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Computing Survival Skills
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Certification Goal

After completing the certification program, you will be able to initiate, develop, and execute basic computing tasks and projects within your department. In addition, you will develop a clear understanding of the overall computing environment and resources available at the University.

In the future, when you or someone in your department has a computing problem, you will be better prepared to solve it on your own or to locate the resources that can assist you in solving it.

Completing the Computing Survival Skills program will enable you to provide more effective departmental computing support, making you a more valuable asset to your department and the University as a whole.

 

 

Certification Process

  1. Obtain permission from your supervisor and your department's LSP to attend the 24-hour training program, which includes 21 hours of workshops and 3 hours of independent study over a six-week period. Your LSP and supervisor must send email to itc-survival@virginia.edu stating the following:

    • you are designated as a Local Support Associate,
    • as an LSA, you will provide some computing support within your department,
    • and that they understand the out-of-office time commitment required for you to
    successfully complete the course.

  2. Visit the CSS Website (www.itc.virginia.edu/dcs/css/) to view the course schedule and register for the appropriate class. Workshops are scheduled from 8:30 am to 12:00pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Thursdays.

  3. IMPORTANT! Attend all six workshops. Make-up dates are not available. Please make sure that you can attend all dates when you sign-up. A single missed class make-up is at the discretion of the CSS coordinator and may not always be possible due to changes in the course material. More than one absence will automatically result in having to take all six classes again, if and when space is available.

  4. Complete assignments and review questions for each workshop before the end of the program. Once you have attended all six workshops and completed all assignments and review questions, you are eligible earn 1.8 CEU credits (Continuing Education Units) which will appear on your permanent transcript.

  5. Review materials. A review session is scheduled at the beginning of each class to answer questions and review the previous week's material. A final review will be scheduled after the classes are completed and before the exam date.

  6. Complete and pass the final comprehensive exam that is offered within two weeks of your last class session. Passing the exam is required for CSS certificaton and becoming an LSA. The exam may be re-taken if you do not receive a passing score.

Once certified, you will receive a certificate that recognizes your accomplishment. As a certified graduate of Computing Survival Skills, you can use your new skills and knowledge to provide more effective and efficient computing support within your department.

 

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