Purpose

The AFIT Test and Evaluation Certificate Program (TECP) provides students a fundamental understanding in the basic concepts required for supporting analysis in the Test and Evaluation (T&E) Community. Particular emphasis is given to incorporating past, present, and future DoD T&E examples from all aspects of test (developmental, operational, etc) into the curriculum to tailor the applications of the methodology and approaches within each course. Current T&E focus in design of experiments (DOE) and reliability, maintainability, and availability (RM&A) analysis are addressed in required courses to complete the T&E Certificate Program. TECP targets individuals within the acquisition or analysis career fields working within research, developmental, or operational test stationed at engineering centers, test ranges, test centers, program offices or headquarters.

The T&E Certificate Program is designed to support part-time and full-time students. All students are expected to participate in the TECP via distance learning, however, not all students will have the opportunity to enroll in classes each quarter. Therefore, part-time students may have a quarter with no classes scheduled and will take longer to complete the certificate program. Full-time students will take classes each quarter until completing the full certificate requirements. Course delivery is via asynchronous video with weekly synchronous classes to be held throughout the quarter.

The TECP also provides an avenue for personnel interested in completing an AFIT Master’s Degree in Operations Research. The possibility exists of full-time students attending AFIT for a shortened period to complete the Operations Research Master’s Degree, once completing the certificate program. The TECP provides an entry point into this program and could be tailored to support the Applied Statistics track within this program of study. The central three courses in the certificate program would most likely be transferable to an AFIT Master’s program as well as other civilian universities near the student’s home station.

Program Outcomes (POs)

Our Program Outcomes (student knowledge/skills/abilities) produce graduate certificate conferees who exhibit:

• The ability to identify and apply basic concepts required for supporting analysis within the T&E Community.
• The ability to design experiments and conduct reliability, maintainability, and availability analysis in response to the operational needs of the Air Force and Department of Defense.
• Improve problem solving ability, critical thinking skills, and test planning skills.

Admission Requirements

In order to be considered for admission to TECP, candidates must meet the AFIT Graduate School of Engineering and Management requirements for admissions. These are a completed bachelor’s degree in an appropriate engineering or scientific discipline (mathematics, physical science, engineering or computer sciences are highly desirable) and a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Additionally, successful completion of undergraduate calculus I through III is required. Waivers to the stated requirements may be granted on an individual basis as approved by the Department of Operational Sciences, through the TECP Program Manager.

The Test and Evaluation Certificate Program (TECP) is an organizationally funded program that targets individuals within the acquisition or analysis career fields working within research, developmental, or operational test stationed at engineering centers, test ranges, test centers, program offices or headquarters.

Entry into the TECP requires both academic acceptance into the program and agreement on the organizational funding mechanism. The program normally starts each year in the Winter quarter of the AFIT Academic Calendar.

Certificate Completion Requirements

Students must attain a grade point average of at least 3.00 for all graded courses comprising the certificate.

Program Requirements

General Program Description

TECP is a graduate level program focused on the application of operational analysis techniques and methodology as applied to the T&E Community. The program provides an understanding of analysis tools dedicated to supporting the evaluation of test data, test design, and test execution. TECP is offered via distance learning on the current AFIT quarter schedule, with STAT 583 being prerequisite to the other program courses. The expected completion time of the Certificate Program is 15-18 months of part-time study.

The program of study for this certificate is divided into 3 areas: probability and statistics pre-requisite course, T&E methodology courses, and a capstone project course or OPER 689, in lieu of a capstone project. The T&E methodology courses include Empirical Modeling, Operational Experimentation with DOE applications, and RM&A. Students taking the capstone complete it as an independent project encompassing the concepts of experimental design for systems research, design, engineering and test. This project is completed under the guidance of an AFIT faculty-mentor (or appropriate on-site designee) and results in a final graduate report.

View Course List

Contact Information

• To obtain more information about TECP contact Ms. Melissa Stewart, ctr at (937) 255-3636 ext. 4383 (DSN 785)
• Visit the Admissions Website
• Email Admissions Office Counselor
• Call Admissions Office Counselors: 1-800-211-5097 ext: 3184
• Visit Extension Services Website for Distance Learning Program Information

For further information on the Test and Evaluation Certificate Program curriculum or the acquisition of graduates, please contact by mail, telephone, or email:

<< Back to the Certificate Programs

<< Back to the Distance Learning Programs