Certificate Programs & Professional Development
The Professional Development Certificates are intended for those who would like to obtain certification in the certain specific areas without having to undertake the preparatory work for a Master's degree. A special sequences of prerequisite courses can be taken towards entry into the certificate programs.
The Computer Science Department offers three graduate certifications:
- Computer Security (Information Assurance)
- Information Systems
- Web Technology
All the computer science (CSC) courses listed can be counted towards the master's degree program except CSC 512, CSC 515, CSC 516.
Prerequisites for Professional Development Certificates
A student who wishes to enroll in one of these certificate programs needs to hold a bachelor's degree (in any subject area) and needs to have successfully completed the following two courses in order to satisfy the certificate program prerequisites:
Students are encouraged to take these courses at West Chester University.
Application
In addition to the application, goals statement, and transcripts, certificate applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation. A TOEFL score of 550 on the computer based exam or 80 on the internet based exam is required for non-native speakers only.
Certificate in Computer Security (Information Assurance)
Select 4 of the following courses:
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CSC 525 | Operating Systems |
| CSC 535 | Networks and Data Communications |
| CSC 555 | Software Engineering |
| CSC 583 | Topics in Computer Security |
| CSC 586 | System Administration and Security |
| CSC 588 | Wireless Programming and Security |
| CSC 603 | Advanced Seminar in Computer Security |
| CRJ 555 | Criminal Justice Topics (Computer Crime) |
Certificate in Information Systems
Select 3 or 4 of the following courses:
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| STA 511 | Intro Stat Computing & Data Management |
| CSC 545 | Database System Concepts |
| CSC 555 | Software Engineering |
| CSC 582 | Topics in Information Security |
| CSC 586 | System Administration and Security |
If only 3 selected, then select one from:
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CSC 520 | Intro Stat Computing & Data Management |
| CSC 525 | Database System Concepts |
| CSC 530 | Software Engineering |
| CSC 535 | Topics in Information Security |
| CSC 540 | System Administration and Security |
| CSC 560 | Analysis of Algorithms |
| CSC 565 | Compiler Design |
| CSC 575 | Artificial Intelligence |
| CSC 576 | Data Science |
| CSC 581 | Topics in Computer Science |
| CSC 583 | Topics in Computer Security |
| CSC 584 | Topics in Web Technology |
| CSC 585 | User Interfaces |
| CSC 587 | Modern Web Technologies Using Server-Side Technologies |
| CSC 588 | Wireless Programming and Security |
| CSC 600 | Advanced Seminar |
| CSC 603 | Advanced Seminar in Computer Security |
| CSC 604 | Advanced Seminar in Web Technology |
Certificate in Web Technology
Select 4 of the following courses:
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| CSC 515 | Introduction to Web Development |
| CSC 535 | Networks and Data Communications |
| CSC 545 | Database System Concepts |
| CSC 584 | Topics in Web Technology |
| CSC 585 | User Interfaces in Java |
| CSC 587 | Web Services using XML and SOAP |
| CSC 588 | Wireless Programming and Security |
| CSC 604 | Advanced Seminar in Web Technology |