Southeast Community College

Admissions

Linda Bettinger, Program Co-Chair
Lincoln Campus
(402) 437-2490
1-800-642-4075 ext. 2490
lbetting@southeast.edu

Jo Schuster, Program Co-Chair
Lincoln Campus
(402) 437-2492
1-800-642-4075 ext. 2492
jschuste@southeast.edu

College Admissions Office
Lincoln Campus
(402) 437-2600
1-800-642-4075 ext. 2600

Linda Bettinger, Program Co-Chair
BS, Nebraska Wesleyan University
MS, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Related Work Experience: 28 years
Faculty Years at SCC: 23 years
1-402-437-2490
lbetting@southeast.edu

Jo Schuster, Program Co-Chair
BS, Kearney State College
Related Work Experience: 22 years
Faculty Years at SCC: 17 years
1-402-437-2492
jschuste@southeast.edu

Don Bossung, Instructor
Diploma, Southeast Community College
AAS, Southeast Community College
Related Work Experience: 23 years
Faculty Years at SCC: 18 years
1-402-437-2495
dbossung@southeast.edu

Barb Jauken, Instructor
AAS, McCook Community College
BS, Kearney State College
Related Work Experience: 30 years
Faculty Years at SCC: 22 years
1-402-437-2491
bjauken@southeast.edu

Laurie Kilzer, Instructor
Diploma, Southeast Community College
AAS, Southeast Community College
Related Work Experience: 16 years
Faculty Years at SCC: 8 years
1-402-437-2496
lkilzer@southeast.edu

Rich Mildenberger, Instructor
BA, Hofstra University
Diploma, Southeast Community College
AAS, Southeast Community College
Related Work Experience: 12 years
Faculty Years at SCC: 7 years
1-402-437-2494
rmildenb@southeast.edu

Glenn Ray, Instructor
Diploma, Southeast Community College
AAS, Southeast Community College
Related Work Experience: 14 years
Faculty Years at SCC: 4 years
1-402-437-2803
gray@southeast.edu

Norman Stimbert, Instructor
AAS, Southeast Community College
Related Work Experience: 8 years
Faculty Years at SCC: 5 years
1-402-437-2493
nstimber@southeast.edu

Kim Waswick, Instructor
AA, Minot State University
BA, Minot State University
MA, Minot State University
Related Work Experience: 15 years
Faculty Years at SCC: 7 years
1-402-437-2847
kwaswick@southeast.edu

Karen Killham,
Teaching Lab Assistant
AA, North Platte Community College
BA, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Related Work Experience: 19 years
Years as Faculty Member at SCC: 8 years
1-402-437-2438
kkillham@southeast.edu

Michelle Tafoya,
Teaching Lab Assistant
AAS, Southeast Community College
Related Work Experience: 8 years
Years on Staff at SCC: 3 years
1-402-437-2825
mtafoya@southeast.edu

Microcomputer Technology

Welcome

The Microcomputer Technology program began in the early 1980’s offering only a part-time Certificate and a Diploma award in the area of microcomputers. In 1996, the Microcomputer Technology program eliminated the Diploma award and expanded by adding an Associate of Applied Science degree. The degree is offered for both full-time and part-time students. Courses are available day and evening.

There are four areas of career emphasis in the Associate of Applied Science degree:

Network Manager
PC Support Specialist
Microcomputer Programmer
Web Applications Programmer

The AAS degree requires completion of 120 quarter credits.

A Certificate award is also available in Microcomputer Technology. The Certificate requires completion of 32 credits. Students seeking a Certificate award generally have another degree or previous work experience. They are simply seeking to add basic computer training to already existing skills.

Overview

When are classes offered?
Classes are offered both daytime and evening. Students attending during the day may go full-time (12 credits or more) or part-time (less than 12 credits). Evening students can only attend on a part-time basis. Most evening students work during the day and attend classes in the evening.

Daytime classes are offered at various times between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Our evening classes generally meet one or two nights a week and may be scheduled between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

How long will it take to complete the Associate Degree in Microcomputer Technology?
New daytime students are accepted to start every quarter. Full-time students in the Microcomputer Technology program generally carry from 14 to 18 quarter credits. Students can complete the program in 2 years; however many students choose to carry around 12 credits and complete the program in 2 1/2 years. Suggested class schedules are available to help students follow the rigorous quarter sequence.

Evening students are also accepted into the program every quarter. Evening students often take between 3 and 9 credits per quarter. Progressing through the program on a part-time basis could take from 3 to 5 years.

What types of careers are available for graduates of the Microcomputer Technology program?
The Microcomputer Technology program has four focuses available at the associate degree level: Network Manager, PC Support Specialist, Microcomputer Programmer, and Web Applications Programmer. Each focus trains students in a core group of competencies and further develops specialized skills and knowledge.

The Network Manager specialization trains students to set up, maintain, and manage microcomputer networks. Graduates from this specialization often find positions providing network support under the supervision of a network administrator. Courses in networking deal with basic data communications, TCP/IP, Novell NetWare, Windows Server, and Linux Server. Cisco networking, and network security. Possible Job Titles: Information Systems Assistant, Information Systems Technician, LAN Administrator, Network Engineer, Network Support Specialist.

The PC Support specialization offers training for technical support and help desk positions. Graduates from this specialization may work as the main computer resource technician in a company or may work as a member of a team providing help desk support. Courses include customer support skills training and hardware and software troubleshooting simulations. Possible Job Titles: Application Support Specialist, Computer Support Specialist, Customer Support Specialist, Help Desk Specialist, System Support Specialist.

The Microcomputer Programmer specialization provides intensive training in microcomputer languages such as Java, C++, and Visual Basic.net which are predominate in business and industry. Students finish their training by completing an in-depth project which simulates a real-world programming situation. Possible Job Titles: Application Developer, Computer Programmer, Information Technology Specialist, Programmer/Analyst, Software Design Engineer.

The Web Applications Programmer specialization offers training for those programming behind the scenes of a web site. Students learn programming languages, such as Java and Visual Basic.net, along with web development tools, such as Javascript and server scripting languages. Students learn web design, graphics software, and database manipulation. Possible Job Titles: Web Programmer, Web Developer, Computer Programmer, Web Design Specialist, Database Programmer.

How much money will I make when I graduate from the Microcomputer Technology program?
Graduates from an associate degree program should plan to start in an entry-level position. The knowledge and hands-on experienced you received at SCC will help you advance rapidly in the technology field. Refer to the annual SCC Placement Report for information on the range and average salary for graduates in the Microcomputer Technology program.

How do I apply to the Microcomputer Technology program?
To begin the application process, you must contact the Admissions Office in Room E1 near the cafeteria. You can also phone Admissions at 437-2600 or connect to SCC’s web site at http://www.southeast.edu to obtain an Application for Admission form. When you fill out the application, be sure to specify if you plan to attend day or evening classes.

Mission

Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Microcomputer Technology program is to prepare students for employment and/or advancement in computer support, microcomputer programming, web programming, or network management. The students have the option of earning a Certificate or an Associate of Applied Science degree.

The Microcomputer Technology program goals are:

Offer an effective training program that meets the information technology needs of business and industry.
Provide training to students using up-to-date microcomputer hardware and software.
Provide students with opportunities for hands-on experience using computer hardware, operating systems, applications, networks, security, database, programming languages, and web development tools.
Keep curriculum current as new microcomputer technologies emerge.

Practicum Study

The Southeast Community College Microcomputer Technology Associate of Applied Science degree program encourages students to seek out a real-world work experience prior to graduation. This work experience relates to one of the career focus areas of the AAS degree which includes network management, PC support, web applications programming, and microcomputer programming.

The practicum can be either a paid or unpaid position involving at least 90 work hours total during the 10-week quarter. The work schedule and pay rate (if applicable) are arranged between the student and the company.

Students seeking practicum employment can be expected to follow normal procedures in applying for a job. This may include submitting a resume and participating in an interview.
Once the student has arranged for a position (paid or unpaid), he or she must develop a set of objectives and tasks that can be accomplished at the work site. This is done in cooperation with the supervisor at the work site and must be approved by the SCC instructor.
While completing the practicum, the student is required to: follow the policies of the employer, competently perform assigned tasks and complete agreed-upon objectives, and complete all necessary records for the practicum files.
The work site supervisor monitors the work of the student and provides assistance as the student works to accomplish the learning objectives. At the conclusion of the practicum, the supervisor rates the student’s performance on the tasks designated for each learning objective.
Through the Microcomputer Practicum requirement, the student should gain an understanding of the relationship between classroom assignments and the world of work. Through this course requirement students can gain worthwhile on-the-job experience.
Employers may benefit from participating in the practicum program by becoming more familiar with the knowledge and skill level of Microcomputer Technology graduates coming from SCC.

Student Responsibilities

Maintain attendance standards according to college policy.
Follow designated safety procedures while on campus.
Participate in all learning activities at the scheduled times.
Be responsible for program costs: tuition, fees, books and tools.

According to a recent study, the U.S. government projects that several Information Technology occupations will be among the fastest growing occupations during this next decade.