This guide identifies technicians, states specific job requirements, and describes special problems in defining, initiating, and operating post-high school programs in data processing technology. The following are discussed: (1) the program (employment opportunities, the technician, work performed by data processing personnel, the faculty, student selection and services, textbooks, references and visual aids, laboratory equipment and facilities, the library, scientific and technical societies, and advisory committees and services); (2) the curriculum (outline, brief description of courses, curriculum content and relationships, suggested continuing study, and cooperative vocational education programs); (3) course outlines (technical--computer science, operations and programming; systems development and analysis, and data base management--math--including business statistics--supporting courses--business and accounting--and general courses--communication skills and society and working relationships); (4) lab equipment and facilities (transporting student to computer facilities, terminals only, on-campus computer facilities, equipment costs, supplies, and non-instructional support); and (5) library support (staff, budget, and content). A bibliography is appended, as are lists of film distributors and professional societies and associations in data processing and a summary of the curriculum pilot study. (KM)