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Professional Certifications

The Center for Extended Studies and the College’s academic departments offer Professional Certification programs which provide the student with the opportunity to move rapidly into the job market with a core of skills. The Professional Certification programs are offered during the day, late afternoon, evening and online to afford individuals the opportunity to earn credits while working. Serving as pivotal courses in many degree and certificate programs, these courses provide students the opportunity to utilize the credits to earn a degree or a certificate at a later date.

CCNA Professional Certificate

The CCNA Preparation Certificate includes the completion of the following courses:

Course No. Title   Credits
CIT 111 Introduction to Computers for Tech Majors 3
CIT 126* Networking Fundamentals 3
CIT 176* Routers & Routing Basics 3
CIT 226* Switching Basics & Intermediate Routing 3
CIT 276* WAN Technologies 3

NOTE: Information provided in the four semesters of Cisco courses is designed to cover the CompTIA Network+ objectives. 

* Indicates prerequisite needed

 

CCNP Professional Certificate

The CCNP Preparation Certificate includes the completion of the following courses:

Course No. Title   Credits
CIT 278* Advanced Routing 4
CIT 279* Remote Access 4
CIT 281* Multilayer Switching 4
CIT 282* Network Troubleshooting 4

NOTE: Information provided in the four semesters of Cisco courses is designed to cover the CompTIA Network+ objectives. 

* Indicates prerequisite needed

 

Microsoft Certificated System Specialist (MCAS)

The MCAS Preparation Certificate includes the completion of the following courses:

Course No. Title   Credits
CIT 110 Introduction to Computers OR
 3
CIT 111

Introduction to Computers for Tech Majors

 2
CIT 120 Internet Essentials 3
OO 266* Microsoft Word 3
CIT 205* Database Management 3
CIT 220* Electronic Spreadsheets 3
CIT 140* Presentation Fundamentals 1

* Indicates prerequisite needed

 

Public Safety Communications

General
The Public Safety Communications (PSC) professional certification imparts a technical edge to those applying for employment as a PSC professional (such as a 911 dispatcher). The professional certification may be used as proof of required training before taking the Montana Law Enforcement Academy equivalency test (required for PSC professionals after and within one year of hire). Individual PSC courses may be taken by anyone who is interested in brushing up on skills needed in their profession or by students needing coursework for the EMT-Paramedic Associate of Applied Science degree. Individuals who specifically need coursework in order to take the MLEA equivalency test should enroll in the PSC professional certification program. A criminal background check is required for the PSC Clinical Course and is also a requirement for employment as a PSC professional. Felony convictions (and some misdemeanor convictions) will exclude a person from employment as a PSC professional. This professional certification does not guarantee employment as a PSC professional. Students wishing to be employed as a PSC Professional must meet minimum requirements for hiring as set by the Peace Officers Standards and Training council.

Advanced w/ EMT- Basic
The Public Safety Communications Professional Certification may be completed with the EMT- Basic class. This advanced professional certification will benefit students who are interested in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) field but who do not want to go into the EMS program. This certification provides valuable field experience for those interested in the Public Safety Communications profession. The Public Safety Communications Professional Certification with EMT-Basic allows students to sit for the Montana and National Registry certification exams as well as the MLEA challenge test for dispatchers. Requirements for completing the Public Safety Communications Professional Certification with EMT-Basic include completion of the requirements for the general Public Safety Communications Professional Certification along with the completion of a 6 credit Emergency Medical Technician course (EMS 137). EMS 137 is the nationally recommended minimum level of training for ambulance personnel and is considered the desired level of medical training by many fire departments.

The equivalency test can only be taken after being hired as a PSC professional and must be taken at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy in Helena, MT.

Prerequisites:
Enrollment in either program is required to obtain the Public Safety Communications Professional Certification. Most course work may be taken by anyone who is not specifically enrolled in the program, but the following prerequisites are required:

General

Course No. Title   Credits
PSC 116 Public Safety Communications Terminology and Report Writing 1
PSC 116

Stress and Crisis Intervention for
Public Safety Communications

 1
PSC 116 Public Safety Communications Skill 2
PSC 116 Clinical for Public Safety Communications Professionals 1
PSC 116 Legal Responsibility, Ethics and Criminal and Civil Law for PSC 3
COMM 135 Interpersonal Communication 3
CIT 110 Introduction to Computers 3

Contact the Outreach Department for course descriptions.

 

Advanced w/ EMT-Basic

Course No. Title   Credits
PSC 116 Public Safety Communications Terminology and Report Writing 1
PSC 116

Stress and Crisis Intervention for
Public Safety Communications

 1
PSC 116 Public Safety Communications Skill 2
PSC 116 Clinical for Public Safety Communications Professionals 1
PSC 116 Legal Responsibility, Ethics and Criminal and Civil Law for PSC 3
COMM 135 Interpersonal Communication 3
CIT 110 Introduction to Computers 3
EMS 137 Emergency Medical Technician Basic
(EMT-B)		 6

EMT-Basic (EMS 137) may be taken as a single course to prepare for the Montana National Registry certification exams (without the PSC certification).

Contact the Outreach Department for course descriptions.

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