Computer Systems Technician (Co-op and Non Co-op Version)

Pursue a technology career to support modern IT infrastructures.

  • Enjoy a more personalized learning environment with our small classes
  • Benefit from supportive and experienced faculty who are active in their industry
  • Gain the latest and best industry-specific knowledge and skills to be career-ready upon graduation

Program Availability and Schedule

Availability

Open

Closed

Waitlisted

Start Term

Availability

International
Availability

Competitive?

Fall 2025

No

Schedule

Fall 2025
Level 01
Winter 2026
Level 02
Spring 2026
Co-op 01
Fall 2026
Level 03

Program Summary

Credential

Ontario College Diploma (42 Weeks)

Program Delivery

Program Code

Area of Interest

Advanced Technology

School

Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley

Campus

Pembroke

Work Integrated Learning

Yes
CIP Code(s): 15.1202

This accelerated two-year Computer Systems Technician Ontario College Diploma program, delivered over three academic periods (semesters) prepares you for a career in information technology with a focus on network and system administration.

You learn to set up, configure and maintain all components that constitute an effective network: computer hardware, operating systems, networking and virtualization technologies, security and task automation. In addition, you develop problem solving skills and troubleshooting techniques to help support an IT infrastructure. Throughout the program, you also develop your oral and written communication skills, customer support, and ethics relevant to the information technology workplace....(read more)

Overview

Pursue a technology career to support modern IT infrastructures.

This accelerated two-year Computer Systems Technician Ontario College Diploma program, delivered over three academic periods (semesters) prepares you for a career in information technology with a focus on network and system administration.

You learn to set up, configure and maintain all components that constitute an effective network: computer hardware, operating systems, networking and virtualization technologies, security and task automation. In addition, you develop problem solving skills and troubleshooting techniques to help support an IT infrastructure. Throughout the program, you also develop your oral and written communication skills, customer support, and ethics relevant to the information technology workplace.

As a student in this program, you have access to the latest software and equipment including hardware labs, network-based operating systems, including Microsoft and GNU/Linux, as well as other industry-standard tools and resources.

You can work towards industry-recognized certifications including CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Linux+ and Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA). Upon successful completion of this program, you may transfer credit for the first two years of the Computer Systems Technology - Security three-year Ontario College Advanced Diploma, as long as you meet its admissions requirements.

Students also have the option to gain real-world experience through a paid co-operative education (co-op) work term (see Additional Information for more details). Please note that places in the co-op work term are subject to availability and academic eligibility. Please note admission to the co-op program does not guarantee a co-op placement.

Upon graduation you may find employment opportunities in a wide range of sectors including government, private and public for entry-level positions or self-employment in:

  • network and systems administration
  • IT infrastructure
  • installation, migration, and support
  • technical and customer service support
  • computer training and consultation

Courses

Programs at Algonquin College are delivered using a variety of instruction modes. Courses may be offered in the classroom or lab, entirely online, or in a hybrid mode which combines classroom sessions with virtual learning activities. Upon registration, each full-time student is provided an Algonquin email account which is used to communicate important information about program or course events.

Careers & Pathways

Careers

Graduates may find employment as technical support specialists for PCs and Networks in a wide variety of corporate environments in the industrial, governmental and service sectors. Positions may also include system administration and maintenance for LAN/WAN (Local Area Network/Wide Area Network), Internet/Intranet and Unix/Linux environments, hardware/software sales representatives, customer service support representatives, technical support specialists, network installation and implementation specialists.

Pathways

Please use our Pathways tool to search for pathway options.

Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

  1. Identify, analyze, develop, implement, verify and document the requirements for a computing environment.
  2. Contribute to the diagnostics, troubleshooting, documenting and monitoring of technical problems using appropriate methodologies and tools.
  3. Implement and maintain secure computing environments.
  4. Implement robust computing system solutions through validation testing that aligns with industry best practices.
  5. Communicate and collaborate with team members and stakeholders to ensure effective working relationships.
  6. Select and apply strategies for personal and professional development to enhance work performance.
  7. Apply project management principles and tools when working on projects within a computing environment.
  8. Adhere to ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements and/or principles in the development and management of computing solutions and systems.
  9. Assist with the implementation of computer systems and cloud solutions.
  10. Install, configure, troubleshoot, maintain, upgrade and decommission computing system infrastructures.
  11. Automate routine tasks using scripting tools and programming languages.
  12. Install and monitor a database management system in response to specified requirements.
  13. Provide technical support for computing system infrastructures that aligns with industry best practice.
  14. Identify and apply discipline-specific practices that contribute to the local and global community through social responsibility, economic commitment and environmental stewardship.

Tuition & Fees

Get an idea of how much each semester will cost with our Tuition and Fee Estimator.

2025/2026 Academic Year

Tuition and related ancillary fees for this program can be viewed by using the Tuition and Fees Estimator tool at www.algonquincollege.com/fee-estimator

Further information on fees can be found by visiting the Registrar`s Office website at www.algonquincollege.com/ro

Fees are subject to change.

Additional program related expenses include:

  • Books and supplies cost approximately $400 to $500 per term.

Admissions Requirements

All applicants must satisfy both College Eligibility and Program Eligibility requirements.

College Eligibility

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent;
  • Mature Student status (19 years of age or older and without a high sch diploma at the start of the program). Eligibility may be determined by academic achievement testing, for which a fee will be charged.

Program Eligibility

  • English, Grade 12 (ENG4C or equivalent).
  • Mathematics, Grade 12 (MAP4C or equivalent).
  • Applicants with international transcripts must provide proof of the subject specific requirements noted above and may be required to provide proof of language proficiency. Domestic applicants with international transcripts must be evaluated through the International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS) or World Education Services (WES).
  • IELTS-International English Language Testing Service (Academic) Overall band of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band OR TOEFL-Internet-based (iBT) Overall 80, with a minimum of 20 in each component: Reading 20; Listening 20; Speaking 20; Writing 20 OR Duolingo English Test (DET) Overall 110, minimum of 110 in Literacy and no score below 95.

Should the number of qualified applicants exceed the number of available places, applicants will be selected on the basis of their proficiency in English and mathematics.

Note: Applicants are encouraged to acquire basic computer skills such as keyboard proficiency and the use of an office software suite (word processing, spreadsheets, etc.) prior to the start of the program.

Application Information

COMPUTER SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN
Program Code 0150X10FPM

Applications to full-time day programs must be submitted with official transcripts showing completion of the academic admission requirements through:

ontariocolleges.ca
60 Corporate Court
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 5J3
1-888-892-2228

Students currently enrolled in an Ontario secondary school should notify their Guidance Office prior to their online application at www.ontariocolleges.ca

Applications for Fall Term and Winter Term received by February 1 will be given equal consideration. Applications received after February 1 will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis as long as places are available.

International applicants applying from out-of-country can obtain the International Student Application Form at https://algonquincollege.my.site.com/myac360/s/self-registration-page or by contacting the Registrar`s Office.

For further information on the admissions process, contact:

Registrar`s Office
Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley
1 College Way
Pembroke, ON K8A0C8
Local: 613-735-4700
Toll-free 1-800-565-4723
TTY: 1-866-620-3845
Fax: 613-735-4739
https://algonquincollege.com/pembroke

Additional Information

Program Resources

CO-OP INFORMATION
All applicants apply directly to the co-op version of this program through OntarioColleges.ca or our International Application Portal. Applicants not wishing to pursue the co-op version will have the opportunity to opt-out after being admitted to the program but prior to the first co-op work term.

Co-operative education (Co-op) allows students to integrate their classroom learning with a real-world experience through paid work terms.Two academic terms prior to the cooperative education work term, students are required to actively participate in and successfully complete the self-directed co-op course, readiness activities and workshops.

Students must actively conduct a guided, self-directed job search and are responsible for securing approved program-related paid co-op employment. Students compete for co-op positions alongside students from Algonquin College and other Canadian and international colleges and universities. Algonquin College`s Co-op Department provides assistance in developing co-op job opportunities and guides the overall process, but does not guarantee that a student will obtain employment in a co-op work term. Co-op students may be required to relocate to take part in the co-op employment opportunities available in their industry and must cover all associated expenses; e.g., travel, work permits, visa applications, accommodation and all other incurred expenses.

Co-op work terms are typically 14 weeks in duration and are completed during a term when students are not taking courses. For more information on your program`s co-op level(s), visit the courses tab on your program`s webpage.

International students enrolled in a co-op program are required by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to have a valid Co-op/Internship Work Permit prior to commencing their work term. Without this document International students are not legally eligible to engage in work in Canada that is part of an academic program. The Co-op/Internship Work Permit does not authorize international students to work outside the requirements of their academic program.

For more information on co-op programs, the co-op work/study schedule, as well as general and program-specific co-op eligibility criteria, please visit www.algonquincollege.com/coop.

The program is also offered at the Woodroffe Campus. While the overall learning outcomes at the Pembroke and Woodroffe Campuses are the same, the curriculum order and subject delivery are reflective of local circumstances which may affect program delivery.

Students wishing to transfer between campuses should consult with their coordinator before making any decisions as there may be some impact on credit transfers.

Contact

Matthew Neadow

Program Coordinator

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