Wharton County Junior College Computer Science Program Director Stephen Lyford demonstrates some of the skills students will learn when enrolled in the Network Administration AAS Degree program. Three tracks are now being offered to provide students with more opportunities.
WHARTON, TEXAS – Wharton County Junior College is the place to be for students looking to get a jump on the ever-changing computer science field.
From associate degrees in Network Administration to Digital Media to Computer Simulation and Game Design, WCJC offers a host of the most up-to-date training possible for preparing graduates to enter the workplace.
“We are always keeping the courses that we offer current and relevant for our students,” said WCJC Computer Science Program Director Stephen Lyford. “Our faculty in the Computer Science program are always attending training and conferences to stay current on the latest technologies being used in the industry.”
New classes are regularly offered to accommodate the frequent changes in technology while providing students with training that matches their particular areas of interest. The Network Administration AAS degree, for example, now offers three separate tracks: Network and Computer Systems Administrator Specialty, Information Security Analyst Specialty and Cisco Specialty. A fourth specialty, Network and Visualization Specialty, is in the process of being implemented.
Classes are offered at the Wharton, Richmond and Sugar Land campuses.
Regardless of the specialty chosen, graduates usually easily find gainful employment, Lyford said. The Information Security Analyst Specialty, in particular, is a booming field that is currently in high demand.
“This track is one of the most exciting because of the job demand that is currently out there,” Lyford said. “Our program will qualify our students to join the workforce quickly and give them an opportunity to make really good money in just a few years.”
Lyford, who has taught at WCJC for six years and is currently pursuing his doctorate degree, seeks to share his real-world experience with his students. Prior to becoming an instructor, he spent 13 years in the computer science field, working as a network administrator, a network technician and a senior A/V telcomm analyst. The department’s eight other instructors include Rebecca Brown, Oner Celepcikay, J.B. Groves, Amelia Maretka, Nora McCarthy, Natalie Pittman, Donna Schilling and David Woods.
“All of these instructors work tirelessly to provide top-notch instruction to our students,” Lyford said.
In addition to Network Administration, the college offers two-year degrees in Digital Media, Computer Simulation and Game Design, and Computer Science. Lyford said several courses transfer seamlessly to four-year universities such as the University of Houston and the University of Houston-Victoria. A one-year certificate program is also offered for Network Support Technician.
Lyford said plans are also underway to offer a certificate in Digital Media and an AAS in Computer Programming with several different specialties. For additional information on the Computer Science Program, visit the college’s website at www.wcjc.edu
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