Certifications

Why Get Certifications?

Certifications will help you verify and learn the skills needed to find a job in IT. "Overall, professionals who had earned an IT or project management certification during the last five years earned an average of $5,242 more than their counterparts,” states the 2010 IT Skills and Salary Report, published by Global Knowledge and TechRepublic. Basic certifications can give you a foundation to build upon, and can still give a pay increase. Certification also increases your potential for career advancement. Overall, certification shows employers that you are serious and dedicated to your career and it provides a pay boost for certified employees.

The ACT testing center is located on campus in building D. This center provides much more than just ACT and CLEP testing, however! The center offers CISCO, CompTIA, and Microsoft exams. Students can register to take the aforementioned certification exams right here on the BPCC campus.

Many of our CIT courses will help prepare you for national certifications. Some certifications count for course credit. Please see the Prior Learning Assessment Matrix for further information.

Course Name Certification Certification Website Salary
CIT 101 Network+ CompTiaWill open new browser window or tab $70,902
CIT 112 A+ CompTia $68,631
CIT 120 ICND1 or CCNA CiscoWill open new browser window or tab $79,695
CIT 151 SCJA Java Sun MicrosystemsWill open new browser window or tab  
CIT 170 Microsoft 70-291 MicrosoftWill open new browser window or tab  
CIT 172 Linux+ CompTiaWill open new browser window or tab  
CIT 220 ICND2 or CCNA CiscoWill open new browser window or tab $79,695
CIT 225 Security+ CompTiaWill open new browser window or tab $76,844
CIT 270 ASP .NET MicrosoftWill open new browser window or tab  
CIT 280 Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator EC-CouncilWill open new browser window or tab  
CIT 282 Project+ CompTiaWill open new browser window or tab  
  • Network+
    Offered by CompTia, the Network+ certification is a basic networking certification that ensures skills in network support, administration, and other aspects of fundamental network structure and maintenance.
  • A+
    Offered by CompTia, the A+ certification has 2 exams. It tests on knowledge of installing, configuring, upgrading, troubleshooting, and repairing desktop systems. The second exam is a specialist exam, with the following areas offered:
    • A+ IT Technician
    • A+ Remote Support Technician
    • A+ Depot Technician
  • CCNA
    Offered by Cisco, the CCNA certification involves installing, configuring, and operating networks. It also handles security threats and wireless networking concepts and jargon.
  • SCJA Java
    Offered by Sun Microsystems, the SCJA Java certification covers application development and software project management that uses Java technology.
  • Microsoft 70-291
    Offered by Microsoft, the 70-291 certification is a “Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) on Windows Server 2003 credential.” It handles networks within a large company and the issues that can arise with that. It also handles connectivity within a company, such as offices and individuals connecting to networks and the internet.
  • Linux +
    Offered by CompTia, the Linux+ certification includes understanding the basics of Linux systems. This includes the command line, user administration, file permissions, software configurations, servers, and security.
  • Security+
    Offered by CompTia, the Security+ certification tests the knowledge relating to systems security, network infrastructure, access control, audits, organizational security, as well as other areas of security.
  • ASP .NET
    Offered by Microsoft, the ASP. NET certification deals with team work on a medium to large scale with web-based applications through a working knowledge of Windows Visual Basic .NET.
  • Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator
    Offered by EC-Council, the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator certification will “fortify the application knowledge of security officers, auditors, security professionals, site administrators, and anyone who is concerned about the integrity of the network infrastructure. A Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator is a skilled professional who understands and knows how to look for the weaknesses and vulnerabilities in target systems and uses the same knowledge and tools as a malicious hacker.”
  • Project+
    Offered by CompTia, the Project+ certification covers project skills, such as initiation, planning, management, development, and completion.