Programs
The Vinod Chachra IMPACT Lab is currently focused on four main workforce development areas: Cybersecurity, Geospatial Intelligence, Data Science, and K-12 Education.
The Cybersecurity Certificate program enables working adults to learn online, at their own pace, to master critical cybersecurity workplace competencies. The Cybersecurity Certificate Program is mapped directly to industry standards (e.g., NIST) and professional certifications (e.g., CompTIA Security+). The program also provides extensive hands-on experience in state-of-the-art virtualized remote labs. In addition, Radford University has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by both the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
IMPACT's Data Science Credential is aligned with industry-endorsed certification exams (e.g., CompTIA Data+) and provides extensive hands-on experience in data profiling, data quality assessments, data visualization, exploratory data analysis, data and web security, geographic information systems (GIS), data literacy, data documentation, data curation, and taxonomic principles. The IMPACT Data Science credential was developed in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Chief Data Officer’s office and was designed to increase workforce capacity in the areas of data science and other high demand fields such as cybersecurity and geospatial intelligence.
The Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) Certificate program prepares learners to succeed in the geospatial intelligence field. Learners develop knowledge directly related to the core competencies of the Geospatial Technology Competency Model developed by the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Foundation (USGIF). The program focuses on geospatial problem-solving skills, data fusion, geospatial technologies, and applications of these to disaster response, emergency management, infrastructure and resource management, military and policy operations, big data analysis and cyber security. Learners completing the certificate program will be able to use the geospatial analysis techniques, skills and tools to derive meaningful information from geospatial data, solve geospatial intelligence problems in multiple situations and communicate their findings in a professional manner to both professional and public audiences.
IMPACT K-12 Professional Development micro-credentials meet the needs of educators with 100% online, self-paced, competency-based (CBE) professional development and/or licensure recertification credit that is easy to use and access, tailored to meet specific needs, and focused on continuous learning and competency, not seat time. IMPACT K-12 Education Professional Development has selected the most effective tools and resources from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) practice guides and other research-based teaching methods. Our goal is to share best practices to help you teach more effectively.
Most of the IMPACT micro-credentials are Quality Matters and Online Learning Consortium (OLC) certified, providing additional evidence that our research-based, micro-credential approach to training today’s teachers aligns with the science of how people learn and results in optimal outcomes. *
* The OLC is a “collaborative community of higher education leaders and innovators, dedicated to advancing quality digital teaching and learning experiences designed to reach and engage the modern learner – anyone, anywhere, anytime.”
Through collaboration between Radford University's College of Education and Human Development, the School of Teacher Education and Leadership, and the Vinod Chachra IMPACT Lab, the K-12 Provisional to Professional Pathway puts you in the driver’s seat of your professional learning. The professional studies coursework is designed to be completed in as little as one year. You will have access to a rich library of curated resources specifically designed to assist you as you launch your new career. Provisional to Professional Pathway students will also have the opportunity to learn from current principals and teachers through online webinars, Q&A sessions, and events designed to connect you with your peers and professionals in the field. Topics will explore everything from planning your first parent-teacher conference to structuring successful class discussions and more.