Important Announcements: New Academic Calendar, Services & More
Introducing The New CIAT
At California Institute of Applied Technology (CIAT), we’re committed to providing our students with the best resources possible and positioning them as top candidates in today’s competitive job market. Our dedication to excellence drives us to evolve and continuously improve our offerings. We’re implementing several critical changes in response to valuable student feedback and to further solidify our position as an industry leader.
Starting September 2024, we’re introducing new competitive programs, academic breaks, enhanced services, tuition rates, eligibility standards, graduation requirements, and a sneak peek into our new branding. These changes aim to provide a premium-level education emphasizing practical, industry-relevant skills. These enhancements ensure CIAT graduates stand out in the rapidly evolving tech landscape, reflect our commitment to innovation, and respond to student needs and industry trends. By raising our standards and expanding our offerings, we aim to give our students an unparalleled educational experience that translates directly into career success. At CIAT, we’re not just preparing you for the future of technology; we’re empowering you to shape it.
Brand Evolution
With innovation as our guiding principle, we are excited to unveil significant updates aimed at enhancing student experiences and setting new standards in education.
Logo Refresh & New Website Coming Soon
Our evolution begins with a brand refresh, including a new website and logo that reflects our commitment to innovation and excellence. The recent name change to the California Institute of Applied Technology was a deliberate move to emphasize our focus on providing a premium-level education with practical, industry-relevant skills that prepare students for real-world success. This refresh is more than just cosmetic – it symbolizes our evolving identity as a leader in education.
Cutting-Edge Programs for 2024-2025:
We’re introducing five new Associate of Applied Science programs, designed to meet emerging industry demands. These programs are crafted to equip our students with the most up-to-date skills and knowledge, ensuring they’re prepared for the evolving job market. Don’t miss out on these exciting opportunities! Interested students are encouraged to join waitlists to secure their spots in these highly anticipated programs.
New Academic Calendar & Live Class Hours
Looking ahead to Fall 2024 and beyond, California Institute of Applied Technology (CIAT) is introducing a revamped academic calendar and adjusted live class hours better to meet the needs of our entire student body.
Updated Live Class Schedule
Fall 2024 Calendar Updates
Stay on track with our updated 2024 schedule. We’ve made minor adjustments to better serve your educational journey from September through December. We’ve thoughtfully arranged breaks to provide optimal learning periods and well-deserved rest. Please be sure to check out our academic calendar and prepare for an engaging academic year ahead.
2025 Term Block Schedules
Starting in 2025, we’re introducing a new term structure with one-week breaks after every two class periods. Thanks again to our students for completing our surveys. We understand you would like more time to focus on certification exams and career readiness and we are excited to begin this new schedule to meet these demands. We will utilize these breaks for more enhanced academic and career readiness services including bootcamps, workshops, career fairs, and more.
FAQs
Starting in September 2024, live class sessions will run from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM Pacific Time.
Starting in 2025, California Institute of Applied Technology (CIAT) is introducing a new term structure with one-week breaks after every two class periods.
During the one-week breaks, students can expect:
- Time to focus on certification exams and career readiness
- Access to enhanced services like bootcamps, workshops, and career fairs
- Opportunities to improve academic and professional skills
These breaks are designed to support students’ career preparation alongside their regular studies.
Graduation Requirements
We’re introducing updated graduation requirements for students enrolled in select Computer Information Systems (CIS) programs requiring students to earn one or more industry certifications depending on the program. Students can earn any of the offered certifications to meet these requirements, allowing you to choose the certifications that best align with your career goals.
A minimum number of earned industry certifications is required for select programs to complete graduation requirements. Select programs include:
* These new requirements include both the Applied Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems – Cloud Concentration and the Applied Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information Systems – Cybersecurity Concentration
FAQs
To further strengthen the value of CIAT degrees, we’re introducing new graduation requirements for our Computer Information Systems (CIS) programs for incoming students. These changes ensure that your CIAT degree carries significant weight with employers, positioning you as a top candidate in the job market.
Students work hard to complete their coursework and graduate from CIAT’s certificate or degree programs. CIAT strongly believes in the value of industry certifications in supporting students in IT career building and career advancement. This graduation requirement is designed to enhance the value of CIAT degrees and strengthen our graduates’ position in the job market. Students are strongly encouraged to prepare for and attempt all eligible certification exams connected with their program of study.
The new graduation requirements will only impact new students enrolling starting Fall 2024. Graduation requirements for active students will not change. Students may request an exemption from the certification graduation requirement if the student meets one of the following conditions:
- Reported job status to CIAT Career Services department demonstrating employment in an eligible IT position.
- Attained an active industry IT certification before enrollment (certification to match CIAT certification offering or equivalent).
Eligibility Standards
Starting Fall 2024, California Institute of Applied Technology (CIAT) is implementing new entrance requirements for all new students. This latest change will be a mandatory technical assessment designed to evaluate each student’s current knowledge and skills. This comprehensive approach will enable CIAT to tailor its programs more effectively to individual student needs, ensuring that all learners are adequately prepared for the rigorous academic experience ahead.
Key Details of the Technical Assessment:
- Required for All Programs: The technical assessment is a mandatory component for all programs.
- Passing Score: To pass, students must achieve a minimum score of 70%.
- Retake Policy: If a student’s initial score is between 50% and 69%, they are allowed one retake of the assessment.
- Re-Application Policy: If the student does not pass after the retake, or if their initial score is below 50%, they must wait until the next term to re-apply to their program of choice.
The assessment will serve multiple purposes: identifying areas where students may require additional support, offering advanced placement opportunities for those demonstrating proficiency, and allowing for the creation of personalized learning paths. By applying this requirement universally, CIAT aims to maintain high academic standards while providing a more customized educational experience.
FAQs
A passing score is 70% or higher.
You are allowed one retake if your initial score is between 50% and 69%. If you don’t pass after this single retake, you must wait until the next term to re-apply.
Yes, all new students starting Fall 2024 will be required to complete the technical assessment if you withdraw or are administratively dropped from your program.
Students may receive an exemption from the technical assessment requirement if the student meets one of the following conditions:
- Active employment in an IT position,
- Attained an active industry certification before enrollment;
- Certificate or degree earned from CIAT (or another institution) with an IT specialization.
Expanding Services
We’re excited to announce a series of improvements designed to enrich your learning experience and boost your career prospects. Our commitment to your success has driven us to implement new technologies, expand our career services, and foster stronger industry partnerships. Here’s what’s new:
Bootcamps:
Starting in 2025, California Institute of Applied Technology (CIAT) will be launching a series of complimentary certification and coding bootcamps to CIAT students during the one-week breaks in the 2025 academic calendar.
These bootcamps events will provide additional accelerated support as you prepare to earn industry-recognized certifications and build your resume, complementing your regular coursework and boosting your professional qualifications.
These bootcamps will be offered to the public at a full rate tuition charge, but will be offered at no cost to active students.
Pearson Vue Testing Center:
CIAT is re-opening our Pearson Vue authorized testing center at our National City campus exclusively for CIAT students, making it more convenient to take certification exams. Take advantage of our comfortable accommodations so you can take your exams with confidence.
Virtual Services:
Tuition Updates
To sustain our valuable educational advancements and maintain our high standards, we will be increasing our tuition cost to $660 per credit for all students. This adjustment reflects our commitment to providing premium-level services and ensuring our students’ best return on investment.
We recognize that any tuition increase can be a concern. However, this adjustment—our first since 2019—must uphold our commitment to excellence. The increase enables us to continue offering and expanding our high-end services, state-of-the-art resources, and industry-leading education that distinguishes CIAT from other institutions.
When evaluating the cost of education, it’s crucial to consider the bigger picture. A CIAT degree offers value beyond the classroom, providing a significant return on investment through enhanced career opportunities and earning potential. Our graduates are renowned for their high standards and practical skills, positioning them as top candidates in a competitive job market.
FAQs
The new tuition rate will go into effect for new students enrolling in September 2024 or later. The tuition rate increase for active students will go into effect starting January 2025.
CIAT is implementing a tuition increase to $660 per credit to support new improvements, advance services, and to maintain high educational standards.
This adjustment is the first since 2019 and is essential for sustaining and expanding premium-level services and resources that distinguish CIAT.
The increased tuition will fund new enhancements such as complimentary skill development bootcamps, expanded student support services, new and improved career services, and the introduction of cutting-edge educational technologies and programs.
These improvements are designed to provide students with a competitive edge in their academic journey and future careers.
Yes, we offer various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, and loans, to help students manage the cost of education. Students are encouraged to speak with our financial aid team and explore these opportunities to minimize the impact of tuition increases on their finances.
We are communicating the tuition increase through official announcements, emails to students and families, and updates on its website and social media channels.
So, please be sure to look out for all of our announcements coming soon.
Preparing for the Future
Thank you
Your invaluable feedback has driven our evolution, and we’re deeply grateful. Thanks to your insights, we’re enhancing our programs, services, and curriculum to ensure your CIAT degree carries even more weight with employers. We’re not just preparing you for the future of technology; we’re empowering you to shape it.
Our goal is to set industry trends, with you at the forefront. Stay tuned for more updates, including our new logo reveal. From all of us at CIAT, thank you for your trust and commitment. Together, we’re building a brighter future in technology education.
Thank you for all those who contribute to our surveys! We use all student feedback and input from faculty to help improve your student experience.
Contact Us
Contact your Student Services representative today or utilize our live chat located at the bottom left hand side of your screen for an even faster response.