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Certificate Program in
Information, Technology, & Communication

Understanding technology and its usage is critical to many professions, and demand for knowledge in this field continues to increase rapidly. To stay competitive, business, industry, government, and non-profits must hire and retain a labor force that can work creatively and efficiently with technology. At the same time, workers must be able to show present or potential employers current credentials in technical skills. To meet these and other needs, Valparaiso University offers four certificate programs in Information, Technology, and Communication.

Criteria for Admission
Application is made to the College of Adult Scholars. Since admission requirements differ from one program to another and depend on prior training and background, each applicant is considered on a case-by-case basis. Courses may be substituted or waived when appropriate, and 3 credits may be transferred from other programs. Certified students may enroll in a maximum of 11 credits per semester.

Communication & Information Management (17 or 18 credits)
Communication & Information Management is an 18-credit program designed for individuals wanting to develop proficiency in a variety of electronic applications related to communication and information. Certified students would possess an array of current technological skills relevant to publication, publicity, interoffice and electronic communication, and data management. They could understand and develop websites; work with desktop publishing; create, maintain, and manipulate data files; plan and design graphic presentation; and oversee office information systems.

Digital Systems (15 credits)
This program prepares students to design small digital circuits, write programs for microcomputers and controllers, develop web pages, or analyze computer networks.

Software Design (21 or 22 credits)
Software Design is a 21 to 22-credit certificate for developing proficiency in computer programming and design of software. This certificate is particularly appropriate for natural science business, and engineering professionals needing to broaden their understanding of software design. A certified student possesses fundamental skills for general programming and in-depth knowledge of the current programming language JAVA. Graduates are able to adapt to new programming environments with a minimum of training and if desired, are prepared for entry into graduate study in computer science.

Information Technology (20-22 credits)
Information Technology is a 20 to 22-credit certificate on how to "use" rather that how to "design" computer systems. It combines software coursework in programming with several applications courses that deal with software systems and how they work. The 250 College of Adult Scholars program is open to any individual having an undergraduate degree (with some basic math), but is most useful to science and business majors. A certified student could work with digital communication systems as a programmer or analyst, understand communication protocols and manage computer networks or internet resources. Digital Systems is for individuals who need to refresh or upgrade an existing engineering or science education by learning more about computer systems. This 20 to 22-credit program provides modest depth of exposure to a variety of computer engineering topics. Certified students would understand computer software and hardware well enough to apply them to their primary discipline. They would be able to design small digital circuits, write programs for both microcomputers and controllers, develop web pages and analyze computer networks.