certification, the mean annual salary for entry level positions is about $50,000 per year. With additional IT certifications  and/or career experience, the pay can be much higher. The job outlook for this occupation is excellent. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts job growth that will be faster than the average for all occupations between 2019 and 2026 and demand will increase as organizations continue to install and update to the newest computer based systems to reduce costs and gain a competitive advantage.

For more information please see the Computer Support Specialist Program website: https://sites.google.com/view/cssp-modesto/home

Courses I Teach

  • IT Support Fundamentals 1,  Course 1: CMPET 311
    Based on standards set by the Computer Technology Industry Association, this course prepares students for part 1 of the CompTIA Tech+ Certification. Topics include career opportunities, the history of computing, data, files, media, devices, components, input/output, software, networking, and internet technologies.
  • IT Support Fundamentals 2,  Course 2: CMPET 312
    Based on standards set by the Computer Technology Industry Association, this course prepares students for part 2 of the CompTIA Tech+ Certification. Topics includedatabases, programming, information systems, cybersecurity, and career preparation.
  • IT Support Fundamentals 3,  Course 3: CMPET 313
    Based on standards set by the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA A+), this course prepares students for part 1 of the CompTIA A+ Certification. Topics include professionalism, safety, tools, maintenance, troubleshooting, system components, peripheral devices, storage, file systems, and networks.
  • IT Support Fundamentals 4,  Course 4: CMPET 314
    Based on standards set by the Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA A+), this course prepares students for part 2 of the CompTIA A+ Certification. Topics include printing, mobile devices, system implementation, file management, system management, and security. Students identify potential career objectives and create an education plan for elective courses in the program.

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