Read more about our program using the links below.
If you are currently an SPDP student, you can use this link to login to Blackboard.
If you are currently an SPDP student, you can use this link to login to Blackboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Eligible?
SPDP is open to all DoD members—active duty, civilian and contract*. (Any civilian employee of a federal agency can take SPDP. It is not specific to the DoD.) Selection into a course is on a first-come, first-serve basis however Air Force members take priority. If you are a member of foreign military, SPDP courses can be made available through embassy contact as a US foreign military sale. Please contact us for procedures on enrolling international students into SPDP.
* Per a recent change in policy, IAW DoD & USAF Education & Training Course Announcements (ETCA) guidance under General Procedures, Pg 11, Table 5.2., contractors must have the statement "The contract requires the government to provide training." present in their contract or task order. This applies to government support contractors, contractors performing government work, and federally funded (FFRDC) contract employees. Additionally, enrollment is approved only if 1) the training is not available from other sources, 2) providing the training is a material and direct benefit to DoD, and 3) exceptions are approved by AF/A1DL. Please refer to the following website for contractor application guidelines and updates: http://www.afit.edu/ls/schoolInformation.cfm.
SPDP is open to all DoD members—active duty, civilian and contract*. (Any civilian employee of a federal agency can take SPDP. It is not specific to the DoD.) Selection into a course is on a first-come, first-serve basis however Air Force members take priority. If you are a member of foreign military, SPDP courses can be made available through embassy contact as a US foreign military sale. Please contact us for procedures on enrolling international students into SPDP.
* Per a recent change in policy, IAW DoD & USAF Education & Training Course Announcements (ETCA) guidance under General Procedures, Pg 11, Table 5.2., contractors must have the statement "The contract requires the government to provide training." present in their contract or task order. This applies to government support contractors, contractors performing government work, and federally funded (FFRDC) contract employees. Additionally, enrollment is approved only if 1) the training is not available from other sources, 2) providing the training is a material and direct benefit to DoD, and 3) exceptions are approved by AF/A1DL. Please refer to the following website for contractor application guidelines and updates: http://www.afit.edu/ls/schoolInformation.cfm.
Are the four SPDP "certificates" still available, or will they be replaced by something else?
SPDP now offers two program certificates based on the two program tracks: one certificate for Software Project Management, the other for Software Development. Completion of a series of courses is required for a program certificate. We also provide course completion certificates for each SPDP course you complete. We no longer offer the old certificates. We hope in the near future to convert these two AFIT certificates into AF certification for software engineering. We are currently working the issue, and anyone who holds the AFIT certificate will automatically receive the AF certification when that process is complete and approved.
SPDP now offers two program certificates based on the two program tracks: one certificate for Software Project Management, the other for Software Development. Completion of a series of courses is required for a program certificate. We also provide course completion certificates for each SPDP course you complete. We no longer offer the old certificates. We hope in the near future to convert these two AFIT certificates into AF certification for software engineering. We are currently working the issue, and anyone who holds the AFIT certificate will automatically receive the AF certification when that process is complete and approved.
Are there any active duty service commitments for taking an SPDP course?
No. Military students will not incur an active duty service commitment for taking any SPDP course.
No. Military students will not incur an active duty service commitment for taking any SPDP course.
Are there any prerequisites to SPDP courses?
Yes. All students must complete SWE 201 before taking any of the SPDP track courses (SWE 301 – 350 and SWE 410 – 450). We also require students to complete SWE 301 before taking any 300-track courses (SWE 310 – 350). SWE 310 – 350 and SWE 410 – 450 do not have any other prerequisites. SWE 399 and 499 do not any prerequisites, not even SWE 201.
Yes. All students must complete SWE 201 before taking any of the SPDP track courses (SWE 301 – 350 and SWE 410 – 450). We also require students to complete SWE 301 before taking any 300-track courses (SWE 310 – 350). SWE 310 – 350 and SWE 410 – 450 do not have any other prerequisites. SWE 399 and 499 do not any prerequisites, not even SWE 201.
Can you please help with a certificate location/printing?
Please log into AFIT NOW https://www.atrrs.army.mil/channels/afitnow/ Left Side, click on Review CL Training History scroll down to CL Events Completed for the Current Certification Period Click on the Event Name underscored, your certificate should come up.
Please log into AFIT NOW https://www.atrrs.army.mil/channels/afitnow/ Left Side, click on Review CL Training History scroll down to CL Events Completed for the Current Certification Period Click on the Event Name underscored, your certificate should come up.
Can you take more than the scheduled course time to complete a course?
Generally no. The courses are developed with the notion that they could be taught in a certain number of hours…as though they were live courses. (In fact, a number of our courses may be prepared for on-site delivery as-is.) So, we will not extend the course end date, and we expect the work to be completed on schedule. However, in exceptional cases, the Dean may individually disenroll a student if clearly unable to complete the material due to external factors.
Generally no. The courses are developed with the notion that they could be taught in a certain number of hours…as though they were live courses. (In fact, a number of our courses may be prepared for on-site delivery as-is.) So, we will not extend the course end date, and we expect the work to be completed on schedule. However, in exceptional cases, the Dean may individually disenroll a student if clearly unable to complete the material due to external factors.
How are SPDP courses scheduled?
SPDP courses are scheduled in sequential order starting in January and ending in September. A course will typically start on the second Monday of the month and run for three contiguous weeks within that month. The track courses (SWE 310 – 350 and SWE 410 – 450) will be offered sequentially over five months over three distinct pipelines (three opportunities to take any given course). These courses are available as pairs, i.e., SWE 301 and 410 are available at the same time. Otherwise, courses will not overlap so that you can complete a track within one year. Please see the schedule for specific course start and end dates. SWE 201, 399 and 499 are exceptions. SWE 201 is a self-paced online course available at any time of the year. SWE 399 and 499 are offered quarterly or on-demand as instructors can support.
SPDP courses are scheduled in sequential order starting in January and ending in September. A course will typically start on the second Monday of the month and run for three contiguous weeks within that month. The track courses (SWE 310 – 350 and SWE 410 – 450) will be offered sequentially over five months over three distinct pipelines (three opportunities to take any given course). These courses are available as pairs, i.e., SWE 301 and 410 are available at the same time. Otherwise, courses will not overlap so that you can complete a track within one year. Please see the schedule for specific course start and end dates. SWE 201, 399 and 499 are exceptions. SWE 201 is a self-paced online course available at any time of the year. SWE 399 and 499 are offered quarterly or on-demand as instructors can support.
How do I register for an SPDP course?
SPDP courses are now managed through the AFIT Now registration system, and are listed online at http://www.afit.edu/ls/spdp_list.cfm. You can review the course information and enroll from this site. You may register for any available course, to include registering in more than one course at a time. However, we recommend against taking three or more SPDP courses concurrently.
SPDP courses are now managed through the AFIT Now registration system, and are listed online at http://www.afit.edu/ls/spdp_list.cfm. You can review the course information and enroll from this site. You may register for any available course, to include registering in more than one course at a time. However, we recommend against taking three or more SPDP courses concurrently.
How do the previous SPDP CSE courses count towards the new SPDP 4.0 program?
Students who have completed SPDP CSE courses between 2003-2009 and have not completed all of CSE 479-486 can have those courses credited to equivalent SWE courses. A course completion certificate for the SWE equivalent course can be issued upon request. The following table outlines which SWE courses are credited by a CSE course.
For instance, if you have taken CSE 481, you are credited for SWE 201 if you’ve taken CSE 482, then you get your choice of credit for either SWE 310 or SWE 401, but not both. There are no equivalent SWE courses for CSE 487, 488, 489 or 496.
Note: you will not receive additional or the difference in CLPs for credited SWE courses, and the SWE courses may not appear in your transcript.
Students who have completed SPDP CSE courses between 2003-2009 and have not completed all of CSE 479-486 can have those courses credited to equivalent SWE courses. A course completion certificate for the SWE equivalent course can be issued upon request. The following table outlines which SWE courses are credited by a CSE course.
For instance, if you have taken CSE 481, you are credited for SWE 201 if you’ve taken CSE 482, then you get your choice of credit for either SWE 310 or SWE 401, but not both. There are no equivalent SWE courses for CSE 487, 488, 489 or 496.
Note: you will not receive additional or the difference in CLPs for credited SWE courses, and the SWE courses may not appear in your transcript.
How many Continuous Learning Points (CLPs) are awarded for the WSWE Courses?
WSWE 201-Introduction to Software Engineering–6 CLPs WSWE 301-Software Project Management–30 CLPs WSWE 320-Software Architecture and Design Management–24 CLPs WSWE 330-Software Construction Management-24 CLPs WSWE 340-Software Test Management-24 CLPs WSWE 350-Managing Software Deployment and Sustainment-24 CLPs WSWE 399-Current Software Acquisition and Management Topics–10 CLPs WSWE 410-Software Requirements Engineering- 24 CLPs WSWE 420-Software Architecture and Design Method-24 CLPs WSWE 430-Software Construction Techniques-24 CLPs WSWE 440-Software Test Engineering-24 CLPs WSWE 450-Software Deployment and Sustainment Techniques-24 CLPs WSWE 499-Current Software Technology Topics– 10 CLPs
WSWE 201-Introduction to Software Engineering–6 CLPs WSWE 301-Software Project Management–30 CLPs WSWE 320-Software Architecture and Design Management–24 CLPs WSWE 330-Software Construction Management-24 CLPs WSWE 340-Software Test Management-24 CLPs WSWE 350-Managing Software Deployment and Sustainment-24 CLPs WSWE 399-Current Software Acquisition and Management Topics–10 CLPs WSWE 410-Software Requirements Engineering- 24 CLPs WSWE 420-Software Architecture and Design Method-24 CLPs WSWE 430-Software Construction Techniques-24 CLPs WSWE 440-Software Test Engineering-24 CLPs WSWE 450-Software Deployment and Sustainment Techniques-24 CLPs WSWE 499-Current Software Technology Topics– 10 CLPs
How many slots are available for an SPDP course?
Currently, each course offering has thirty (30) available slots, on an Air Force prioritized, first-come, first-served basis. If course offering demand is greater and the instructor can handle the workload, this number can be increased. If there are fewer than five (5) registrations, then the course offering will be cancelled.
Currently, each course offering has thirty (30) available slots, on an Air Force prioritized, first-come, first-served basis. If course offering demand is greater and the instructor can handle the workload, this number can be increased. If there are fewer than five (5) registrations, then the course offering will be cancelled.
How much time during the workday will these courses require?
The CLPs announced for each course directly correspond to the number of hours to complete the course. Since most of our courses are between 18 to 24 hours and three weeks long, you should expect to spend approximately 1 to 1.5 hours per workday on SPDP. We expect that your supervisor allows you this time during duty hours when he/she approves your enrollment in the course.
The CLPs announced for each course directly correspond to the number of hours to complete the course. Since most of our courses are between 18 to 24 hours and three weeks long, you should expect to spend approximately 1 to 1.5 hours per workday on SPDP. We expect that your supervisor allows you this time during duty hours when he/she approves your enrollment in the course.
Is a book required? If so, how can you get it?
SPDP is going forward into a 100% completely online resource. Courses may still require a book, and those books will be provided electronically. The vast majority of these texts will be offered free-of-charge through Safari Online. Information on accessing Safari Online and which books you need is provided in your course welcome letter. Please visit http://www.afit.edu/library/ click on “E-Books” scroll down and click on “Safari Online Computer Books” click “Register Now” (NOTE: you must register through your work email account – after registration is complete you can log in from any account thereafter.) you will then be asked for your first name, last name, and email - then click continue. Safari will send you an email with your account information including your password - once you receive that you can finish the ” Account Confirmation/Sign in” process which asks you for your “User Work Email” and “password” you just received via email.
SPDP is going forward into a 100% completely online resource. Courses may still require a book, and those books will be provided electronically. The vast majority of these texts will be offered free-of-charge through Safari Online. Information on accessing Safari Online and which books you need is provided in your course welcome letter. Please visit http://www.afit.edu/library/ click on “E-Books” scroll down and click on “Safari Online Computer Books” click “Register Now” (NOTE: you must register through your work email account – after registration is complete you can log in from any account thereafter.) you will then be asked for your first name, last name, and email - then click continue. Safari will send you an email with your account information including your password - once you receive that you can finish the ” Account Confirmation/Sign in” process which asks you for your “User Work Email” and “password” you just received via email.
Is each course self-paced, or can you go online any time during the course period and complete the lessons? Can you do most of the work on weekends?
SPDP courses are instructor-led. What this means is the instructor sets the pace for each individual offering, so it can vary from course to course. You can work on an assignment at your pace on your time, but, in general, your assignment must be completed by scheduled due dates. Most if not all of the content is accessible to you via Blackboard, however, there may be live sessions held periodically in a course. We do expect frequent communication during the course, and for all assignments to be completed by the course end date. We want to avoid having students wait until the last few days of a course to complete all of the material—there is a dedicated focus to exchanging information with peers rather than “get it done”.
SPDP courses are instructor-led. What this means is the instructor sets the pace for each individual offering, so it can vary from course to course. You can work on an assignment at your pace on your time, but, in general, your assignment must be completed by scheduled due dates. Most if not all of the content is accessible to you via Blackboard, however, there may be live sessions held periodically in a course. We do expect frequent communication during the course, and for all assignments to be completed by the course end date. We want to avoid having students wait until the last few days of a course to complete all of the material—there is a dedicated focus to exchanging information with peers rather than “get it done”.
Is there any equivalency credit granted for similar DAU courses?
Some of the DAU and WSWE courses cover some of the same material however it is not enough to grant you course equivalency.
Some of the DAU and WSWE courses cover some of the same material however it is not enough to grant you course equivalency.
Should I take the program’s track courses in numerical order?
Ideally, yes. Everyone starts with SWE 201 as a prerequisite, and should move into SWE 301. From there, we highly encourage students to complete the courses in order since topics and case studies from previous courses can appear in subsequent courses for deeper analysis.
Ideally, yes. Everyone starts with SWE 201 as a prerequisite, and should move into SWE 301. From there, we highly encourage students to complete the courses in order since topics and case studies from previous courses can appear in subsequent courses for deeper analysis.
What do I expect after applying for a SPDP course?
Each application goes through several steps. First your supervisor must approve the application, second the course manager will look to see what pre-requisites there are and if they've been meet and finally if there are slots still available. You will recieve email notifications along the way.
Each application goes through several steps. First your supervisor must approve the application, second the course manager will look to see what pre-requisites there are and if they've been meet and finally if there are slots still available. You will recieve email notifications along the way.
What type of credit do I receive for SPDP courses?
SPDP courses automatically apply continuous learning points (CLPs) for Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) students through the AFIT Now registration system. The number of CLPs varies per course, so please check the registration page for specific amounts. Unfortunately AFIT does not offer college credit for SPDP courses. However, feel free to refer your college or university to us if they have a program that will award credit for professional continuing education courses from members of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredited with the Higher Learning Commission.
SPDP courses automatically apply continuous learning points (CLPs) for Acquisition Professional Development Program (APDP) students through the AFIT Now registration system. The number of CLPs varies per course, so please check the registration page for specific amounts. Unfortunately AFIT does not offer college credit for SPDP courses. However, feel free to refer your college or university to us if they have a program that will award credit for professional continuing education courses from members of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredited with the Higher Learning Commission.
When will I be notified that I’m enrolled in a SPDP course?
When you enroll in a course through AFIT Now, you are placed on a waiting list. One week prior to the course start, we will allocate available slots to eligible students. You will receive a notification via email that day if you are given a slot, or if you remain on the waiting list. If you are on a waiting list at that point, we highly recommend you apply for subsequent offerings. The wait list slot will be automatically cancelled for you after the start of class.
When you enroll in a course through AFIT Now, you are placed on a waiting list. One week prior to the course start, we will allocate available slots to eligible students. You will receive a notification via email that day if you are given a slot, or if you remain on the waiting list. If you are on a waiting list at that point, we highly recommend you apply for subsequent offerings. The wait list slot will be automatically cancelled for you after the start of class.
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