Montgomery County Community College's Workforce Development offers comprehensive CompTIA certification training through Self-Study and On-Demand online courses. These industry-recognized, vendor-neutral certifications validate foundation IT skills and are often the first step in launching successful technology careers. Our flexible online format allows you to study at your own pace while preparing for in-demand IT roles across various specializations.
Why Choose CompTIA Certifications?
CompTlA certifications are globally recognized by employers and often required for government contractorpositions. Many CompTIA classes meet the requirements for the new DOD 8140 Certification, making themessential for defense industry careers. These vendor-neutral credentials provide a solid foundation for specializingin specific technologies later in your career.
Recommended Career Paths
Get into your desired occupation efficiently! At Montco you are able to take any combination of CompTIA certificates, but we have provided a strongly recommended certificate pathway which targets various occupational fields. Review the professional career you're interested in below and get started today!
IT Foundation & Support - Learning Path
A+ Core 1 & 2 Network+ Security+
Perfect entry point into IT. A+ provides essential hardware/software troubleshooting skills for help desk roles. Network+ adds networking knowledge for more advanced support roles. Security+ rounds out the foundation with security awareness that's valuable in any IT position. This path qualifies you for help desk, desktop support, and junior IT technician roles.
Common Career Outcomes: Help Desk Technician, Desktop Support, IT Support Specialist, Junior Network Technician
Cybersecurity Specialist - Learning Path
A+ Core 1 & 2 Network+ Security+ SecurityX PenTest+
This learning path is designed as an ideal entry point into IT, progressing toward cybersecurity specialization. It begins with A+ Core 1 & 2, which builds essential hardware and software troubleshooting skills for help desk roles. Network+ adds networking fundamentals for advanced support positions. Security+ introduces core security principles, creating a strong foundation for any IT role. Advanced certifications like SecurityX and PenTest+ prepare learners for specialized cybersecurity tasks, including vulnerability assessment and penetration testing
Common Career Outcomes: Entry level Cybersecurity Technician, Entry level Cybersecurity Analyst
Cloud Engineer - Learning Path
A+ Core 1 & 2 Network+ Cloud+ CloudNetX
Designed for cloud-focused careers. A+ and Network+ provide essential infrastructure knowledge. Cloud+ covers multi-vendor cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud). CloudNetX dives deep into cloud networking architectures. Security+ adds crucial cloud security knowledge.
Common Career Outcomes: Cloud Engineer, Cloud Architect, Cloud Support Specialist, DevOps Engineer, Cloud Security Specialist
Data Analyst - Learning Path
A+ Core 1 & 2 Data+ DataSys+ DataX
Focused on data careers. A+ provides general IT foundation. Data+ teaches data analysis, visualization, and basic statistics. DataSys+ covers database design, administration, and management. DataX advances into machine learning and advanced analytics for senior roles.
Common Career Outcomes: Data Analyst, Database Administrator, Business Intelligence Analyst, Data Coordinator, Junior Data Scientist
Network Administrator - Learning Path
A+ Core 1 & 2 Network+ Server+ Linux+
Traditional networking career path. A+ provides foundation knowledge. Network+ is the core networking certification. Server+ adds server and virtualization skills essential for modern networks. Security+ adds network security knowledge. Linux+ is valuable since many network devices run Linux.
Common Career Outcomes: Network Administrator, Network Engineer, Systems Administrator, Network Security Specialist, Infrastructure Engineer
Linux Administrator - Learning Path
A+ Core 1 & 2 Linux+ Network+ Server+
Linux-focused system administration. A+ provides general hardware/software foundation. Linux+ covers command line, system administration, and scripting. Network+ adds networking knowledge crucial for Linux administrators. Server+ covers virtualization and advanced server concepts.
Common Career Outcomes: Linux Administrator, DevOps Engineer, Cloud Engineer, System Administrator, Site Reliability Engineer
Hybrid Security + Cloud - Learning Path
A+ Core 1 & 2 Network+ Security+ Cloud+ SecurityX CloudNetX
The most comprehensive path combining security and cloud expertise. Builds strong foundation, then develops parallel expertise in both cybersecurity and cloud technologies. Perfect for security roles in cloud environments or cloud roles requiring security expertise.
Common Career Outcomes: Cloud Security Engineer, DevSecOps Engineer, Cloud Security Architect, Security Consultant, Cloud Solutions Architect
All Available Certifications
Certificate Difficulty:
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
CompTIA A+ Core 1 & 2
Self-Study
Foundation certification covering hardware, software, networking, and troubleshooting. Essential starting point for any IT career. Validates skills in mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization, and cloud computing.
CompTIA Network+
On-Demand / Self-Study
Covers networking concepts, infrastructure, network operations, network security, and network troubleshooting. Establishes the foundation for networking careers and is prerequisite knowledge for advanced certifications.
CompTIA Security+
On-Demand / Self-Study
Core cybersecurity certification covering threats, attacks, vulnerabilities, architecture, design, implementation, operations, and incident response. Required for many government contractor positions (DoD 8570 approved).
CompTIA Cloud+
On-Demand
Validates skills in cloud architecture, deployment, security, maintenance, and troubleshooting across multiple cloud platforms including AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
CompTIA Data+
On-Demand / Self-Study
Entry-level data analytics certification covering data concepts, environments, data mining, analysis, visualization, and governance. Perfect foundation for data analyst careers.
CompTIA DataSys+
On-Demand / Self-Study
Database systems certification covering database fundamentals, deployment, management, maintenance, and security. Essential for database administrator roles.
CompTIA Server+
On-Demand / Self-Study
Covers server hardware, server administration, security, troubleshooting, and disaster recovery. Validates skills needed to build, maintain, and troubleshoot server hardware and software technologies.
CompTIA SecurityX
On-Demand / Self-Study
Advanced cybersecurity certification covering governance, risk management, incident response, research, and collaboration. Designed for security operations center (SOC) analysts and incident responders.
CompTIA Linux+
On-Demand / Self-Study
Linux system administration certification covering system management, security, scripting, and troubleshooting. Essential for DevOps, cloud engineering, and system administration roles.
CompTIA PenTest+
On-Demand / Self-Study
Penetration testing certification covering planning, scoping, information gathering, vulnerability identification, attacks, exploitation, post-exploitation, and reporting.
CompTIA DataX
On-Demand / Self-Study
Advanced data analytics certification covering machine learning, statistical analysis, data modeling, and advanced visualization techniques for senior data analyst and data scientist roles.
CompTIA CloudNetX
On-Demand / Self-Study
Advanced cloud networking certification covering complex cloud architectures, hybrid environments, network optimization, and enterprise cloud solutions across multiple platforms.