The Help Desk Specialist technical certificate of credit program is designed to provide on-call technology guidance and support to individuals and organizations via email, telephone, video conference, or through other technology tools. They may work during regular office times or on shifts at night or on weekends.
Students may enter the Help Desk Specialist technical certificate of credit program any semester. A full-time student can complete this program in 2 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 25 semester credit hours.
Employment Outlook
Career Traits/Requirements
Individuals wanting to enroll in the Help Desk Specialist certificate program must be able to work in an office setting, show initiative, work with people, work as a team member, multi-task, display a professional appearance, work with computers and computer application software, troubleshoot, and have a strong work ethic.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates are prepared for performing many different types of jobs. Graduates can find employment in the areas of computer hardware and software sales, installation and repair, and software and technical support. Instruction and practical application of learned skills provide a broad occupational background which appeals to prospective employers.
Program Costs
Tuition & Fees: $3,162.00
Books & Supplies: $500.00
(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)
HOPE Career Grant: The HOPE Career Grant, formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant, is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with one of 12 industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them. To qualify, an OFTC student must be fully admitted to the college, enrolled in one of the above programs and receiving the HOPE Grant for the same term. The amount of the HOPE Career Grant award is a fixed amount for each term of enrollment:
- 9 or more credit hours – $500/semester
- 3-8 credit hours – $250/semester
- 1-2 credit hours – $125/semester
- Commercial Truck Driving – $1,000 one time award
High School students in dual enrollment and joint enrollment are NOT eligible.
Admission Requirements
OFTC may accept a student’s official entrance score on the following validated assessment instruments if the scores meet the required minimums:
- COMPASS/ASSET,
- SAT,
- ACT,
- PSAT,
- PACT,
- Accuplacer/Accuplacer Next Generation/Companion,
- HOPE GPA after completion of 10th grade of 2.6 or higher, or High School GPA of 2.6 (for occupational programs), or 2.0 for Workforce Entry Level programs, or GED.
The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy.
Curriculum
Occupational Courses
| COLL 1060 | Introduction to College and Computers | 3 | 50 |
| CIST 1001 | Computer Concepts | 4 | 90 |
| CIST 1122 | Hardware Installation and Maintenance | 4 | 105 |
| CIST 2130 | Desktop Support Concepts | 3 | 75 |
| XXXX XXXX | CIS Operating Systems Course | 3 | |
| XXXX XXXX | CIS Elective | 4 | |
Choose one of the following Introductory-Level Networking Courses
Program Pathway
Year 1
Semester 1
Semester 2
| CIST 2130 | Desktop Support Concepts | 3 | 75 |
| | Operating Systems Course | | |
| | CIS Elective | | |