Rowan-Cabarrus Community College announces the creation of a new program called computer technology integration (CTI).
The new CTI program gives students the ability to take several classes in different IT areas and includes more than 30 industry certifications that make graduates more competitive and employment-ready.
“The new computer technology integration program allows our students to complete a common core of basic IT classes and then choose one of seven specialty tracks, specific to the needs of the local IT industry,” said Dr. Rod Townley, vice president of academic programs.
The college will now be able to quickly add new and challenging courses to the program, such as mobile phone application development, virtualization and computer crime investigation.
“Information technology is a constantly evolving field. Our training program needs to remain flexible in order to best serve our students,” said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.
The specialty tracks include:
• Cyber crime and digital forensics
• Cyber security
• .net programming
• Emerging technologies programming
• Information technology
• Networking technology
• Web technologies
“We’ve created this as a ‘stackable program’ which means each component of the program is designed to build upon itself,” said Dr. Marcy Corjay, dean of the college’s science, biotechnology, mathematics and information technology programs. “The industry certificates build to diplomas which can accumulate to a two-year degree.”
Seasoned IT professionals tend to be responsible for many components of IT and don’t often have the time to dedicate two full years to earn a degree.
“Our course offerings appeal to the seasoned IT professional and those just starting out,” said Ian Stevens, associate dean of information technologies. “Our industry certifications mean you can access the training quickly and develop the skills necessary to continue in your profession.”
The new CTI program will serve as an umbrella degree that will eventually replace the five current IT degrees (computer programming, computer information technology, networking technology, information systems security and web technologies).
The program is designed for someone who has a passion for computers, but may lack core skills. A major emphasis of the CTI program is the close cooperation with local industry.
“The program includes a heavy focus on co-ops and internship experience designed to give students the real world, hands-on knowledge that will help them secure a job,” said Stevens.
Collaboration across multiple disciplines is another core component of the CTI program. For example, cybercrime and digital forensics students will be able to also take criminal justice courses toward their major.
“We’re excited about this new program. I believe it will better fulfill the ever-changing workplace demands for initial employment in an IT related field and will also provide training that will continuously update skills of the more experienced IT professional,” said Carl M. Short, chair of the Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Board of Trustees.
For more information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, please call 704-216-RCCC (7222) or visit www.rccc.edu.