Microsoft IT Academy Program

What Is Microsoft IT Academy?

The Microsoft IT Academy Program is designed for accredited academic institutions worldwide.

The program provides educators with the tools they need to effectively train students on Microsoft technologies, prepare students for the global economy, and create a skilled community. This subscription-based membership program offers curricula, courseware, and online learning for students focused on a profitable career path, life-long learning, and Microsoft certification.

Highlights of the program include:
Access to a wide variety of Microsoft curricula and certifications
Extensive teaching resources
Microsft E-Learning courses for educators and students
Software licenses for lab and classroom use
A wide range of instruction, from computer basics to high-level programming and architecture
Use of the Microsoft IT Academy logo and other marketing resources

For students

Students enrolled in a Microsoft IT Academy can attain technology skills and Microsoft certification, which helps prepare them for the 21st century workplace and improves their employability.

Students receive:
Instruction in the latest Microsoft technologies.
Information about the latest Microsoft programs for students, including the following:
Students to Business: Connects students to potential internships and jobs.
Imagine Cup: Engages students globally through an innovative competition, and enables them to apply skills they have learned.
DreamSpark: Enables students to access software outside of their courses.

Technology education not only prepares students for the workplace, but it also helps them succeed in school. A recent case study found that students enrolled in IT Academy courses became more engaged in their overall learning.

One example is Dunbar High School in Florida. Microsoft IT Academy and Dunbar High School have worked together to award more than 850 technical certifications, with test scores that soar above the state average. In 2008, Dunbar became the first school in the world to have 100 percent of its IT Academy students achieve Microsoft Certifications.

For educators and institutions

In today’s economy, cost savings is a priority. The Microsoft IT Academy Program offers an affordable solution created just for schools. The program includes curricula that can be used in the classroom or to supplement students' individual learning needs.

The Microsoft IT Academy Program enables institutions to:
Offer a world-class curriculum to help students learn the latest Microsoft technologies and earn Microsoft Certifications.
Provide rich, online learning for students anytime, anywhere.
Link academic learning to real-world job skills by helping students graduate with the IT skills they need to advance in their career.
Create a skilled workforce for employers.

For communities

In today’s global economy, having a competitive workforce is key to attracting investors and increasing employment in the community. The IT Academy Program provides tools that schools need to create an educated workforce. With employers focusing on skills training, it becomes increasingly important to have a well trained and certified workforce that supports business investment and community development.

Here is how the IT Academy Program can help communities:
Individuals with technical skills have more and better job opportunities.
A highly skilled workforce attracts business investment.
An economically active community can work more efficiently toward social goals.

An example of how the Microsoft IT Academy Program is used by academic institutions to positively impact communities is the Advanced Technology Training and Information Networking (ATTAIN) program at the State University of New York (SUNY). This project builds bridges between education and industry by offering training to New York’s most needy students.