Programming Microcredentials

Technology is a wide-open field, and there are plenty of job opportunities available in computer programming. Programmers are in high demand all over the world, which should give you some peace of mind as you look to a future career.

CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist

Recommended Prior Experience: This course teaches intermediate and advanced concepts in HTML5 and CSS3. Before taking this course, students should have basic HTML and CSS coding knowledge through prior coursework or a CIW Site Development Associate course.
Length of Program: 40 hours + hands-on practice and exam study time 

The CIW Advanced HTML5 and CSS3 Specialist course tests essential HTML5, Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and JavaScript knowledge. These technologies, known as the Web development trifecta, provide Web pages that easily adapt to smartphones, tablets, gaming devices and smart TVs, and traditional PCs. This course teaches deep knowledge of HTML5 and CSS3, and thus assumes a certain amount of existing knowledge (such as basic HTML coding).

What You Will Learn

  • Demonstrate advanced uses of the canvas element.
  • Implement JavaScript to create interactive pages.
  • Validate HTML5 code.
  • Identify ways to determine browser compatibility for a page or device.
  • Implement HTML5 forms.
  • Use CSS3 to shape content on the page.
  • Design for mobile devices.
  • Implement HTML5 APIs.
  • Identify program flow issues in relation to JavaScript-based applications.
  • Design pages for a cloud-based storefront.

How to Earn Credential

  • Follow the CIW Advanced HTML5 and CSS3 Specialist program
  • Pass the CIW Advanced HTML5 and CSS3 Specialist exam

AWS Foundational

Recommended Prior Experience: No prior experience necessary
Length of Program: 32 hours + hands on practice and exam study time

The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner offers a foundational understanding of AWS Cloud concepts, services, and terminology. This is a good starting point for individuals in non-technical roles with no prior IT or cloud experience or for those with on-premises IT experience looking for basic AWS Cloud fluency. This certification can give candidates the confidence to tackle role-based AWS Certifications.

What You Will Learn

  • Basic understanding of IT services and their uses on AWS Cloud
  • Knowledge of core AWS services and use cases, billing and pricing models, security concepts, and how cloud impacts your business

This is the foundational course. There are 11 other AWS courses for professionals, associates, and specialty certifications for future possibilities.

How to Earn Credential

  • The AWS Foundational course prepares you to take the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Exam (CLF-C01).

C/C++

Recommended Prior Experience: No prior experience necessary
Length of Program: 32 hours + hands-on practice and exam study time

This micro-credential program is a good introduction for those who have never programmed before. The program provides a thorough introduction to the basic syntax and structure of the C++ programming language. This program focuses on creating C++ applications that define variables and arrays and that use if statements, switch/case statements, for loops and while loops. Participants will also create functions and pass information into functions by value and by reference using pointers and will build applications made up of several files.

What You Will Learn

  • Compile and run a basic C++ program.
  • Write C++ code that uses numeric and string data in variables.
  • Illustrate the knowledge of variables, types, values, definition, and objects.
  • Write C++ code that uses common operator.
  • Write C++ code that uses your own functions and header files.
  • Write C++ applications that use your own classes.
  • Write C++ code that uses arrays, matrices, and lists.
  • Write C++ applications that use pointers to containers and variables.
  • Write C++ application that use conditional statement and loops.
  • Write C++ code that handles exceptions and validates data.

Participants will need access to a C++ compiler, which is available for download. Contact us. You may be eligible for the cost of the download to be paid by a Good Jobs Challenge grant through the U.S. Economic Development Admnistration.

How to Earn Credential

  1. ICC Corporate & Community Education Certificate of Completion
  2. 3.2 CEU

C#

Recommended Prior Experience: No prior experience necessary.
Length of Program: 32 hours + hands-on practice and exam study time 

You will be introduced to the concepts of object-oriented programming using C#. No previous computer programming experience is required. This program focuses on the fundamentals of .NET programming. Participants will create C# applications using variables, conditional statements, looping statements, arrays, and functions.

What You Will Learn

  • Compile and run a basic C# program.
  • Write C# application that uses labels, text fields and buttons on a form.
  • Write C# code that uses numeric and string data in variables.
  • Write C# application that use conditional statement and loops.
  • Write C# code that includes methods and event handlers.
  • Will write C# code that handles exceptions and validates data.
  • Write C# applications that use arrays, and other data collection storage tools.
  • Write C# applications that use date and string variables.
  • Add standard controls to their C# projects and create a mult-form application.
  • Create a final project using what they’ve learned in this course.

How to Earn Credential

  1. ICC Corporate & Community Education Certificate of Completion
  2. 3.2 CEU

Database Management

Recommended Prior Experience: No prior experience necessary
Length of Program: 6 weeks

The Database Management course provides introductory vendor-neutral training for individuals planning to pursue product-focused database specialization. This course introduces you to DB2, Oracle Database 11g, MS SQL and MySQL. You will also learn about Structured Query Language (SQL) and Database optimization through normalization.

What You Will Learn

  • Relational database fundamentals. 
  • Database planning. 
  • Database design methodology, including logical and physical database design. 
  • Optimization and normalization. 
  • Structured Query Language (SQL). 
  • Relational algebra. 
  • Transactions and database security. 

How to Earn Credential

  • Follow the Database Management program
  • Receive a certificate

CIW JavaScript Specialist

Recommended Prior Experience: No prior knowledge of the JavaScript programming language is necessary. However, participants should be familiar with using the Internet, developing web pages, and configuring networks. Knowledge of X/HTML code development is required. 
Length of Program: 40 hours+ hands-on practice and exam study time 

The JavaScript micro-credential program, provided by CIW, teaches developers how to use the features of the JavaScript language to design client-side, platform-independent solutions. Participants will develop understanding and gain experience using the most popular applications of JavaScript. These specialized Web language skills can help you begin or grow a career in advanced web development and technologies.

What You Will Learn

  • JavaScript language essentials, including program flow control, form validation, image animation, frame targeting and cookie creation.
  • JavaScript code development, including writing programs and writing script for the JavaScript object model.
  • Web site implementation, including authoring and scripting, Web content creation, Web management and digital media tools.

How to Earn Credential

  • After Follow the CIW JavaScript Specialist program
  • Pass the CIW JavaScript Specialist exam

CIW Perl Specialist

Recommended Prior Experience: No prior knowledge of the Perl programming language is necessary. However, students should be familiar with using the Internet, developing Web pages and configuring networks to a level consistent with that found in the CIW Web Foundations series, and be able to demonstrate Web scripting knowledge equivalent to that found in the JavaScript Specialist course.
Length of Program: 40 hours + hands-on practice and exam study time 

The CIW Perl Specialist course teaches developers how to fully use the features of the Perl programming language in Web application development. These specialized Web language skills can help you begin or grow a career in advanced Web development and technologies.

What You Will Learn

  • Perl language essentials, including syntax, regular expressions and data types
  • Perl code development, including accessing and manipulating files
  • Web site implementation, including database connectivity and debugging techniques

How to Earn Credential

  • Follow the CIW Perl Specialist program
  • Take the CIW Perl Specialist exam

Java 1

Recommended Prior Experience: No prior experience necessary
Length of Program: 32 hours + hands-on practice and exam study time

This micro-credential program provides an introduction to the concepts of object-oriented programming using Java 9.0. Participants will learn fundamentals of Java programming and create applications that use variables, conditional statements, looping statements, arrays and functions. Java SE 9.0 and NetBeans 9.0 may be used to follow along with the course content.

What You Will Learn

  • Compile and run a basic Java program.
  • Write Java code that uses data types such as numeric, string, and date time values in variables.
  • Illustrate the knowledge of variables, types, values, definition, and objects.
  • Write Java code that handles common errors and exceptions.
  • Write Java code that uses your own methods and modules .
  • Write Java code that uses arrays, collections, maps, and lists.
  • Write Java application that use conditional statement and loops.
  • Write Java code that handles exceptions and validates data.
  • Learn how to work with file input and output for two types of files: text files and binary files.

How to Earn Credential

  • Follow the JAVA 1 program
  • Receive a certificate

Java 2

Recommended Prior Experience: Java 1

This class is a continuation of JAVA 1. We will learn and explore more advanced topics of object-oriented programming with Java.  At the end of this class, you can use Java to develop projects like mobile applications. You will also be able to understand Java object specifications and use objects and frameworks created by other developers. 

What You Will Learn

  • Learn and apply intermediate concepts related to object-oriented programming with Java. 
  • Learn, practice, and apply job-ready skills in less than 2 hours. 
  • Receive training from industry experts. 
  • Gain hands-on experience solving real-world job tasks. 
  • Build confidence using the latest tools and technologies.

How to Earn Credential

  • Follow the Java 2 program
  • Receive a certificate

JavaScript

Recommended Prior Experience: No prior knowledge of the JavaScript programming language is necessary.
Length of Program: 6 weeks

This JavaScript course teaches developers how to use the features of the JavaScript language to design client-side solutions. Students will understand and use the most popular applications of JavaScript. These specialized web language skills can help students begin or grow a career in advanced web development and technologies. This course will teach JavaScript code development, including writing programs and writing script for the JavaScript object model. It will also cover web site implementation, including authoring and scripting, web content creation, web management, and digital media tools.

What You Will Learn

  • Introduction to HTML & CSS programming
  • Variables and data
  • Functions, methods, and events
  • Controlling program flow
  • The JavaScript Document Object Model (DOM)

Upon Completion You Will

  • Understand JavaScript fundamentals
  • Read and write JavaScript
  • Be able to use functions, loops, and conditionals

How to Earn Credential

  • Follow and complete the JavaScript course
  • Earn a certificate of completion from ICC

Python 1

Recommended Prior Experience: No prior experience necessary
Length of Program: 6 weeks

If you want to learn how to program but have little or no experience, you have chosen the right language. That is because Python has a simple syntax that makes it easier to learn than other programming languages. At the same time, it is a powerful language that provides all the features needed to master any programming language.

What You Will Learn

  • Use IDLE to test Python expressions and statements in the interactive shell.
  • Code, test, and debug programs.
  • Use pseudocode to plan your control structures and programs.
  • Define and use functions, default values, named arguments, local variables, and global variables. 
  • Plan the test runs for a program.
  • Use lists and tuples in your programs.
  • Use text, CSV, or binary files to save and retrieve data.
  • Add the proper level of exception handling.
  • Code, test, and debug programs that work with numbers.
  • Code, test, and debug programs that work with strings.
  • Code, test, and debug programs that work with dates and times.

How to Earn Credential

  • Follow the Python 1 program
  • Receive a certificate. 

Python 2

Recommended Prior Experience: Python 1
Length of Program: 6 weeks

This course will introduce the core data structures of the Python programming language. We will move past the basics of procedural programming and explore how we can use the Python built-in data structures such as lists, dictionaries, and tuples to perform increasingly complex data analysis.

What You Will Learn

  • Explain the principles of data structures & how they are used 
  • Create programs that are able to read and write data from files 
  • Store data as key/value pairs using Python dictionaries 
  • Accomplish multi-step tasks like sorting or looping using tuples 

How to Earn Credential

  • Follow the Python 2 program
  • Receive a certificate. 

Using Python for Data Analytics

Today, data analysis is an essential skill in the fields of business, science, and social science. Python has become a preferred language for doing that data analysis. Python data analysis is a valuable addition to your skillset and may lead to new career opportunities.

What You Will Learn

  • Write Python statements that import a module, call and chain methods
  • Use slices, lists, tuples, dictionaries, and list comprehensions
  • Use JupyterLab to open an existing Notebook or to start a new Notebook
  • Edit and run the cells of a Notebook
  • Create and modify the headings in a Notebook
  • Use JupyterLab’s Tab completion and tooltip features.
  • Use JupyterLab’s Magic Commands to time statements and display the current variables.
  • Use Panda to create data frames and plots
  • Use Seaborn to create plots
  • Use the Pandas read methods to import data into a DataFrame
  • Identify the data problems in a DataFrame by using the info(), unique(), nunique(), and value_counts() methods.
  • Add datetime, string, and numeric columns that are derived from other columns to a DataFrame
  • Group and aggregate the data in a DataFrame, and Pivot the data in a DataFrame or create a pivot table from the data
  • Generate date ranges at different time intervals
  • Use scatter plots or heatmaps to identify correlations
  • Use Scikit-learn to create and validate a multiple regression model from the variables that you select and to use the model to make predictions

How to Earn Credential

  • Follow the Using Python for Data Analytics training program and receive a Certificate of Completion, awarded by the Office of Corporate and Community Education at Illinois Central College

Revit

Recommended Prior Experience: No prior experience necessary
Length of Program: 6 weeks

Autodesk Revit allows architects, engineers, and construction professionals to model shapes, structures, and systems in 3D with parametric accuracy, precision, and ease. Students will learn and practice workflows and skills with sections on modeling, documentation, collaboration and coordination. They will review advanced modeling architectural topics and learn to work with walls, floors, roofs, ceilings, stairs, columns, and rooms.

What You Will Learn

  • Create and modify architectural components, site elements, and materials
  • Create and manage views and annotations, work with families, and develop schedules
  • Use workflows and processes such as work sharing, exporting and printing, and project maintenance and management
  • Work with mechanical equipment, fixtures, mechanical systems, and connecting geometry
  • Use workflows and processes, such as work sharing, exporting, printing, and project

Upon Completion You Will

  • Create and modify architectural components
  • Understand how to use Revit workflows and processes

How to Earn Credential

  • Follow and complete the Revit course program
  • Take and pass the Autodesk Certified Professional in Revit for Architectural Design exam

Security Fundamentals

This is a beginner-level course designed to introduce information technology security concepts, focusing on the question, “What is information security, and why do we need it?” Frameworks, controls, and activities to control information security and manage risk in our IT infrastructure will be explored. The course will examine how cyberattacks are carried out and the threat actors behind them. Then, learners will develop skills in counteracting cyberattacks through the use of ethical testing, as well as skills to cope with an attack by implementing an incident response strategy. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) principles will also be discussed. While this is a beginner-level course, having a basic understanding of computing concepts would be beneficial.

What You Will Learn

  • Fundamentals of information security and how it differs from information assurance
  • CIA Triad
  • The most common security frameworks in use today
  • The basics of the ISO 27000 series framework
  • Key aspects of risk management including risk identification, risk mitigation, and risk controls
  • Foundational understanding of cyberattacks and cybersecurity
  • Basics of GDPR principles

CIW Site Development Associate

Recommended Prior Experience: No Site Development knowledge is required. This is a foundational course that prepares developers to continue to other CIW certifications.
Length of Program: 20 hours + hands-on practice and exam study time 

The CIW Site Development Associate course teaches you essential Web page development skills. You will learn to develop Web sites using Hypertext Markup Language version 5(HTML5) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). You will learn to write code manually, as well as use graphical user interface (GUI) authoring tools. Students will work with images, create hyperlinks, and add tables, forms, videos and audio to Web pages.

What You Will Learn

  • Web site development using Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Extensible HTML (XHTML)
  • Manual code writing, graphical user interface (GUI) authoring tools, and XHTML code validation
  • Web page development using images, hyperlinks, tables, forms and frames
  • CGI and connecting Web pages to databases
  • Internet marketing and search engine optimization (SEO)
  • Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for formatting Web page content, and fundamental Web design concepts
  • Development of Web sites as managed projects
  • Introductory e-commerce solutions, and the relationship of Web site development to business goals

How to Earn Credential

  1. Follow the CIW Site Development Associate program
  2. Pass the CIW Site Development Associate exam

SQL 1

Recommended Prior Experience: No prior experience necessary
Length of Program: 32 hours

Structured Query Language (SQL) is the language used to work with databases and the information stored within them. This course will provide a working knowledge of the basic forms of SQL, including how to select and update data from common table formats. Learners will create a database and use SQL to manipulate the data within it. Students will need a Windows computer to use SQL Server Management Studio.

What You Will Learn 

  • Install the SQL Server demo and explore the basics of relational databases. 
  • Write SQL SELECT statements to retrieve data from a single data table. 
  • Write SQL SELECT statements with JOINS to retrieve data from multiple tables. 
  • Write queries to summarize data using aggregate functions. 
  • Write queries that contain sub queries. 
  • Write queries to insert, update and delete data from data tables. 
  • Write queries to convert and edit data in the database. 
  • Design and create a database. 

Upon Completion You Will

  • Understand basic forms of SQL
  • Be able to create a database
  • Be able to use SQL to manipulate data

How to Earn Credential

  • Follow and complete the Introduction to SQL program
  • Receive a certificate of completion from ICC

SQL 2 Advanced

Recommended Prior Experience: Students should have knowledge of structured query language and SQL 1 is recommended.
Length of Program: 6 weeks

Structured Query Language (SQL) is the language used to work with databases and the information stored within them. This course is designed to build upon basic SQL knowledge. After completing this course you will have a better understanding of how tables and databases work, as well as advanced capabilities in querying the information that is stored in a SQL database effectively.

What You Will Learn

  • Insert, update, and delete queries
  • Subqueries
  • Table creation queries
  • Common cable expressions

Upon Completion You Will

  • Understand the power of subqueries in SQL
  • Understand useful commands in advanced SQL

How to Earn Credential

  • Follow and complete the SQL 2 Advanced course
  • Receive a certificate of completion from ICC

Web Front End 1 

Recommended Prior Experience: No prior experience

This course teaches essential Web page development skills. You will learn to develop Web sites using Hypertext Markup Language version 5 (HTML5) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). You will learn to write code manually, as well as use graphical user interface (GUI) authoring tools. You will also work with images, create hyperlinks, and add tables, forms, video and audio to your Web pages. If you want the knowledge and skills to design or improve Websites, this course is for you.

In addition to learning about HTML5 and CSS coding, you will learn how to use HTML5 and JavaScript Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to extend the functionality of Web pages, such as geolocation, drag-and-drop, canvas and offline Web applications. Other topics include validating your HTML and CSS code, employing search engine optimization (SEO), using style sheets extensively to format Web page content, and implementing fundamental design concepts. Throughout the course, you will learn how Web sites are developed as managed projects. You will also identify e-commerce solutions and relate Web site development to business goals.

What You Will Learn

  • Web site development using Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) and Extensible HTML (XHTML). 
  • Manual code writing, graphical user interface (GUI) authoring tools, and XHTML code validation. 
  • Web page development using images, hyperlinks, tables, forms.
  • CGI and connecting Web pages to databases.
  • Internet marketing and search engine optimization (SEO).
  • Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for formatting Web page content, and fundamental Web design concepts.
  • Development of Web sites as managed projects.
  • Introductory e-commerce solutions, and the relationship of Web site development to business goals.

How to Earn Credential

  • Follow the Web Front End 1 program
  • Receive a certificate

CIW User Interface Designer

Recommended Prior Experience: Understanding HTML5 and CSS3 coding. Suggested prerequisites are the CIW Site Development Associate course and the CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist course, or equivalent knowledge.

The CIW User Interface Designer is the second program in the CIW Web and Mobile Design series.

This program focuses on the strategies and tactics necessary to design user interfaces, with particular emphasis on creating user interfaces for mobile devices.

What You Will Learn

  • Obtain information from the client, including obtaining detailed information from relevant parties (e.g., sales and marketing)
  • Create a wireframe
  • Deploy appropriate color schemes and tones
  • Describe and use current typical design templates
  • Summarize proper use of formatting and typography
  • Recognize user analysis techniques
  • Apply essential usability concepts, including clarity, ease of use, simplicity, detectability, and typography
  • Describe usability testing procedures, including the importance of testing
  • Design for multiple platforms (e.g., mobile phone, tablet, traditional desktop)
  • Identify elements that make a compelling visual experience
  • Discuss branding considerations in relation to user interface design
  • Implement responsive design (e.g., progressive enhancement, feature detection)
  • Design pages for a cloud-based storefront

How to Earn Credential

  • Follow the CIW User Interface Designer training program
  • Pass the CIW User Interface Designer certification exam

Web Front End 2

Recommended Prior Experience: Web Front End 1

This second Web Front End 2 course, emphasis will be placed on more advanced topics. Topics include advanced CSS, web project management, and developing client websites. 

What You Will Learn

  • Web site development using Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).  
  • Manual code writing, graphical user interface (GUI) authoring tools, and XHTML code validation. 
  • Web page development using images, hyperlinks, tables, forms. 
  • Advanced Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) for formatting Web page content., 
  • Web Project Management. 
  • Client Website Development. 

How to Earn Credential

  • Follow the Web Front End 2 program
  • Receive a certificate

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IT Workforce Accelerator

Tuition and books are paid by a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration. You may also qualify for additional support services.

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