Speak to one of our career advisors to help you choose the program that's the best fit for your career goals.
All industry exam costs are on us. Plus — personalized support from our industry-certified faculty until you are successfully certified.
We’ll walk you step by step through the eligibility, financial aid support, and application steps required to successfully join CIAT.
Our Career Services Team focuses on both your professional and personal development to help prepare you for your ideal career.
At CIAT, you are more than just a number. Commitment to student success is what drives us, from the first day of class all the way through program completion and job placement.
Book an appointment with one of our Admissions Advisors for personalized guidance on building your education plan.
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Book an appointment with one of our Advisors to determine which credits can be applied towards your program.
Employers hiring for IT positions today demand more than a degree, they expect candidates to come with resumes stacked with industry certifications. Getting certified helps you stay ahead of your competition, position yourself for higher salaries, and demonstrate to your employer that you have the skills needed for the job. At CIAT, we do everything we can to help you get certified, which includes our one-of-a-kind unlimited certification exam policy, complimentary bootcamps, live test prep tutoring, and practice exam software.
Industry certification exams are difficult exams, and many students do not pass on their first attempt. To help student success rates, we encourage all students to study several hours/week on top of their courses, and take advantage of CIAT’s complimentary support and unlimited number of exam vouchers.
Certification workshops
Complimentary 4 day bootcamps
Practice exam software
Unlimited Certification Exam Policy
Live test prep tutoring
Learn from industry-certified instructors through live classes and hands-on labs. Build your technical skills and conquer the technical concepts before you prepare for the exam.
Successful students study several hours/week on top of their coursework to prepare for certification exams. CIAT provides complimentary workshops, bootcamps, practice exam software, and tutoring for all students.
Once you reach 90% or higher on two practice exams, you will request your voucher from CIAT to take your exam. Utilize our unlimited certification exam policy to take the exam as many times as needed to pass.
Our course curriculum is designed to prepare you thoroughly for these exams; for every course and 2 designated Practice Exams (DPE) with a 90% or higher pass rate you complete at CIAT, you will receive a certification exam voucher to take the associated industry certification exam.
Transfer credits or challenge exams don't qualify for vouchers. However, if readmitted to complete a certificate program, voucher benefits, and test prep support are reactivated to aid your certification goals.
Once you receive your certification exam voucher, you have 15 business days to schedule and take the associated certification exam. This timeline ensures you take the exam while the course material is fresh in your mind, maximizing your chances of success.
At CIAT, we are committed to helping you achieve your goals. Our Unlimited Certification Exam Attempt policy allows you to retake most industry certification exams as often as needed at no additional cost. However, please note that any retake attempts are single-exam attempts and are not eligible for a retake voucher.
If you fail the same certification exam twice, you must attend a tutoring or preparatory session before receiving an additional complimentary voucher. To further prepare you for success, we offer comprehensive practice tests and small group workshops, personalized career coaching, along with access to our experienced instructors and dedicated support staff who will work closely with you to identify areas for improvement and provide 1-1 personalized guidance, ensuring you are well-prepared for your next attempt.
We believe in empowering our students with the necessary resources and support to excel. While success is not guaranteed, our unwavering commitment is to provide the tools and guidance required to maximize your chances of achieving your desired outcome.
How many certifications will I earn in my program?
CIAT offers 24 industry certifications across ten technical Certificate, Associate's, and Bachelor's Degree programs, allowing students to earn an additional industry certification every 5 to 10 weeks.
CIAT Certificate Programs include 2 to 5 certifications, depending on the length of the program you select. Our Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems includes 10 industry certifications, and our Applied Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Systems includes up to 19 certifications, depending on the concentration track you select. Some students opt to combine multiple programs to maximize their training and certifications.
Which IT certifications are offered at CIAT?
CIAT offers 24 industry certifications from CompTIA, Amazon AWS, Microsoft, Cisco, Google, ISC2, and EC-Council. Learn more about all IT certifications we support.
How much do IT certification vouchers cost?
For active CIAT students – nothing – your exam costs are on us. On average, each industry certification ranges from $100 – $300 per attempt if you take the exams independently. If you factor in multiple attempts and DIY study materials, an average Bachelor's Degree-seeking student can save $5,000 – $8,000 by taking the CIAT certification-based degree plan approach.
How long does it take to study for my IT certification exams?
Students have the opportunity to take a new certification exam every five to ten weeks, depending on the length of the course. We encourage all students to proactively plan for their first exam attempt during finals week before their next course starts so that they're taking their exam while the material is fresh. While certification exam preparation is embedded directly into CIAT's curriculum, our most successful first-time certification passers spend at least 2-4 hours each week on top of their required coursework preparing for their industry exam.
Which IT certification exam should I take first?
If you have no industry experience and are working your way into IT, your first exam will start with CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+). This first exam will help you build your exam study habits, learn the certification testing process, and give you a strong foundation for growth. Many employers will look for a minimum of CompTIA ITF+ and CompTIA A+ to start in an entry-level IT position.
Suppose you are an IT professional with prior work experience in your background. Our IT expert staff will help recommend the best certification path to advance your career.
How do I study for my class and the certification exam simultaneously?
Certification exam preparation is built directly into our unique CIAT curriculum, so we'll guide you every step of the way. Often, however, more than our extensive curriculum is needed. If you're serious about building your career quickly, passing your exams on the first try, and making the most out of your educational investment, you should be allocating a minimum of 2-4 extra hours per week with our test prep software and study materials on top of your coursework.
Will I get a job if I pass my IT certification exams?
IT industry certifications are a critical part of getting your first job in the IT field and are required by most employers before even submitting a resume. However, it's important to remember that it's only one piece of the puzzle. Employers will look at the entire picture – your confidence in your IT skills, your interviewing and communication skills, your resume and background, and more. Once you land your certifications, our Career Services team will help you every step of the way.
Will my certification exam vouchers expire?
Your certification vouchers will expire 90 days after graduation from your selected program, so we strongly encourage you to take your certification exams along the way. Wait to push them off until the end of your program. You'll spend more time refreshing and re-learning material and likely will need more than the maximum number of certifications available.
What happens if I fail a class - will I still receive my voucher?
To receive your pre-paid certification voucher, you must have successfully passed the designated course or be currently taking the course with an expected path to successful completion near finals week. Students who have failed a course or are flagged as at risk of failing the course will not be eligible for the pre-paid exam voucher. We encourage all students struggling with material or exam preparation to contact their instructor and request additional tutoring, extensions, or support.
Do all tuition funding options cover the certification vouchers?
Certification exam voucher costs are covered by CIAT as long as you are financially cleared and have an approved tuition funding plan in place. Students may utilize FAFSA grants and loans, military benefits, private loans, scholarships, personal payment plans, and more to cover the cost of tuition and fees.
Have more questions? Reach out today and admissions advisor will answer any other questions you have!
Navigating the IT certification landscape by yourself can be challenging. If you’re wondering if this Microsoft Windows Operating System certification training is right for you or you need help getting started on another path, we’re here to help.
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California Institute of Applied Technology has shared ownership and management of two distinct institutions. California Institute of Applied Technology located in California, and California Institute of Applied Technology located in New Mexico.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill. CIAT is approved to offer VA benefits. *Financial aid is available for those who qualify. *Students are encouraged to take certification exams while actively enrolled in their Certificate or Degree program. Unlimited certification exam attempts expire 180 days after graduation. Select exams are not eligible for unlimited retakes - see certification exam policy for details. Certifications or courses may change to address industry trends or improve quality