Graduate Certificate Programs
The Computer Science Department offers Graduate Certificates to students with a B.S. in Computer Science or a related field who wish to augment their professional preparation with more specialized training in an advanced area of technology.
Format
Students will select from an approved set of courses to develop critical skills and knowledge in a specialized discipline in the field. To complete a certificate, students would take three three-credit courses in their area of specialization. All of the certificate programs include broader foundational courses as well as more specialized courses. The academic focus of each certificate is detailed below. Specific certificate outcomes and curricula can be found here.
Prerequisites
Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or related disciplines or those who do not have programming work experience may be required to take COMP 170 and COMP 271 to strengthen their preparation. These courses provide the programming background and knowledge of data structures required for taking the certificate classes. For more information about the prerequisite course please see the prerequisite information page. These extra courses are offered online in a compressed 8-week format that can be done within one semester. To register for COMP 170 or COMP 271, please contact the Graduate Program Director (gpd@cs.luc.edu).
Click here for the current schedule information.
Networking and Information Security
This certificate program is focused on the increasingly important area of network security within the broader field of information technology. The coursework includes broader courses like Computer Networks and Network Security, plus more specialized courses on Intrusion Detection, Wireless Security, and Computer Forensics.
Web Programming
This certificate program is focused on mastering programming skills required to create and support applications on the web, including mobile web development, and specialized courses on client-side web programming, and a server-side applications course.
Technology Management
This certificate program is focused on preparing students for leadership roles in managing the organizational impacts of technological change. The coursework includes broader courses like Organization Change and Development, plus more specialized courses on Project Management and modeling with Operations Management.
Program Outcomes
Program outcomes for all Certificate Programs:
- Students will have developed new technical skills in the area of their specializations.
- Students will have a better understanding of the domain contexts within which these skills can be applied.
- Students will have acquired a credential and additional knowledge allowing them to advance professionally.
- Students will be prepared to enter a graduate program in the Computer Science Department, with the transfer of certificate credits toward their master’s degree.
Admission Requirements
There are no specific admissions deadlines; however, students should allow sufficient time for their admissions materials to be received and evaluated in time to register for the semester in which they want to enroll. Students must have the equivalent of a U.S. baccalaureate degree before starting certificate classes. Applicants would submit a completed application form, official transcripts from their undergraduate institution(s), two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7 is required. No GRE scores are required. Prior industry experience is considered as a factor in admissions. If students decide to pursue an MSIT or MSSE master’s degree, they will have to go through the regular admissions processes for those degrees. Completion of a certificate program will not guarantee enrollment in any other degree program at Loyola University.
STEM Designation
With a national shortage of professionals trained in STEM-related fields, employers are actively pursuing STEM certificate holders. Distinguish yourself in technology with a STEM-designated certificate.
The Graduate Certificate Programs in Networking and Information Security, Web Programming, and Technology Management have been granted a STEM designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The program achieved STEM designation because of its emphasis on teaching students how to solve technical problems with a suite of quantitative and technological tools.
At this time, international students needing an I-20 are not eligible for certificate programs.
Computer Science Certificate for Undergraduates (offered by the School of Continuing and Professional Studies)
The School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers a professional certificate to enable SCPS students to begin a career in the field or to prepare them to complete a Master’s Degree in Information Technology or Software Engineering. More details can be found here.
The Computer Science Department offers Graduate Certificates to students with a B.S. in Computer Science or a related field who wish to augment their professional preparation with more specialized training in an advanced area of technology.
Format
Students will select from an approved set of courses to develop critical skills and knowledge in a specialized discipline in the field. To complete a certificate, students would take three three-credit courses in their area of specialization. All of the certificate programs include broader foundational courses as well as more specialized courses. The academic focus of each certificate is detailed below. Specific certificate outcomes and curricula can be found here.
Prerequisites
Students who do not have an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or related disciplines or those who do not have programming work experience may be required to take COMP 170 and COMP 271 to strengthen their preparation. These courses provide the programming background and knowledge of data structures required for taking the certificate classes. For more information about the prerequisite course please see the prerequisite information page. These extra courses are offered online in a compressed 8-week format that can be done within one semester. To register for COMP 170 or COMP 271, please contact the Graduate Program Director (gpd@cs.luc.edu).
Click here for the current schedule information.
Program Outcomes
Program outcomes for all Certificate Programs:
- Students will have developed new technical skills in the area of their specializations.
- Students will have a better understanding of the domain contexts within which these skills can be applied.
- Students will have acquired a credential and additional knowledge allowing them to advance professionally.
- Students will be prepared to enter a graduate program in the Computer Science Department, with the transfer of certificate credits toward their master’s degree.
Admission Requirements
There are no specific admissions deadlines; however, students should allow sufficient time for their admissions materials to be received and evaluated in time to register for the semester in which they want to enroll. Students must have the equivalent of a U.S. baccalaureate degree before starting certificate classes. Applicants would submit a completed application form, official transcripts from their undergraduate institution(s), two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.7 is required. No GRE scores are required. Prior industry experience is considered as a factor in admissions. If students decide to pursue an MSIT or MSSE master’s degree, they will have to go through the regular admissions processes for those degrees. Completion of a certificate program will not guarantee enrollment in any other degree program at Loyola University.
STEM Designation
With a national shortage of professionals trained in STEM-related fields, employers are actively pursuing STEM certificate holders. Distinguish yourself in technology with a STEM-designated certificate.
The Graduate Certificate Programs in Networking and Information Security, Web Programming, and Technology Management have been granted a STEM designation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The program achieved STEM designation because of its emphasis on teaching students how to solve technical problems with a suite of quantitative and technological tools.
At this time, international students needing an I-20 are not eligible for certificate programs.
Computer Science Certificate for Undergraduates (offered by the School of Continuing and Professional Studies)
The School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers a professional certificate to enable SCPS students to begin a career in the field or to prepare them to complete a Master’s Degree in Information Technology or Software Engineering. More details can be found here.