Certificate Programs

Certificates That Connect You to the Expanding Digital World

The Department of Informatics at Fort Hays State University offers six certificates that will add value to your degree program by building your knowledge and experience in a particular subject, giving you an edge in the workplace and allowing you to explore your passions within the field.

Our curriculum is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education.

How to Earn Your Certificate

To earn your certificate of completion, you must provide documentation showing the grade received and the semester of completion. No grade lower than a "C" will be accepted toward the certificate. All courses must be taken through FHSU to count for credit toward the certificate. For questions regarding course offerings, please contact 785-628-5373 or informatics@fhsu.edu.

Select Specialty Certificates That Expand IT Careers  
Whether you manage data, improve systems, create entertainment content or develop new proprietary software, you will add more versatility to your resume by completing one of our informatics certificates.

Preparation for Professional Certifications

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
• Avid Media Composer
• Avid Pro Tools

Front-End Web Developer Certificate

If you are interested in developing the exciting front-end of a web application (everything the user interacts with,) this certificate is the right one for you. You will learn how to use HTML, CSS, and Java Script (as well as associated frameworks) to code up web applications (including serverless web applications) while focusing on human-computer interaction principles and user experience design.

To provide the flexibility you might need, we offer these classes on-campus and online.

Courses (15 Credit Hours)

• INF 250 Introduction to Web Development
• INF 360 Programming with Python
• INF 650 Introduction to Human-Computer Interaction
• INF 651 Front-End Web Development I
• INF 655 Front-End Web Development II

We will need you to earn a "C," or higher, in each course in order to issue this certificate.

What if you already have some industry experience? Let us know and we can look at waiving the introductory courses (INF 250 and INF 360.)

Full-Stack Web Developer Certificate

If you would like to continue building your skills while diving into the server-side scripting languages and databases (and the main components that enable modern web applications), you can pursue the full-stack web developer certificate. You'll cover all aspects of mobile development, including building native applications. As a full-stack developer, you'll have the knowledge needed to dive into any area of web development, while still focusing on the area of most interest to you.

As with the Front-End Developer certificate, which is required before starting the Full Stack Web Developer certificate, you'll need to earn a "C," or higher in each course. This certificate can be completed at the Undergraduate OR Graduate level depending on whether you take the course as an undergraduate or graduate* student.

Courses (15 Credit Hours)

• INF 652 Database Design and Programming
• INF 653 Back-End Web Development I
• INF 654 Mobile Web Development I
• INF 656 Back-End Web Development II
• INF 657 Mobile Web Development II

*There are additional requirements for graduate students completing the courses.

Certificate in Internetworking

Are you looking to become a computer networking professional? Would you like to expand your credentials?

This certificate, available on campus and online, will prepare you to sit for the Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices Part 1 (ICND1) exam to obtain Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) certification. You may take these classes independent of a degree program or apply them toward a bachelor’s degree in Computer Networking and Telecommunications.

Courses (12 Credit Hours)

• INF 291 Internetworking I (CCENT Prep)
• INF 292 Internetworking II (CCENT Prep)
• INF 680 Network Architecture and Data Communications I
• INF 681 Network Architecture and Data Communications II (pre-req: INF 680)

Internetworking I and Internetworking II courses focus on key concepts covered by the Interconnecting Cisco Network Devices Part I (ICND1) Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) certification exam.

This course covers the OSI Model, physical media, electrical signal, line coding, link level protocol, network routing and addressing, and LAN and WAN concepts.

INF 681 Network Architecture and Data Communications II

This course covers a variety of network related services in the upper layers of the OSI Model. Topics may include: Internetwork Design, Internetwork Security, Synchronous Optical Network (SONET), Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP), Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), Point to Point Protocol, advanced routing protocols and other networking services.

*Two additional courses, INF 393 Internetworking III and INF 394 Internetworking IV will prepare you to sit for the Interconnecting Cisco Networking Devices Part 2 (ICND2) exam to obtain Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Routing & Switching certification.

Certificate in Information Networking for Criminal Justice

Offered jointly by the Department of Informatics and the Department of Justice Studies, this certificate, available on campus and online, will prepare you to specialize in investigating digital crime. It combines theory and practice from the two disciplines.

Courses (15 Credit Hours)

• JUS 225 Justice in the Information Age
• JUS 305 Corporate Crime & Deviance
• INF 250 Introduction to Web Development
• INF 658 Law of Cyberspace
• INF 680 Network Architecture and Data Communications I

No grade lower than a "C" will be accepted toward the certificate. All courses must be taken for credit.

Certificate in Business Information Systems

This certificate will give you a greater understanding of information systems. It's designed for those who don't have, and aren't pursuing, an information systems degree.

It will help you:

• Incorporate information technology into your current position
• Oversee the information technology function in your area
• Collaborate with information systems professionals to create opportunities for greater productivity and efficiency

Available on campus and online.

Courses (15 Credit Hours)

• INF 304 Management Information Systems
• INF 315 Enterprise Resource Planning
• INF 330 Business Intelligence
• INF 430 Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurial Leadership
• INF 678 Seminar in Informatics: Data Analytics I

No grade lower than a "C" will be accepted toward the certificate. All courses must be taken for credit.

Certificate in Audio Production

This certificate, offered on campus, is designed to prepare you to create quality audio or video content and market it as well as yourself to a wide audience. This certificate, if you choose, will provide you a look at the entrepreneurial side of audio and video, while allowing you to be creative.

Our Certificate in Audio Production provides a hands-on in-depth understanding of the digital content business. We offer small class sizes and access to faculty whether you are attending online or through the Fort Hays State University Virtual College. Regardless of where your skills are when you enter, you'll leave with valuable proficiencies and a competitive resume.

• INF 322 Topics in Informatics/Advanced Audio Production
• INF 322 Topics in Informatics/Media Entrepreneurship
• INF 348 Beginning Audio Production
• INF 349 Convergent Media Lab
• INF 658 Law of Cyberspace

To claim your certificate on completion of the required courses, provide documentation showing the grade received and the semester of completion.

No grade lower than a "C" will be accepted toward the certificate. All courses must be taken through FHSU to count for credit toward the certificate.