Field of Interest
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Desktop Support program is designed to prepare students for entry-level computer maintenance, help desk, and network technician jobs. The classes focus on the development of knowledge and skills in computer, network, and security technologies, as well as the interpersonal skills in customer service/technical support needed to be successful within the industry. Depending on course selection, this program helps prepare students for the CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and/or CompTIA Linux+ certification exams. Students who complete this program may seek employment in a variety of environments. Students can also pursue additional Certificates of Completion (CCLs) in a variety of specializations within the information technology field to deepen their knowledge and skills and help prepare them for multiple industry certification examinations. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Network and Systems Administration is also available.
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:
- Field of Interest
- Computer and Information Technology
- Type
- Certificate of Completion (CCL)
- Academic Plan
- Desktop Support (CER)
- Academic Plan Code
- 5043
- Total Credits Required
- 19-22
- Catalog Year
- 2025-2026
- Effective Term
- Fall 2021
- Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Courses within any of the following prefixes must be taken within five (5) years prior to completion of the program to be applied toward this award: AIM, BPC, CIS, CLD, CNT, CSC, ITS, and MST.
This program replaces CCL/5841 Microsoft Technical Specialist
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Assess computer hardware and software using critical thinking, industry standard tools, and best practices to demonstrate proper installation, configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and service.
- Demonstrate effective customer service, teamwork, and communication skills in accordance with the professional and ethical conventions within the field of information technology.
- Demonstrate proficiency in word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentation applications.
- Assess operating systems using critical thinking, industry standard tools, and best practices to demonstrate proper installation, configuration, maintenance, troubleshooting, and service.
- Explain networking concepts including topologies, IP addressing, protocols, and basic design.
- Demonstrate the skills required to install, configure, administer and troubleshoot a data network.
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to
employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related
occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for
this certificate. Education requirements vary for the
occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some
of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program
director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding
education level, wages, and employment information.
Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.
Typical Education Level
a Bachelor's degree
Hourly Median Wage
$29.47
Annual Median Wage
$61,318
Annual Job Openings
1,261
Number of People Employed
15,531
4-Year Employment Growth
Increase
by 5.6 %
Repair, maintain, or install computers, word processing systems, automated teller machines, and electronic office machines, such as duplicating and fax machines.
Typical Education Level
an Associate degree
Hourly Median Wage
$18.04
Annual Median Wage
$37,541
Number of People Employed
1,089
4-Year Employment Growth
Decrease
by -2.4 %
* Career and wage information provided by Lightcast using data,
reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources and Lightcast’s
proprietary analytical processes. Lightcast’s data covers multiple classes of workers
including QCEW, non-QCEW, and those who are self-employed. Disclaimer
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device,
some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this
page on a device with a larger screen.
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
CIS105 |
Survey of Computer Information Systems |
|
Critical course
Students may be able to accelerate their learning by taking 8-week courses
|
CS |
3 |
CIS102DA |
IT Customer Support |
|
Critical course
Gateway course
Students may be able to accelerate their learning by taking 8-week courses
|
|
3 |
CIS126DL or CIS126RH |
Linux Operating System or Red Hat System Administration I |
|
Students may be able to accelerate their learning by taking 8-week courses
|
|
3 |
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
BPC270 |
A+ Exam Prep: Operating System Configuration and Support |
Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in CIS105 or permission of Instructor.View requisites |
Students may be able to accelerate their learning by taking 8-week courses
|
|
3 |
CIS190 or CNT140AB |
Introduction to Networking or Introduction to Networks |
Corequisites: CIS105 or permission of Instructor. or No requisitesView requisites |
CNT140AB is recommended for students interested in pursuing their Cisco Network Administration Certification;
Students may be able to accelerate their learning by taking 8-week courses
|
|
3–4 |
RE |
Restricted Elective |
|
|
|
1–3 |
Restricted Electives
Students must select one to three (1-3) credits from the following
A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
BPC171 |
Recycling Used Computer Technology |
Prerequisites or Corequisites: BPC170 or permission of instructor.View requisites |
|
|
1 |
CIS290AA |
Computer Information Systems Internship |
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
1 |
CIS290AB |
Computer Information Systems Internship |
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
2 |
CIS290AC |
Computer Information Systems Internship |
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
3 |
CIS296WB |
Cooperative Education |
Prerequisites: Completion of at least twelve (12) college credits, minimum 2.6 grade point average and be able to obtain a position related to student's academic or career goals (student's present job may qualify) or permission of Instructor. Corequisites: Must be concurrent in at least one class which is related to student's major or career interest or with permission of the Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
2 |
CIS296WC |
Cooperative Education |
Prerequisites: Completion of at least twelve (12) college credits, minimum 2.6 grade point average and be able to obtain a position related to student's academic or career goals (student's present job may qualify) or permission of Instructor. Corequisites: Must be concurrent in at least one class which is related to student's major or career interest or with permission of the Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
3 |
CIS298AA |
Special Projects |
Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
1 |
CIS298AB |
Special Projects |
Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
2 |
CIS298AC |
Special Projects |
Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
3 |
Note: Because you are viewing this pathway map on a mobile device,
some columns below have been hidden. To view all columns, please rotate your device or view this
page on a device with a larger screen.
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
CIS105 |
Survey of Computer Information Systems |
|
Critical course
Students may be able to accelerate their learning by taking 8-week courses
|
CS |
3 |
CIS102DA |
IT Customer Support |
|
Critical course
Gateway course
Students may be able to accelerate their learning by taking 8-week courses
|
|
3 |
A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
RE |
Restricted Elective |
|
|
|
1–3 |
Restricted Electives
Students must select one to three (1-3) credits from the following
A list of additional, alternative, or supplemental courses for this pathway map
Course Number |
Course Name |
Requisites |
Notes |
Area |
Credits |
BPC171 |
Recycling Used Computer Technology |
Prerequisites or Corequisites: BPC170 or permission of instructor.View requisites |
|
|
1 |
CIS290AA |
Computer Information Systems Internship |
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
1 |
CIS290AB |
Computer Information Systems Internship |
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
2 |
CIS290AC |
Computer Information Systems Internship |
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
3 |
CIS296WB |
Cooperative Education |
Prerequisites: Completion of at least twelve (12) college credits, minimum 2.6 grade point average and be able to obtain a position related to student's academic or career goals (student's present job may qualify) or permission of Instructor. Corequisites: Must be concurrent in at least one class which is related to student's major or career interest or with permission of the Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
2 |
CIS296WC |
Cooperative Education |
Prerequisites: Completion of at least twelve (12) college credits, minimum 2.6 grade point average and be able to obtain a position related to student's academic or career goals (student's present job may qualify) or permission of Instructor. Corequisites: Must be concurrent in at least one class which is related to student's major or career interest or with permission of the Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
3 |
CIS298AA |
Special Projects |
Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
1 |
CIS298AB |
Special Projects |
Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
2 |
CIS298AC |
Special Projects |
Prerequisites: Permission of Program Director or Instructor.View requisites |
|
|
3 |
Ready to get started?
Follow one of the options below to get started on your personal career pathway.
Click here for MCC’s easy-to-use Enrollment Steps.
Learn more about and find contact information for the Desktop Support program.
Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=164765).
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Desktop Support