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Build Careers, Expand Opportunities, Change Lives
The Benefits of Microsoft IT Academy
With the global need for skilled workers on the rise, the Microsoft® IT Academy Program ensures that every student has the opportunity to participate in our technology-driven economy. IT Academy delivers a complete technology training solution that empowers schools to help students build successful lives and careers in the 21st century.
If you would like to learn more about the advantages of becoming an IT Academy, click here
Why is the Microsoft Office Specialist Program Part of Microsoft IT Academy?
The Microsoft Office Specialist Program is the global certification program that demonstrates end-user proficiency with Microsoft Office products. Because Microsoft Office is used by organizations worldwide to create, communicate and analyze information, the Microsoft Office Specialist program enables schools and colleges to provide students with relevant, certified and marketable skills-the foundation for success in a variety of organizations and industries.
Due to the increasing shortage of individuals with proficient computer skills, many governments, schools and blue-ribbon panels are laboring to define "computer literacy" and to provide standards-based methods of developing and measuring proficiency with desktop productivity tools. The Microsoft Office Specialist program offers the solution.
Institutions can today implement Microsoft Office Specialist standards, approved courseware and examinations to develop and evaluate student skills, and the effectiveness of their workforce development training programs. Microsoft Office Specialist certification exams, importantly, have been recognized by the American Council on Education, the Buros Institute and the United States Veterans Administration as high-quality, performance-based evaluations of skill with Microsoft Office applications.
The Benefits of becoming a Microsoft Office Specialist Authorized Testing Center
Microsoft Office Specialist Authorized Testing Centers provide secure, performance-based certification testing to students, in most cases using the same classrooms and equipment being used for training.
IT Academy institutions that enlist as Microsoft Office Specialist Authorized Testing Centers are offered a special discount on Microsoft Office Specialist certification exams.
Enlistment as a Microsoft Office Specialist Authorized Testing Centers will also demonstrate to students, the local business community, and recruiters your institution's interest in providing effective school-to-work solutions.
Additional benefits include:
 Convenience of on-site testing.
Reduced initial purchase requirement (50%). Note: this is not a program fee, but an independent one-time requirement to defray setup costs.
On-line verification of student certifications.
Potential college credit for each Microsoft Office Specialist certification through the American Council on Education (ACE) Credit by Examination program.
The institution may elect to pass the entire discount onto the student and not charge any proctoring or administrative fee or the institution may elect to add a proctoring or administrative fee on top of the discount.
Apply to become a Microsoft Office Specialist Authorized Testing Center by clicking here.
As an IT Academy, can I enjoy the benefits of the Microsoft Office Specialist program without becoming an Authorized Testing Center?
Yes. IT Academy institutions that would like to participate in the benefits of the Microsoft Office Specialist certification program without offering on-site testing can purchase Microsoft Office Specialist certification exam vouchers at a discount. Please be aware, however, that students may be charged an additional fee at other academic or commercial testing centers for the administration and proctoring of each exam.
If your institution is enrolled in the IT Academy program and would like to purchase Microsoft Office Specialist certification exam vouchers without becoming an Authorized Testing Center please call 888-999-9830 (US) or +1 801-847-3100 (outside the US). [Only credit card orders accepted at this time.]
Are there any additional benefits for IT Academy instructors?
Yes. IT Academy instructors will receive a special instructor discount on Microsoft Office Specialist certification exams for their own use. Instructors can order discounted exam vouchers by calling 888-999-9830 (US) or +1 801-847-3100 (outside the US). [Only credit card orders accepted at this time.] Instructors wishing to order exam vouchers should be prepared to provide appropriate validation of their instructor status.
How are vouchers redeemed?
Microsoft Office Specialist certification exam vouchers can be redeemed at any Microsoft Office Specialist Authorized Testing Center. To find an Authorized Testing Center near you, click here. Please be aware, however, that students may be charged an additional fee at other academic or commercial testing centers for the administration and proctoring of each exam.
Update Your Status as an IT Academy
If your institution is already a Microsoft Office Specialist Authorized Testing
Center AND Microsoft IT Academy (IT Pro Plus or Office Specialist levels) your
institution can immediately enjoy the benefits of purchasing discounted Office
Specialist exams by following a few simple steps. Please login into the iQcenter
Dashboard by clicking here
and complete the following steps. 1) Select Campaigns 2) Enter your IT Academy account
number in the appropriate box 3) Click Submit. This will update your account.
Customer Services
For more information about becoming a Microsoft Office Specialist Authorized Testing Center please call 888-222-7890 (US) or +1 801-847-3100 (outside the US).
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