A+ Certification

Program Overview

The A+ Certification program consists of three classes and focuses on preparing individuals for industry examinations and a career in the cybersecurity field. Successful completion of one the Microcomputer Applications courses prior to enrollment is recommended.

The competencies in the following courses are aligned with the California High School Academic Content Standards and the California Career Technical Education Model Curriculum Standards and meets CompTIA A+ Essentials Certification requirements.

A+ Certification 1 (130 Hours)

Brief Course Description: This competency-based course is the first in a sequence of three designed for computer installation, preventive maintenance, networking, security, and troubleshooting. Instruction includes orientation and safety, hardware: motherboard, CPUs, add-on cards, storage devices, cable types, power supply, RAM, printers, peripheral and input devices, custom PC configuration, common operating systems, installation consideration and upgrade methods, Microsoft, MAC, LINUX features and command line tools, Microsoft Windows control panel utilities, mobile devices, hardware, components, and features, networking: Microsoft networking on a client/desktop, employability skills, and resume preparation.
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  • Cost of Tuition:  $0
  • Cost of Books, Supplies and/or Fees: Approximately $100 (books)
  • Financial Aid: May be available. (See Advisor)
  • Course Prerequisites: STEP Orientation
  • Reading Assessment Requirement: Yes | 228 or higher on CASAS GOALS reading assessment
  • Math Assessment Requirement: Yes
  • STEP Orientation: Yes

A+ Certification 2 (130 Hours)

Brief Course Description: This competency-based course is the second in a sequence of three designed for computer repair. It provides students with project-based experiences in basic computer and peripheral servicing. Technical instruction includes safety, TCP and UDP ports, protocols, hardware devices and services, network configuration concepts, install and configure basic wired/wireless SOHO network, internet and network connection types, troubleshooting in: networking, hardware, devices, Microsoft operating system, software and mobile devices, employability skills, and résumé preparation.

  • Cost of Tuition:  $0
  • Cost of Books, Supplies and/or Fees: Approximately $100 (books)
  • Financial Aid: May be available. (See Advisor)
  • Course Prerequisites: Completion of A+ Certification 1
  • Reading Assessment Requirement: Not applicable
  • Math Assessment Requirement: Not applicable
  • STEP Orientation: Not applicable

A+ Certification 3 (90 Hours)

Brief Course Description: This competency-based course is the last in a sequence of three designed for computer installation, preventive maintenance, networking, security, and troubleshooting. It provides students with project-based experiences in basic computer and peripheral servicing. Technical instruction includes safety, physical and logical security, security threats, networking security, virtualization and cloud computing, network operational procedures, network operational procedures, operational procedures, employability skills and résumé preparation.

  • Cost of Tuition:  $0
  • Cost of Books, Supplies and/or Fees: Approximately $160 (books)
  • Financial Aid: May be available. (See Advisor)
  • Course Prerequisites: Completion of Implementing Cybersecurity Operations
  • Reading Assessment Requirement: Not applicable
  • Math Assessment Requirement: Not applicable
  • STEP Orientation: Not applicable

Separate costs for books, exams, supplies, preparation, certifications and/or licenses provided by outside vendors may be incured.

Once a Certificate of Completion is earned in a course, that course cannot be repeated.