Course Audience

The Certified Information Technology Systems Specialist (CITSS) programme is ideal for those with a PC Maintenance, IT Support, IT Administrator, or Networking background.  It would be considered a non-essential advantage to have at least 1 years occupational experience within the IT field.  The most important necessity is to have enthusiasm and motivation to complete this programme.  Experience is not essential.    

Course Overview

The Certified Information Technology Systems Administrator (CITSS) programme comprises one academic qualification from FETAC, and three professional industry sectoral awards by three leading globally accredited IT awarding bodies – CompTIA, Microsoft and Cisco.  The programme covers computer maintenance and troubleshooting, networking and network security, software and hardware configuration – necessary to access a successful career in the computer industry, or to pursue further studies at undergraduate and graduate level.

The CITSS programme leads to four awards / qualifications. 

Students are positioned to undertake the following industry-recognised examinations:

·         FETAC Level 6 Certificate in Computer Network Technology	·         Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
·         CompTIA A+	·         Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

The overall aim of the CITSS programme is to provide the individual candidate with sufficient practical and theoretical computer knowledge to pursue a technical career as a professional IT Technical Engineer.  

Stage 1:          FETAC Level 6 Certificate in Computer Network Technology

·         Systems Software

·         Network Models & Technologies

·         Client Server Networks

·         Network Administration

·         System Maintenance

·         Wan Technologies

·         Switching Basics

·         Routing Technologies

Stage 2:          CompTIA A+

                        Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)

                        Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

Accreditation

The CITSS incorporates certification by FETAC and the following leading IT corporations: 

Microsoft – www.microsoft.com, CompTIA – www.comptia.org and Cisco – www.cisco.com.

Entry Requirements

The academic entrance requirements for CCT´s CITSA professional diploma programme are:

Irish Leaving Certificate (Secondary school Final examination)

5 passes at Ordinary level including Mathematics and any language

International equivalent academic entrance requirements can be ascertained by contacting us directly.

Or

FETAC Level 5 Certification in a related field

Or

Mature students (23 or over) need to satisfy an interview with a panel of experts at CCT, and may not need satisfy any entrance requirements

Or

3 years experience in the IT and Computing industry

As a guideline, International students whose native language is not English are required to produce an internationally recognised English language test score equivalent to an absolute minimum score of 5.0 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam.  The recommended IELTS score for this programme is: 5.5, or the following TOEFL equivalencies: TOEFL CBT – 183 / TOEFL IBT – 65

Assessment

CCT will utilise a variety of assessment methods to help ensure that the learning outcomes of each subject will be achieved, for example:  Industry certification online exams, Written Examinations, Objective Tests, Presentations, Group Projects, Practical Assignments, Oral Examinations and so on.  Assessment will be continuous throughout each module, with final examinations administered in most of the modules.

Mechanisms for giving and receiving feedback on learning progress

CCT constantly encourages feedback from its learners in a formal and informal basis.  Learners have an opportunity to give feedback on the college, programme, faculty, facilities, administration, student services and admissions and course induction through the following verification surveys: 1) Learner Verification survey; 2) Student Services and Support survey; and 3) Admissions and Course Induction survey.  CCT constantly encourages feedback from its learners in a formal and informal basis.  Learners also conduct an Ongoing Monitoring Review process with faculty and administration of the college once per semester.

Accreditation

This programme is awarded by the Further Education and Training Awards Council of Ireland (FETAC), Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA.  This programme is also included on the Irish Dept of Education & Science, Internationalisation Register, of approved full-time programmes in Ireland.

Academic Progression Opportunities

Successful graduates of the CITSS programme, will be eligible to progress directly onto the HETAC Level 6 Higher Certificate in Science in Computing in Information Technology at CCT, and will be considered for exemptions on any Bachelors degree programme.

Duration / Commencement dates

Two academic years.  CCT usually commences full-time programmes over 3 intakes per year:  February, May and September.  Please contact CCT directly for the next Commencement date.

Course Fees

Please contact the college directly to ascertain the course fees. 

Medical insurance for Non-EU nationals is compulsory and as part of the Irish Student Visa requirements and can be arranged by CCT for an additional fee of EUR160 for 12 months.

Protection for Learners policy

The college maintains a Protection for Learners Policy for this programme.  In the unlikely event of a programme of study unexpectedly ceasing, learners will be transferred to another provider offering the same or similar programme. To facilitate this, CCT has in place arrangements with two other educational and training providers to which course participants will be directed in the unlikely event of cessation of a programme. In the event of a programme of study unexpectedly ceasing, where the option of transfer is not acceptable or feasible to the learner, CCT will refund the most recently paid fees.  CCT has in place academic bonding arrangement with two other providers of the FETAC Level 5 Certificate in IT programme.

Learner Supports available

The following Learner Supports are available for this programme:  Mentoring, Accommodation and Airport Transfer (if applicable), Counselling Service, Health Service, Career Guidance Service, Learner Development programme, Sports and Social programmes, Information and Publication service, Moodle, Learner disability testing and expert advice service through the CCT affiliation with IT Blanchardstown and the National Learning Network.

Entry Requirements

No previous experience or knowledge is required to be accepted for this course.  However, any experience within the Computing and ICT sector will be advantageous, as well as Irish NQF Level 4 certification in the subject area of Computing and ICT.  International learners whose first language is not English should have achieved an IELTS score of 5.0 or the following TOEFL equivalency: TOEFL CBT  - 180 / TOEFL IBT – 64.