Career Path: Graduates to this program have the skills to work as entry level premise technicians or installers for companies like Comcast, AT&T, and Best Buy (the Geek Squad). Once graduates have proven their skills and dedication at a company, opportunities for additional training, lateral moves, and advancement exist. Workers may also become consultants within their own businesses or work with smaller firms who provide these services. Some graduates also go on to get a four-year degree, which may lead to management.

Nature of the Work: This work involves installing computer networks, home entertainment systems, alarm systems, heating and air conditioning systems, and other computer-monitored and managed home systems at customers’ homes.

Work Environment: Work environments are diverse and changing, since the installations are done in customers’ homes. Depending on type of system involved, may use a truck, van or other vehicle to transport equipment and tools. May require lifting, bending, stooping, climbing, and working in tight quarters.

Specific Jobs Available to Graduates: Premise technician, installer, computer network troubleshooter.

Industries Employing Graduates of this Program: Telecommunications, consumer electronics, computer sales, digital home integration consulting firms

Women in IT Associations
Career FAQs

Course Description: Degree or certificate offered: A.S. Degree: Digital Home Technology Integration Certificate: Digital Home Technology Integration.

Content covered in basic instruction:
Computer hardware, Introduction to networks, or Internetwork design Internet basics and beginning HTML, Network security, Operating systems technologies, Digital home technology integration, Computer hardware lab, or Operating systems tech lab, or Computer tech support lab.

Visit the main Computer Networking and Information Technology (CNIT) Department home page for more information, or the program information page. You can also see a complete list of CNIT courses.

Prerequisites: A few required courses for this program do have prerequisites, including courses such as:

Please note: prerequisite requirements are not strictly enforced and are left to the discretion of students and their instructors. All students should have a working knowledge of computers and typical office software.

Hours Offered: Classes are mainly offered in the evening, on occasional weekends, and online. One-third of the classes are offered online. Schedules vary by semester.

Length of Program: The Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree in Computer Networking and Information Technology (CNIT) takes two years, including general education requirements and 21 units of CNIT courses including 12 units of core courses and 9 units for the Home Technology Integration option. Visit the program information page for more information. The certificate program takes one year on a part-time basis, and includes 4 lecture/lab courses (CNIT 103, 104, 105, and a new course, CNIT 150: Digital Home Technology Integration) plus one lab course (select from CNIT 103L, CNIT 104L, or CNIT 105L) for a total of 13 units. Visit the DHTI certificate program FAQs page for more information.

Academic FAQs

A small amount of preparation can help make your days in the classroom go more smoothly. Visit the CalWomenTech Learning Library to find software and other tools to advance your math, spatial reasoning skills and much more. Visit the Tutoring Center to find out how tutoring can help.