IT Certificates FAQ
The non-credit IT certificates offered through Columbus State’s Workforce Innovation department are short-term educational programs that teach new skill and build relevant, employer-desired proficiencies for in-demand IT jobs. Upon completion, students are granted a ‘Certificate of Completion’ and an Acclaim digital badge to display your accomplishment online and on digital social media profiles. Non-credit courses are not transferable and do not count towards college credit.
Credit courses are designed for students who have interest in earning measurable educational units toward a college degree or certificate recognized by an accrediting body in higher education.
Non-credit courses and programs are typically pursued by individuals who are interested in furthering their education or building on skills that will help expand knowledge and broaden their understanding in a discipline area with purpose to become more effective in their careers or area of interest.
IT certificate courses are NOT financial aid eligible through federal funding sources. If you are seeking financial assistance, we suggest contacting your employer human resources’ department to learn about tuition assistance and reimbursement/preimbursement models the company may offer. For more information on how your employer can get started, visit the State of Ohio's TechCred website.
Depending on your specific financial situation, supplemental funding opportunities may be available through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Both the Data Analytics and Cybersecurity programs are included on the list of eligible programs.
Students interested in using federal financial aid are encouraged to review the College’s credit-based IT offerings.
Every employer is different. If you are seeking financial assistance we suggest contacting your human resources’ department to learn about tuition assistance and reimbursement/preimbursement models that may be available.
Employers interested in sponsoring a student should contact workforce@cscc.edu to discuss invoicing options.
Instructors are typically working in IT roles in Central Ohio, regularly using the skills that they are teaching. We believe that our instructors’ ability to add stories of real-life scenarios and application of learning adds immense value to the learning experience for students.
Each class runs once per week and averages 2.5 hours of in-class time. For the most successful learning outcomes, we recommend students plan to dedicate 12-15 additional uninterrupted study hours per week.
Most of our courses are available in person, as well as through a virtual classroom format, meaning you do not have to be present in the classroom; however, you will need to login and participate in your class at the designated class time(s) set for that term. Class timeframes vary, but are generally between the hours of 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Class attendance is highly-recommended and all class lectures are recorded and posted on Blackboard.
Online: All programs are currently offered in a live online format, to the meet the needs and demands of our working adult students. Live online study sessions with the instructor are offered once per week, with the time and date determined by the instructor.
The certificate programs are designed to build relevant, employer-desired skills to prepare you for in-demand jobs in IT; however, CSCC is currently unable to offer career services support in non-credit programs. There are not currently any employers who are guaranteeing interviews upon program completion. Students will also have access to Career Services’ online resources.
The foundation courses in Nationwide-specific cohorts are organized as ‘competency based’. This format recognizes prior learning by providing students the opportunity to test out of each unit in the courses. For units in which a student receives a passing grade on the unit test out assessment, the student does not have to complete any assignments for that unit and can move to the next unit. For units where a student does not achieve a passing grade on the test out assessment, or if a student chooses not to take the test-out assessment, the student is expected to complete all assignments for that unit and pass the unit exam. This format allows students to move very quickly through courses in which they already have some subject matter knowledge.
If you do not pass a course, you cannot continue the program with your cohort to obtain a certificate of completion. Since there are not multiple class sections being taught simultaneously or frequently, it could take up to 1 year for a course to be offered again. It is imperative that you begin this program when are confident that you can commit the time required to completing the coursework.
You must earn a score of at least an 80% in a course to continue to the next course. When you have successfully completed each course in your chosen certificate program, you will participate in a culminating capstone, be awarded a certificate of completion, and an Acclaim badge.
The Data Analytics and Cybersecurity programs offer two cohort starts per year. DevOps and the Network Intensive Cybersecurity programs are usually offered once per year. Program offerings are tailored based on the interest and demand from potential students as well as employer partnerships.
All books needed for the program are online and access is available free of cost to registered students.
Students must also have regular access to a laptop to complete coursework. Students are expected to bring the laptop to class each week.
Recommended Minimum Hardware Specs:
- 1.9 GHz or faster processor
- 8 GB Disk Space Available
- 8 GB RAM
- Operating system: Windows 7 or higher, macOS 10.10+
Certifications usually entail a formal assessment or exam process to earn a credential in a specialized area and typically requires prior knowledge and expertise in that given area.
Certificates are usually attained by undergoing an educational process or program that demonstrates knowledge and shows successful completion of educational coursework or programs.
The IT Certificate program can earn students a certificate after course completion but does not give students certification in any IT niche.
The Cybersecurity and Network-Intensive Cybersecurity programs, however, help prepare students for an industry-recognized certification as a Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) and gives students an opportunity to sit for this exam.
Cybersecurity FAQs
The ISC2 SSCP credential provides confirmation of a practitioner's ability to implement, monitor and administer information technology infrastructure in accordance with information security policies and procedures that ensure data confidentiality, integrity and availability. Upon passing the ISC2 SSCP exam, students will have an industry-recognized credential.
Upon passing the course, students are given a voucher for the exam during the last week of class. The voucher is good for one year.
No, students receive their certificate upon successful passage of all the course in the program.
Students have the OPTION to take the ISC2 SSCP Certififcation exam. The cost of the ISC2 SSCP Certififcation exam and official study guide are included in the cost of the program/course. The test voucher is good for up to one year.
The Certificate for the Network Intensive Cybersecurity (8-week bootcamp) course or the Certificate for the Cybersecurity (31-week) program can benefit a student professionally, with or without taking the ISC2 SSCP Certififcation exam.
After passing the ISC2 SSCP Certification exam, students can begin the endorsement process to confirm they have the necessary work experience to become fully certified. Students with a year of relevant experience will likely qualify for full ISC2 SSCP certification.
Students without the required work experience can still sit for the ISC2 SSCP Certification exam and be recognized as an ISC22 SSCP Associate. Completion of Columbus State’s Workforce Innovation (Non-Credit) IT Cybersecurity programs does not waive the one-year experience requirement for full certification. For more information view ISC(2) Endorsement Information.