Using the ICCP Associate Computing Professional (ACP) Certification Test as an Exit Exam
For a Bachelor of Science in
Management Information Systems

John H. Reynolds, johnr@mail.nwmissouri.edu
Computer Science/Information Systems, Northwest Missouri State University
Maryville, MO  64468


Keywords: MIS exit exam, ICCP, ACP certification, IS faculty professional certification


Abstract

Administrators and accrediting bodies now mandate external measures of program success and evidence of continuing faculty development in many academic disciplines.  In the case of Information Systems (IS), the choices for exit exams are limited to exams that only measure either the business or the computing component, or to the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP) Associate Computing Professional (ACP) certification.  For faculty professional development, one business program accrediting body, the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), recognizes the ICCP Certified Computing Professional (CCP) certification as one means of demonstrating professional level qualifications for IS faculty with out-of-field doctorates.
Both ICCP certifications have a common Core Exam that covers the essential areas of the IS discipline.  During the workshop, participants will learn first-hand the closeness of the relationship between the content of the Core exam and the IS '97 model curriculum by participating in a brief review session similar to that given to our graduates in their last semester prior to their taking the ACP exit exam.  After the review session, participants will take an abbreviated mock Core Exam to illustrate the appropriateness of the exam in measuring Information Systems concepts.

Workshop Overview
* The need for student level and professional level certifications
* The ACP and CCP certifications explained
* Available review materials
* The value of a Review Session for students and faculty
* Overview of the content of the Core Exam
* Practice Test

Intended Audience
* Educators who are looking for a recognized exam to use as an external measure of their Information Systems program effectiveness.
* Educators who are interested in seeking professional level certification to enhance their academic credentials

Workshop Goals
* To introduce educators to the ACP exam as a possible exit exam for their IS program since it is closely related to the IS '97 Model Curriculum.
* To describe an implementation strategy for using the ACP as an exit exam including preliminary data from an ongoing research project.
* To introduce educators to an additional option for their professional development programs.
* To demonstrate the Core Exam content through subject-review, sample questions, and a practice test.