Note: We've labeled this as local to Bexar County, but if you can travel to San Antonio and board yourself while there (and meet all other program requirements), you can likely participate in this program.
Microsoft Software & Systems Academy (MSSA)
Transform your love for computers and technology into your next career. Microsoft provides transitioning service members and veterans of the U.S. military the opportunity to develop the skills necessary to meet the IT industry’s high demand for cloud developers, cloud administrators, and database and business intelligence administrators. Upon successful completion of the program, participants gain an interview for a full-time job at Microsoft or one of our participating partners. Microsoft is the first IT industry business to provide formal training for service members before their separation date.
Requirements
Strong interest in an IT career.
Command authorization and current honorable service status.
Applicants should work with their Base Education Center and Transition Center to submit the following documents or proofs of status:
- Copy of your service record for Education Center
- Resume
- High school diploma or GED certificate
- Successful completion of high school algebra
- Gain a Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification
Applicants must meet the admission requirements for the academic institution administering the course.
Process
MSSA is open to both current service members with a scheduled discharge date and to honorably discharged service members. All candidates must attend an MSSA Information Session at their Base Education Center and complete a screening interview with an education counselor.
Active duty service members must:
- Secure command approval to participate
- Complete and sign an MOA and return it to the education office
- Submit a resume, proof of honorable service status, proof of math requirements and financial aid applications (program voucher, GI Bill or FAFSA)
- Begin thinking about your specific IT career path by reviewing Microsoft Virtual Academy training options (see Preparation section below).
- Gain a MTA certification
Discharged service members must:
- Submit a resume, DD-214 proof of honorable discharge, criminal background check, high school diploma or GED, proof of math requirements, and financial aid applications (program voucher, GI Bill or FAFSA)
- Begin thinking about your specific IT career path by reviewing Microsoft Virtual Academy training options (see Preparation section below).
- Gain a MTA certification
To learn more about MSSA or apply for the program, please contact your Base Education Center.
- If you are not located at a base where MSSA is currently provided, please ask your Education Counselor or Transition Center representative to connect you to the Regional Career Skills Program Manager for options.
- For more information, contact the MSSA Operations team at mssaops@microsoft.com.
The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.
Preparation
Each of these free Microsoft Virtual Academy courses expands your fundamental knowledge of key technology areas and helps prepare you to gain the required MTA certification. Each MSSA Learning Path has a specific MTA certification as a requirement for entry.
- Server & Cloud Administration cohort: Take the Networking Fundamentals Training to find out how to put the many pieces together to build a functional and secure network.
- Database & Business Intelligence Administration cohort: Take the Database Fundamentals Training, designed for individuals seeking to learn database fundamentals, including relational databases, database management systems and database components.
- Cloud Application Development cohort: Take the Software Development Fundamentals Training and explore introductory concepts for HyperText Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and JavaScript.
- Cybersecurity Administration cohort: Prepares you to take the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP®) certification and prove your ability to conduct security audits, update and develop disaster recovery protocols and safeguard against unauthorized access to a company’s data. This learning path is in partnership with Embry-Riddles Aeronautical University’s National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance and Cyber Defense with the Department of Homeland Security.
