MARIETTA, OHIO—Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) is expanding its curriculum to include two additional in-demand information technology career pathways. Beginning in Fall 2022, students will be able to earn a one-year certificate in Cyber Security and Help Desk.
The occupational outlook for careers in information technology is very strong. The Federal government projects that nationwide there will be a 22% employment growth in the cyber security field. Positions related to the Help Desk certification are expected to have growth of at least 9%.
“There are unprecedented opportunities in the field of information technology,” said WSCO’s Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Sarah Parker. “The addition of these two certificate programs at Washington State is a direct result of the increased demand from businesses and industries here in southeast Ohio.”
She further explained that these certificate programs serve to prepare students for new careers in this industry, as well as upskill incumbent workers. “The training these students will receive will open doors. For those who are looking for a new career pathway, these certificate programs will give them the foundation necessary for many great entry-level positions. For those already working in the industry, it’s the opportunity to update skills in order to maintain relevancy and competitiveness,” Parker assured.
Within the Cyber Security certificate, students will learn Operating Systems and Computing Fundamentals, Fundamentals of Hacking & IT Psychology, and Unix/Linux. The Help desk certificate features courses such as A+ Hardware and Software, Network+, and Microsoft Domain Controllers. Throughout both programs, students will be able to earn a number of industry credentials that complement the certificate and will be valuable in the job market. “We embed these credentials into the curriculum because they validate the professional qualifications of our graduates and allow them to stand out in a very competitive field,” explained Parker. He added that both certificate programs also lead to associate degrees which students can choose to complete in just one additional year.
Financial aid is available to qualifying students. Contact Admissions at 740.568.1900 to begin the enrollment process, or visit wscc.edu/apply. There is no fee to apply and no obligation to enroll once a student is accepted. Registration for summer and fall classes begins April 4.
