CompTIA™ Certification Training: A+, Network+, Security+

This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive twelve (12) months to complete the course.

The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact your Student Advisor to help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.

You may be assigned with an instructor or team of industry experts for one-on-one course interaction. Your support will be available (via e-mail) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our instructors are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach. You will be assigned to an Advisor for academic support.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a certificate of completion. You will also receive exam vouchers for the CompTIA A+ Exams 220-901 and 220-902, CompTIA Network+ Exam N10-006, and CompTIA Security+ Exam SY0-501 once you’ve met your financial obligation and completed all coursework.   

This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.

ed2go courses are non-credit, so they do not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more: https://www.ed2go.com/career/financial-assistance

You can still do the applied labs even if you don’t have equipment. The majority of the labs in these training courses can be completed using the online lab system. You’ll receive a lab scheduling link within your course.       

CompTIA certifications are extremely important. The vast majority of IT and cyber security professionals begin their careers by earning CompTIA credentials because they are nationally recognized standards of excellence. These certifications look good on your resume, prove to employers that you are up to speed on the latest industry knowledge and practices, and are prerequisites for many employers to even consider you for a position. Research has even shown that professionals with certifications earn more than those without them. Earning CompTIA certifications can open doors to new opportunities and help ensure your success.

There are currently 13 CompTIA certifications available for all professional levels, from a “pre-career” certification all the way up to advanced credentials like the CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP). This course covers three core skills credentials: A+, Network+, and Security+. You will learn the basics of the IT and cyber security fields, and this base knowledge can help you determine what interests you most as you move to a more specialized career track. 

The best CompTIA certifications will depend on your level of experience and the direction you wish to take your career. It is always a good idea to begin with the three core skills certifications covered in this online training course to provide yourself with a basic knowledge before diving into a specialty. CompTIA A+ is the first step for those wishing to enter the industry. Network+ training ensures that you know the basics of wired and wireless networks. While, Security+ provides and introduction to cyber security. Taken together, these three CompTIA certifications provide you with a solid foundation on which to build your IT career.

CompTIA stands for Computing Technology Industry Association, and it’s the top supplier of vendor-neutral IT certifications worldwide. CompTIA is a non-profit trade association that has been in existence for over 20 years and has issued more than 2 million IT certifications. Its certifications are highly sought-after in companies of all sizes around the globe.

The skills you will master with CompTIA A+ Certification include: connecting hardware, PC and mobile device troubleshooting and problem solving; working with various types of networks; installing and supporting OS; identifying and protecting against security vulnerabilities; connecting users regardless of type of device; and following operational procedures to better enable employees to do their jobs. CompTIA A+ is considered a foundation for IT and tech support roles.

While there is never a guarantee of a specific position, you will qualify for several jobs once you earn your CompTIA A+ certification. Earning A+ will prepare you for success as an IT Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, Desktop Support Analyst, Field Service Technician, and more.

Earning a Network+ certification from CompTIA will demonstrate that you’ve mastered: understanding and implementing various networking concepts; the ability to recommend cabling, device and storage technology; business continuity policies and best practices; security related to wired and wireless networks including ability to recognize and mitigate common attacks; and best practices for troubleshooting.

Earning your CompTIA Network+ certification will prepare you to work as a Network Administrator, Network Field Engineer or Technician, Systems Administrator, Network Designer, Computer Technician, Systems Engineer, and more. There is no guarantee of employment, but certification is sought after by many employers and may help you get your foot in the door.

A Security+ certification from CompTIA will show employers that you’re prepared to: detect threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities of various types; assess issues that arise during installation and configuration of networks; manage identity and access controls; design and implement secure networks; understand the impact threats have on the business and manage risks accordingly; and implement PKI and wireless security. You’ll have practical problem-solving skills when it comes to IT security and be ready to take on mid-level cybersecurity jobs.

There is no guarantee of employment, but you will qualify for a job as a Network Security Specialist, IT Risk Analyst, Security Engineer, Junior Auditor/Penetration Tester, Security Consultant, and more after earning your CompTIA Security+ Certification. This designation can be also springboard to highly sought-after cybersecurity roles.

According to a recent IT Skills and Salary Report by Global Knowledge, professionals with a CompTIA A+ certification earn an average salary over $72,500. Those with Network+ credentials will earn an average salary just under $75,000, and professionals with a CompTIA Security+ certification will earn around $81,500 on average. Years of experience and location will also play a role in salary, but earning these credentials will provide you with a lucrative start to your new career.

While each exam is slightly different, you can expect some similarities. You will be given 90 minutes to compete a maximum of 90 questions on each exam. CompTIA Certification exams are composed of multiple choice questions, drag and drop questions and performance-based questions (PBQs).  PBQs are designed to simulate an environment you are likely to encounter in the workplace and test your ability to problem-solve. While not every CompTIA certification exam includes PBQs, you will find them on all of these core skills certifications. You can test your skills in sample PBQs on the CompTIA website.

You will take your CompTIA Certification Exams at a Pearson VUE testing center. These proctored testing centers can be found nationwide and located on the Pearson VUE site at: www.pearsonvue.com 

These certifications typically expire three years after the date they are issued. However, you will be able to extend the life of your certification in three-year intervals by completing approved continuing education. Continuing education (CE credits) helps you stay up-to-date in your knowledge within a constantly changing IT industry. Earning higher-level CompTIA certifications will also provide an extension for your certification as you progress in your career.