Google IT Support Professional Certification
Prepare for an In-Demand Career in IT
Prepare for an entry-level job in IT support in this 5-course certificate program offered in partnership with Google. This program includes an innovative curriculum and will introduce you to troubleshooting, customer service, networking, operating systems, system administration, and security through a mix of video lectures, quizzes, and hands-on labs and widgets. With an average commitment of five hours a week, you may complete this program in approximately six months.
In additional to being ready for an entry-level IT support specialist position, you may also build on this program by taking the A+ certification course or applying for the IT apprenticeship program.
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FAQs
What background knowledge is necessary?
To be successful in this program, you must have basic computer data entry skills and internet access. No degree is required.Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
Yes, students should take the courses in the order presented, as the content builds on information from earlier lessons. All five courses are required to obtain your Google IT Professional certificate.What kind of companies hire IT Support professionals?
Nearly every company whose employees use computers has a need for IT Support professionals. The majority of IT support positions do not require a college degree, but they do require prior experience. This certificate will give learners the training and experience they need to get a job in tech. In the U.S. alone, jobs in this field are projected to grow 10% between 2016 and 2026 -- faster than the average of all other occupations (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists.htm).Will completing the certificate prepare me for the CompTIA A+ exams?
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate program aligns with the objectives covered by the newly updated CompTIA A+ certification but does not completely prepare you for the exam. The broad coverage of IT topics you receive provides a pathway into the computer field and further training. Students are exceptionally well positioned to pursue A+ training and then achieve success on the CompTIA A+ exam. -
Certification Courses
Students must register/complete all five courses to earn the Google IT Professional certificate.
- XA-705 Technical Support Fundamentals
- XA-706 The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking
- XA-707 Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User
- XA-708 System Administration and IT Infrastructure
- XA-709 IT Security: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts
1. Technical Support Fundamentals
In this course, you’ll be introduced to the world of IT. You’ll learn about computer hardware, the Internet, computer software, troubleshooting, and customer service. This course will give you an overview of what’s to come during the rest of the certificate program.
2. The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking
This course is designed to provide a full overview of computer networking. We’ll cover everything from the fundamentals of modern networking technologies and protocols to an overview of the cloud to practical applications and network troubleshooting.
3. Operating Systems and You: Becoming a Power User
Learn about the main components of an operating system and how to perform critical tasks like managing software and users and configuring hardware.
4. System Administration and IT Infrastructure Services
Transition from working on a single computer to an entire fleet. Learn about the infrastructure services that keep all organizations—big and small—up and running. You’ll discover everything from typical cloud infrastructure setups to how to manage cloud resources. You'll also learn how to manage and configure servers and how to use industry tools to manage computers, user information, and user productivity. Finally, you’ll find out how to recover your organization’s IT infrastructure in the event of a disaster.
5. IT Security: Defense Against the Digital Dark Arts
Gain background of encryption algorithms and how they’re used to safeguard data. Then, dive into the three “A”s of information security: authentication, authorization, and accounting. You will also learn about network security solutions, ranging from firewalls to Wifi encryption options. The course is rounded out by putting all these elements together into a multi-layered, in-depth security architecture, followed by recommendations on how to integrate a culture of security into your organization or team.
This course is the first in the 5 part series leading to the Google IT Support Professional certificate, This course prepares you for a role as an entry-level IT Support Specialist. You will be introduced to the world of Information Technology (IT) and learn about the different facets of information Technology, like computer hardware, the internet, computer software, troubleshooting, and customer service. You must complete all 5 parts to earn the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. No refund seven days prior to course start date.
*Next session will be offered in fall 2022.
This course is the second in the in the 5 part series leading to the Google IT Support Professional certificate. This course provides an overview of computer networking and covers the fundamentals of modern networking technologies and protocols, an overview of the cloud, practical applications, and network troubleshooting. Course Prerequisites: XA-705. You must complete all 5 parts to earn the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. No refund seven days prior to course start date. 4.0 CEUs.
This course is the third in the 5 part series leading to the Google IT Support Professional certificate. In this course, through a combination of video lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practice, you will learn about the main components of an operating system and how to perform critical tasks like managing software and users, and configuring hardware. Course Prerequisites: XA-705, XA-706. You must complete all 5 courses to earn the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. No refund seven days prior to course start date. 4.0 CEUs.
This course is the fourth in the 5 part series leading to the Google IT Support Professional certificate. Systems administration is the field of IT that’s responsible for maintaining reliable computers systems in a multi-user environment. This course will transition you from working on a single computer to an entire fleet, and you’ll learn about the infrastructure services that keep all organizations, big and small, up and running. You will deep dive on the cloud, how to manage and configure servers and how to use industry tools to manage computers, user information, and user productivity, and how to recover your organization’s IT infrastructure in the event of a disaster. Course Prerequisites: XA-705, XA-706, XA-707. You must complete all 5 courses to earn the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. No refund seven days prior to course start date. 4.0 CEUs.
This course is the last in the 5 part series leading to the Google IT Support Professional certificate. This course covers IT security concepts, tools, and best practices. It introduces threats and attacks and the many ways they can show up. You will be introduced to encryption algorithms and how they are used to safeguard data, and learn the 3 As of information security: authentication, authorization, and accounting. This course will also cover network security solutions, ranging from firewalls to Wifi encryption options. The course puts all these elements together into a comprehensive security architecture, and covers recommendations to create a culture of security in your organization or team. Course Prerequisites: XA-705, XA-706, XA-707, & XA-707. You must complete all 5 courses to earn the Google IT Support Professional Certificate. No refund seven days prior
to course start date. 4.0 CEUs.
** Tuition and fees not eligible for waiver for XE courses.
(S) = Supplies needed. Instructor will provide list at first class.
(T) = Textbook recommended or required. Purchase at HCC Bookstore or online before first class.