Many businesses, colleges and associations provide online training and certification programs in the technology field. Some traditional universities, such as the University of California-Berkeley, offer online training with its Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Information Systems and Management program.
Microsoft, CompTIA and Cisco are some of the leading industry giants in computer certification. Some popular certifications include Microsoft Certified IT Professional (MCITP), Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP), and CompTIA Network+. Certification is possible in many areas, including information technology, networking, security and software configuration. Each provides online training courses; however, an external partnering company will administer the actual certification exam in a physical location.
Most courses online are accelerated and take less time to complete, compared to the traditional classroom setting. Some online certification programs will allow you to train and study at your own pace, but within a designated time period. CompTIA allows six months, and most of Microsoft self-paced courses are good for a year. A college degree is not necessary to become certified.
If you enroll in an online college or university, you may qualify for financial aid to help to defray the cost. Check with the school's financial aid office to see if you qualify, or with the Federal Student Aid government website listed in the Resources section. Many online courses are interactive and provide a more hands-on approach to the training process. You may also have to upgrade your computer in order to meet specifications required by any training courses you take online.