What is Security+?

CompTIA Security+ is a globally recognized vendor-neutral certification that shows employers you have the core security skills to be successful in an IT security role.

To earn the certification, you must pass the Security+ certification exam. The exam is timed, and it includes a maximum of 90 multiple choice and performance-based questions. There are online (at home) and in-person testing options available.

CompTIA released a new version of the Security+ exam (SY0-601) in November, 2020. Candidates can still take the old Security+ exam (SY0-501) through July 31, 2021.

Who should take Security+?

While not required, CompTIA recommends that Security+ candidates have two years of IT administration experience with a security focus before attempting the Security+ exam. Network+ certification is also helpful for Security+ candidates.

What are the benefits of Security+ certification?

Security+ certification is highly in demand in Arizona and across the country. In fact, many employers require Security+ certification for IT security roles. It is one of the baseline certifications for DoD 8570, as required for employment in a federal government or contractor role.

"The CompTIA Security+ certification has become the benchmark certification for being hired in an IT or cyber job. Without it, most employers won't even look at your resume. It's become a must-have." - Dr. John DeLalla, University of Arizona Continuing & Professional Education

Over 95,000 job postings asked for Security+ certification nationwide in the past year, and it is one of the top IT certifications in Southern Arizona job postings (#1 most-requested in Cochise County and Pima County).

Because Security+ certifications must be renewed every three years, an up-to-date certification also shows that your skills are still current and relevant.

How much does the Security+ exam cost?

As of March 2021, a Security+ exam voucher cost $370. Some Security+ Exam Prep courses will include a free test voucher with your course registration.

When and where can I take the Security+ exam?

The Security+ exam is offered year-round. Online (remote) and in-person testing options are available.

If you want to take the exam in person, you can do so at Pearson VUE test centers nationwide (and even internationally).

Are there opportunities for growth after getting Security+?

Yes. CompTIA certifications are "stackable," so you can earn additional credentials that reflect your increased knowledge, skills and experience.

After Security+, Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) certification is the next step for many cybersecurity professionals. This intermediate-level certification is designed for those with 3-4 years of hands-on information security experience.

CompTIA's most advanced cybersecurity credential, CASP+, is recommended for those with a minimum of ten years IT administration experience.

How do I prepare for the Security+ exam? 

You can learn the IT security skills you need with Security+ training from University of Arizona Continuing & Professional Education.

Our intensive live Security+ Exam Prep courses are designed to get you ready to get certified in as little as one week.

Learn More

Quick Links

• CompTIA Security+ Overview
• Security+ Exam Details
• University of Arizona Security+ Training

More questions?

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

Did you know there is an enormous gap between the number of cybersecurity job openings and the number of people with skills to fill those jobs? And that cybersecurity jobs are projected to grow much faster than most other jobs?

If you're considering starting a career in the rapidly-growing cyberscurity field, join us on Wednesday, June 10 at 1:30 p.m. AZ/Pacific time for a free webinar on Cybersecurity and the Job Market!

You'll hear from University of Arizona Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering faculty members, Dr. Salim Hariri and Dr. Pratik Satam, who will discuss

• The top five cybersecurity positions
• The outlook for cybersecurity jobs
• The cybersecurity skills employers are really looking for
• How the University of Arizona Network Security Training Program was designed to address the growing cybersecurity skills gap

There will also be time for Q&A, so bring your questions about the cybersecurity field!

If you can't make it on Wednesday, register for the event and you'll get a link to the webinar recording.

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

Watch Recording

To support the education community during this challenging time, the University of Arizona is offering a series of short, focused (and FREE!) webinars to help school psychologists, administrators and related professionals identify helpful resources.

Topics range from telepractice to supporting teachers and parents to resources for coping with anxiety and grief.

Join University of Arizona College of Education faculty member Marsha Spencer, PhD, NCSP, and her guests as we navigate an overwhelming world of resources.

• We will start with a brief overview of resources from NASP, supplemented with materials from APA, and possibly other relevant resources.
• Then webinar participants can pose questions and share their own advice. Webinar participation is via written comments, which will only be seen by the webinar hosts, not other participants. We hope this will help everyone feel comfortable participating in the discussion.

Webinar Schedule

Each webinar will run from 10-10:30 a.m. MST, and registered participants will receive a link to the recording after the webinar ends.

• General Overview of NASP Telepractice Resources/AZ Parameters (4/21) View Recording and Download Resources
• Teleassessment (4/23) View Recording and Download Resources
• Supporting Parents (4/28) View Recording and Download Resources
• Supporting Teachers (4/30) View Recording and Download Resources
• Families in Crisis and Mandatory Reporting (5/5) View Recording and Download Resources
• Individuals in Crisis and Supporting Mental Health (5/7) View Recording and Download Resources
• Anxiety and Grief Resources (5/12) View Recording and Download Resources
• Planning for Fall (5/14) View Recording and Download Resources

To support our community during this challenging time, we will be sharing resources that we hope will be helpful for displaced workers and others who are looking at a career change.

Today we are highlighting some of our popular online programs that can help you gain the skills to start a new career.

Earn a Paralegal Certificate

In 2019, the median salary for paralegals was over $50,000, and projected job growth was expected to be much higher than other fields. Our online Paralegal Certificate equips you with the knowledge and skills to start a career as a Paralegal in just 14 weeks.

Get an Entry-Level Tech Credential

The COMPTIA A+ certification validates that you have the core tech skills for IT support roles, and it is a requirement for a sizable percentage of entry-level IT help desk jobs.

Our fully online, self-paced CompTIA A+ training not only equips you with the skills you need, it helps you get ready to pass your certification exams.

Earning a CompTIA Network+ certification is another good starting point for a career in IT. We offer two options to help you earn your Network+ certification:

• In-person Network+ training offered after July 1, with free access to online training right now.
• A fully online self-paced Network+ course. 

CompTIA certifications are "stackable," so you can earn additional credentials as your knowledge and experience increase.

Become a Full-Stack Web Developer

The University of Arizona Continuing & Professional Education Coding Boot Camp gives you the knowledge and skills to build dynamic end-to-end web applications and become a full stack web developer.

The program is offered in a "live online" format, where you join scheduled online class sessions several days a week.

Turn Your Language Skills Into a New Career

The Spanish-English Translation Certificate Program is intended for bilingual speakers with no formal training in translation who wish to improve or expand their knowledge and skills in written translation. Students can choose from Medical Translation, Business Translation or Legal Translation courses (or all three).

Don't see what you're looking for? Browse the full catalog.

Note: it is unclear what the long-term impact of the coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak will be on the job market. All statistics are based on past job market data, and projections have not been adjusted to reflect the impact of the outbreak.

Updated May 20, 2021

The safety of our program participants, instructors, staff and community is our highest priority. We are continuing to monitor this evolving situation, and we will provide updates here if Continuing & Professional Education (CaPE) operations are affected. 

Working Remotely

All CaPE staff are currently working remotely from home. Unfortunately, that means we will not be able to meet in person or accommodate walk-in inquiries.

Please use the contact form, email or phone (520-626-5091) to contact us.

Face Coverings On Campus

As of May 20, 2021: The University has updated its directive regarding the use of face coverings for employees, students and visitors to campus.

In-Person Classes

Continuing & Professional Education classes are currently online-only. We will schedule in-person classes when we are permitted to do so, based on University of Arizona policies for continuing and professional education programs. 

Certification Exams

Many certification exam providers offer online testing options, and many testing centers are open for in-person exams. Capacity at in-person testing centers may be limited to allow for social distancing. See our Certification Exam Updates page for test provider and certifying organization updates.

Additional Information

To stay up-to-date on University of Arizona status and policies, please see the main COVID-19 Information Page.

If you have any questions about your CaPE classes, please contact us.

A certification isn't required for most Human Resources jobs. And yet, over 1/3 of HR professionals have one. So why do so many HR professionals spend their time, effort and money on getting a certification?

What can HR certification do for you?

There are a lot of good reasons why an HR certification might be a good investment, including:

• Certified expertise: An HR certification shows employers that you have a particular set of knowledge and skills, validated by passing a comprehensive certification exam.
• Increased pay: Payscale salary research found that those with an HR certification earned 31.6% more than those without a certification.
• Career advancement: The same report found that having an HR certification also increased HR professionals' chances of being promoted.
• Relevance: To renew your certification, you will usually need to complete additional professional development or training within a certain period of time. This helps ensure that your knowledge and skills remain relevant and up-to-date.

Which certification is right for you?

The certification you choose will depend on your goals, as well as the industry and location you work in (or want to work in). Do your research to see which credentials are in demand in your area, as well as the specific knowledge, skills and experience employers want.

Your background and work experience should also factor in to your decision. For example, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) offers two credentials for experienced HR professionals. Each credential requires a different combination of education and work experience.

If you are interested in SHRM certification, review the SHRM eligibility criteria and decide which credential is right for you.Exams are offered only during certain time periods (SHRM calls them "exam windows"). So be sure to check the certification application and testing schedule, too.

Need help getting ready for the SHRM exam?

Our online SHRM certification exam prep class can help you get ready to take the SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP exam. The class is taught by a SHRM-SCP using the proven SHRM Learning System. And it's fully online, so you can learn at your convenience.

Learn More

Project management is highly in demand among Arizona employers, with over 52,000 job postings asking for project management skills in the past year alone. 

Just about every industry you can think of hires project managers, making project management skills highly transferable across the country (and even around the world).

Project management certification demonstrates that you have the skills and knowledge to manage projects from start to finish. This can give you an edge in the hiring process and increase your earning potential:

• In Arizona, 1 in 3 project manager job postings asked for project management certification in the past year.
• According to a Project Management Institute survey, certified project managers report earning significantly more than those that are not certified.

For experienced project managers, the Project Management Professional (PMP®) is the "gold standard" of project management certifications. See upcoming PMP Exam Prep classes.

The Project Management Professional (PMP) is a registered mark of Project Management Institute, Inc.