Classroom Training

Classroom Training

Whether you want to learn a new technology or take your skills to the next level, instructor-led classroom and online training can help you meet your goals. Classes are developed by Microsoft and taught by Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs). Start your journey today to a more fulfilling career.

Overview

Learning a new technology or job role is not easy. Microsoft Learning can help with comprehensive, interactive training options. Our instructor-led classroom training, online classes, and Microsoft Official Distance Learning (MODL) courses are delivered by Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs)—industry-recognized experts—and offered through a network of more than 1,500 Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions in more than 120 countries and regions throughout the world.

When Microsoft introduces a new technology, we develop Microsoft Official Courses (MOC), digital Microsoft Official Courses (dMOC), and certification training materials, which only Learning Solutions partners and MCTs are authorized to deliver. MCTs can tailor the training to your distinct learning needs, so that you receive a personalized learning experience that helps you enhance your skills and credentials, take on greater technology challenges, and advance in your career.

Announcement: New digital Microsoft courses now available!
Some of the most popular Microsoft Official Courses (MOC) are now available in digital format. They provide the same in-depth learning materials and can be used with instructor-led training on Microsoft technologies.

Key Microsoft resources

Our instructor-led training is based on three key Microsoft resources, which deliver a premier learning experience.

Microsoft Certified Trainers

Microsoft Certified Trainer

MCTs deliver superior instruction with in-depth knowledge of the course material. MCTs are the only individuals authorized to deliver training based on Official Microsoft Learning Products.

Official Microsoft Learning Products

Microsoft Learning

Created by Microsoft experts for Microsoft products, Official Microsoft Learning Products provide an effective, engaging, and integrated online and offline learning experience, which helps you prepare for certification or take the next steps in your career.

Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions (Learning Solutions partners)

Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and Microsoft Certified Partner

Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions employ Microsoft Certified Trainers and use Official Microsoft Learning Products to provide relevant and engaging learning experiences. Learning Solutions partners use logos to denote authorized Microsoft training.

Start learning!

Look for instructor-led training near you, through the Learning Solutions partners in your area.

You may also want to explore Microsoft Official Distance Learning (MODL), which blends online training with live discussions, real-world-based scenarios, and self-directed study.

How to Purchase

Microsoft is dedicated to helping people throughout the world access technology training—whether you are a student or a working professional.

Individuals

Find instructor-led classroom training and online classes in the Microsoft Learning Catalog or by contacting a local training center.

Businesses and organizations

If your company has a Microsoft software licensing subscription, you can use Microsoft Software Assurance benefits for instructor-led training.

Students and academic faculty

Learn about the Microsoft IT Academy program, which enables students and college and university faculty to acquire new technology skills.

Courseware for visually impaired students

For students who are visually impaired, Microsoft offers optical discs that contain Official Microsoft Learning Products. Optical discs are CDs that contain the course workbook and lab manual in Microsoft Office Word or Adobe PDF file format, which students can reformat into an easy-to-read style.

Optical discs are provided free (through Learning Solutions partners) to students who purchase the printed course materials.

Note Please allow 1 to 2 weeks to receive your Optipac from Microsoft Learning. These Optical discs are currently available in English only; additional languages will be added in the future. If you have questions about optical discs, please send an e-mail message to opticpac@microsoft.com.

Digital Courses

Now you can go digital with Microsoft Official Courses

We now offer Digital Microsoft Official Courses (dMOC) for some of our most popular courses, giving you the same in-depth learning materials. These digital courses are offered exclusively by Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions (CPLS) and delivered by Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs).

With digital Microsoft Official Courses, you can:

  • Sign up for classes at the last minute and still come prepared with the required learning materials

  • Quickly find answers and topics of interest through a full text search

  • Access the latest course materials faster—new materials are available online much sooner than printed courseware

These digital courses are geared toward the following job roles:

  • Server administrator

  • Enterprise administrator

  • Enterprise support technician

  • Database administrator

  • Enterprise messaging administrator

The courses cover the following technologies:

  • Servers

  • Developer tools and applications

  • Windows

  • Microsoft Office

  • Security

To find a class near you, use the Class Locator or request your digital MOC today from a Microsoft Certified Partner for Learning Solutions.

Microsoft Official Distance Learning

Interactive. Online. Personal. Everything you want from learning.

Microsoft Official Distance Learning (MODL) blends online classroom training, live discussion, real-world-based scenarios, and self-directed study into one rich and easy-to-use educational experience—delivered right to your desktop. You get the benefits of classroom training without having to leave your home or office.

Courses are offered exclusively by authorized Learning Solutions partners, so you know you are being supported by a qualified organization that meets strict requirements to provide a valuable learning experience.

Benefits for students

  • One-on-one time with MCTs and individualized assessments that include detailed instructor feedback and scored results

  • Real-world scenarios and exercises that you can work through at your own pace

  • Hundreds of interactive activities in each course and game-like lab environments

  • Time between sessions to study and absorb course material

Benefits for businesses and organizations

  • Customized timing and delivery of training to meet the unique needs of your employees

  • Affordable, unified training to a geographically dispersed workforce

  • Reduction of consultants’ billable hours related to attending classroom training

  • Enhanced employee productivity with high-quality training

Frequently Asked Questions

Classroom training and Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions

 

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Prices vary worldwide and are determined by our premier training partners, Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions (also called Learning Solutions partners). Contact your local Learning Solutions partner for pricing.

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Microsoft works hard to create partnerships that benefit both our customers and training partners. If you want to submit feedback about any of our partners, contact a customer service representative at your Microsoft Regional Service Center. We greatly value your feedback and will follow up on all concerns so that we can maintain an exceptional training program.

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Several of our Official Microsoft Learning Products are available in an online format. Many Learning Solutions partners offer a variety of formats, including classroom training; online training; and facilitated, blended learning (called Microsoft Official Distance Learning, or MODL).

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MCTs have demonstrated expertise on Microsoft technologies and maintain the necessary instructional skill set for today's IT learning environments. The fact that they have earned Microsoft Certification means that they meet the high standards that Microsoft holds for delivering training.

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Your organization can earn this status by proving their ability to provide training to individuals and organizations that evaluate, plan, deploy, use, and maintain business-critical systems and applications built on the Microsoft platform.

Training options

 

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Microsoft recognizes that everyone learns in different ways and with different preferences. That's why we offer a range of training options. Choose the options that best fit your needs.

Microsoft classroom training

Many people learn best in a structured, hands-on, question-and-answer environment that classroom training provides. This format can be equally suitable for those starting on a new career path or IT professionals who have advanced certifications. If you prefer interacting in a classroom setting, consider instructor-led classroom training.

Taught by industry-recognized experts—Microsoft Certified Trainers (MCTs)—classroom training is offered by more than 1,500 Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions, located in more than 120 countries and regions throughout the world.

Microsoft online learning

If you already work with Microsoft technologies, you may want to complement your skills with self-paced online learning. While taking an online course, you can apply what you learn and go back to previous exercises in the course to reinforce your knowledge.

Microsoft Press products

Written by industry experts and Microsoft insiders, Microsoft Press books provide accurate and up-to-date information to help you take your skills to the next level. Although there are many books on the market about Microsoft software, we recommend you rely on books from Microsoft Press to ensure a consistent level of quality.

Microsoft Official Distance Learning (MODL)

MODL blends classroom training, live discussion, real-world scenarios, and self-directed study into one rich and accessible desktop education experience. MODL courses are exclusively available through Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions. This training option is ideal for professionals who want the interactivity of the classroom and the flexibility of an online course.

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You can follow a Learning Plan—a step-by-step roadmap of recommended Microsoft training resources. This personalized learning experience enables you to choose the right resources, track your progress, and retain your learning history.

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Microsoft partners with premier academic institutions that deliver IT training through the Microsoft IT Academy program. Participating institutions meet stringent lab and faculty qualifications and provide training on the latest Microsoft curriculum for credit and noncredit students pursuing degrees, career development, and certifications. IT Academy members offer high-quality training that will help you meet your Microsoft Certification goals.

Microsoft Official Distance Learning (MODL)

 

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No. For many people, classroom training is the ideal environment for learning because it enables them to interact with the instructor and other students to get a well-rounded learning experience. MODL, on the other hand, requires that the participant partially learn on their own by doing online reading and exercises. While students can interact with the instructor, the interaction takes place through Live Meetings, e-mail correspondence, or other communications.

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Microsoft E-Learning is a self-directed learning experience. MODL is an instructor-facilitated experience for those who prefer a blend of group interaction, instructor support, and independent study. Both MODL and Microsoft E-Learning provide a flexible way to acquire knowledge and skills on Microsoft products and technologies.

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MODL courses are for IT professionals and developers who want relevant, hands-on training that is specific to job roles, and who want the convenience of learning anytime, anywhere with an Internet connection.

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For students, it is often easier to learn, practice, and experience new skills by using hands-on scenarios. Class sessions are spread out over time to allow for review and research by using course recordings. For organizations, MODL offers schedule flexibility and cost savings compared with traditional classroom training, without sacrificing the effectiveness of a dedicated instructor.

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Courses are available for Windows Server 2003, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft .NET, Microsoft Visual Studio, and Windows Vista.

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MODL course fees vary, depending on the Learning Solutions partner. Most are comparable to the cost of other Official Microsoft Learning products offered by Learning Solutions partners.

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Most MODL courses range from four to ten sessions over two to five weeks.

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No. MODL courses are exclusively available through MODL-authorized Microsoft Certified Partners for Learning Solutions.