Computer Systems Technology

Essex County College (ECC) Ocean County College (OCC) worked together to develop the Computer Systems Technology pathway and partnered with High Schools and Vo-Techs on pathways beginning with  high school and moved to community college and then to a four-year institution (Rowan University (RU)) to earn a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science or a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Systems Technology (a new degree at RU). This process included developing new courses that align with industry credentials for Introduction to Cloud Computing, Penetration Testing Fundamentals and Forensics Fundamentals. The focus was improving alignment of existing courses with industry-valued certificates and with transfer partners. For example, OCC revised their CSIT 110, Introduction to Computers and Computer Applications (3 credits) to map to the comparable course at RU and aligns to CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ certification. The Computer Systems Technology pathway also reviewed curriculum to ensure students who successfully complete and document content competencies through industry-valued certifications will receive appropriate credit through Prior Learning Assessment.   

 With the Computer Systems Technology pathway’s four-year partner, ECC and OCC partnered with RU to complete course-by-course alignments and develop articulation agreements that provided clear and seamless transfer pathways for students: 

 For ECC, the following degrees were aligned with RU’s bachelor degrees:  

• 2+2 AAS in Cybersecurity and Network Technology at ECC to BA in Computer Systems Technology at RU  

 For OCC, the following degrees were aligned with RU’s bachelor degrees: 

• 2+2 AAS in Computer Science/Information Technology at Ocean to BA in Computer Systems Technology at RU  
• 2+2 AS in Computer Science/Information Technology at Ocean to BA in Computer Systems Technology at RU  

 The Computer Systems Technology pathway is providing new Workforce/Non-Credit Industry-Valued Certifications for Adult Learners.  

The Computer Systems Technology pathway is developing robust materials that can be shared with peer institutions that want to engage in similar work and get their faculty trained so they are authorized to deliver the curriculum for new and cutting-edge industry credentials (such as Amazon Web Services).