Directionsonline Technical certification preparation programs
For more information, click on a class title below or scroll down the page
Six-week, Instructor-paced courses
Basic A+ Certification: Hardware I
Intermediate A+ Certification: OS
Advanced A+ Certification: Hardware & OS
Network + Certification
Security + Certification
Microsoft Windows Certification Preparation 70-270
Extended Self-paced Certificate Programs
Details coming soon!
Basic A+ Certification: Hardware I
Time to roll up those sleeves and dive inside the personal computer! The Basic A+ Certification Online: Hardware I course teaches you about the hardware common to virtually every personal computer - including microprocessors, RAM, power supplies, motherboards, BIOS, CMOS, the expansion bus, floppy drives, and hard drives. You'll learn
how things work, how to configure everything, and how to troubleshoot in real world environments. This class gives you the knowledge upon which you'll base the rest of your A+ Certification studies and helps you take that first step to becoming an excellent PC hardware technician. So what are you waiting for?!? (2.4 CEUs)
Requirements: A solid conceptual and practical knowledge of Windows 95 or 98 and preferably some experience with DOS and Windows 3.x. , Internet access , E-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser. It's also recommended that you have a PC that you can take apart and put back together again. This can be anything from an ancient Intel 286 to a newer 486 or beyond. Because of the dangers of electro-static discharge (to the machine, not the student), we do not require you to tear apart your own primary computer. This is, however, a class that trains you to be a hardware technician - having a machine to play with greatly helps your learning.
Dates:Click here for schedule
Time: At your convenience at home or by appointment at the VSU Continuing Education Computer Lab
Location:Online
Fee:$99
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Intermediate A+ Certification: Operating Systems
It's time to dive into the details of the command-line interface (DOS) and the graphical user interfaces (Windows 3.x and Windows 9x) tested by the A+ Certification exam. The Intermediate A+ Certification Online: Operating Systems I course teaches you DOS, DOS memory management, Windows 3.x tweaking and troubleshooting, and Windows 9x installation, optimization, and troubleshooting. In addition, we will discuss in detail partitioning and formatting drives, and installation and troubleshooting issues with Plug and Play. (2.4 CEUs)
Requirements: Successful completion of the Basic A+ Certification Online: Hardware I course, Internet access , E-mail, Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser. A PC running DOS 5 to DOS
6.22 and a couple of DOS applications would be helpful but not necessary for the class. Similarly, if you can find a copy, putting Windows 3.x on the machine would also help. These will give you a
chance to experiment with DOS and Windows 3.x without the interference of Windows 95. A Windows 9x PC that you can experiment on (this can be the same as the DOS/Win3.x PC). Although this course focuses on operating systems, you still will want to install, format, partition, beat up, etc. hard drives and install a plug and play device or two. Because of the dangers of electro-static discharge (to the machine, not the student), we do not require you to tear apart your
own primary computer (and definitely do not recommend that you format or partition your primary hard drive!).
Dates:Click here for schedule
Time: At your convenience at home or by appointment at the VSU Continuing Education Computer Lab
Location:Online
Fee:$99
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Advanced A+ Certification: Hardware/OS II
This course takes you through an extensive set of technologies, including SCSI, video, modems, printers, multimedia, portable PCs, and networking. You'll study the hardware and learn the software necessary to install, configure, and troubleshoot that hardware. This course completes your understanding of the hardware and operating systems tested on the A+ Certification exams. So grab a seat and strap yourself in - you're in for a wild ride! (2.4 CEUs)
Requirements: Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape Navigator or Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser. Successful completion of the Basic A+ Certification Online: Hardware I and Intermediate A+ Certification Online: Operating Systems I courses. A Windows 9x PC that you can experiment on. You will probably want to remove/install various devices, such as video, sound, and modems. Because of the dangers of electro-static discharge (to the machine, not the student),
however, we do not require you to tear apart your own primary computer. This is a class that trains you to be a technician - having a machine to play with greatly helps your learning. You can pick up an
old PC from second-hand stores, garage sales, or your Aunt Edna's attic.
Dates:Click here for schedule
Time: At your convenience at home or by appointment at the VSU Continuing Education Computer Lab
Location:Online
Fee:$99
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Network + Certification Preparation
This course will teach you everything you need to know to take and pass the challenging Network+ certification exam and become an excellent network technician. You'll learn about topologies, the OSI Seven-Layer model, protocol suites, modern network operating systems, network hardware, cabling standards, remote connectivity, Internet connections,
network troubleshooting, and more. Network+ certification also counts as one of the elective exams for the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification. (2.4 CEUs)
Requirements: Familiarity with personal computers, including hardware and software. Proficiency with Windows. A+ certification is strongly recommended, but not required. Internet access, e-mail, and Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser.
Dates:Click here for schedule
Time: At your convenience at home or by appointment at the VSU Continuing Education Computer Lab
Location:Online
Fee:$99
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Security+ Certification Preparation
The U.S. Department of Labor forecasts that computer security and related computer-support specialties will be among the fastest-growing occupations through 2012. CompTIA's Security+ certificate is widely regarded as the entry-level certificate for this fast-growing field. Getting that certificate requires passing CompTIA's challenging SY0-101 exam.
In this six-week course, you'll learn everything you need to know to pass the exam and get your Security+ certificate. This is not a course on how to study for the exam. This course is fully self-contained and contains everything you need to know to ace the exam and leave the exam center with your Security+ credential in-hand.
Requirements: CompTIA recommends that you have A+ and Network+ certifications, and two years on-the-job networking experience, prior to preparing for this exam. We don't require that much. But you should have substantial knowledge of TCP/IP networking prior to signing up for this course. You'll also need Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape or Firefox or Internet Explorer Web browser.
Dates:Click here for schedule
Time: At your convenience at home or by appointment at the VSU Continuing Education Computer Lab
Location:Online
Fee:$99
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Microsoft Windows Certification Preparation 70-270
Are you ready to get moving down the road to Microsoft certification? This intense course gives you the skills you need to pass Microsoft’s 70-270 exam: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional.
Be prepared to roll up your sleeves as we move through the inner workings of Windows XP Professional. By the end of the course, you’ll understand the Windows XP installation process in detail, including the many procedures for unattended and large-scale deployment. You’ll learn how to manage the Windows XP desktop, as well as users, groups, and resources. Other in-depth topics include printing, hardware management, security, system and data restoration, and that all-important aspect of modern Windows computing: networking. (2.4 CEUs)
Requirements: A+ Certification, either a Network+ Certification or equivalent networking experience in a Windows 2000 or Windows XP environment, Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Internet access, e-mail, and the Netscape or Internet Explorer or Firefox Web browser. (See additional requirements for Windows Certification Preparation 70-210).
Dates:Click here for schedule
Time: At your convenience at home or by appointment at the VSU Continuing Education Computer Lab
Location:Online
Fee:$99
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