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IT Certification provides an independent verification of the skills and knowledge of an IT professionals in an area of information technology specializaton.
As technology and management practices change, gaps between the foundation provided education and experience and skills and knowledge neded for career success form.
While IT career opportunities remain strong, the trend to move jobs overseas and to increase the productivity of workers at home means that those IT professionals who meet or exceed the requirements of their employer and management expctation will be employees who will remain in demand through the the current good times and the next downturn in the economy.
According to MCP Magazine's annual survey, following are some of the reasons why IT professionals take their certifications so seriously.
Job Security - More than three-fourths (79%) of the professionals having IT Certifications plan to pursue additional certifications in the coming year. So, despite the IT market slump, lost jobs, and cut wages, a vast majority of IT professionals will continue to seek additional certifications. And the key word is"additional" - for a typical certification holder already had nearly 4 technical certifications and had been attaining a new certification every year.
More than half (59%) of the certification holders said that they feel more secure in their current jobs due to their certifications. And more than two-thirds (69%) feel that technical certifications play at least some role in their job security.
Skills and Knowledge - The most important benefit of certification is that the process of certification increases your skills and your knowledge to a great extent. Majority (65%) of the certification holders feel that acquiring a technical certification has made them more confident in their jobs and the work they perform. More than half (52%) feel that technical certification has improved their problem-solving skills on the job, and half of them feel that their technical certifications have increased their overall job productivity.
Money - 31% of the certification holders received a job promotion within the first year of receiving their primary technical certification. One can argue whether a technical certification plays such a major role in receiving such promotions, yet 92% of the certification holders who did receive promotions feel that their primary certification played a significant role in that promotion.
Nearly half (43%) of the certification holders surveyed, received a salary raise within the first year of receiving their primary certification. 80% of certification holders feel that their raise was significantly due to their certification. The average certification holder who did receive a raise within the first year of earning a primary certification realized a healthy 19% increase. The average certification holder realized a 7% raise within the first year of receiving a primary certification. The average certification generated a $3,487 increase in salary.
Another economic factor that certification holders consider is Return On Investment (ROI). ROI from certification is integrally tied to the cost of the certification. In 2002, the average technical certification cost $1,100 and generated a $3,487 increase in salary. That is, the average certification provides a 3.2-to-1 ROI. That is, for every dollar invested in a certification, the certification holder realizes a $3.2 return in the form of a pay raise.
Respect - Another most important non-economic aspect of certification is on-the-job respect. 58% of the certification holders surveyed, feel that they get more respect from managers and colleagues due to their technical certifications
Source: All the figures in this article have been taken from the survey conducted by CertMag Certification Magazine.
Online Software Testing Certification and Specialization Programs
- Essentials of Software Testing - If you’ve ever doubted the importance of professional software testing, consider this: Without reliable software, everything from air traffic control to the television remote control could grind to a stop. Essentials of Software Testing provides knowledge, skills and techniques that will enable you to strengthen your expertise in key areas such as:
- General testing principles
- Fundamental test procedures
- Test planning
- Static analysis techniques
- Test design techniques
- Using a risk-based approach to testing
- Managing the testing process
- Managing a test team
- Incorporating tools and automation to support software testing
- This course is designed for anyone involved in software testing and development – or for project managers, quality managers and others with a general interest in the software testing process.
What You’ll Learn
- Understand the general testing principles that guide software testing
- Examine the different phases of testing
- Describe the role of regression testing and impact analysis in maintenance
- Learn when and how to apply static analysis for maximum benefit
- Discover the three main categories of test design techniques
- ISTQB Software Testing Capstone - This capstone course to the Master Certificate in Software Testing program will help you build upon the concepts and skills you learned in Essentials of Software Testing. Designed for students who are preparing to sit for the ISTQB® Certified Tester examination, this eight-week course includes a series of practice tests modeled after the actual ISTQB® Foundation Level (CTFL) exam. These practice exams with hundreds of questions can be repeated as many times as you like during the course, giving you many opportunities to improve your knowledge, build your confidence, and refine your test-taking skills.
Students who have completed Essentials of Software Testing and are preparing to sit for the ISTQB® Certified Tester examination should complete this course, which provides high-end skills for testers, project managers, IT directors and others.
- Understand how software testing is used to find and prevent defects
- Review each module’s important terms and standards likely to be found on the ISTQB® Certified Tester examination
- Learn the different levels or phases of testing
- Explore the value of maintenance testing
- Learn to evaluate and select the proper test techniques for your software projects
- Master Certificate in Software Testing - Strengthen software testing and your career. Learn to detect software defects that others miss, saving your company and your clients from costly and embarrassing field failures. Each eight-week course is designed for IT professionals, managers and leaders who are interested in becoming highly productive and effective testing professionals within an organization. As a certified tester, you will distinguish yourself as someone who knows how to apply sound software testing techniques and principles to reduce defects, improve quality, and enhance business success. Courses include:
- Project Management for IS/IT - This course draws from the most current methods and the most experienced experts to enable the student to advance in responsibility, recognition and rewards. Students desiring PMI® certification will gain a basic understanding of the knowledge areas as presented in PMI’s guide to the project management Body of Knowledge.
- Maximizing IS/IT Team Effectiveness - Participants can earn a Master Certificate in IS/IT Project Management by completing Project Management for IS/IT Professionals and any two of the following:
- Mastering Project Management, Advanced Strategic Project Management, Project Management Professional (PMP®) Prep, PM Capstone, PMBOK Guide Third Edition Update, Finance & Accounting for the Non-Financial Manager, Essentials of IS Security, Essentials of Business Analysis
- Essentials of IS Security - Villanova University online Information Systems Security Certificate course is designed for professionals interested in developing skills on the management side of IS Security and for those who wish to develop, manage and organize effective IS security programs to protect the assets of the organization. Courses Include:
- Essentials of IS Security, Mastering IS Security+
Or choose one elective:
- Project Management for the IS/IT Professionals or
- Essentials of Business Analysis
- Essentials of Software Testing
- Maximizing IS/IT Team Effectiveness
- Essentials of Business Analysis - Mounting pressure to improve business performance has driven professionals to understand all aspects of their performance has driven professionals to understand all aspects of their company’s operations. Each 8-week Villanova University online Business Analysis program helps professionals in determining business requirements that drive IT related projects. Business Analysis helps organizations identify, analyze and design processes to improve the overall flow of information within the company. Programs include:
- Essentials of Business Analysis
- Mastering Business Analysis
- Project Management for IS/IT Professionals or
- Essentials of IS Security
- Mastering Business Analysis - Mounting pressure to improve business performance has driven professionals to understand all aspects of their performance has driven professionals to understand all aspects of their company’s operations. Each 8-week Villanova University online Business Analysis program helps professionals in determining business requirements that drive IT related projects. Business Analysis helps organizations identify, analyze and design processes to improve the overall flow of information within the company. Programs include:
- Essentials of Business Analysis
- Mastering Business Analysis
- Project Management for IS/IT Professionals or
- Essentials of IS Security
Boston University
- Certification in Project Management - Boston University
- Boston University offers a Certificate in Project Management geared toward today's busy professionals. Start online, anytime and complete your Certificate in as little as 8 weeks.
- Foundations of Project Management - Designed for business professionals, mid-level managers, and project managers of any skill level, this three-course certificate program teaches the basic essentials of Project Management. If you manage projects-however big or small, this certificate is for you. The focus is to prepare students with the project management skills necessary to take a project through its life-cycle efficiently and effectively.
- Principles of Project Management - This certificate provides a more detailed look into project management by focusing on three key project management knowledge areas and processes. The focus is on the planning, execution and control of a project.
- Comprehensive Project Management - This certificate focuses on three of the more comprehensive project management knowledge areas and processes that many project managers are not as familiar with. In many organizations, quality management, procurement, and the allocation of resources are often done by other members of the organization, not the project manager. However, project managers who have acquired the skills to handle these aspects of project management are more empowered to move into a senior level role within their company. This certificate also includes a Project Management Professional (PMP®) Prep component to prepare project managers to take the PMP® certificate exam.
- Certificate in Project Management - This certificate focuses on three of the more comprehensive project management knowledge areas and processes that many project managers are not as familiar with. In many organizations, quality management, procurement, and the allocation of resources are often done by other members of the organization, not the project manager. However, project managers who have acquired the skills to handle these aspects of project management are more empowered to move into a senior level role within their company. This certificate also includes a Project Management Professional (PMP®) Prep component to prepare project managers to take the PMP® certificate exam.
- Project Management and Planning
This post-baccalaureate certificate prepares an individual for immediate application of the knowledge, skills, tools, and techniques that are utilized in the practice of project management. The philosophy, as well as the set of methods learned in this program, will enable graduates to lead projects completing them on time and within budget. This program will help prepared the student for formal project management certification. ... 
- Project Managment
Become a project manager. Achieve organizational goals while optimizing resources including time, money, and human capital. As you maximize return on investment for your organization, you will advance your career toward the corner office. Utilize your project management skills in a multitude of industries including business, information technology, construction, financial services, engineering, or health care, to name a few...
Keller Graduate School
- Graduate Certificate in Project Management
As a student in this program, you'll gain a foundation for understanding computer programming; study system analysis, design, development and implementation cycles; design code using appropriate programming methodology; acquire the communication, critical thinking and technical skills required in the workplace by analyzing case studies and working on hands-on projects; complete a capstone project that focuses on your area of emphasis and enables you to apply the concepts and skills you've learned in real and simulated business situations....
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