Catalog Descriptions, Competencies, and Class Syllabi
Catalog descriptions for CIOS courses provide a generic description of the course subject. The description is written so that when the technology changes, the program can adapt to the change without having to change the specific wording in the catalog.

Competencies are the specific skills that students should learn in IT courses. Competencies provide a consistent framework that is adapted, by the instructors, for teaching specific courses.

Class syllabi reflect the individual implementation of the course competencies and define how each competency will be taught and measured for a given application, operating system, or technology.

As the features of a given application, operating system, or technology change, the syllabus will reflect those changes. When the competencies are revised, they will also reflect changes in technology.

Course Competencies and Certification
ITS course competencies, where appropriate, are consistent with industry certification requirements. The purposes of CIOS courses are knowledge and skill mastery. If there is an industry certification related to a course, the defined objectives for the industry certification will be considered during the development of the course competencies and the course design.

Course competencies are based on skills and student outcomes. They are flexible enough to provide for a variety of delivery techniques, and computer platforms, and they are application independent.

Industry Certification information and competencies are available through the listed web sites.

• Adobe - partners.adobe.com/asn/training/aceprogram.html
   
• CompTIA - www.comptia.org/
   
• Cisco Systems - www.cisco.com/go/certification/
   
• Microsoft - www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/

Course Competencies and Credit for Prior Learning
The purpose of the IT program is to enhance and expand current skills. Students should not have to take classes that do not serve a purpose. Instructors do not believe in “busy work.”

If the competencies or expectations for a course are already met through other means such as workshops, self-education, or experience, equivalent class work will not be required. However, competencies must be proven through demonstration, examples of previous work, and interviews.

In many cases, taking more advanced courses, built on a student’s competencies, are an alternative to credit for prior learning. For example, a student who has extensive knowledge, or even certification, using Windows XP might take CIOS 212 Implementing Client and Server Operating Systems as an alternative to credit for prior learning.

Credit for Prior Learning Procedures

Related Links:

• Course Descriptions
• Course Competencies