Cloud and Computer Security Specialist

Our reliance on computer technology and the rising threat of cyber attacks makes the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals more important than ever.

If you’re interested in computer science technology and want to pursue a promising career through cybersecurity certification (without spending years in school), you’re in the right place.

Cloud and security specialist students at Asher have the opportunity to pursue the following AWS & CompTIA Specialist certifications as part of their career training program:

• Infrastructure Specialist – CIOS – CompTIA IT Operations Specialist (A+ / Network+)
• Cybersecurity Specialist – CSIS – CompTIA Secure Infrastructure Specialist (A+ / Network+ / Security+)
• Infrastructure Professional – CNIP – CompTIA Network Infrastructure Professional (Network+ / Server+)
• Amazon – AWS Cloud Practitioner
• Amazon – AWS Solutions Architect

These industry-recognized certifications are a starting point for promising entry-level cybersecurity, network and IT support roles and let employers know you have the qualifications they need.

The CCSS program is available via Hybrid delivery. Asher College's implementation of Hybrid methodology includes live video events, webinars, one-on-one virtual meetings, discussion boards and other virtual solutions. The hybrid model has an on-campus attendance obligation during each week of a student’s program. Students are monitored by Academic Activities and Regular Substantive Interaction with faculty.

Industry-Informed Curriculum – Get the Skills Employers Look For. All the IT programs at Asher College have been developed with the support of our expert advisory board. That means what you learn has been directly shaped by recommendations of the employers who hire Asher College graduates, so you get the real skills employers look for in a new hire.

Real-World Experience – Learn Hands-On in PC Repair Clinic. Gain first-hand practical experience and job preparation in on-campus PC clinics. Every week Asher College hosts a PC clinic where free repairs are offered to the community. Work in the PC Repair Clinic gives you a chance to see how you would deal with various situations while on the job.

Industry Certification Prep – Get the Credentials it Takes to Succeed. As an Asher IT student, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue a variety of important industry certifications. Our certification partners include CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, Pearson & Amazon.

Earn While You Learn – Get the Certifications to Start Working Even Before You Graduate. You have the chance to earn certifications as you go, which can mean potential opportunities to work in the field while you complete your studies.

Online Degree Options – Convenient Way to Advance Your Skills and Credentials. After you complete the Cloud and Security Specialist Certificate program, you have the option to earn your Associate Degree with an additional 6 months* of training that can be done 100% online or on-campus. You can earn your degree while already employed. (*Program length when completed in normal time.)

When the student is interested in pursuing admission, they must meet with an Admissions Advisor and Financial Aid Representative or Veteran School Certifying Official and provide proof of eligibility. Following completion of these steps, if the prospective student meets the admissions requirements, as demonstrated through the interview and the ability to meet the financial obligations, they are eligible for admission.

Program prerequisites: High School Diploma, HS Equivalent or Proof of Eligibility. An entrance exam is required only for the Pharmacy Technician and AAS Pharmacy Technology programs (catalog addendum, January 1, 2026).

Student status. Full time = 24 hours/week; ¾ time = 18 hours/week; Half time = 12 hours/week.

Program length. Full time = 49 weeks; ¾ time = 66 weeks; Half time = 98 weeks.

Start dates. Asher College utilizes an open enrollment policy with classes beginning every other Monday (Monthly Class Starts at the Sacramento campus); program end dates are calculated prior to enrollment and vary by start date, program and hours per week. The next start date listed for the Sacramento campus is November 2, 2026.

Attendance. Minimum attendance (catalog addendum): part-time hybrid students complete 12 hours of work per week with 8 hours on campus, ¾-time hybrid students 18 hours with 12 on campus, and full-time hybrid students 24 hours with 16 on campus.

Class times. As a student at Asher College, you create a flexible class schedule that fits your life. Every Asher College campus is open 6 days per week, Monday through Saturday.

Holidays. Asher College closes campus for New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Program cost. Sacramento Catalog (eff. Jan 1, 2026) tuition and fee schedule (p.112): tuition $26,880; registration fee $200; books $620; total $27,700. Student Tuition Recovery Fund (STRF) fee: $0.00. The schedule of total charges for a period of attendance and an estimated schedule of total charges are the same.

Payment methods. Check, credit card, third party payments, federal loans and grants, private loans and other methods are accepted. Terms are dependent upon agreement with students and any third-party participants. TFC Credit Corp. processes and manages Asher student notes.

Federal financial aid. Asher College participates in Federal Pell Grants, Subsidized and Unsubsidized Federal Stafford (Direct) Loans, Federal PLUS Loans and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG), and Cal Grants are awarded by the California Student Aid Commission. While filling out your FAFSA connect to Asher College with the code 040573.

Veterans education benefits. Military Benefits Accepted at Asher College include Chapter 31, 33, and 35. Each Campus also accepts GI Bill®, Chapter 31 and is eligible to accept the military spouse My Career Advancement Scholarship program.

Asher Advantage Scholarship. Available based on financial need; students fill out a FAFSA and a Scholarship Request Form. Sacramento can approve per quarter 16 scholarships up to $30,000. Scholarships are disbursed to the tuition account once the student has completed 80% of the program with a 2.75 GPA or better; no cash is disbursed in place of the scholarship.

Net Price Calculator. https://asher.edu/net-price-calculator/

Financial Aid is available to those who qualify.

The CCSS certification is appropriate for job roles including:

• Computer Support Specialist
• Network Technician
• Desktop Support Specialist
• Help Desk
• Network Operations Specialist
• PC technician
• Technical Support Specialist

Opportunity to Advance. IT Certifications build upon each other. A beginner-level certification on your resume can potentially help you land an interview for an entry-level position. You can get your foot in the door of a rewarding IT career and from there you can continue to pursue advanced certifications and potential promotions or higher paying positions.

Recognized by Top Employers. CompTIA & AWS certifications are trusted by employers around the world to identify qualified IT job candidates.

School Performance Fact Sheet, Sacramento campus, calendar years 2023 & 2024. On-time completion: 2023: 3 of 4 students graduated on time (75%); 2024: 0 of 1 students graduated on time (0%). Job placement: 2023: 1 of 2 graduates available for employment were employed in the field (50%); 2024: 0 of 0 graduates available for employment were employed in the field (0%). This fact sheet is filed with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education.

Hybrid Delivery Model. Asher College’s implementation of Hybrid methodology includes live video events, webinars, one-on-one virtual meetings, discussion boards, and other virtual solutions. The hybrid model has an on-campus attendance obligation during each week of a student’s program. Students are provided with any physical course material needed prior to beginning a course and have access to all lesson plans and digital course material for any currently enrolled course or previously taken course through the student portal.

Convenience & Support. Hands-On Learning in On-Campus Learning Labs, Community Interaction On-Campus & Online, and Personalized Support When & How You Need It. Every Asher College campus is open 6 days per week, Monday through Saturday.

A Career Services Department Dedicated to Your Success. We provide the highest level of support to students each and every day. At Asher College, you’ll be known by name, and your professional goals will be embraced by our career training faculty and staff. We offer free tutoring and comprehensive career services assistance designed to help you land that perfect position after you graduate.

The Sacramento campus. Asher College’s Sacramento Campus opened its doors in 1998. We offer you the kind of focused education and training that sets the vocational college apart from traditional schools. Asher has built solid connections with employers throughout Sacramento and surrounding counties. Some employers we partner with include: Robert Half Technology, Envisions RX, CVS, Blue Shield, PG&E, State of CA, Intel, Sutter Health, and Coram Healthcare.