Centers & Projects

Faculty and students are involved in several innovative information studies projects. Learn more about our current initiatives:

Chicago State University received a $1.9 million grant award from the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) to set up an Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (IC-CAE). This grant provided support to establish CSU's Center for Information and Security Education and Research (CINSER).

CSU’s IC-CAE was developed as a multidisciplinary program operated through interdepartmental team-work. External collaborators include national security agencies and Centers of Academic Excellence in other institutions of higher learning in the region.

CINSER's academic programs and activities prepare intelligence and cybersecurity analysts for service in the public, civic and private sectors, conduct policy-oriented national security research, and deliver outreach services to K-14 educational institutions and the general public. CINSER focus on staff and faculty development in security studies, expanding and enriching curricula offerings, increasing number of minority staff in the security sector and on enhancing security culture in the Chicago-area general public.

For more details about CINSER.

CiscoOrganizations around the world are experiencing a shortage of qualified candidates to fill a growing number of networking positions in virtually every industry. Computer Networking is a fast-growing, high- tech field that is  to continuous growth. Educational institutions, businesses and industrial concerns increasingly seek highly talented people to install, configure and connect computer and related equipment and to manage these networked connections.

Cisco® Networking Academy® is an innovative global education initiative that delivers information and communication technology skills to help meet this growing demand while improving career and educational opportunities for students around the world.

Chicago State University was approved as a Local CISCO Networking Academy by CISCO Systems, Inc. in 2001. Since 2002, we have offered computer networking courses. While the academy is housed in the College of Education, the curriculum is designed for both teachers and for those who wish to pursue careers in business and industry.

The computer networking curriculum is comprised of a sequence of four courses. Upon completion of the four-course sequence, trainees qualify to sit for the CISCO Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) examination.

CCNA certification denotes a foundation in, and apprentice knowledge of networking. CCNA certified professionals install, configure, and operate local area networks, wide area networks, and dial access services for small networks.

Internship Possibilities

Internship and cooperative education opportunities are made for students on an individualized basis.

Format

All academy curriculum is available online and also supported by intensive hands-on exercises using hardware and simulation tools.

Offered Programs

  • CCNA:The first industry recognized certificate in networking.

  • Wireless LAN Fundamentals: This course focuses on the design, installation, configuration, operation, and troubleshooting of 802.11a, 802.11b, and 80211g wireless LANs. A comprehensive overview of wire‐ less technologies, devices, security, design, and best practices with a particular emphasis on real world applications and skills is covered.

  • Informatics Essentials CompTIA A+ Prep: Provides you with skills necessary for computer technicians and entry‐level IT; prepares for the CompTIA A+ exam.

Academy Curriculum
Course Course Description Term
TPS 4070/TPS 5070 Informatics Essentials: Key concepts on managing and maintain computers; technical skills; prepares students to take the A+ Certification. Prerequisite: None Spring
TPS 4510/TPS 5510 Network Fundamentals: Key fundamental networking concepts and technologies. Prerequisite: None Fall
TPS 4520/TPS 5520 Network Configuration II: Routing Protocols and Concepts. This course is to develop an understanding of how a router learns about remote net- works and determines the best path to those networks. This course includes both static routing and dynamic routing proto-cols. Prerequisite: TPS 4510/ TPS 5510 Spring
TPS 4530/TPS 5530 Network Practicum I: LAN Switching and Wireless. The goal is to develop an under- standing of how switches are interconnected and configured to provide network access to LAN users. This course also teaches how to integrate wire- less devices into a LAN. Prerequisite: TPS 4520/ TPS 5520 Summer I
TPS 4540/TPS 5540 Network practicum II: Accessing the WAN. This course describes key WAN technology concepts. Also, teaches you how to select the appropriate WAN technology to meet different enterprise business requirements. Prerequisite: TPS 4530/ TPS 5530 Summer II

For more information contact: tpis@csu.edu.

In 2020, Chicago State University was awarded a National Leadership Grant through the Institute of Museum and Library Services to develop the Information Justice Institute (IJI) project. This community catalyst initiative involves bringing together librarians and community partners to explore critical issues; and to develop resources and strategies to serve diverse populations facing onerous information access and engagement limitations entangled with challenges such as poverty, violence, and incarceration. For more information, visit infojusticeinstitute.wordpress.com or contact rmontagu@csu.edu. Additional details are here.

Chicago State University hosts an authorized Pearson VUE Test Center. Our Test Center offers a wide variety of computer-based exams offered by Pearson and is open to the public. The Testing Center is located at Chicago State University, College of Education building room 208. To sign up for an exam, please use Pearson VUE. 

For further information, please contact: Desiree Montgomery, Test Center Coordinator (773) 995-2598, or dmontg20@csu.edu.