“As one of the most innovative colleges of the 21st century, LSC-University Park chose to deliver to students the accelerated IT competency-based courses that are in high demand now and in the years to come,” said Shah Ardalan, LSC-University Park president.
LSC-University Park faculty Alan Gandy, Roselyn Branch-Leavell and Gina Sprowl designed the competency-based online program for both college students and individuals with IT experience looking for a flexible and customized approach to earn college credits or certification. Students work on one competency at a time, mastering it before moving on to the next one.
“By utilizing skill sets students already have, they can work through the modules at their own pace and demonstrate their understanding of the concepts when they are ready to move forward toward earning the certificate at a pace that makes sense to them,” explained Mark Curtis-Chavez, LSC-University Park dean of instruction. “This not only saves time, but also money. And it allows them to get back out to the workforce faster.”
As demand for IT professions skyrockets in Houston and across the country, industry professionals and students can now improve their chances of getting these jobs through a faster, self-directed, 100 percent online course of study offered by Lone Star College-University Park.
Curtis-Chavez also pointed out that by offering the program totally online, LSC-University Park can provide specialized and essential education at a time and place convenient to the student.
The program, a total of 26 credit hours, costs an estimated $1600 for resident of the district plus standard fees and books.
The new program starts with a Certificate in Information Technology Core. In the fall, LSC-University Park will expand its competency course offerings to include an Associate of Arts in Business.
Courses include Introduction to PC Operating Systems, PC Hardware, Introduction to Computers, Fundamentals of Networking Technologies, Business English, Computer Programming and Project Management Software.
Stacking the courses allows students to sit for the A+ Certification, Net + Certification and MS Project Certification, all skills that are in high demand with local employers today, Ardalan said.
Additional information is available from LSC-University Park at 281-290-2770 or visit LoneStar.edu/AIT.
LSC-University Park is the sixth LSCS campus located in the former Compaq Computer’s world headquarters complex. The 71-acre campus houses four university partners, a charter high school, several business partners, Lone Star Corporate College and the LSC Energy and Manufacturing Institute. Under the first President, Shah Ardalan, LSC-University Park’s vision is to be nationally recognized as the model for the innovative college of the 21st century. In just two years, LSC-University Park’s Invitation-2-Innovate (i2i) has resulted in many local, national and global recognitions, including one patent. The campus is located at the corner of State Highway 249 and Louetta Road across from Vintage Park. For more information about LSC-University Park, call 281.290.2600 or visit LoneStar.edu/UP.
Lone Star College System has been opening doors to a better community for 40 years. Founded in 1973, LSCS remains steadfast in its commitment to student success and credential completion. Today, with 78,000 students in credit classes, and a total enrollment of more than 90,000, Lone Star College System is the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area and one of the fastest-growing community college systems in the nation. Dr. Richard Carpenter is the chancellor of LSCS, which consists of six colleges including LSC-CyFair, LSC-Kingwood, LSC-Montgomery, LSC-North Harris, LSC-Tomball and LSC-University Park, seven centers, LSC-University Center at Montgomery, LSC-University Center at University Park, Lone Star Corporate College, and LSC-Online. To learn more visit LoneStar.edu.