Program Overview
We understand these are uncertain times and want to help you keep your goals on pace.
PC AGE’s comprehensive program provides both fundamental and advanced level courses and are designed to meet industry certification requirements. No prior computer experience necessary.
Career-focused approach
At PC AGE, preparation is key and it starts with our program structure. With each main course we teach, there is a companion course that focuses on two career objectives:
Training for a technical interview by asking and explaining hundreds of questions that will also prepare them for related Microsoft, CompTIA, and Cisco certification exams. Ensure students are ready to do the job by working on real-world projects and all possible scenarios as independently as possible.Intensive training and preparation
- Courses taught by our instructors are also available online to our students to reinforce the concepts learned in the classrooms. These online modules include contents, quizzes, graphics, and simulated hands-on exercises.
- You will go through hundreds of hands-on exercises and projects to prepare you for real-world situations and problems.
- All students will be required to submit a final graduation project. This final project tests all skills needed to work as an Internetwork Engineer.
Program Certifications
The program includes preparation for the eight designations below. Obtaining these certifications provides credibility, industry recognition, and the best alternate to experience to help you get a job with no experience in the IT field.
CompTIA A+® Certification
CompTIA A+ certification validates the latest skills needed by today’s computer support professionals. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification recognized by major hardware and software vendors, distributors and resellers. A+ certification confirms a technician’s ability to perform tasks such as installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking. Exams also cover domains such as security, safety and environmental issues and communication and professionalism.
A+ certification is part of the certification track for corporations such as Microsoft, Hewlett-Packard, Cisco and Novell. Other technology companies, including CompuCom and Ricoh, have made CompTIA A+ certification mandatory for their service technicians.
Technical Role Examples: IT Technician, Enterprise Technician, PC Technician & Help Desk Support
CompTIA Network+® Certification
CompTIA Network+ certification validates the knowledge and skills of networking professionals. It is an international, vendor-neutral certification that recognizes a technician’s ability to describe the features and functions of networking components and to install, configure and troubleshoot basic networking hardware, protocols and services.
The demand for skilled network support professionals continues to grow, and the CompTIA Network+ certification is a valuable credential to help start or enhance a networking career. In fact, many IT certifications integrate CompTIA Network+ into their curriculums. Microsoft and other corporations such as Novell, Cisco, HP, Lotus and 3Com also recognize CompTIA Network+ as part of their certification tracks.
Technical Roles Examples: Systems Administrator, Web Server Administrator
CompTIA Security+® Certification
CompTIA Security+ Certification tests the security knowledge mastery of an individual with two years on-the-job networking experience, with emphasis on security. It covers industry-wide topics, including communication security, infrastructure security, cryptography, access control, authentication, external attack and operational and organization security. Security+ is an elective or prerequisite to advanced security certifications.
CompTIA Security+ is an international, vendor-neutral certification that proves competency in system security, network infrastructure, access control and organizational security.
Major organizations that employ CompTIA Security+ certified staff include Booz Allen Hamilton, Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Motorola, Symantec, Telstra, Hitachi, Ricoh, Lockheed Martin, Unisys, Hilton Hotels Corp., General Mills, the U.S. Navy, Army, Air Force and Marines.
Technical Role Examples: Network Security Administrator, Security Specialist or Network Security Technician
CompTIA Linux+® Certification
The Linux+ credential is an entry-level, distribution-neutral certification that proves the ability to install, configure, manage, network, support and operate Linux based environments. The vendor neutrality of Linux makes this certification ideal for Technicians working in an Open System environment.
CompTIA’s Linux+ is the only certification track that provides a 3-in-1 path: by becoming Linux+ certified, the technician will also receive the LPI (Linux Professional Institute) Level 1 (LPIC-1), and the Novell SUSE Desktop Support Technician designations. Organizations such as Hewlett-Packard, Novell, IBM, Sun Microsystems, Dell, and Xerox recommend or require Linux+.
Technical Role Examples: Systems Administrator, Junior Linux Administrator, Junior Network Administrator, Linux Database Administrator and Web Administrator
CASP® Certification
The CASP certification helps advance IT security practitioners within an enterprise. It certifies critical-thinking and judgment across a broad spectrum of security disciplines and assesses the implementation of solutions in complex environments.
CASP has a skills-based approach to security whereas Security+ is the foundational knowledge of security.
Technical Role Examples: Information Security Analyst, Information Assurance Analyst, Security Engineer, Network Engineer
Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA)
The MCSA credential verifies the ability to analyze the business requirements for information systems solutions, and ability to design and implement infrastructures based on Windows Desktop operating system and Windows Server System software.
The strength of Windows Server in the market today indicates that demand for related IT expertise will continue for years to come, together with the dominance of Windows in the desktop environment. The best way to demonstrate expert skills on Windows Server 2012 is by earning the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) credential.
Technical Role Examples: Network Administrator, Network Engineer, Systems Engineer, Computer/Network Support Specialist, Windows Migration Specialist
Cisco Certified Entry Network Technician ® (CCENT)
Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT) validates the ability to install, operate and troubleshoot a small enterprise branch network, including basic network security.
CCENT demonstrates the skills required for entry-level network support positions. The curriculum covers networking fundamentals, basic security and wireless concepts, routing and switching fundamentals, and configuring simple networks. CCENT is the first step toward achieving CCNA.
Technical Role Examples: Network Administrator, Junior Network Engineer, Cisco Network Engineer, Network Support Specialist
Cisco Certified Network Associate® (CCNA)
The Cisco CCNA network associate certification validates the ability to install, configure, operate, and troubleshoot medium-size routed and switched networks, including implementation and verification of connections to remote sites in a Wide Area Network (WAN.)
This curriculum includes basic mitigation of security threats, introduction to wireless networking concepts and terminology, and performance-based skills.
Technical Role Examples: Internetwork Engineer, LAN/WAN Engineer
CEH® Certification
CEH focuses on security threats, attack vectors, and practical demonstration of the hacking techniques, methodologies, tools, tricks, and security measures. Provides in-depth exposure to practical situations on the workday of a penetration tester. It presents practical scenarios to test the strengths of an enterprise security.
Technical Role Examples: Security Analyst, Penetration Tester, Ethical Hacker
Degree From Thomas Edison State University
By focusing on industry certifications and creating an articulation agreement with Thomas Edison State University (TESU), PC AGE offers a pathway to a career-focused, applied and regionally accredited college degree for its students. Up to 30 credits earned at PC AGE can be transferred towards the Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Applied Computer Studies degree from TESU.
Download the course syllabus here
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