Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician(MCDST) (200 hours)

Course Overview/Description

 

The Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician credential is the premier certification for IT professionals who support end users and troubleshoot desktop environments running on the Microsoft Windows operating system. This online certification preparation program will prepare students to sit for the national certification exam to become a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician. MCDSTs are employed as Help Desk Technicians, Customer Support Representatives, PC Support Specialists, Technical Support Representative, Technical Support Specialist, among others! MCDSTs are not expected to possess network administration skills.

MCDSTs use excellent customer service skills to educate users and solve hardware or software operation and application problems on the Microsoft Windows desktop operating system. Individuals may be required to perform the following tasks:

• Perform trouble shooting
• Provide helpdesk and technical support
• Provide facilitation and customer service
• Perform hardware and software installation
• Perform configuration and upgrades for Windows XP desktop operating system and the Microsoft Office system to support end users on the desktop

Benefits of becoming an MCDST:

• Industry recognition of knowledge and proficiency with Microsoft products and technology
• Certification that is internationally recognizable
• Increase marketability in the workplace
• Potential for increased salary

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

• Perform trouble shooting
• Provide helpdesk and technical support
• Provide facilitation and customer service
• Perform hardware and software installation
• Perform configuration and upgrades for Windows XP desktop operating system and the Microsoft Office system to support end users on the desktop
• Be prepared to write the following core exams:
  • 70-271 - Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System
  • 70-272 - Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Microsoft XP Operating System

Course Outline

• Supporting Microsoft Windows XP Client Operating Systems (NGMS2261)
  1. Supporting Users
  2. Troubleshooting Installation
  3. Troubleshooting Desktop Management
  4. Troubleshooting File and Folder
  5. Troubleshooting Hardware
  6. Troubleshooting Printers
  7. Troubleshooting Network Connectivity
  
  
• Supporting and Troubleshooting Applications on Microsoft Windows XP (NGMS2262)
  1. Supporting User Applications on Windows XP
  2. Troubleshooting Desktop Applications
  3. Troubleshooting Internet Explorer
  4. Troubleshooting Outlook
  5. Troubleshooting Office
  6. Troubleshooting Outlook Express

Prerequisites/Audience

This course provides a basis toward certification as a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST). It will be of interest to IT professionals who will provide help desk support for Windows XP operating systems.

Requirements for MCDST Certification

• A MCSDT candidate should have six to twelve months of experience supporting end users of a desktop operating system.
• MCDST candidates are required to pass two core exams. Elective exams are not required.

 

PC Requirements/Materials Included

 

This course is currently not compatible with Windows Vista Operating System.

The following components are required for the student to complete the online portion of the course:

• Computer running Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT, or Windows 95/98
• Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
• Access to the Internet - high speed preferred
• Headphones or speakers
• Sound Card

The materials included with this course are:
• Microsoft Approved Curriculum Text Books
• Access to an online IT Library

Instructor Bio

Clara Margaret Czégény is our Senior Trainer and Online Support Specialist/Mentor for Academy ONLINE. She has also enjoyed a successful career as an IT Trainer at DeVry Institute of Technology in Mississauga and Shaw IT Business College in Hamilton, Ontario where she taught the MCSE curriculum as well as popular Desktop Applications and Internet/Intranet Web courses. Well-qualified for the position of MCT, Clara also completed several years in the Public Teaching sector where she proved her teaching skills with young students from Grades JK to OAC's. Her continued interest in training led her to earn an Honours Gerontology Degree from McMaster University where she polished her presentation skills and demonstrated a solid understanding of principles of adult education. Clara has achieved her Microsoft MCT, MCSE (NT4, W2K, W3K), MCSA (W3K), MCP+Internet certifications, CompTia A+ and Network+ certifications. She holds an Ontario Teacher's Certificate, and a B.A., Hons. B.A. and B.Ed, B.Sc.(Hons)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How do I register?
Click on the register button at the top of the page and follow the directions. It is important that you type all your information in the boxes, then print it out to sign.  Payment and sending instructions are in the bottom right corner of the form.

2. How much do the courses cost?
The fee is in the pink box at the top of the page.

3. Can I register for courses if I live outside the United States?
Yes you can!

4. Do I ever have go to the school I register with?
All of our courses are delivered entirely online, so you never have to go to a class or travel to the school.

5. How long does it take to complete a course?
All of our courses are self-paced and open enrollment. You can start and finish the course at your own pace. When you register for a course, you are given 180 days (6 months) to complete the course. If you need more time, extensions are available.

6. Do I have to buy additional materials?
All materials are included. The cost of materials is covered by your tuition. GES ships all materials via UPS ground service upon registration.

7. Can I get financial aid?
GES courses are non-credit courses, so they do not qualify for federal aid. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses.

• GES provides a loan opportunity for students. Simply go to www.collegeloanapplication.com to apply for an easier qualifying loan at a slightly higher rate. Click here for more information on this loan program.

8. What happens when I complete the course?
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion from the school with which you registered. You must obtain a final passing grade of 70% or greater to be awarded a certificate.

9. Am I guaranteed a job?
GES courses will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. We do not provide direct job placement services, but our instructors will help you build your resume and are available to give advice on finding your first job. Instructors will also be available to use as a professional reference upon completion of the course. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

10. Who will be my instructor?
Each student is paired with a facilitator for one-on-one interaction. The facilitator will be available (via email or phone) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.

11. What do I have to have in order to take an online course, and what are the system requirements?
In order to take our online courses, you must have access to a computer and the Internet (a normal dial-up connection is fine). You can access the course contents from any Web-enabled computer. There are no necessary plug-ins. You do not have to use the same computer to log-in to the course every time. We recommend that you have a word-processing program (Microsoft Word is best) and the latest version of Internet Explorer.

12. Can this course be taken on a Mac?
No.

Note: An IBM or IBM clone PC is any standard desktop computer that is not an Apple or MacIntosh. IBM and IBM clone PC's run some version of Windows as an operating system and come in many brands other than just IBM, such as Dell, Gateway, and Compaq just to name a few.

13. How can I get more information on the course?
All of the information we have is available online under our course catalog (www.gatlineducation.com). If you have questions that are not answered online, please feel free to email us at courseinfo@gatlineducation.com or call 817-870-2870. We will answer your questions promptly.

14. Do the Microsoft and CompTIA programs get me prepared for actual certification?
The Gatlin online IT programs provide students the training for the exam. Once you complete your online certification coursework, it's time to take your certification exam. Microsoft, CompTIA, and LPI certification testing is administered by third-party vendors such as Prometric and Virtual University Enterprises (VUE), two leading providers of technology-based testing. Both offer a network of computer-based testing centers with thousands of locations worldwide.

For more information about Prometric, visit www.2test.com, and for more information about VUE, visit www.vue.com.