IT Fundamentals Certificate (I-BEST) (no longer accepting new students)
Here is a general overview of what your classes will look like following each quarter. This information may change. Please contact your advisor for more information regarding the courses. To see which materials are needed for your courses, click this bookstore link Links to an external site. and enter the course information.
General Overview
When can I start? Fall (September), Winter (January), or Spring (April)
How long is the program? 3 quarters (9 to 11 months) with 47 total credits
When do classes meet? Mornings and early afternoons with some online options; there also may be some evening classes that meet from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Are summer classes required? No
In this certificate program, students will gain the knowledge to be able to design, develop, and test programming applications. Students will also learn how to build functional webpages. Pursuing a computer science AAS or AAS-T degree is strongly encouraged as you gain more skills needed in the tech industry.
You can learn more about the Computer Science program in our $25 class CCP 046 Bridge to Information Technology Programs.
What does a computer programmer do?
What is the average salary?
Most web developers earn at least $62,560 in the Seattle area; Links to an external site.there is a wide salary range. Jobs with higher pay often require a bachelor's degree in the Seattle area.
Who can I contact with questions?
- New students, please visit our Zoom lobby (Links to an external site.) to talk with someone by video chat, or e-mail our advising department.
- For current students, please visit RTC's advising page (Links to an external site and look for the faculty counselor assigned to Computer Science.
Overall Materials Needed:
- Functioning, recent Windows laptop or computer, not an Apple or Chromebook (you must be able to install software)
- USB drive (thumb drive)
- Webcam
- Headset with microphone
- Working internet connection
Key Course Icons (learn more)
green means the class has expensive materials
red means the class has lots of assignments
purple means the class has a lot of technical vocabulary
orange means the class has complex content
blue means the class moves at a fast pace
gold means that this is the most challenging quarter in the whole program
2022 - 2023 Starts
Quarter 1 Classes 
Description: This quarter introduces you to computer programming and networking. This quarter has four classes, including one social science class.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
|
CNT 156 (replaced by IT 101) |
CompTIA A+ Core I (Fundamentals of Computing) |
NO | 5 |
| CSI 120 | Computer Programming I |
NO | 5 |
| ANTH& 106 | American Mosaic or other social science class | varies by class | 5 |
| Tuition and Fees Estimated Total: $2,003 | |||
Quarter 2 Classes
Description: You will create simple applications with object-oriented programming and also design databases using SQL. This quarter has two computer science classes and one communication or humanities class, with ENGL& 101 recommended. What are your placement options for ENGL&101?
Prerequisite note: You cannot take CSI 122 unless you earn a 2.0 or higher in CSI 120.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSI 122 | Computer Programming II | NO | 5 |
|
CSI 130 (replaced by CSI 230) |
Database Design (Database Development I) |
NO | 5 |
| ENGL& 101 | English Composition or other communication or humanities class | varies by class | 5 |
| Tuition Estimated Total: $1,836 | |||
Quarter 3 Classes
Description: You will use HTML and CSS for web design and develop more advanced applications with object-oriented programming. This quarter has two computer science classes and one math class. Please consult your adviser about the best math class for your goals; you can learn more about math placement here.
It's time to apply for graduation!
Prerequisite note: You cannot take CSI 124 unless you earn a 2.0 or higher in CSI 122.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
|
CSI 124 (replaced by CSI 224) |
Computer Programming III |
NO | 5 |
| CSI 140 |
Front-End Web Development (new title, fall 2023 = Web Development I) |
varies | 5 |
| AMATH 190 | Financial Algebra |
varies by class | 5 |
| Tuition Estimated Total: $1,836 | |||
Grand Total Estimate: $5,675
Fall 2023 and Beyond
If you plan to stay at RTC to finish your Computer Science AAS or AAS-T degree, please use those program maps instead!
Quarter 1 Classes
Description: This quarter introduces you to computer programming and networking. This quarter has four classes, including one social science class and one math class. Please consult your adviser about the best math class for your goals; you can learn more about math placement here.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| COL 101 | College Success | NO | 2 |
| IT 101 | Fundamentals of Computing | NO | 5 |
| ANTH& 106 | American Mosaic or other social science class | varies by class | 5 |
| AMATH 175 | Financial Math |
NO | 5 |
| Tuition and Fees Estimated Total: $2,062 | |||
Quarter 2 Classes
Description: You will create simple applications using data types, conditionals, loops, arrays, HTML, and CSS. This quarter has two computer science classes and one communication or humanities class, with ENGL& 101 recommended. What are your placement options for ENGL&101?
Prerequisite note: You cannot take CSI 122 unless you earn a 2.0 or higher in CSI 120.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSI 120 | Computer Programming I |
NO | 5 |
| CSI 140 | Web Development I | NO | 5 |
| ENGL& 101 | English Composition or other communication or humanities class | varies by class | 5 |
| Tuition Estimated Total: $1,941 | |||
Quarter 3 Classes
Description: You will build your programming skills with forms, controls, properties, and methods, and you will increase your web design skills with Javascript and jQuery. This quarter has two computer science classes and one elective.
It's time to apply for graduation!
Prerequisite note: You cannot take CSI 124 unless you earn a 2.0 or higher in CSI 122.
| Course ID | Course Name | Materials | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CSI 122 | Computer Programming II | NO | 5 |
| CSI 142 | Web Development II | varies | 5 |
| --- | any elective from General Education, Cloud Network Technology (CNT), or Cybersecurity Analyst (CYA) | varies by class |
5 |
| Tuition Estimated Total: $1,941 | |||
Grand Total Estimate: $5,944
Electives, Fall 2023 and Beyond
You get to select one elective class (5 credits) for this certificate.
You can choose classes from any of the five General Education areas. You also can use one or more classes from Cloud Network Technology (CNT) and, starting fall 2023, Cybersecurity Analyst, the other associate programs in the Information Technology area of study. If you switched from CNT or CYA to CSI, you may have some electives completed already.
Cloud Network Technology Classes
All classes are 5 credits each. You must follow the prerequisite requirements; if you do not have the prerequisite class, you cannot enroll in that CNT option.
- CNT 160 Foundations and Operations of Cloud Computing (prerequisite = IT 101, which you took in Quarter 1)
- formerly called Core Networking and Cloud Computing
- CNT 140 Routing and Switching I (prerequisite = IT 101)
- formerly CNT 240
- CNT 256 Cloud Solutions Architect
- CNT 262 Introduction to Databases with SQL
- CNT 263 CompTIA Linux+
Cybersecurity Analyst Classes
All classes are 5 credits each. None of these classes has prerequisites, which means you should be able to register.
- CYA 110 Cybersecurity Fundamentals I
- CYA 111 Introduction to Cybersecurity
- CYA 141 Linux Fundamentals for Cybersecurity
- CYA 205 Securing the Internet of Things
- CYA 210 Security, Compliance, and Identity
Not quite the path you want to take? Let's go back to the Program Map!