2015
Student Guide
TAACCCT Grant
Broward College
Accelerated Competency-Based
IT Training Programs
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Contents
Getting Started ... 3
Enroll to Broward College ... 3
Admissions ... 3
Broward College Admissions ... 3
Accelerated Competency Based IT Training Programs Enrollment Checklist: ... 3
Accelerated IT Training Programs ... 4
Industry Certifications ... 4
Technical Certificates ... 4
Associate of Science Degree ... 4
Academic Coach ... 3
You Get Unparalleled Mentoring and Support ... 3
The Learning Process ... 3
Competency-based Learning ... 3
Learning Sessions ... 6
Graduation and Career Services ... 6
The Career Center ... 6
Student Information - Privacy Policy – Equal Opportunity Program ... 7
Broward College’s Privacy Policy ... 7
Equal Opportunity Statement and Certification Form ... 7
Equal Opportunity Is the Law ... 7
What To Do If You Believe You Have Experienced Discrimination ... 8
Website Information: ... 8
How We Treat Your Personal Information As A Prospective Student: ... 9
How We Treat Your Personal Information As A Student: ... 9
Broward College Opt-Out Policy: ... 9
FERPA Compliance: ... 9
Addendum ... 11
Coaching Agreement ... 11
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Getting Started
Enroll to Broward College
Our Recruiting Advisor will help you determine if the fully online accelerated program is the right fit for you and your educational goals. When you are ready, our Recruiting Advisor will guide you through the admissions process which includes a Supplemental Program Application Form, a degree audit, participation in
SmarterMeasure (an online readiness assessment), and your financial responsibility.
The Computer Systems Specialist degree is a competency-based, accelerated-paced option that allows students to advance through the degree program by demonstrating proficiency in each course through proctored assessments that can be taken at any time.
Online learning isn’t for everyone. Our focus is on developing competency. Therefore your progress is based on completing challenging assessments that make you prove you have the skills and knowledge in a particular subject area. You’ll study, you’ll do hands-on labs, you’ll complete assignments, and you’ll take tests.
Admissions
Broward College Admissions
A college education is a significant commitment. Often the hardest part of the journey is getting started. The admissions process is designed to help you learn about the nature of completing a fully online program and the support you’ll have throughout your degree program.
Accelerated Competency Based IT Training Programs Enrollment Checklist:
Step 1. Complete the application process required for Admissions to Broward College. Step 2. Complete the supplemental online admissions form.
Step 3. Complete any required admissions testing, apply for Financial Aid. Step 4. Interview with our Recruiting Advisor to determine eligibility by:
a. Discussing your educational goals and reviewing your degree audit.
b. Completing an online-learning readiness assessment tool (SmarterMeasure). Step 5. Once accepted into the program you will create an educational plan.
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Accelerated IT Training Programs
The ATP is designed to prepare the student for the growing business market of microcomputer applications, Internet, security, programming, networking, and troubleshooting.
Industry Certifications
MTA Windows Security Fundamentals MTA Windows Networking Fundamentals
MTA Windows Server Admin Fundamentals MTA Windows OS Fundamentals
A+ Certification Network+ Certification
Server+ Certification Security+ Certification
Microsoft Office Specialist – Excel Microsoft Office Specialist - Access
CIW Internet Business Associate Certification CIW Site Development Associate Certification
Technical Certificates
IT Support Specialist IT Analyst
CGS 1060C Computer Literacy or CGS 2100C Computer Applications 3 CGS 1060C Computer Literacy or CGS 2100C Computer Applications 3 CTS 1133C A+ Essentials 3 CTS 1133C A+ Essentials 3 CTS 2131C A+ Practical 3 CTS 2131C A+ Practical 3
CET 2486C Networking Technology 3 CET 2486C Networking Technology 3
CET 2742C Advanced Networking 3 CET 2742C Advanced Networking 3
CTS 2383C Managing a NOS 3 CTS 2383C Managing a NOS 3
Total Credits 18 CTS 2120C Security+ 3
CIS 1513C Project Management 3
Total Credits 27
Associate of Science Degree
Computer Systems Specialist AS CGS1060C Computer Literacy OR
CGS2100C Computer Applications 3
EVR1009 Environmental Science 3
ENC1101 Composition 3 CET2486C Networking Technology 3
CGS1510C Electronic Spreadsheet 3 CET2742C Advanced Networking 3
CGS1540C Database Management 3 PSY2010 General Psychology 3
CGS1557C Internet Site Design 3 CTS2383 Managing a Server NOS 3
MAC1105 College Algebra 3 CTS2120C Security+ 3
CIS1000C Intro to Computer Science 3 PHI2600 Introduction to Ethics 3
COP1334C Intro to C++ Programming 3 CTS1106C UNIX 3
CTS1133C A+ Essentials 3 EET2355C Data Communications 3
CTS2130C A+ Practical 3 CIS1513C Project Management 3
SPC1024 Intro to Speech Communications 3 Total Program Semester Hours 63
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Revised: 1-11-2014
Academic Coach
You Get Unparalleled Mentoring and Support
You will never feel alone as an online student at Broward College. We won’t leave you on your own to figure out what resources are available to you. You’ll have a dedicated partner in your education: an Academic Coach committed to connecting you to what you need to succeed. Your advisor will work with you until you graduate. You’ll get to know your advisor as a mentor, a coach, and your personal cheerleader.
You’ll be introduced to our competency-based approach to education at the beginning of your first term, in a process called Orientation. During Orientation, you’ll get familiar with online learning as well as the learning resources and tools you’ll use throughout the duration of your degree program. To keep students on track, Academic Coaches are assigned to monitor students’ success and provide one-on-one guidance and support from the beginning to end of the program.
Coaching Checklist:
Step 1: Review your Educational Plan, and sign Coaching Agreement Step 2: Online Orientation
Step 3: Begin courses
Step 4: Partner with your Academic Coach/Course Instructor for success
The Learning Process
Competency-based Learning
Some aspects of your fully online or hybrid competency-based experience will be quite similar to what you’d expect at any college. You’ll study, write papers, complete assignments, and take tests. You’ll interact with your fellow students and faculty (although at a distance rather than in a classroom). Other aspects are quite different.
You'll focus on demonstrating competence —proof that you understand concepts and can translate this understanding into usable knowledge and skills. With few exceptions, you'll "schedule" your "class" time. You decide when and where you study. It could be after work. After the kids are put to bed. On a quiet Sunday afternoon.
Often, we find that adult students like you have already developed many of the competencies you need for degree completion. So instead of making you attend classes, we ask you to prove your knowledge through assessments. Here are some examples of assessments from various courses:
Questions involving problem-solving (e.g. math, science, information technology, etc.)
Computerized exams consisting of multiple-choice, matching, or other question types (e.g. Mathematics)
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A Structured Sequence of Courses
This program allows you to take one course at a time, or up to 12 credits (4 courses) simultaneously, in a specified sequence determined by pre-requisites. To help you stay focused on the skills required to demonstrate competency and to pass the course, it is recommended that you take one course at a time. Traditional programs allow you to register, add, and drop or withdrawal from courses within the specified dates of a term. This program does not follow traditional term and session date, so students can begin courses any time during the first 12 weeks of a semester.
Register/Add/Drop/Withdrawal
All registration for courses will be done exclusively by the program administration office. When you meet with your Academic Coach, and sign your coaching agreement, you will also review your Educational Plan, which outlines the courses needed for the program with a timeline for completion.
Traditional add, drop or withdrawal is not permitted without the prior approval of your Academic Coach. Note that due to the uniqueness of the structured sequence of courses, if you drop or withdrawal from a course, you may be dropped from the program.
Accelerate your program
You’ll be able to take advantage of what you already know. After all, your progress is determined by whether you can "prove" you know your stuff. If you can prove it sooner than later because of prior experience and education, perfect! You’ll be able to draw upon this experience to complete assessments faster, ultimately saving both time and money.
You have the opportunity to complete your courses in the time frame you choose. In each course there will be a recommended (4 week) Pace Chart to complete that course. There will also be a longer time period (6 week) pace chart for those who might need more time to absorb the material, and a shorter period (2 week) pace chart for those students who have already mastered many of the competencies for that course. All course work must be completed within the traditional Term dates.
Course Challenge
Each course begins with a Course Challenge Assessment, you may use this challenge to test your competency in the specific course material. If you pass this assessment with a score of 81% or better, you may proceed to the Unit Evaluation, if you do not meet the passing criteria, you will be granted access to the course content which includes learning resources to help you gain those competencies (skills) required to pass the Unit Evaluation.
Unit Evaluation
Each course is made up of Units and Modules with a consistent layout to organize the learning process. Some courses could have one Unit, other courses could have more than one Unit, depending on the amount of material to be covered. For each Unit in a course, the student must take a Unit Evaluation (a proctored exam that determines competency has been met for that Unit).
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A student may gain mastery of all competencies through a series of assignments, labs and assessments and then request to take the proctored Unit Evaluation. Unit Evaluations are objective assessments. Depending on the course content, a Unit Evaluation may include one or more assessment instruments (objective and/or skills based). These are proctored exams, which are taken after students have either passed a low-stakes challenge exam to determine their level of competency or have worked their way through the learning resources to gain competency. The course instructor will coordinate with the student scheduling of the Unit Evaluation(s).
A student will not be allowed to proceed to the next Unit until a successful score (81% or better) has been achieved. The student has only two allowed attempts for each Unit Evaluation, and must have the approval of both the course instructor and their Academic Coach to schedule the second attempt.
Passing the final Unit Evaluation in any course certifies completion of that course and the student earns the allotted credits assigned to that course.
Delivery and Grading of Assessments
Broward College uses projects, labs, assignments and exams, and performance assessments to determine a student's competency. A student must demonstrate mastery of all competencies through a series of
assignments, labs and assessments. The student officially submits the performance assessment for grading, graders have at least a master's degree and expertise in the area they are grading and also undergo rigorous training and ongoing quality-assurance checks on their work to ensure that students are being graded fairly and consistently based upon grading rubrics.
Grading can take up to three days; once the assessment has been released to students, they are able to see their scores. At that time, they can see if they have passed the assessment based upon the rubric, or if they need to revisit some areas to gain competency and then be reassessed. Students also typically meet with an Academic Coach at this time to discuss their weaknesses and where they need to spend more time on the material.
Unit objective assessments are proctored exams, which are taken after students have either passed a low-stakes challenge exam to determine their level of competency or have worked their way through the learning resources to gain competency. More information on taking proctored exams will be discussed in the
Orientation Course.
Grade Methodology
• Satisfactory (S): Certifies successful completion of a course of study. The student has demonstrated the required competencies by passing the Unit Evaluation with a score of 81 % or better.
• Unsatisfactory (U): Indicates that a student failed to complete a course of study in the time allotted. To meet program requirements, the student generally re-enrolls for the course of study in a subsequent term.
The College does not calculate a grade point average (GPA). Upon passing each course, the student will receive one competency unit, which is the equivalent of one semester hour credit of learning in traditional grading systems. A three credit class would award three competency units. Grades of Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) are transcripted upon completion of a course of study.
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Learning Sessions
Learning Sessions are scheduled on Central Campus every Saturday morning, these are optional Instructor led support sessions for TAACCCT students in those areas where additional help is needed. Listed below are the Session Categories and the time and location of each session:
MS Office, Programming and Project Management
Advanced MS Office ,A+, Networking+, Security+
Unix, Server Operating Systems
Prof Goolgar Prof Amiruddin Professor Roig
Supports the following courses: CGS1060C CGS2100C CGS1557C CIS1000C COP1334C CIS1513C
Supports the following courses: CGS1510C CGS1540C CTS1133C CTS2131C CET2486C CET2742C
Supports the following courses: CTS1106C CTS2383C 1/10/2015 – 5/2/2015 1/10/2015 – 5/2/2015 3/28/2015 – 5/2/2015 Building 19, Room 120 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Building 13, Room 106 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Building 19, Room 123 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Graduation and Career Services
When you register for your last term of courses, speak with your advisor to review your Degree Audit to determine if it’s time to apply for graduation!
How to apply using the Online Graduation Application:
Log into your MyBC account found at www.broward.edu.
Under the Advising tab, click on Graduation Application. Select your major, and then select Apply for Graduation.
Verify the name as it will appear on your diploma.
Verify the address your diploma will be mailed to.
Purchase your cap and gown at any Broward College bookstore.
Satisfy all financial obligations. Broward College will not release diplomas or transcripts until all financial obligations to the College are resolved.
Submit all official transcripts for any classes taken at another institution while attending Broward College. All final grades must be posted on the transcripts.
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The Career Center
The Career Center is here to help you explore careers, choose a career or major, and learn job-seeking and other employability skills.
Explore the links on the bottom for information on:
Career planning process
Full and part-time positions
Resumes and cover letters
Career and major information
Interest and personality assessments
Interviewing and job search strategies
Career counseling and educational planning
Student Information - Privacy Policy – Equal Opportunity Program
Broward College’s Privacy Policy
Broward College is committed to ensuring your privacy as a visitor to this website, as an interested party in one of Broward College’s degree programs, and as a student in our College. Generally speaking, here’s how we ensure your privacy:
We require our employees to keep your personal information confidential.
We only authorize access to your personal information to employees and third parties (only AFTER you become a student) who need your information to perform their duties (Further explained below).
We safeguard your personal information through electronic, procedural, and physical means.
Equal Opportunity Statement and Certification Form
Broward College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX may be directed to: Equity Coordinator Dr. Denese Edsall, Executive Director, Human Resources, 6400 NW 6th Way, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309, (954) 201-7502,
This is an equal opportunity employer/program which provides auxiliary aids and services upon request to individuals with disabilities by calling 711 or 800-947-6644 Voice/TTY.
Equal Opportunity Is the Law
It is against the law for this recipient of Federal financial assistance to discriminate on the following bases:
against any individual in the United States, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, political affiliation or belief; and
against any beneficiary of programs financially assisted under Title I of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (WIA), on the basis of the beneficiary's citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or his or her participation in any WIA Title I-financially assisted program or activity.
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The recipient must not discriminate in any of the following areas:
deciding who will be admitted, or have access, to any WIA Title I-financially assisted program or activity;
providing opportunities in, or treating any person with regard to, such a program or activity; or
making employment decisions in the administration of, or in connection with, such a program or activity.
What To Do If You Believe You Have Experienced Discrimination
If you think that you have been subjected to discrimination under a WIA Title I-financially assisted program or activity, you may file a complaint within 180 days from the date of the alleged violation with either:
the recipient's Equal Opportunity Officer (or the person whom the recipient has designated for this purpose); or
the Director, Civil Rights Center (CRC), U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Room N-4123, Washington, DC 20210.
If you file your complaint with the recipient, you must wait either until the recipient issues a written Notice of Final Action, or until 90 days have passed (whichever is sooner), before filing with the Civil Rights Center (see address above).
If the recipient does not give you a written Notice of Final Action within 90 days of the day on which you filed your complaint, you do not have to wait for the recipient to issue that Notice before filing a complaint with CRC. However, you must file your CRC complaint within 30 days of the 90-day deadline (in other words, within 120 days after the day on which you filed your complaint with the recipient).
If the recipient does give you a written Notice of Final Action on your complaint, but you are dissatisfied with the decision or resolution, you may file a complaint with CRC. You must file your CRC complaint within 30 days of the date on which you received the Notice of Final Action.
As a participant in the TAACCCT ATP Grant at Broward College you are required to sign an Equal Opportunity Certification Form to be submitted at the time of acceptance into the program. A PDF Form is available to fill out and email to the grants office.
Website Information:
When you visit the Broward College.edu website, the only personal information Broward College collects about you is the information you voluntarily provide through our online inquiry or application forms. Any personally identifiable information collected about you on this website is used by Broward College to contact you about the College’s programs, administer your application to the College, and provide additional
information as needed, potentially including contact via phone or email.
Broward College will not release, sell, rent, or trade your personal information gathered on the website to any third party for the promotion of other services or products.
Broward College will collect anonymous non-personally identifiable information about your website visit through pixel tags, sometimes known as cookies. These tags help us track information about your visit and are used to deliver banner advertisements to you on the Internet.
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How We Treat Your Personal Information As A Prospective Student:
As a prospective student, your email address and other personal information will never be shared with third parties. The Broward College Recruitment Advisor and other departments in the College will use your email address and other personal information to provide you with the information you request about your degree program of interest, tuition, financial aid, and any other topics pertaining to enrollment in the College. If you apply or enroll as a Broward College student, Broward College uses passwords to protect the privacy of applicants and students who use personalized areas of its sites. The highest level of security is used for storing information (SSL encryption). Broward College staff monitors the sites for technical reliability.
How We Treat Your Personal Information As A Student:
As a Broward College student, your personal information (including email address) may be shared with third-party learning resources, assessment sites, and other external vendors who support the academic programs. These vendors are obligated through their agreements with Broward College to maintain the privacy of Broward College students. Student directory information may be shared with outside institutions and corporations.
Broward College Opt-Out Policy:
At any time, you have the option and the right to request that Broward College discontinue further communications via email, phone, or direct mail.
To opt out by postal mail, send a written request containing your name and mailing address to: Broward College
TAACCCT Administration
A. Hugh Adams Central Campus Building 17, Room 226
3501 SW Davie Road, Davie, Florida 33314 To opt out by phone:
Call the Broward College Enrollment Department toll-free 1-954-201-4923.
FERPA Compliance:
Broward College complies with the protections established under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Acts of 1974 (FERPA). FERPA is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of student education records. FERPA governs the release of education records and access to education records.
The FERPA policy is intended to ensure students have the right to inspect and review their education records; the right to amend their education records as appropriate; and the right to control access to their education records. Students have the right to: (1) inspect and review their education records, (2) request amendment to their education records, (3) consent to disclosures of non-directory information, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent, and (4) file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Broward College to comply with FERPA requirements.
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Students have the right to request that their records be amended if they believe the content is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of their privacy rights. Student directory information may be shared with outside institutions and corporations.
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Addendum
Coaching Agreement
Broward College
Coaching Agreement
As your Faculty Advising Coach, I agree to: 1. Meet with you once a week
2. Hold your agenda for the coaching 3. Hold you accountable for what you say
you want to accomplish
4. Provide my full attention, speak honestly and listen to you without judgment 5. Ask thought-provoking questions 6. Provide ongoing support, and
champion new behaviors and actions 7. With your permission, communicate with
your instructors (Initial)
8. Maintain confidentiality at all times, except in the case of real or imminent abuse, harm or breaking of the law
As the student requesting coaching, you agree to:
1. Meet with me once a week 2. Set the agenda for the coaching 3. Commit to Pace Chart for each course 4. Provide your full attention and speak
honestly
5. Take responsibility for what you want to get out of our coaching relationship 6. Come to each session prepared to talk
about something that matters to you (see reverse for ideas)
7. Email or call me 24 hours in advance (whenever possible) if you need to miss or reschedule an appointment
8. Call or email me between sessions if a problem can’t wait, you need some advice, or want to celebrate a success (please try to keep call to 5-10 minute)
Student Academic Coach
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Revised: 1-11-2014
Equality Opportunity Certification Form
A
ccelerated Competency-based IT
T
raining
P
rograms
TAACCCT Grant Round II Equal Opportunity Certification Form
Broward College Equal Opportunity Statement
Broward College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, sex, disability, or age in its programs and activities. Inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX may be directed to: Equity Coordinator Dr. Denese Edsall, Executive Director, Human Resources, 6400 NW 6th Way, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309, (954) 201-7502, [email protected]. This is an equal opportunity employer/program which provides auxiliary aids and services upon request to individuals with disabilities by calling 711 or 800-947-6644 Voice/TTY.
I , hereby acknowledge receipt of the Equal Opportunity
Statement for Academic Year 2014-2015. I further acknowledge that it is my responsibility to read and understand all of the rules, regulations, policies and procedures, as well as notices outlined in the TAACCCT Grant Student Information handbook. I further agree to abide by any changes in these rules and regulations as set forth by the college.
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This workforce solution was funded by a $3,200,000 grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied,
with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership.