TSTC programs to offer extra flexibility to students at North Texas campus
(RED OAK, Texas) – Texas State Technical College’s Computer Networking and Systems Administration program and Cybersecurity program are coming this fall to the North Texas campus in a hybrid format.
For the first time since spring 2020, students will be able to attend in-person labs on campus with online lectures. Students continue to have the option of taking the programs in an all-online format.
“We are excited to introduce these programs back and continue to grow our campus community to ultimately support our industry partners with skilled employees,” said Marcus Balch, provost of TSTC’s North Texas campus.
Jacob Usery, statewide instructional business manager for TSTC’s Computer Networking and Systems Administration program, said faculty members have worked all summer to redesign and update labs so that students can work on physical hardware that mirrors what they can expect professionally.
“Being able to expand our delivery method to allow more students to access our program speaks to the determination of our leadership to provide quality, industry-specific education so that we can place more Texans in great-paying jobs,” Usery said.
The programs are part of TSTCYou, which meets students where they are through a flexible, performance-based education that works with busy schedules.
In the performance-based education model, students work with an enrollment coach to develop a schedule in two-hour time blocks. Lectures, videos and other learning content is on Canvas, a learning management system. Instructors also do mini-lectures during the day, with tests being demonstration-based, online or written.
“There is an audience of learners who excel through real-time face-to-face interaction with instructors,” said Emanuel Palacios, statewide chair of the Computer Networking and Systems Administration department. “Likewise, learners who enjoy networking, conversing and collaborating with peers will greatly benefit from the hybrid modality.”
Registration continues at TSTC for the fall semester. For more information, go to tstc.edu.
