Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer

The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) program at ABCO Technology prepares students to design, deploy, and secure modern IT network infrastructures using Microsoft Cloud Azure technologies. Whether in cloud, on-premises, or hybrid environments, this program equips you with the core skills to manage Windows Servers, implement security protocols, and integrate cloud platforms like Microsoft Azure and Amazon Web Services.

The goal of the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer Diploma program is to prepare graduates for employment as Solution Architects, Cloud Administrators, Security Engineers, Applications Developers, DevOps engineers or similar roles. Students are trained to optimize performance, troubleshoot, scale, monitor network environments and repair security of Azure networking solutions.

Student outcomes. Graduates of this program are expected to attain the following:

• An ability to manage core network infrastructure.
• An ability to setup and configure hybrid connectivity.
• An ability to setup and manage application delivery services.
• An ability to install, monitor, maintain and troubleshoot and secure access for Microsoft Azure networks.
• An ability to maintain network security.
• An ability to function as team members in a technical environment.

• Comprehensive Cloud Training: Master both Microsoft Azure and AWS cloud platforms
• Hands-On Infrastructure Labs: Practice in environments that simulate enterprise IT scenarios
• Expert Instruction: Learn from certified Microsoft professionals with industry experience
• Certification-Focused: Graduate ready to earn credentials highly valued by employers

The Admissions process is a sequence of steps an applicant must complete in order to enroll at the school: complete an Application for Admissions (available from the ABCO Technology Admissions office or online), complete an interview with an Admissions representative, meet with the Financial Aid Office to review the program’s cost and any aid you may be eligible for, and review and sign an Enrollment Agreement with an Enrollment Official.

Applicants for programs offered entirely through distance education complete the same admissions process; however, each step is performed online by completing electronic forms and participating in teleconference sessions with representatives from the Admissions and Financial Aid offices. All classes are conducted in English.

Distance education. As of 2022, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) have approved the institution for offering all programs online. Students can complete their training for the approved programs via 100% distance education. Courses delivered through distance education will be offered entirely online. Fully online courses include a combination of participating in live, online teleconference sessions with the course instructor and completing assignments.

This program is delivered in either a hybrid or a distance learning modality. Hybrid courses include participating in teleconference sessions via daily live synchronous sessions with the instructor along with completing certain supervised labs on campus. Students decide which modality to complete the program at the time of enrollment, contingent on program availability.

Classes are usually scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; in certain circumstances, classes may be scheduled outside of these times. ABCO offers day, evening, and weekend schedules, and all classes are live, instructor-led sessions.

Start dates. New classes begin every 5 weeks. Upcoming course start dates in the 2026–2027 academic calendar are November 16, 2026; January 4, 2027; February 8, 2027; March 15, 2027; April 19, 2027; May 24, 2027; and June 28, 2027.

Program cost. Total charges for this program are $10,045, made up of:

• Registration fee: $125
• Tuition: $7,699
• Books: $1,116
• Supplies: $289
• Materials: $816
• STRF fee (state-imposed): $0

The published cost is $478.33 per quarter credit hour for the program’s 21 quarter credit hours. Program costs include all books and materials, and costs are locked when a student enrolls. All enrolled students must purchase the required books, supplies, and materials from ABCO Technology; their cost is included in the total charges stated on the enrollment agreement.

Federal financial aid. ABCO Technology is eligible, but chooses not to participate in federal student aid programs for this program, so students in this program do not have federal student loans.

Other funding. All programs are approved by the Veterans Administration, and the veterans representative guides students toward veterans education benefits including the GI Bill®, VR&E (Chapter 31), Chapter 35 and Military Tuition Assistance. Students may also qualify through the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA), the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), the Employment Development Department and other public and private agencies.

Interest-free payment plan. Qualified students may request an in-house tuition payment plan with 0% interest at the time of enrollment, spreading payments across the program. To qualify you must be employed, complete a financial assessment form, provide your most recent pay stub and pay the minimum registration fee of $125.

This program prepares graduates to pursue mid- to advanced-level careers in enterprise IT systems management.

• Microsoft Systems Administrator
• Cloud Solutions Specialist
• Systems Engineer
• DevOps Engineer
• Network Administrator
• Desktop Support Technician
• IT Infrastructure Analyst

O*NET occupations. The catalog lists the following O*NET SOC occupations for this program:

• 15-1151.00 Computer User Support Specialists
• 15-1142.00 Network and Computer Systems Administrators
• 15-1199.02 Computer Systems Engineers/Architects

Industry certifications. Students are prepared to earn the following industry certifications as part of the program; exam preparation materials, including study guides and practice tests, are included with the program:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate
• Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert
• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

The school does not guarantee jobs.

Student outcomes (School Performance Fact Sheet). The School Performance Fact Sheet reports data for the two calendar years prior to reporting.

• On-time completion rate, 2024: 100% (1 on-time graduates of 1 students available for graduation); 2023: 100% (2 on-time graduates of 2 students available for graduation).
• Job placement rate (% employed in the field), 2024: 100% (1 graduates employed in the field of 1 graduates available for employment); 2023: 100% (1 graduates employed in the field of 1 graduates available for employment).
• License examination passage rates: NA. Graduates of ABCO Technology DO NOT REQUIRE TO PASS STATE LICENSURE EXAMINATION. The manufacturers have chosen through the Certification process to dictate the skill set a candidate may need for employment in particular specialty.

You may obtain from institution a list of the employment positions determined to be in the field for which a student received education and training. A list of sources used to substantiate salary disclosure is available from school. “This fact sheet is filed with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Regardless of any information you may have relating to completion rates, placement rates, starting salaries, or license exam passage rates, this fact sheet contains the information as calculated pursuant to state law.”

Career Services. ABCO Technology’s career services provide personalized support to help students transition into the workforce. Services include resume writing, interview coaching, and job search guidance tailored to each student’s IT career goals.

Job Placement and Training. ABCO Technology has a full-time job placement assistant on staff, along with a nationally certified school counselor to help with your tech job placement. Students also benefit from ABCO’s program advisory committee consisting of employers, members of ABCO’s faculty, representatives from California’s Department of Employment Development, and alumni who coach and provide guidance to students seeking employment.

Testing Services. ABCO Technology serves as an authorized Prometric and VUE testing center, providing students with convenient access to industry-recognized certification exams.

Campus. ABCO Technology maintains an educational facility comprising 4,800 square feet of classroom and laboratory space, with six classrooms and laboratories, a student lounge/break room, free parking on campus, and access to high-speed internet. A maximum of 15 students can be enrolled in an on-campus classroom, and a maximum of 20 students can be enrolled in an online class.

Graduates who do not have any outstanding financial obligations to the school are eligible to receive placement services at any point within a six (6) month period that begins on the graduate’s date of graduation. The school does not guarantee jobs.