Help Desk Certificate - Career Certificate

Achieve more with less tuition

Become a troubleshooting pro

You love to troubleshoot problems and get hands-on building a PC. You’re looking for a career that has some financial reward and lets you keep learning about cloud computing, software and hardware.

The help desk certificate takes one semester. Hone your skills in:

hardware
operating systems
software troubleshooting
networking

troubleshooting
security
mobile devices
virtualization

What can you do with a Help Desk Certificate?

The help desk certificate prepares you to start work or continue your education in information technology, computer science or related fields, which prepares you for these careers.

You can become CompTia A+ certified after completing the certificate. This industry certification is needed for entry-level information technology positions for endpoint management and critical technical support roles.

Highlights

Career Certificate

Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.
Program Length: 4 Months

Full-time students finish in 4 months.

Career Outlook

Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cloud networks, servers, and other data communications networks. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $42,706
  
  Median
  
  $71,138
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $127,807
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $20.53
  
  Median
  
  $34.20
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $61.44
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  4.23%
  
  Certificate
  
  10.16%
  
  Some college
  
  13.63%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  21.68%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  48.77%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  1.53%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Provide technical assistance to computer users. Answer questions or resolve computer problems for clients in person, via telephone, or electronically. May provide assistance concerning the use of computer hardware and software, including printing, installation, word processing, electronic mail, and operating systems.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $38,904
  
  Median
  
  $60,356
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $96,761
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $18.70
  
  Median
  
  $29.02
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $46.51
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  0.32%
  
  Certificate
  
  32.33%
  
  Some college
  
  1.92%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  13.74%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  47.32%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  4.37%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Repair, maintain, or install computers, word processing systems, automated teller machines, and electronic office machines, such as duplicating and fax machines.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $32,293
  
  Median
  
  $42,052
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $74,239
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $15.52
  
  Median
  
  $20.21
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $35.68
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  28.15%
  
  Certificate
  
  31.04%
  
  Some college
  
  7.47%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  32.97%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  0.38%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) is your "go-to person" ready to help you get started at CLC.

Your CCN guides you through the admission process, helps you choose your academic program, enroll in classes and connect you with resources.

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Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

View program in catalog

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Credit for prior learning available
Dual credit options available
Global citizenship
Online/Virtual options available

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Highlights
CIT 130	CIT 130 Operating Systems for A+ Certificate Class Description This course covers the essential elements of Operating Systems. Specific features along with general concepts of the selected operating system will be addressed. System optimization, memory management, identity management, installation, and software/hardware management will be an integral part of this course. This course covers the objectives for the latest A+ Operating System technologies test.	3
ELT 151	ELT 151 PC Hardware Fundamentals Class Description This course will cover the basic components of a PC, including motherboards, memory, disk drives, cases and power supplies. Computers will be disassembled, reassembled and configured to operate. NOTE: Recommended preparation CIT 120 and concurrent enrollment in EET 170 or equivalent knowledge.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	CIT 130
Course Title	CIT 130 Operating Systems for A+ Certificate Class Description This course covers the essential elements of Operating Systems. Specific features along with general concepts of the selected operating system will be addressed. System optimization, memory management, identity management, installation, and software/hardware management will be an integral part of this course. This course covers the objectives for the latest A+ Operating System technologies test.
Credits	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	ELT 151
Course Title	ELT 151 PC Hardware Fundamentals Class Description This course will cover the basic components of a PC, including motherboards, memory, disk drives, cases and power supplies. Computers will be disassembled, reassembled and configured to operate. NOTE: Recommended preparation CIT 120 and concurrent enrollment in EET 170 or equivalent knowledge.
Credits	3

Total Credit Hours

6

Computer Information Technology at CLC

Get the bigger picture

This certificate is just one possible way to study Computer Information Technology. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

View the Computer Information Technology program overview

Frequently asked questions

You qualify for the CompTIA A+ exam.
At CLC, your learning experience includes hands-on labs that involve critical thinking and enhance your literacy.

The certificate is offered in Live Zoom and in-person format which gives you plenty of flexibility to work online.
Our student profile is varied. Students are an even mix of students who’ve just graduated from high school and those who are older and may have a college degree in another field.
Here’s what our students tell us: First, they achieved their career goals with less tuition investment. They also received guidance and some qualified for financial aid or a scholarship. CLC also helps each student define success and make a plan to achieve it.
Yes—well, most of them. Every course in this program is offered in an online format, except for our field courses which must be taken in-person.
Attend class in the way that works best for your goals:
- Virtual Live: Learn remotely in real time. Take classes taught live via Zoom.
- Online: Have the flexibility to complete coursework without scheduled meetings while staying actively engaged in a fully online environment.
- In-person: Keep your degree on track with classes that meet face-to-face, providing you with opportunities to interact in person with faculty and peers.

*Cost includes tuition and other fees, including books and materials before financial aid is applied, such as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

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Help Desk

Achieve more with less tuition

Become a troubleshooting pro

What can you do with a Help Desk Certificate?

Highlights

Career Certificate

Program Length: 4 Months

Career Outlook

Computer Network Support Specialists

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Computer User Support Specialists

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help?

Recommended Pathway

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Semester 1 3 Credits

Total Credit Hours

Computer Information Technology at CLC

Get the bigger picture

Frequently asked questions

What exams will I qualify for after I complete the program?

How is my learning experience going to be different at CLC?

Are there students like me in the program?

What’s the best thing about this program?

Can I take my classes online?

Take the next step...

Be debt-free at CLC

Explore careers

Request info

Get started