Certificate Program

Appalachian State University
Certificate Program in Computer Science

The Certificate Program in Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science offers a certification program in computer science for students who have received a bachelor's degree in another area and wish to undertake a study of computer science. Students who gain certification through the program are well suited for professional opportunities available in the computing industry. In addition, the certification process is designed to allow interested students to prepare for graduate study in computer science.

A student with limited college mathematics experience must take the Mathematics Placement Test before entering the program. Students wishing to enter the certificate program should contact the Certificate Program Director, Dr. Barry Kurtz.

Certificate Program Application Form

The certificate program is not a degree program. Rather, it leads to the addition of a notation on the student's undergraduate transcript that the student has completed our "Certificate in Computer Science" program.

Requirements for the Certificate in Computer Science

To gain the Certificate in Computer Science, a student is required to earn a minimum of 33 credits in computer science and mathematics (excluding CS 1410 and math courses with numbers lower than MAT 1100). Credits toward certification can be transferred from course work completed before or after receiving the bachelor's degree. Included among the 33 credits must be the following:

At least 21 credits from courses in computer science or mathematics at the 2000 level or higher at Appalachian after the student has received a bachelor's degree.
Of the 21 credits listed in part A, at least 15 credits must be in computer science; CS 3460, Data Structures, is required.
At least 9 credits in approved electives in math courses. A discrete mathematics course and calculus course must be included among these credits.

Upon successfully completing all courses in the program within a 5-year period with a grade point average of 2.5 or better in the program, the student will be awarded the Certificate in Computer Science. Successful completion of the certificate program does not guarantee admission to the Master's Degree Program in Computer Science.

Student Scenarios

Student entering with no CS background seeking to be qualified for a programming position

Course	Hours
CS 1440	3
CS 2440	4
CS 2450	3
CS 2490	3
CS 3430	3
CS 3440	3
CS 3460	3
CS 3481	3
MAT 1100	3
MAT 1110	4
STA 2810	3
Total	35 hours

Student with a degree in mathematics preparing to enter the master's program in CS

CS 1440, CS 2440, MAT 1100, MAT 1110, and MAT 1120 transfer from bachelor's degree program	18 hours
CS 2450	3
CS 2490	3
CS 3430	3
CS 3440	3
CS 3460	3
CS 3481	3
CS 3482	3
ASU Hours	21 hours
Total	39 hours

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Contact Info

Certificate Program

Appalachian State University Certificate Program in Computer Science

Appalachian State University
Certificate Program in Computer Science