2020 has been a long and challenging year. Plan ahead for a better career in 2021, with one of these classes starting in January and February:

• Spanish-English Translation Program Legal Translation course starts in January
• Project Management Professional (PMP®) Exam Prep starts in January
• Environmental Science for Society: Practicing Collaborative Research starts in January
• Fundamentals of Engineering Exam Prep starts in January
• CompTIA Security+ starts in February
• Manager Training: Leading from Your Strengths starts in February
• Human Resources (SHRM) Certification Exam Prep starts in February
• Choose from the online Paralegal Certificate course starting in January or Live Lecture Format Paralegal Certificate starting in February
• Coding Boot Camp starts in February

All these classes are fully online, so you can learn in-demand skills from anywhere. 

CompTIA Security+ is one of the top IT certifications nationwide. It demonstrates that you have the real-world security skills employers need to confront an ever-growing number of security threats.

CompTIA refreshes its exams every few years to ensure that credential holders have the most up-to-date and in-demand skills. The new Security+ SY0-601 exam launched on November 12. 

What Is On the New Security+ Exam?

According to CompTIA, the new exam covers five domains:

1. Attacks, Threats and Vulnerabilities (24%)
2. Architecture and Design (21%)
3. Implementation (25%)
4. Operations and Incident Response (16%)
5. Governance, Risk and Compliance (14%)

If you've been studying for the old SY0-501, don't worry. You can still take the Security+  SY0-501 exam until July 31, 2021.

Get Ready to Pass the New Exam

Our intensive IT certification exam prep courses are continually refreshed to reflect exam changes and rapidly-evolving technology.

If you want to get the latest-and-greatest Security+ certification, register for a live intensive Security+ training course.

Learn More

Questions? Contact Dr. John DeLalla at 520-626-6389 or jd@arizona.edu to learn more.

We are excited to announce that the popular Paralegal Certificate Program is now available in a new format - live lecture.

The new format is a good option for those who prefer to attend live, instructor-led class sessions on a specific schedule.

Why Live Lecture?

We know our program participants have different schedules and learning styles. That's why we offer professional development programs in a variety of formats, from completely self-paced to live instructor-led programs.

Self-paced courses can work well for those with work or family commitments that prevent them from attending scheduled classes. At the same time, we know it can be challenging to stay on track when learning at your own pace.

The new live lecture format offers a more "classroom-like" learning experience for Paralegal Certificate Program participants, with scheduled class meeting times and live instructor lectures.

How Live Lecture Paralegal Training Works

In the new live lecture format, participants will still gain the knowledge and skills they need to launch a new career as a Paralegal, just as they do in the regular fourteen-week Paralegal Certificate Program.

The key difference is: in the regular Paralegal Certificate Program, participants have weekly activities and assignments, but they don't attend scheduled class sessions. As long as they complete course activities on time, participants work at their own pace.

In the live lecture program, participants will attend live online instructor-led classes (via Zoom) twice a week. This can provide additional structure and support for those who might struggle in a more self-paced learning environment.

The first Paralegal Certificate Program Live Lecture course starts February 27, 2021.

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October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), a nationwide effort to raise awareness of cybersecurity issues.

Cybersecurity affects everyone, so we've rounded up practical tips, career planning tools, and hands-on training opportunities for IT professionals and everyday technology users alike.

"If You Connect It, Protect It"

IT professionals aren't the only ones with a role to play in cybersecurity.

If you use a device that is connected to the internet, you need to worry about cybersecurity, too. That's why one of the goals of NCSAM is to remind all of us: "If you connect it, protect it."

The good news is: we can all take simple steps to protect ourselves, at home and in the workplace. Check out the helpful tip sheets from the National Cybersecurity Alliance for advice on everything from passwords to smart devices to social media. 

Explore Cybersecurity Careers

According to Cyberseek.org, employers are "struggling to fill" more than 330,000 cybersecurity job openings. This creates enormous hiring challenges for employers, but it is good news for those who already have IT security skills. 

If you are interested in entering the IT security field, Cyberseek offers a handy interactive tool to explore cybersecurity careers: the Cybersecurity Career Pathway includes common paths into cybersecurity roles, plus salary information and the skills and credentials typically needed for various roles.

Learn Cyber Defense Skills

University of Arizona Continuing & Professional Education offers a variety of IT security trainings, including practical, hands-on cyber defense skills training.

The Computer Security training program is designed by University of Arizona faculty to equip participants with the real-world skills employers are looking for. The fully online course includes hands-on labs, so you can practice using a variety of cyber defense tools for network and computer monitoring, intrusion detection and prevention and more.

Get an Advanced Credential

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is one of the most sought-after IT credentials in the world.

This internationally-recognized advanced credential from (ISC)² verifies your ability to design, implement and manage information security systems. CISSP also meets the requirements of DoD Directive 8570.

If you are an experienced IT security professional, get ready to pass the difficult CISSP exam with a one-week intensive live online CISSP Exam Prep, November 16-20.

Learn More

Whether you are looking to start a career in IT, or you have years of experience and want to earn an advanced credential, we have a training program for you.

Browse IT Training

What is CISSP Certification?

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP®) is an internationally-recognized advanced credential from (ISC)²®, verifying your ability to lead information security programs.

Why should you become a CISSP?

CISSP certification validates that you have the knowledge, experience and skills to be an information security leader. 

To earn the certification, you must pass the challenging CISSP exam, document your relevant experience and education, and be endorsed by an (ISC)²-certified professional who can attest to your work experience.

Earning your CISSP certification is therefore a major professional achievement that makes you stand out among your peers.

Certification can also increase your career and salary growth potential.

Is there demand for CISSP certification?

CISSP is one of the most sought-after IT credentials in the world. According to Cyberseek, it was the number 1 most-requested cybersecurity certification nationwide.

Is there demand for CISSP certification in Arizona?

Yes, there is high demand for CISSP certification in Arizona. It was the #1 most-requested IT certification in Arizona job postings in the past year, and more than half of Arizona Information Security Manager and Cybersecurity Manager job postings asked for CISSP certification.

How much is a CISSP salary?

Your salary will depend on your role, employer and location. But the median salary for Arizona CISSP jobs is over $130,000.

(Unless otherwise noted, all the above data comes from Lightcast Analyst, October 2024).

Is the CISSP exam hard?

Yes, the CISSP exam is challenging. The CISSP exam tests you on the eight domains of the CISSP Common Body of Knowledge (CBK®): security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communication and network security, identity and access management (IAM), security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security.

These eight domains cover nearly every aspect of information security. 

The breadth of the exam makes it challenging enough. But the real challenge is that CISSP isn't just a technical exam. The exam also tests your critical thinking, decision-making, and information security management abilities.

To pass the exam, you'll need to be able to think like a manager, rather than an engineer or developer.

What is it like to take the CISSP exam?

The exam is a computer-based "adaptive" test, meaning the test gives you different questions based on your correct or incorrect answers to previous questions.

You cannot skip questions and return to them later or change your previous answers.

Because the exam is adaptive, there is no fixed number of questions or exam duration. The exam will include between 125-150 questions and the maximum administration time is three hours (including any breaks the candidate wants to take).

How can I prepare for the CISSP exam?

Our CISSP Exam Prep class can get you ready to pass the challenging CISSP exam.

Get Ready to Get Certified

How much does it cost to take the CISSP exam?

As of October 2024, the CISSP exam fee was $749 in the U.S. Prices may vary in other locations.

How do you become a CISSP?

CISSP is designed for experienced security practitioners.

To earn the certification, you must pass the challenging (ISC)² CISSP certification exam. The exam evaluates your expertise across eight security domains, from security and risk management to software development security.

CISSP candidates must also have at least five years of work experience in two (or more) of the eight CISSP domains. The following can be substituted for one year of the required work experience:

• A degree in information security OR
• An additional (ISC)² -approved credential, such as Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) or CompTIA Security+, CySA+ or CASP

A candidate who does not have the required experience can become an Associate of ISC2 after passing the CISSP exam. They will then have six years to earn the five years of experience required for full CISSP certification.

CISSP candidates must also be endorsed by an (ISC)² credential holder.

Learn more about CISSP requirements.

(ISC)² and CISSP are registered certification marks of (ISC)², Inc.

These fall classes are fully online, so you can learn from any location that is convenient for you.

Learn New Skills

Advance your career by adding in-demand skills to your resume:

• Cybersecurity Training: These classes are designed to equip you with both knowledge and practical experience in IT security. Computer Security and Network Security classes start in September. 
• Introduction to Project Management: This course teaches fundamental project management skills in a convenient live online format. Class meets Monday and Wednesday evenings, September 9-October 5.
• Manager Training: Understanding your strengths – and how to use them – is the foundation for a successful management career. This six-week online course uses a strengths-based approach to help new and experienced managers maximize their management potential. Starts September 14.
• Spanish-English Translation Certificate: Turn your language skills into an exciting new medical, legal or business career with a non-credit professional development certificate in Spanish-English Translation. Courses are offered in January, May and August/September. Apply any time.

Explore Food, Culture and Health

Indigenous Food Sovereignty Principles & Practices: For Indigenous communities, food is about culture, health and wellness, economics, natural resources, social relations, ways of knowing, and more. This 8-week, fully-online non-credit class will explore both the principles behind Indigenous food sovereignty, and the strategies and practices that are helping Native peoples rebuild tribal food systems that contribute to sustainable, healthy, and culturally vital communities. October 16-December 11.

Get Certified and Get Ahead

These courses equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to take (and pass!) an industry-recognized certification exam. 

• Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam Prep: If you have a 4-year engineering degree or 4 years of documented work experience in the engineering field, passing the FE exam is the first step towards becoming a Licensed Professional Engineer (PE). Maximize your chance at passing the FE exam the first time with this comprehensive refresher, August 26-December 9.
• Human Resources Certification Exam Prep: Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) credentials make you a recognized expert in the Human Resources field. Get ready for the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exam with SHRM Certification Exam Prep, September 22-November 17.
• Information Technology Certification Exam Prep, including CompTIA Network+, Security+, CySA+, CASP+; Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP); Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP); Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and more. Classes offered monthly on a variety of topics.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Exam Prep : designed for experienced project managers, this intensive one-week course prepares you to take the PMI PMP exam. Class meets in a live online format, Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, starting October 26.

Start a Career in the Legal Field

These courses prepare you to start a career as a legal support professional. Classes begin August 24 or October 19.

• Legal Nurse Consultant Training: This program prepares medical professionals for a career in the legal field as legal nurse consultants.
• Legal Secretary Training: This intensive program is designed for both beginning and experienced secretaries who are interested in improving their skills and working more efficiently within the law office. 
• Paralegal Certificate: our most popular legal careers program. This 14-week course prepares you to start a career as a paralegal.

Don't see what you're looking for? Check out all the professional development opportunities in our catalog.

After we crunched the numbers to identify the top tech credentials in Arizona job postings, we were curious to see how Arizona compared to nationwide job postings. Here's what we found.

ITIL and CISSP certifications grabbed the #1 and #2 spot nationwide, just as they did in Arizona. But there were some differences. For example, Certified Scrum Trainer made the top 10 list in Arizona, but is less in-demand nationwide.

These results underscore that there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to certification. In addition to considering your career goals, background and experience when choosing a certification, your local job market can also be a factor in your decision.

Ready to get certified? Explore all IT certification exam prep classes.

Considering adding an IT certification to your resume? The credential you choose will often depend on your background, work experience and career goals.

But geography can also play a factor. Employers prioritize different credentials in different locations. To help you choose the right certification, we analyzed the past 12 months of job postings data in Arizona.

These were the top IT certifications in Arizona job postings:

Digging a little deeper, we found that the top certifications even varied by county, reflecting different major employers and workforce needs in different locations:

(Counties without certifications listed had too few IT job postings to determine the top certification).

• CISSP is the top-requested certification in Pima and Pinal Counties
• ITIL is the top certification in Maricopa and Coconino Counties
• Yavapai and Mohave counties favor CompTIA A+ 
• CompTIA Security+ is the top certification in Cochise County
• CCNA is the most-requested certification in Yuma County

Interested in getting an IT certification? We offer certification exam prep classes for many of the top-requested IT certifications in Arizona. Explore all IT certification exam prep classes.

Are myths about leadership keeping you from being the most effective leader you can be? Join us Wednesday, August 5 for a fast and fun lunchtime webinar that addresses ten common leadership myths that all too often result in leadership failures.

Tom's Top 10: Debunking Leadership Myths
Wednesday, August 5
12:00 noon AZ/Pacific time

In many organizations, the disconnect between managing work and leading people is clear. And this disconnect is only magnified by the many workplace disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Join Tom Murray, Director of Professional Development & Collaborations at The University of Arizona, for a lively look at 10 leadership myths that are often the root of this disconnect.

Registration for this event is now closed, but you can watch the recording any time.

Watch Recording