Computer Technology (IT Specialist) - Associate of Applied Science
Doña Ana Community College 2026-2027 Catalog
Degree requires a minimum of 60 credits and a cumulative GPA of 2.0.
The New Mexico General Education Requirements can be found in the section titled, “Transfer Among New Mexico Institutions of Higher Education".
NOTE: Students must earn a final grade of C- or better in all Major Requirements courses and achieve a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0. A grade of C- or better is required in ENGL 1110G Composition I and designated Mathematics courses.
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 60 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Select one course from four of the following six content areas for a total of 14-15 credits 1, 2 | 14-15 | |
| This degree requires courses from Areas I, II, III and IV; students must select one course from the remaining areas to complete General Education requirements. | ||
Area I: Communications - English Compostion Level 1 | ||
| Composition I (grade of C- or better required) 3 | 4 | |
Area II: Mathematics | ||
| Choose one of the following: | ||
| College Algebra 3 | 3 | |
| Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus 3 | 4 | |
| Introduction to Statistics 3 | 3 | |
| Applications of Calculus I 3 | 3 | |
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry I 3 | 4 | |
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry II 3 | 4 | |
Area III: Laboratory Sciences | ||
Choose one from the following: | ||
| Modern Computing in Practice 3 | 4 | |
| The Planets Lecture & Laboratory 3 | 4 | |
| Survey of Physics with Lab 3 | 4 | |
| Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab 3 | 4 | |
| Algebra-Based Physics II and Algebra-Based Physics II Lab 3 | 4 | |
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences | ||
Choose one from the following: | ||
| Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 | 3 | |
| Survey of Economics 3 | 3 | |
| Macroeconomic Principles 3 | 3 | |
| Principles of Microeconomics Honors 3 | 3 | |
| Introduction to Psychology 3 | 3 | |
| Introduction to Sociology 3 | 3 | |
| Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies 3 | 3 | |
| Representing Women Across Cultures 3 | 3 | |
| General Education Elective - Area I: Communications - English Composition Level 2 | ||
| ENGL 2210G | Professional and Technical Communication 3 | 3 |
| or ENGL 2221G | Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Technical Requirements | ||
| BCIS 1160 | Windows | 3 |
| CIST 1409 | IT Essentials I: PC Hardware, Software, and Practical Applications | 3 |
| or CIST 1605 | Internet of Things | |
| or CIST 1121 | A+ Hardware and Operating Systems | |
| CIST 1411 | Introduction to Networks | 4 |
| or E T 153 | Fundamentals of Networking Communications | |
| or E T 155 | Network Operating Systems I | |
| or E T 273 | Advanced Networking Communications | |
| CIST 1680 | Linux Essentials | 4 |
| or E T 153 | Fundamentals of Networking Communications | |
| or E T 155 | Network Operating Systems I | |
| or E T 273 | Advanced Networking Communications | |
| CIST 2311 | Database Concepts and Principles | 3 |
| CIST 2881 | Cybersecurity Fundamentals | 3 |
| or CIST 2811 | Foundations of Security | |
| CIST 2998 | Internship in Computer Information Systems Technology | 3 |
| Choose one from the following: | 3-4 | |
| C++ Programming I | 1-3 | |
or CIST 2275 | C++ Programming II | |
| Introduction to SQL (Structured Query Language) | 3 | |
| Python Programming II | 3 | |
| Visual Basic Programming | 3 | |
| JAVA Programming | 3 | |
or CSCI 1210 | Computer Programming Fundamentals | |
or CIST 1261 | JavaScript Web Programming | |
OR Any Appropriate CSCI Course (EXCLUDING courses used to fulfill Technical/Major Requirements.) | ||
| Concentration Coursework | ||
| Select 16 credits from approved computer-related electives (except OTEC 1101). Any course with the following prefix: BCIS, CSCI, CIST, DRFT, E E, E T, FDMA, and AIML. EXCLUDING courses used to fulfill Technical/Major Requirements. | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 60-61 | |
- 1
Each course selected must be from a different area and students cannot take multiple courses in the same area.
- 2
See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
- 3
Courses are identical to those offered at New Mexico State University Las Cruces (main) Campus.
- 4
Some courses not currently taught at DACC. Please refer to Class Schedule for a listing of courses taught at DACC.
A Suggested Plan of Study
The contents of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and English. This is only a suggested plan of study for students, and is not intended as a contract. Individual student academic plans may vary. Please contact your academic advisor to create a plan that works for you. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.
Degree requires a minimum of 60 credits and a cumulative GPA of 2.0. If a student has no basic typing skills,
The New Mexico General Education Requirements can be found in the section titled, “Transfer Among New Mexico Institutions of Higher Education".
NOTE: Students must earn a final grade of C- or better in all Major Requirements courses and achieve a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.0. A grade of C- or better is required in ENGL 1110G Composition I and designated Mathematics courses.
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements and elective credits to total at least 60 credits. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
| Semester 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| Area I: Communications - English Composition Level 1 | 4 | |
| Composition I | ||
| Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences - Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | ||
| Survey of Economics | ||
| Macroeconomic Principles | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics Honors | ||
| Introduction to Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies | ||
| Representing Women Across Cultures | ||
| Introduction to Psychology | ||
| Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Area II: Mathematics - Choose one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| College Algebra | ||
| Trigonometry & Pre-Calculus | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Applications of Calculus I | ||
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry I | ||
| Calculus and Analytic Geometry II | ||
| BCIS 1160 | Windows | 3 |
| CIST 1409 | IT Essentials I: PC Hardware, Software, and Practical Applications or Internet of Things or A+ Hardware and Operating Systems | 3 |
| Credits | 16-17 | |
| Semester 2 | ||
| Area III: Laboratory Sciences - Choose one from the following: | 4 | |
| The Planets Lecture & Laboratory | ||
| Modern Computing in Practice | ||
| Survey of Physics with Lab | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics I and Algebra-Based Physics I Lab | ||
| Algebra-Based Physics II and Algebra-Based Physics II Lab | ||
| CIST 1680 | Linux Essentials | 3 |
| CIST 2311 | Database Concepts and Principles | 3 |
| Approved Computer-Related Elective - Choose one from the following: | 3 | |
| C++ Programming I or C++ Programming II | ||
| Introduction to SQL (Structured Query Language) | ||
| Python Programming II | ||
| JAVA Programming or JavaScript Web Programming or Computer Programming Fundamentals | ||
| Visual Basic Programming | ||
OR Any Appropriate CSCI Course (EXCLUDING courses used to fulfill Technical/Major Requirements.) | ||
| Credits | 13 | |
| Semester 3 | ||
| Concentration Courses (choose three) - Select 9 credits from approved computer-related electives (except OTEC 1101). Any course with the following prefix: BCIS, CSCI, CIST, DRFT, E E, E T, FDMA, and AIML.. EXCLUDING courses used to fulfull Technical/Major Requirements. | 9 | |
| Choose one from the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Networks | ||
| Fundamentals of Networking Communications | ||
| Network Operating Systems I | ||
| Advanced Networking Communications | ||
| General Education Elective - Area I: Communications - English Composition Level 2 | 3 | |
| Professional and Technical Communication or Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | ||
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Semester 4 | ||
| Concentration Courses - Select 7 credits from approved computer-related electives (except OTEC 1101). Any course with the following prefix: BCIS, CSCI, CIST, DRFT, E E, E T, FDMA, and AIML. EXCLUDING courses used to fulfull Technical/Major Requirements. | 7 | |
| CIST 2998 | Internship in Computer Information Systems Technology | 3 |
| Approved Computer-Related Elective - A list of approved electives can be found in Semester 2. | 3 | |
| CIST 2811 or CIST 2811 | Foundations of Security or Foundations of Security | 3 |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 60-62 | |