Smart Building Technology

Graduates of the Smart Building Technology Associate of Applied Science are prepared for entry-level careers in the rapidly growing low-voltage integration industry. Career opportunities include smart building technician, structured cabling technician, network infrastructure technician, security systems technician, access control technician, video surveillance technician, audio/video integration technician, smart home installer, field service technician, and systems integration specialist.
The program provides hands-on training in networking, fiber optics, structured cabling, smart home technologies, audio/video systems, video surveillance, access control, fire alarm systems, lighting controls, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and AI-enabled building technologies. Students develop the technical and problem-solving skills needed to install, configure, integrate, troubleshoot, and maintain today's connected building systems.

Graduates may pursue employment with systems integrators, electrical contractors, technology integrators, security companies, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, commercial building operators, industrial facilities, and technology service providers. The curriculum also provides a strong foundation for earning industry-recognized certifications and advancing into supervisory, project management, or engineering support roles with experience.

Students planning to continue their education should consult with an academic advisor regarding transfer opportunities to four-year institutions. Transferability of coursework is determined by the receiving institution.
Qualified high school students may also earn college credit through dual credit or other approved Houston City College programs. Students should consult with an academic advisor for current eligibility requirements.

In addition, students may earn only one Occupational Skills Award (OSA) per academic year.
TSI testing is required prior to first enrollment for all Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree programs and Level II certificate programs.

The Smart Building Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) prepares students for careers across the low-voltage integration industry, including networking, audio/video, smart home technologies, structured cabling, and electronic security systems. Students pursuing careers in the electronic security industry should be aware that the installation, service, and maintenance of regulated electronic security systems in Texas require registration or licensure through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Private Security Program.

Graduates seeking employment involving the installation, service, or maintenance of security alarm systems, intrusion detection systems, access control systems, closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, video surveillance systems, and other regulated electronic security equipment will be required to obtain the appropriate Texas DPS registration or license as a condition of employment. In most cases, registration is obtained through sponsorship by a licensed Texas security company and requires compliance with all applicable state regulations, including any required background checks.

Students planning to pursue the A.A.S. degree have two options for meeting this requirement. They may apply for and obtain the appropriate Texas DPS registration or license before entering the A.A.S. program, or they may begin in the Smart Building Technology Certificate Level I (C1) or Certificate Level II (C2) program and apply for the required registration or license while completing the A.A.S. capstone courses. This flexible pathway allows students to begin developing technical skills while preparing to meet the licensing requirements for employment in the electronic security industry.
Licensing requirements are established by the State of Texas and are subject to change. Students are encouraged to review current requirements through the Texas Department of Public Safety Private Security Program and consult with prospective employers regarding the specific registration or license required for their intended career path.

• Safety and Regulations - Demonstrate safety rules and regulations according to the NFPA guidelines, NEC – National Electrical Code, OSHA, Texas Department of Public Safety’s unarm alarm installer licensing guidelines, and the Texas Department of Insurance fire licensing guidelines.
• Use/Selection of Tools & Test Instruments- Demonstrate the proper use/selection of hand tools, power tools and low-voltage test instruments.
• Use/Selection of Low-Voltage Equipment & Materials – Demonstrate the proper use/selection of various low voltage equipment, wiring enclosures, different connectors for coaxial, ethernet, and fiber optics.
• Wired/Wireless Configuration – Combine and configure different devices through various wired or wireless interconnection methods to integrate them together to form a complete system to demonstrate a fully connected system.

Graduates of the Smart Building Technology Certificate Level I (C1) are prepared for entry-level careers in the rapidly growing low-voltage integration industry. Career opportunities include structured cabling technician, smart home technician, network support technician, installation technician, field service technician, and systems integration technician supporting residential and commercial technology projects.

The program provides hands-on training in structured cabling, networking, fiber optics, smart home technologies, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and the fundamentals of integrated building systems. Students develop the technical and problem-solving skills needed to install, configure, troubleshoot, and support today's connected residential and commercial technologies.
Graduates may pursue employment with systems integrators, technology integration companies, electrical contractors, structured cabling contractors, smart home companies, network infrastructure providers, commercial building technology companies, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, industrial facilities, and technology service organizations. The curriculum also provides a strong foundation for earning industry-recognized certifications while preparing students to continue into the Smart Building Technology Certificate Level II (C2) for advanced technical training and expanded career opportunities.

Students who continue into the C2 develop advanced skills in audio/video systems, lighting controls, integrated building systems, and residential and commercial systems integration. Those who continue into the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree further expand their knowledge into electronic security and life safety systems, including video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, fire alarm systems, and advanced integrated building technologies, preparing them for additional career opportunities within the low-voltage integration industry.

The Smart Building Technology Certificate Level I (C1) does not require students to obtain a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Private Security registration or license to complete the certificate. However, students planning to continue into the Smart Building Technology Certificate Level II (C2) and ultimately the Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree should be aware that careers in the electronic security industry require the appropriate Texas DPS registration or license to install, service, and maintain security alarm systems, intrusion detection systems, access control systems, closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, video surveillance systems, and other regulated electronic security equipment, as required by the State of Texas.

The C1 curriculum provides the foundational technical knowledge needed to begin the Texas DPS licensing process. Students are encouraged to apply for the appropriate Texas DPS registration or license during the C1 capstone course, allowing them to begin the state approval process early. This positions students to continue into the C2 and A.A.S. programs while meeting the licensing requirements necessary for employment in the electronic security industry.

Licensing requirements are established by the State of Texas and are subject to change. Students should review current requirements through the Texas Department of Public Safety Private Security Program and consult with prospective employers regarding the registration or license required for their intended career path.

• Safety and Regulations - Demonstrate safety rules and regulations according to the NFPA guidelines, NEC – National Electrical Code, OSHA, Texas Department of Public Safety’s unarm alarm installer licensing guidelines, and the Texas Department of Insurance fire licensing guidelines.
• Use/Selection of Tools & Test Instruments- Demonstrate the proper use/selection of hand tools, power tools and low-voltage test instruments.
• Use/Selection of Low-Voltage Equipment & Materials – Demonstrate the proper use/selection of various low voltage equipment, wiring enclosures, different connectors for coaxial, ethernet, and fiber optics.
• Wired/Wireless Configuration – Combine and configure different devices through various wired or wireless interconnection methods to integrate them together to form a complete system to demonstrate a fully connected system.

Graduates of the Smart Building Technology Certificate Level II (C2) are prepared for entry-level careers in the rapidly growing low-voltage integration industry. Career opportunities include smart home technician, structured cabling technician, network infrastructure technician, audio/video integration technician, lighting control technician, field service technician, smart building technician, and systems integration technician supporting residential and commercial integration projects.
The program provides hands-on training in networking, fiber optics, structured cabling, smart home technologies, audio/video systems, lighting controls, Internet of Things (IoT) (IoT) devices, and integrated building systems. Students develop the technical and problem-solving skills needed to install, configure, integrate, troubleshoot, and maintain today's connected residential and commercial technologies.

Graduates may pursue employment with systems integrators, technology integration companies, electrical contractors, audio/video integration firms, smart home companies, commercial building technology providers, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, industrial facilities, and technology service organizations. The curriculum also provides a strong foundation for earning industry-recognized certifications while preparing students to continue into the Smart Building Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree.

Students who continue into the A.A.S. expand their knowledge into electronic security and life safety systems, including video surveillance, access control, intrusion detection, fire alarm systems, and advanced integrated building technologies, preparing them for additional career opportunities within the low-voltage integration industry.

TSI testing is required prior to first enrollment for all Level II Certificate programs and Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree programs.

The Smart Building Technology Certificate Level II (C2) does not require students to obtain a Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Private Security registration or license as a condition of completing the certificate. However, students who plan to continue into the Smart Building Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree and pursue careers in the electronic security industry will be required to obtain the appropriate Texas DPS registration or license to install, service, and maintain security alarm systems, intrusion detection systems, access control systems, closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems, video surveillance systems, and other regulated electronic security equipment, as required by the State of Texas.

The C2 curriculum is designed to prepare students for this transition. Students are encouraged to apply for the appropriate Texas DPS registration or license while completing the C2 capstone course, allowing them to meet state licensing requirements before entering the A.A.S. degree and advanced electronic security coursework.
Licensing requirements are established by the State of Texas and are subject to change. Students should review current requirements through the Texas Department of Public Safety Private Security Program and consult with prospective employers regarding the registration or license required for their intended career path.

• Safety and Regulations - Demonstrate safety rules and regulations according to the NFPA guidelines, NEC – National Electrical Code, OSHA, Texas Department of Public Safety’s unarm alarm installer licensing guidelines, and the Texas Department of Insurance fire licensing guidelines.
• Use/Selection of Tools & Test Instruments- Demonstrate the proper use/selection of hand tools, power tools and low-voltage test instruments.
• Use/Selection of Low-Voltage Equipment & Materials – Demonstrate the proper use/selection of various low voltage equipment, wiring enclosures, different connectors for coaxial, ethernet, and fiber optics.
• Wired/Wireless Configuration – Combine and configure different devices through various wired or wireless interconnection methods to integrate them together to integrate them together to form a complete system to demonstrate a fully connected system.