Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Integrating Certifications into Information Systems Curricula

Akram Al-Rawi, Azzedine Lansari, and Faouzi Bouslama College of Information Systems, Zayed University P. O. Box 4783, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Abstract The objective of this paper is to propose a curriculum that provides graduates with an IS degree as well as the opportunity to acquire IT certificates upon graduation. In this paper, we examine institutions which integrate certificates in their IS curriculum. Moreover, we examine the IS 2002 report and ABET requirements to identify IS tracks that can lead to a particular certification. Popular IT certificates are identified and for each certificate a series of IS courses are developed to include the objectives of that particular certificate. For example, we will show how to integrate the Sun Certification for Java Programmer into programming courses, the Cisco CCNA or Network+ certificate into networking course, the A+ certificate into the IT Hardware and Software course and an operating system course, and the MOUS certificate into the personal productivity with IS technology course. Other certifications such as ORACLE can also be included into the IS elective courses. The goal is for the curriculum to provide an avenue for students to take the certification exam after completing the course series leading to that certificate. This research will help faculty design their courses to integrate certain certificates. It will also help students choose their courses in order to acquire certificates.

1. Introduction

Information Systems (IS) programs are accredited by oversight bodies that determine if the program provides adequate education. This assures that, as long as professionals graduate from accredited programs, they will start their professional lives with the knowledge they need to perform effectively. Currently, ABET1 is the accreditation body with responsibility for accrediting all programs in computing. The Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) has responsibility for accrediting IS programs. The IS 20022 model curriculum provides recommendation for the core IS curriculum to meet ABET criteria. While ABET specifies the 120 credit hours for the Bachelor degree, IS 2002 addresses 33 credit hours only.

Growing demand for Information Technology (IT) skills from industry and government is putting pressure on academic institutions to produce graduates that have the necessary skills to be productive as they join the workforce. Many employers are looking for IS graduates to acquire certification in addition to their Bachelor degree. IS graduates can demonstrate that they have the necessary skills to be productive by acquiring one or more IT certificates. The IEEE and ACM recognize the importance of the IT certification and provide their members with over four hundred online courses leading to technical certifications.

In this paper, a comprehensive model curriculum that fulfills the IS 2002 recommendations, the ABET criteria and the integration of certifications is proposed. In order to meet the accreditation

Proceedings of the 2005 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2005, American Society for Engineering Education

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Lansari, A., & Al-Rawi, A., & Bouslama, F. (2005, June), Integrating Certifications Into Information Systems Curricula Paper presented at 2005 Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon. 10.18260/1-2--15552