Google IT Support Specialist
Students who successfully complete all five courses will earn a Google IT Support Certification.
Fall 2025 Courses
Technical Support Fundamentals| 8 weeks| Location: Online | Date: August 25 - Oct. 2025
Bits/Bytes of Computer Networking | 8 weeks| Location: Online | Date: August 25 - Oct. 2025
Become and OS Power User| 8 weeks| Location: Online| Date: Oct - Dec 12, 2025
Spring 2026 Courses
System Administration/IT Infrastructure | 8 weeks| Location: Online | Date January 26 - March 2026
IT Security: Defense Digital | 8 weeks| Location: Online| Date March - May 22, 2026
Course Descriptions
Technical Support Fundamentals 150 - 131 Credits 1
In this course, learners are introduced to the world of information technology, or IT. Participants will learn about the different facets of IT, like computer hardware, the Internet, computer software, and job - related skills. They will also learn about the history of computers and the pioneers who shaped the world of computing that we know today. This course covers a wide variety of topics and is designed to give an overview of what’s to come in the Google IT Support Professional Certificate coursework. People who complete this course will be able to do the following: Understand how the binary system works; Assemble a computer from scratch; Choose an operating system and install it on a computer; Understand what the Internet is, how it works, and the impact it has in the modern world; Learn how applications are created and how they work inside computers; Utilize common problem - solving methods and soft skills in an IT setting.
Bits/Bytes of Computer Networking 150 - 133 Credits 1
This course is designed to provide a full overview of computer networking. It covers everything from the fundamentals of modern networking technologies and protocols to practical applications and network troubleshooting. People who complete this course will be able to do the following: Describe computer networks in terms of a five - layer model; Understand all of the standard protocols involved with TCP/IP communications; Grasp powerful network troubleshooting tools and techniques; Learn network services like DNS and DHCP that help make computer networks run.
Become an OS Power User 150 - 135 Credits 1
In this course, participants will learn how to use Windows and Linux, two major operating systems that are core components of IT infrastructures. Through a combination of video lectures, demonstrations, and hands - on practice, students will become familiar with the main components of an operating system and how to perform critical tasks like managing software, managing users, and configuring hardware. People who complete this course will be able to do the following: Navigate the Windows and Linux file systems using a graphical user interface and a command line interpreter: Set up users, groups, and permissions for account access: Install, configure, and remove software on Windows and Linux operating systems; Configure disk partitions and file systems: Understand how systems processes work and how to manage them; Work with system logs and remote connection tools: Utilize their knowledge of operating systems to troubleshoot common issues in an IT support specialist role.
System Administration/IT Infrastructure 150 - 137 Credits 1
This course will transition learners from working on one computer at a time to working with a whole fleet of computers. Systems administration is the field of IT that’s responsible for maintaining reliable computer systems in multi - user environments. In this course, participants will learn about the infrastructure services that keep all organizations, big and small, up and running. Topics include how to manage and configure servers, and how to use industry tools to manage computers, user information, and user productivity. Finally, the course will explain how to recover an organization’s IT infrastructure in the event of a disaster. People who complete this course will be able to do the following: Utilize best practices for choosing hardware, vendors, and services for an organization: Understand the most common infrastructure services that keep an organization running, how they work, and how to manage infrastructure servers; Manage an organization's computers and users using the Active Directory and OpenLDAP directory services; Choose and manage the tools that an organization will use; Back up an organization’s data and recover IT infrastructure in the vent of a disaster; Utilize systems administration knowledge to plan and improve processes for IT environments.
IT Security: Defense Against Digital Dark Arts 150 - 139 Credits 1
This course covers a wide variety of IT security concepts, tools, and best practices. It introduces threats and attacks and the many ways they can show up, and then discusses encryption algorithms and how they’re used to safeguard data. From there, the course dives into the “three A’s of information security” - authentication, authorization, and accounting. It also covers network security solutions, ranging from firewalls to Wi - Fi encryption options. The course then pulls the subject matter together with a look at how all of these elements can be incorporated into a multilayered, in - depth security within a team or an entire organization. People who complete this course will understand the following: How various encryption algorithms and techniques work, and their benefits and limitations: Various authentication systems and types; The difference between authentication and authorization. At the end of this course, learners will be able to do the following: Evaluate potential risks and recommend ways to reduce risk: Make recommendations about how best to secure a network: Help others to understand security concepts and protect themselves.
Just the Facts
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