This page contains answers to questions that are frequently asked by students about Los Angeles City College, the Computer Technology and Electronics Department, and our programs. If you have a question that doesn't appear here, e-mail our web master for the answer. We will post the question here for other students to find.
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Questions about the Computer Technology degree and certificate
How long does it take to complete a Computer Technology degree or certificate?
A Computer Technology degree or certificate normally takes four semesters or two years to complete. Students may take general education courses during the summer or winter intersessions to speed things up.
What's the difference between a degree and certificate?

The degree and the cerficate both require the same number and sequence of technical courses. To obtain an Associate in Arts degree, the student must also complete a certain number of general education courses including English, History, and others. The college catalog has information about degree requirements. Students are urged to contact a counselor to prepare a properly sequenced study list.
Questions about the Electronics Technology degree and certificate
How long does it take to complete an Electronics Technology degree or certificate?
An Electronics Technology degree or certifcate normally requires four semesters or two years to complete. Students may take general education courses during the summer or winter intersessions to speed things up.
What's the difference between a degree and certificate?
The degree and the cerficate both require the same number and sequence of technical courses. To obtain an Associate in Science degree, the student must also complete a certain number of general education courses including English, History, and others. The college catalog has information about degree requirements. Students are urged to contact a counselor to prepare a properly sequenced study list.
Questions about the CompTIA A+ and Network+ Certification and Certificates
What is the CompTIA A+ Certificate?
The CompTIA A+ Certificate is issued to anyone who can pass a written examination provided by the CompTIA Foundation. The content of the examination involves the technical aspects of current personal computer equipment such as found in an IBM PC or clone. The examination is comprehensive, and involves questions on disk drives, power supplies, motherboards, video displays, and operating systems. The CompTIA A+ certificate obtained by passing this examination is a major key to open doors to a variety of job opportunities.
Wbat is the CompTIA Network+ Certificate?
The CompTIA Network+ Certificate is also issued to those who successfully complete a written examination provided by CompTIA. This examination centers on networking technology. It involves communication protocols, essential networking hardware, and how the various operating systems like Windows and UNIX support networking. Like the CompTIA A+ exam, the CompTIA Network+ exam is comprehensive and includes all the operating systems and protocols. Also like the CompTIA A+ certificate, the CompTIA Network+ certificate is a key to job opportunities.
Can I take the CompTIA A+ and Network+ examinations at LACC?
No, the examination is given at convenient locations and times throughout the city by other agents. LACC is not authorized to give the formal examination.
What courses do I take to prepare for the CompTIA A+ examination?
At minimum, you need to take Computer Technology 12, which is an introduction to computer hardware, and Computer Technology 14, which is the examination preparation course. You must successfully complete CT12 before you can enroll in CT14. Additionally, we strongly recommend Computer Technology 1, which is an introduction to computers and how they work, and Electronics 2 with introduces you to the essentials of Electronics.
What courses do I take to prepare for the CompTIA Network+ examination?
At minimum, you need Computer Technology 4, which is an introduction to networking theory, Computer Technology 15, which is the examination preparation course, and Electronics 77 which is the cabling hardware course. We also strongly recommend completing the courses for the CompTIA A+ certificate first.
What are the LACC CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+ Certification Preparation Certificates all about?
Students may obtain a one-year CompTIA A+ Certification Preparation certificate from the CT/EL Department upon completion of CT12 and CT14, CT1, and either EL2 or EL4 and 6. Check out the "Computer Technology Degree and Certificates" link from the main page of this site for the details. The department also issues a similar certificate for the CompTIA Network+ certificate, which requires CT1, CT4, CT15, and EL77. See the certificate requirements page on this site for details.
Questions about LACC and taking classes
How do I get started with the enrollment procedure?
You should come to campus and go to the Student Assistance Center located in the Administration Building, room 104. Here you will find all the information about enrolling at LACC and getting registered for classes. Here are assistance persons who can answer your questions and guide you through the paperwork. Assistance is available in several languages. You should also purchase a college catalog at the bookstore for the "official" statement of course content and procedures.
Once I am enrolled at the college, how do I sign up for classes?
Upon enrollment, you will be given a scheduled time to call the telephone enrollment system to request classes. Before that time, obtain a class schedule for the next semester or intersession, and select the classes you wish to take. You should meet with a counselor or faculty member to decide on a study plan to suit your interests. When your scheduled time arrives, make the call as directed in the schedule and select your classes using the classe "section number" which is given in the schedule. At the start of the semester, if you wish to add more classes or make adjustments, you can do this via the telephone system for the first week. After that, you need to find the instructor of the class you wish to add to request an Add Card.
If I need help, where do I go?
That depends on thet ype of help you need. If you have enrollment questions, try the Student Assistance Center, the college catalog, or the counselors, in that order. For questions about classes, the best thing is to go to the instructor. For tutoring in specific subjects outside of classtime, try the Byte Shop, which is currently located in Jefferson Hall 311. This center is staffed for many hours per day and on Saturday by tutors that can help you with most of the CT or CSIT courses.
What transfer opportunities are there for LACC students in these majors?
The CT/EL Department is currently working on an articulation agreement with California State University, Los Angeles and their Computer Science, Technology and Engineering Department to facilitate transfer to that college for LACC students with minimum hassle. Many of our units will be acceptable directly into their programs. Check with Mr. Michael Prichard, faculty member, for up-to-the-minute details.
What facilities are available at LACC for study in CT and EL?
The CT/EL Department is continually updating their facilities and equipment. Currently we are installing all new computers in our primary computer systems laboratory, Franklin Hall 19. We have just received new advanced high-resolution computer graphics equipment for the second year courses. We have a fully equipped UNIX laboratory with Sun Microsystems workstations for both technology and CT/EL courses. LACC has full Internet access, and many classes require use of the network and Internet for research and activities.
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