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

Certificate in Web Development

This certificate, available on campus and online, is for those who seek the skills to create high-end websites for e-commerce, data services, internet organizational workflow, multi-media distribution, and other areas. It includes courses in design and coding.

Courses (15 credit hours)

INF 250 Introduction to Web Development

INF 650 Interactive Systems Design

INF 651 Advanced Web Development

INF 653 Web Scripting Languages

INF 654 Introduction to Web-Enabled Databases: MySQL

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

Certificate in E-Commerce Web Development

This certificate, available on campus and online, is for those who seek the skills to create e-commerce websites. It will introduce you to the fundamentals of e-commerce strategy and marketing.

Courses (15 credit hours)

INF 250 Introduction to Web Development

INF 651 Advanced Web Development

INF 652 Intensive Web Development

And choose from two (undergraduate) or three (graduate) of the courses below:

INF 650 Interactive Systems Design

INF 654 Introduction to Web-Enabled Databases: MySQL

INF 658 Law of Cyberspace

INF 678 Seminar in INT: Beginning Mobile Applications Development

INF 678 Seminar in INT: Web Security

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

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, available on campus and online, 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. This program will teach you how to:

• 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

Courses (15 credit hours)                                                                                                              

• MIS 304 Management Information Systems
• MIS 315 Enterprise Resource Planning
• MIS 330 Business Intelligence
• MIS 602 Information System Design & Analysis
• MIS 640 Advanced Management Information Systems

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.

Program Summary

Required for Certificate: 15 total credit hours

• 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.