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Minnesota State College Southeast's 100% Online IT Support Degree Program that prepares students with the IT skills highly sought after in today's software development jobs market. Take the first steps in your IT support career path to earn your Diploma in IT online course from Southeast. The online software engineer classes from Minnesota State College Southeast provide professional IT support training online for your new IT support career and serve as building blocks for further education.

Career Area: Information Technologies
Program: Software Development & Support
Campus(es): Red Wing/Online

Major Details

At Minnesota State College Southeast, students learn computer programming, web development, and IT support using a hands-on approach. These IT support courses online use broad concepts leading to detailed approaches to help you become an expert in IT skills.

A professional diploma in IT support will increase your value in your IT Support career path.

The 47-credit Diploma in IT Support focuses on technical education with an emphasis on networking, server configuration, and PC hardware support.

Learn from anywhere. All IT Support classes from Minnesota State College Southeast are available online and include a rich online application environment, instructor developed recordings, and computer programming demonstrations. Our IT support training online makes learning convenient and flexible to accommodate your busy lifestyle, but rigorous enough to ensure you develop the skills employers demand.

High quality instruction. The lessons and exercises from the Southeast IT support courses online are designed to move students through the process of becoming software developers. You will learn a huge variety of skills ranging from broad concepts (analysis and design, software engineering, and teamwork) down to the details of coding for different environments (web servers, web clients, and IoT). Our students also use hands-on learning and cutting edge tools to create a production-level system of their own design.

You will learn how to work with the MS workstation networking client and Microsoft Windows Server. Students also learn how to create web content and install, deploy, and support many technologies using a wide variety of tools, including:

  1. HTML, CSS, SQL
  2. Web content authoring (Adobe Dreamweaver, Photoshop, Animate)
  3. GitHub
  4. Cloud services, such as Azure web applications and databases

Take the next step to achieve an online diploma in IT from Minnesota State College Southeast and put a new career in motion - apply today!


Cluster/Pathway
Career Field: Arts, Communications & Information Systems
Cluster: Information Technology Programing & Software Development Information Support Services
Pathway: Web & Digital Communications

Download the Program Plan

Courses

1) 1000 level (minimum) General Education courses required unless specified.


GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
English/Communications requirement
Choose one 2 credit (or greater) English or Communications course.
2 cr
Math requirement
Choose one 2 credit (or greater) Math course.
2 cr
ARTS1222
Introduction to Graphic Design
This introductory course provides an overview of various industry-standard software applications used in graphic design. Students will apply visual communication strategies and creative and effective design elements and layouts. The course will focus on fundamental design concepts and historical design styles relating to text and image interaction. Students will develop various types of graphic designs to include typography, color, illustration, symbols, and photography. Prior knowledge of Adobe InDesign and Photoshop is recommended, but not required, for this course. Adobe InDesign and Adobe Photoshop (Creative Suite 6 or Creative Cloud Complete) are required applications for those taking this course online. (Meets MnTC Goal 2 and Goal 6) (Prerequisites: none) (3 credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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3 cr
COMM1015
Job Seeking Skills
Students will gain independence and proficiency in job searching skills through activities and assignments designed to help them learn how to find jobs, how to prepare to apply for jobs, and how to present themselves as candidates for jobs. Skills covered will include how to search electronically for a job; how to develop written documents needed for a successful self-directed job search, including how to create an electronic portfolio; and how to secure, conduct, and follow up on job interviews. (Prerequisite: none) (1 credit: 1 lecture/0 lab)

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1 cr
 
8 crs
TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Technical Electives
See your Advisor for options.
9 cr
COMC1714
Introduction to Visual Database Application Tools
In this course, students will use visual database application tools to learn database design concepts (entities, attributes, relationships, and primary/foreign key definitions), design and create databases and tables, create filter and sort queries, use summary functions, establish referential integrity and constraints, and create multiple table queries, forms, reports, and interactive reports. (3 credits: 2 lecture/1 lab)

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3 cr
COMC1741
Web Design, HTML, CSS
This course introduces web site design, authoring, management concepts. Students will create web pages which include many common HTML formatting and navigation elements: lists, tables, links, graphics, and CSS styles. (3 Credits: 3 lecture/0 lab)

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3 cr
COMC1745
Web Design and Technologies II
In this course, students will research, plan, design, implement, and evaluate web sites using a variety of technologies. Iterative design, responsive/mobile design, web server setup and administration, content management systems, cloud services, source control, continuous delivery, and social media integration will be covered. (Prerequisite: COMC1741) (3 credits: 2 lecture/1 lab)

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3 cr
COMC1746
Web Graphics and Animation
This course introduces bitmap graphics, vector graphics, and web animation concepts and tools. Students will edit bitmap images, create vector graphic images, create web animations, and integrate graphics into web pages. (3 credits: 2 lecture/1 lab)

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3 cr
COMC1754
Microsoft Server Management for Web Developers
This course introduces network server configuration and management concepts using Microsoft Windows Server. Course includes Windows Server Enterprise and Server Core installation procedures, user and service accounts, Active Directory, file and folder permissions, Group Policy, TCP/IP routing and subnetting, DHCP configuration, web and FTP server configuration, remote access and VPN configuration, command-line tools, and Docker containers. (3 credits: 2 lecture/1 lab)

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3 cr
COMC2722
Database Design & Management with SQL
Structured Query Language (SQL) is the standard language for defining, maintaining, and querying relational databases on all platforms from mainframes to microcomputers. This course covers relational database design and implementation using SQL. Topics include: select and sort queries, multiple table queries, subqueries, outer joins, aggregate functions, table updates, database design, entity-relationship (E-R) modeling, normalization, and database implementation, modifications & administration. (Prerequisite: none) (3 credits: 2 lecture/1 lab)

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3 cr
COMC2754
Computer Careers Capstone Project
Students will work in groups to design, develop, and implement business applications. Students will determine business requirements, design database tables, create UML class diagrams, design user interfaces, estimate time lines and costs, and select development and user tools. Following the project design phase, students will implement the project using various technologies including: databases, queries, programming languages, web pages, servers, and source version control. (Corequisite: COMC 2749) (3 credits: 2 lecture/1 lab)

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3 cr
COMC2793
Computer Careers Internship
This course is a supervised off-campus work experience with area businesses and organizations in the information technology field. The internship experience gives students an opportunity to integrate theory and practice by working in a supervised setting. Internships should be recognized as on-the-job training experience that draws and builds upon the student¿s prior academic and practical experience. The work experience must include elements of IT support and/or software engineering experience in order to be approved. It is understood that this experience may take various forms. The student and employer (i.e., worksite supervisor) will clearly identify the IT support/software engineering components.

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3 cr
NWAT1601
Windows Workstation I
This course will explore the MS workstation networking client. The students will learn how to plan, install and configure a MS workstation in a single and multi-domain environment. Emphasis will be placed on the managing, monitoring and optimizing of network resources. Basic troubleshooting techniques will be discussed as it relates to the Microsoft networking environment. The use of diagnostic and monitoring software will be emphasized. (Prerequisite: None) (2 credits: 1 lecture/1 lab)

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2 cr
NWAT1602
Windows Workstation II
This course will explore the Microsoft Workstation desktop operating system environment. Students will learn how to plan, install, and configure a Microsoft workstation in a standalone and domain environment. Various system management topics will be discussed including system utilities, managing disks, file systems, users, and security. Troubleshooting techniques will be discussed as they relate to Microsoft networking environment. (Prerequisite: NWAT1601) (1 credits: 1 lecture/0 lab)

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1 cr
NWAT1607
IT Fundamentals
Students will learn how to install, configure, and troubleshoot PC computer equipment, mobile devices, and various peripherals. A variety of hardware, software, and cybersecurity methods will be covered such as taking a computer apart, motherboards, processors, memory, power, storage devices, I/O devices, introduction to networks, supporting mobile devices, virtualization, cloud computing, and customer support. This curriculum is aligned with CompTIA A+ industry certification and students will be prepared to take the exam upon completion of this course. (Prerequisite: None) (3 credits: 2 lecture/1 lab)

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3 cr
 
39 crs

Total Credits Required for this Major: 47 Credits


Estimated Costs for this Major

Approximate Tuition/Fees:$9,788
Minimum Tool Cost:N/A
Books/Supplies:$450
Estimated Total:$10,238
 

 


Career Opportunities

  • Computer Programmers for Software Development Firms
  • Consulting Firms
  • Education
  • Business & Industry

Career Information

Use the MN DEED Career and Education Explorer Data Tool to learn about wages, job growth, and much more in this career field.

Outcomes

Program graduates will be able to:
  1. Demonstrate written and oral communication skills appropriate for business.
  2. Exhibit college level problem solving abilities applying math applications and general problem solving skills.
  3. Exhibit professional/occupational behavior and work habits.
  4. Demonstrate the ability to design, implement and/or maintain database applications.

Highlights

  • All Software Development and Support courses are available online
  • All computer programming lectures are available through lecture capture technology
  • Computer programming assessment tests are online
  • Curriculum is constantly evolving to keep up with technology
  • Skilled programmers are needed in every industry

Instructors

Mark Degallier
Mark Degallier brings more than 30 years of web development experience to Minnesota State College Southeast. He has taught online at community colleges for more than ten years. As an independent contractor for over 15 years, Mark brings real-world experience to his teaching. Mark is a Winona native and holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Northwestern in St. Paul. He volunteers with Big Brothers/Big Sisters and enjoys spending time outdoors and painting in watercolor
Enrique Mendoza
Enrique Mendoza is a seasoned IT professional with over 20 years of software engineering experience. He has worked for Fortune 100 companies in the areas of performance engineering, software design, and architecture. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Electronics Engineering from the Monterrey Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in Information Systems from the University of Phoenix. In his free time, he enjoys reading science fiction novels, coaching soccer, and playing board games.

 

Other Majors in the Software Development & Support program

IT Support AAS

Software & Web Development AAS

Software & Web Development CERT