Howard Summer 2013

This is a three semester-hour credit-for-exam course designed to help you pass at least one Microsoft or other vendor's professional certification exam. You may choose the exam you wish to take, and the course will provide you with a supported self-study opportunity to prepare for the exam. The test you choose to take need not necessarily be a Microsoft exam. If you have not already done so, please read the introductory material by clicking here.

CONCEPT: This is a supported self-study credit-for-exam workshop. If you pass a certification exam during the period of the course, you'll be awarded an "A" and three credit hours. (You can quit coming as soon as you pass an exam, even if it is the first week!) You'll receive guidance on selecting which is the most appropriate Microsoft or other vendor's certification exam for you to take, will be guided in selecting study materials, and may then be grouped with other people who are preparing for that same exam. Class time will be devoted almost entirely to supervised group study. I'll be available for coaching. (I have multiple Microsoft certifications.) You should have taken "Small Systems Technology" in order to succeed in this workshop if you choose to take a networking exam, but it can be done successfully if you have good Windows 2008, Vista, or Windows 7 pre-knowledge.

PREREQUISITES: Junior standing or above; 2.5 overall GPA; M&IS 24053 ("C" or above); M&IS 24065 ("D" or above). To do well, you need to have a fundamental understanding of Windows 2008, Vista, or Windows 7and very good study habits.

COURSE MATERIALS: There are 18 of us in the course, and each person will select a Microsoft or other exam for which to study. Click on this overview link for a one-page graphic summary of the Microsoft exams and certifications from which you can choose. Click here for the list of suggested materials. After you have selected your "target" exam, you may also want to purchase inexpensive (~$29) exam simulation software that I'll show you in class. Also, you might also want to go to a commercial bookstore and buy the materials appropriate to your particular exam.

TEST FEES: You will be taking the certification exam at a Prometric testing center. KSU is not authorized to administer these exams. There is an $83 student discounted fee for each test you take, whether you pass or fail. Kent's Center for Information Systems is offering to reimburse certification exam fees for the first five of you in this section who pass an exam and apply for this benefit. Also, through May 31, 2013 Microsoft is offering a "second shot" promotion wherein you can retake your exam for free no later than May 31, 2013 if you don't pass the first time. Click here for details on how to get in on this second shot promotion. To get the Second Shot voucher, you MUST register at at the previous link before taking an exam.

CONTACTING THE INSTRUCTOR: I'm very responsive to e-mail -- ghoward@kent.edu . Don't hesitate to call me at home if you need something in a hurry. 330.628.5707. Prior to May 14 you will need to call me at208.676.8766 or 304.242.0715 (cell).

ATTENDANCE: Attendance requirements will be negotiated in class. It's imperative that you show up on the first day. If you miss a day of Intersession it's like missing a whole week of a regular semester.

TEXT: Varies -- we'll discuss in class on the first day. If you have not yet done so, click here for text suggestions.

WHY MICROSOFT CERTIFICATION ? There is high demand in the employment marketplace for people who possess formal industry skills certifications. You earn certifications by passing a test or a series of tests that prove the depth of your conceptual and practical knowledge. The most important of these are the two main certifications available from Microsoft: the MCTS ("Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist") and the MCITP ("Microsoft Certified IT Professional.") Passing even only one of many of the exams gives you an edge in the job market and earns you MCTS or MCITP status. Within a year or so, the new key certifications to pursue will be the MCSA ("Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate") and the MCSD ("Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer"), but for now we are good with the legacy certifications.

DELIVERABLES: There are no papers, projects, homeworks, or tests except for the certification exam itself.

GRADING: Course grading is straightforward: If you pass one or more certification exams on or before June 7, you get an "A." If you take but do not pass a certification exam on or before June 7, you will get a "B" in the course. No exam attempted means a "C," unless you can show extreme financial hardship associated with the cost of the exam. (Please check with me if you might have a problem with the exam fee.) Blatant failure to show up for class could result in a course grade of "D."

REGISTERING FOR THE EXAM: You can register on-line at http://www.prometric.com. They will require in connection with the registration process that you establish a web account with them. The process is clunky, but be patient and you will get through it. It may be faster to register by phoning the Prometric registration hotline at 800.755.3926. You'll have to provide a credit card number to pay for the exam at the time of registration. Register at least a week in advance of your test date to reduce the chance that you will get closed out. 

UNIVERSITY BOILERPLATE

The Following Policies apply to everyone in this course.  

A.   Those attending the course who do not have the proper prerequisites risk being deregistered from the course.  

B.   Registration: You have responsibility to ensure that you are properly enrolled in courses.  Should you find an error in your class schedule, you need to correct the error with your advising office no later than Tuesday, May 21 for Intersession. If registration errors are not corrected by these dates and you continue to attend and participate in courses for which you are not officially enrolled, you are advised now that youwill not receive a grade at the conclusion of the semester for any course in which you are not properly registered.

C.   Academic Honesty: Cheating means to misrepresent the source, nature, or other conditions of your academic work (e.g., tests, papers, projects, assignments) so as to get undeserved credit.   In addition, it is considered to be cheating when one cooperates with another in any such misrepresentation.  The use of the intellectual property of others without giving them appropriate credit is a serious academic offense.  It is the University's policy that cheating or plagiarism result in receiving a failing grade for the work or course.  Repeat offenses may result in dismissal from the University.

D.   Withdrawal: For Intersession 2013, the course withdrawal deadline for full tuition credit is May 20. Withdrawal before the deadline results in a "W" on the official transcript; after the deadline a grade must be calculated and reported.  

E.   Students with Disabilities: University policy 3342-3-01.3 requires that students with disabilities be provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content. If you have a documented disability and require accommodations, please contact the instructor at the beginning of the semester to make arrangements for necessary classroom adjustments. Please note, you must first verify your eligibility for these through Student Accessibility Services (contact 330-672-3391 or visit http://www.kent.edu/sas/index.cfm/default.htm  for more information on registration procedures).

F.   GRADUATION INFORMATION FOR SENIORS:  It is your responsibility to apply for graduation before the set deadline. If you apply after the deadline you will be assessed a $200 late fee. Please see your academic advisor as soon as possible if you are uncertain as to your progress toward graduation. The graduation application deadlines are follows:

May Graduation: Apply before September 15^th 
August Graduation: Apply before December 15^th 
December Graduation: Apply before March 15^th.

To apply for graduation complete the following steps:

1. Log onto your Flashline account.   
2. Click on the Student Tools tab
3.  Look in the Graduation Planning Tool Box
4.  Click on Application for Graduation.

If an error message appears, you must contact your advisor.