Ivy Tech Faculty Standards for programs in Information Technology:
Meets the full-time faculty discipline standard;?or??
Possesses an earned master’s degree or higher, from a regionally accredited institution, in software development, computer information systems, management information systems, information technology, computer science, or a computer related field as appropriate to the program; or
Possesses an earned-related or out-of-field master’s degree, from a regionally accredited institution, with documented 18 semester hours or equivalent of courses beyond the introductory principle(s) level in software development, computer information systems, management information systems, information technology, computer science, or a computer related field as appropriate to the program; or
Possesses an earned related or out-of-field master’s degree, from a regionally accredited institution, with documentation in two or more of the following:
Professional certification (national, regional, or state)
Two years of in-field professional employment
Documented evidence of teaching excellence, including date of award
Documentation of research and publication in the field
Documented relevant additional coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree, equivalent to 18 semester hours or equivalent subject matter coursework, CEU’s, vendor, or military; or
Possesses an earned bachelor’s degree, from a regionally accredited institution, in information systems, information technology, or related field as appropriate to the program, with documentation in one or more of the following:
Professional certification (national, regional, or state) in the information technology field
Two years of professional employment in the information technology field
Documented relevant additional coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree, equivalent to 18 semester hours or equivalent subject matter coursework, CEU’s, vendor, or military
Students can use this course as preparation leading to the CompTIA A+ certification or keeping the certification up to date. The preparation is designed to be a continued validation of one’s expertise and a tool to expand one’s skill set. Preparation includes practice tests and assignments based on the certification exams.
The CompTIA A+ certification requires the student to successfully complete two exams:
The Core 1 exam, 220-1201
The Core 2 exam, 220-1202
The CompTIA A+ Core 1 Exam is designed to cover a wide range of hardware and software topics, including:
Hardware technologies: An in-depth exploration of computer components, such as the motherboard, CPU, memory, and storage devices.
Networking: An evaluation of the candidate’s knowledge of networking concepts and protocols, such as TCP/IP, DNS, and DHCP.
Mobile Devices: A coverage of the basics of mobile devices, including smartphones and tablets, and their operating systems.
Hardware and Network Troubleshooting: An assessment of the candidate’s ability to diagnose and resolve hardware and network issues.
The CompTIA A+ Core 2 Exam addresses a range of key topics that are of the utmost importance for IT professionals working in the field. These topics include:
Security: Delving into the fundamental principles and best practices of computer security, this section covers threat management, data protection, and access control.
Software Troubleshooting: A candidate’s understanding of the methods and tools used to diagnose and resolve software issues is put to the test in this section.
Operational Procedures: This section evaluates a candidate’s familiarity with standard operating procedures and best practices in the IT industry.
Mobile Devices: Configuration and troubleshooting of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets are the focus of this section.
Cloud Computing: Candidates are assessed on their understanding of cloud computing fundamentals, including deployment models, security, and management.
Students who successfully pass both Core examples (1 and 2) can cross-walk their certification over to academics (3 credit hours for ITSP 136).
No prerequisites; however, we suggest that learners come with:
Basic Computer Literacy. Comfort with using a PC (Windows/Mac), navigating file systems, using browsers, and installing basic software.
Familiarity with Common Technology. Exposure to devices like desktops, laptops, smartphones, printers, and basic networking equipment.
Foundational Math and Reading Skills. Ability to follow technical documentation, basic logic, and troubleshooting steps.
Previous IT Experience (Optional but Helpful). While not required, those with informal or formal IT exposure (e.g., fixing home networks or devices) will have a head start.
Visit the Ivy Tech Skills Training website for upcoming classes. Registration and payment are due 4 days prior to class start. https://www.ivytech.edu/classes/skills-training-classes/