IEEE Computer Society to Launch Professional Certification for Entry-Level Software Developers

Certified Software Development Associate Certification Will Validate Job Seekers' Expertise; Aid Employers in Identifying Competent Applicants and Focusing Employee Training

Los Alamitos, Calif. (PRWEB) April 15, 2008 — The IEEE Computer Society, the world's leading organization of computing professionals, today launched a new professional certification for entry-level software developers to complement its existing certification for mid-career software professionals.
Formal announcement of the Certified Software Development Associate (CSDA) program will take place at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino Las Vegas on Tuesday, 13 May at 5 p.m. in conjunction with the IEEE Computer Society's annual meeting. The first CSDA exam will be held the same day, featuring students from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. It will be administered at the Rio by testing partner Prometric.

The Computer Society developed the certification in response to industry's requests for a way to evaluate the skill and knowledge of those entering the software field. The CSDA exam covers core software-engineering principles and validates an entry-level candidate's knowledge of the foundations of computer science, mathematics, and engineering. It is designed to complement the Computer Society's Certified Software Development Professional program.

"Software engineers should take the CSDA because it offers them the opportunity to demonstrate their proficiency in, and commitment to, software-engineering principles," said Susan K. (Kathy) Land, CSDP and president-elect of the IEEE Computer Society. "Individuals should strive to separate themselves and to show that they possess this fundamental understanding. This can be accomplished by taking the CSDA and then ultimately the CSDP."

Steve Tockey, chair of the CSDA Certification Committee and a principal consultant with Construx Software, said the CSDA has distinct benefits for both job seekers and potential employers. "For the job seeker, it independently verifies their capability to perform as a professional, enhances their credibility, and opens doors to professional growth opportunities," he said. "The CSDA gives employers independent assurance that an employee can perform on real-world projects."

Land, principal software and systems engineer at MITRE Corp., said there's a difference between individuals who can code and individuals who understand the engineering discipline as it's applied to the software lifecycle. She added that employers are searching for well-rounded information technology experts. Unlike vendor- or application-specific certifications, a broad range of topics are covered by the CSDA, which is based on the IEEE's Guide to the Software Engineering Body of Knowledge. The CSDA certification was developed through rigorous adherence to internationally accepted procedures. It features a self-directed learning system that consists of print modules, an online course, and instructor materials. Prometric will administer the exam through its thousands of testing centers around the world. Individuals interested in the CSDA can visit http://www.computer.org/csda and sign up to take the exam at their convenience. Proctors can be also arranged for companies interested in having groups of their employees take the exam.

About the IEEE Computer Society
With nearly 85,000 members, the IEEE Computer Society is the world's leading organization of computing professionals. Founded in 1946, and the largest of the 39 societies of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the CS is dedicated to advancing the theory and application of computer and information-processing technology, and is known globally for its computing standards activities.

The CS serves the information and career-development needs of today's computing researchers and practitioners with technical journals, magazines, conferences, books, conference publications, and online courses. Its Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) program for mid-career professionals and Certified Software Development Associate (CSDA) credential for recent college graduates confirm the skill and knowledge of those working in the field. The CS Digital Library (CSDL) provides an excellent research tool, containing more than 145,000 articles from 1,500 conference proceedings and 29 CS periodicals going back to 1988.

About Prometric
Prometric, a wholly-owned subsidiary of ETS, is the recognized global leader in technology-enabled testing and assessment services. Its comprehensive suite of services, including test development, test delivery and data management capabilities, allows clients to develop and launch global testing programs as well as accurately measure program results and data. Prometric reliably delivers and administers tests on behalf of 450 clients in the academic, professional, healthcare, government, corporate and information technology markets. It delivers tests flexibly via the Web or by utilizing a robust test center network in 135 countries.