CompTIA Network Fundamentals

The CompTIA Network Fundamentals pathway was established to ensure that all students with an interest of entering a Cybersecurity career or academic track would have the information necessary to make informed decisions throughout their educational and career journeys. These students would also have the opportunities to earn industry valued credentials and credits along the pathway to a career in Cybersecurity.  

The Pathway team conducted a full review of the syllabi, curricula, programming, lesson plans, course materials, employment opportunities, and other related information specific to the Cybersecurity technology field.   

Rowan College at Burlington County (RCBC) and Camden County College (CCC), created programs to introduce high school students to various cybersecurity careers. A Quick Start Program was also created for high school graduates to use as a career readiness tool built for retention and student success. Additionally, updates and information regarding Dual Enrollment and Prior Learning Assessments (PLA) were also conducted to ensure that students are introduced to the professions early and include industry-recognized credentials that can help them jumpstart their careers and educational aspirations. Also, CCC reviewed the curriculum from Collingswood High School and determined that it aligned with CCC’s desired curriculum objectives and a dual credit agreement will be signed between the two institutions. 

The Quick Start Program toolkit created by RCBC has been leveraged by the Cybersecurity pathway to assist colleges with implementing the noncredit to credit articulation and/or portfolio review options of Prior Learning Assessment was created. The layout for this toolkit is based on the “phases of implementing a project,” planning, developing, implementing and launching. In each stage, there is a brief descriptor of the process, important questions for consideration, and sample documents. 

The CompTIA non-credit credentials were evaluated and mapped to existing Cybersecurity courses at CCC. Students who have completed the CompTIA A+, Network+, Security+, and CySA+ certifications will receive credit for the associated course at CCC. Correspondingly, students who complete their academic course will be prepared to sit for the CompTIA certification exam. The Cybersecurity program also offers PLA credit for the Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Administration, Cisco CCT Routing and Switching, and the Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching certifications. 

CCC has convened an institution-wide task force to define and determine prior learning assessment pathways at the College. CompTIA, Microsoft and Cisco certifications and their relationship to credit classes will be further defined during this process.  

A formal articulation agreement with Rowan University is in process with all of the colleges in the Cybersecurity center, with the result being either a 2+2 or 3+1 curriculum assessment for Cybersecurity programs.  RCBC’s is already formalized due to a previous agreement between the community college and university. 

The colleges are implementing multiple programs that fall under the umbrella of Experiential Learning.  RVCC is running a 3-week summer course for high school students giving them exposure in the field.  OCC is running GenCyber Safe, a five-day summer camp for middle and high school students. GenCyber Safe introduces students to cyber technology through engaging learning activities that connect the basics of security information and related career pathways.  RCBC has created an Experiential Learning toolkit which other colleges can utilize to help create or further develop experiential learning programs and can be used in their current format or adapted for an institution’s unique conditions. 

The colleges have created several courses targeted to Adult Learners that embedded CompTIA credentials into non-credit curriculum. Those non-credit courses have been evaluated for credit on the CompTIA pathway. RCBC created a Prior Learning Assessment toolkit, which has been leveraged by the NJ Pathways Cybersecurity Center for Workforce Innovation to be used as a guide that can assist colleges with implementing the noncredit to credit articulation and/or portfolio review options of prior learning assessment. The layout for this toolkit is based on the “phases of implementing a project”, planning, developing, implementing and launching. In each stage, there is a brief descriptor of the process, important questions for considerations, and sample documents, if applicable. 

The Toolkit and PLA process has been fully completed and implemented. As a result of implementation, challenges and questions that should be considered are also outlined within the Toolkit. 

CCC has developed a non-credit Computer Technology Support Specialist course. The College is an approved CompTIA Training Academy. This course prepares students to take the CompTIA A+ (Computer Repair), Network+, and Security+ exams. Students who successfully earn the certifications can also receive academic credit toward the Cybersecurity degree. Also, the CCC Cybersecurity program offers PLA credit for the Microsoft Windows Server 2019 Administration, Cisco CCT Routing and Switching, and the Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching certifications. 

CCC is establishing the Rohrer Center as a hub for non-credit offerings and as a technology center which also offers cybersecurity courses. This site is located in Cherry Hill which is ideally located for workforce development and technological training.  

Lastly, the Pathway team created a “train the trainer” program on the new CompTIA certificate course. CCC is offering both the credit and non-credit instructors the opportunity to take the CompTIA Data+ course and to sit for the certification exam. CCC is planning a Cybersecurity professional development event to be held at the Rohrer Center in Cherry Hill. The cybersecurity focused computer systems technology courses are being shared through the pathway.   There are plans to create a professional development implementation guide to assist educational institutions with implementing their own training programs.