The Information Technology Services (ITS) program offers several options for students interested in employment in one of the most dynamic, broad, and potentially lucrative job markets in the 21st century.
As the Cybersecurity program derives from ITS, both programs share the first-year Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC), which provides foundational knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level IT service work. The ITS ITC also trains to industry-recognized certifications.
The Associate of Applied Science degree (AAS) in ITS is a two-year program designed to provide the knowledge and skills needed for employment in small, medium, or large corporate environments that may consist of multiple locations, networks, domains, and cloud services. Training includes support for a broad range of technologies and common network services such as messaging, file and printing, firewalling, internet connectivity, SDN, remote access, servers and client management. Additionally, the program prepares students to gain industry-recognized skills-based certifications including Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA.
Industry Partners at CEI
CEI is a Microsoft IT Academy, a Cisco Networking Academy, VMWare IT Academy, RedHat Academy, and a CompTIA Authorized Academy. These partnerships ensure that the industry official curriculum is available to the qualified instructors teaching the various ITS courses, as well as providing discounts for certification exams.
Entrance Requirements
Students must qualify for a GEM Math course, or discuss qualifications with an Admissions counselor.
Students must meet the computer literacy proficiency as described below:
- This program assumes students possess an intermediate level of computer knowledge at the beginning of the program. Students may demonstrate this level of knowledge with a current IC3 or A+ certification, successfully passing BSN 115 or equivalent with a grade of (B) or higher, passing the CEI Computer Literacy Exam with an 80% or higher, and/ or gaining instructor permission. It is recommended that all prospective students visit with an instructor to review their particular qualifications and receive an overview of the program prior to enrollment.
Note:
- Students accepted into the program will be required to complete the classes in the prescribed semester as laid out in the catalog. Failure to register and/or pass all classes required each term may result in delays or dismissal from the program. Any changes to registration outside of the prescribed semester must be approved by the Department Advisor.
- Industry employers require criminal background checks as a standard for employment. If you have questions or concerns about passing a criminal background check, the Cybersecurity and Technology Department strongly encourages you to discuss your concerns with a CEI Admissions Counselor or Department Advisor.
AAS students must successfully complete the ITS ITC before applying to the full associate’s in either Cybersecurity or IT Services. The application is available in the Cybersecurity and Technology Departments page on www.cei.edu or from your department advisor. Cybersecurity associate’s courses are taught primarily in the evening.
Intended Learning Outcomes
- Install, configure, secure, maintain, and troubleshoot computer hardware and software
- Setup, configure, secure, and troubleshoot basic network hardware and services
- Implement, monitor, and maintain network servers, including web servers and network applications
- Employ professional, team, and ethical behaviors that contribute to continued employability accounting for technological advances
- Design, implement, operate, and troubleshoot enterprise network and server infrastructure to meet technical and business requirements
Program Costs
In addition to the registration and technology fees, an ITS student may expect to pay approximately $350 per semester for books and supplies. Additionally, in the first semester of the ITS program, students are required to purchase the parts for a computer, which they assemble as part of their coursework. The cost for these components will run approximately between $500 and $1,500.
Industry Testing for Certification
Upon completion of the designated industry certification courses, students demonstrate proficiency by participating in the industry certification exam process including exams through Microsoft, Cisco, and/or CompTIA. Students holding current industry certifications may qualify for prior learning credit. A testing fee is assessed to the course that directly relates to the CEI required certification exams. A list of testing fees is available from program instructors.
- Sixty (60) Credits
- Financial Aid Eligible
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