CompTIA A+ IT Support Specialist Certificate
CompTIA A+ training that gets you help desk ready in about 6 weeks
This CompTIA A+ training covers every Core 1 and Core 2 objective in small live online classes, with both exam vouchers included in tuition. No IT experience needed. Enroll any time: rolling enrollment means no cohort calendar to wait for.
- Training careers nationwide since 2006
- 100% live instruction, never recordings
- WIOA and DVR funding eligible
Program snapshot
Schedule
Upcoming Classes
Register or talk to an advisor first about funding and fit.
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Start Date Nov 04, 2026End Date Dec 17, 2026Tuition From $2,850.00Schedule7 weeks, Wed & Thu 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM MT
Don't see a time that works? Enroll any time. A new class forms once enrollment fills, typically within 2 to 3 weeks; class start timing depends on enrollment and cannot be guaranteed.
Curriculum
What the CompTIA A+ course covers in 36 hours
Six modules map to every CompTIA A+ Core 1 and Core 2 exam objective: hardware, Windows, macOS, and Linux, networking, security, troubleshooting, and IT service management, plus the AI tools now standard on the help desk. Every session is hands-on, and Module 6 is dedicated exam prep and a capstone.
Core IT Fundamentals and Operating Systems (6 hrs)
Outcome: identify every major hardware component and install and configure the operating systems you will support.
- IT support roles and what employers expect
- CPU, RAM, storage, and power components
- Installing and configuring Windows and macOS
- OS settings and user account management
Networking Fundamentals and IT Security (6 hrs)
Outcome: connect devices to a network and apply the security basics every help desk is held to.
- IP addressing, TCP/IP, DNS, and DHCP
- Network topologies, routing concepts, and wireless
- The CIA triad and common threats
- Security controls for devices and networks
Advanced Operating Systems and Troubleshooting (6 hrs)
Outcome: administer and repair Windows, macOS, and Linux systems the way a desktop support technician does.
- User accounts, file systems, and the Windows registry
- Diagnosing issues with Event Viewer and Task Manager
- macOS and Linux administration and terminal commands
- Change management and risk in customer-facing IT
Networking and IT Service Management (6 hrs)
Outcome: troubleshoot connectivity and work tickets inside a real IT service management process.
- Routers, switches, VLANs, subnetting, and static routes
- Troubleshooting network connectivity
- ITIL 4 and incident, problem, and change management
- Ticketing and documentation in Jira and ServiceNow
IT Troubleshooting, Security, and AI Tools (6 hrs)
Outcome: diagnose hardware and software failures methodically, and use AI tools the way current help desks do.
- Displays, printers, and peripheral failures
- Software and OS freezes, crashes, and slowdowns
- Diagnostic tools: ping, tracert, and Device Manager
- AI for troubleshooting, ticket automation, and diagnostics
CompTIA A+ Exam Prep and Capstone (6 hrs)
A full review of Core 1 and Core 2 objectives with practice exams and exam strategy, a capstone IT support simulation that produces troubleshooting documentation you can show in interviews, and voucher distribution with exam scheduling guidance.
CompTIA-approved study materials are purchased separately; admissions recommends current resources when you enroll.
Who this is for
Who this IT support certification is for
Career changers
Coming from customer service, retail, or healthcare admin? You already solve problems under pressure. The A+ needs no degree, and Module 1 starts with how a computer works.
Self-taught fixers
You are the one everyone calls when the Wi-Fi drops. Turn years of informal know-how into the credential help desk employers screen for.
Employer-sponsored staff
Your company needs someone to own the help desk. DWC invoices your employer directly, and your instructor connects the material to the systems you support.
Why it works
Hands-on labs with a live instructor
Troubleshooting is learned by doing. In a small class your instructor watches you work through a failed boot or a dropped connection, corrects your process on the spot, and ties every lab to the exam objective it covers.
Career outcomes
CompTIA A+ jobs and salary
About 48,700 openings for computer support specialists are projected each year through 2035, nearly all from IT pros moving up into network, security, and systems roles. The A+ starts that path: help desk first, then Network+ and Security+.
Tuition
CompTIA A+ certification cost
*Example only: the full $2,850 financed over 36 months at 13.99% APR, Climb's lowest current rate; $100 registration fee applies; subject to credit approval. Scholarships, WIOA, and employer billing can lower your cost. CompTIA-approved study materials are purchased separately.
Funding
Five ways to cover your tuition
TT
It provided me with resources and knowledge that I could not find in self-paced certification programs or even college courses. It’s very well organized and structured.
Tristan T., DWC certificate student
Included with tuition
Support every step of the way
Guidance from pre-enrollment to graduation, included for every student at no additional cost.
Admissions advisors
From pre-enrollment through your first day, an advisor walks you through program details, funding, and scheduling.
Instructor mentoring
Your instructor is your mentor before, during, and after class, helping you become industry-ready.
Student support
A dedicated student affairs manager helps you set up accounts, check your technology, and get class files.
Career coaching
Meet one-on-one with a career coach on your resume, LinkedIn, portfolio, job search, and interviews.
Tech support
Stuck mid-program? Reach tech support by Slack, email, or phone and get moving again.
Internships and alumni
Join the Parker Dewey micro-internship network for real project experience, plus the DWC alumni community.
Since 2006
Why DWC trains differently
Most CompTIA A+ prep is one of two things: a self-paced video course where no one checks your work, or a large bootcamp where the instructor teaches to the middle. DWC has delivered live, instructor-led career training since 2006. Your instructor has worked in IT and knows the difference between what the exam tests and what the job requires, your class stays small, and you graduate with the DWC IT Support Specialist Certificate, a professional certificate issued by Digital Workshop Center.
That history includes grant-funded training, which is why workforce counselors know how to work with us: admissions handles the program documentation, cost breakdowns, and progress reporting that WIOA and DVR case managers require.
When can I start CompTIA A+ training?
Classes are small and live, with rolling enrollment. Enroll any time, and your class start date, session days, and session times are set once enrollment fills, typically within 2 to 3 weeks. Class start timing depends on enrollment and cannot be guaranteed. Sessions can be scheduled during the day or in the evening.
How much does CompTIA A+ certification cost at DWC?
Tuition is $2,850, and it includes the $350 CompTIA A+ exam voucher bundle: one attempt each at Core 1 and Core 2. CompTIA-approved study materials are purchased separately, and admissions can recommend current resources. WIOA funding, employer billing, scholarships, and Climb Credit payment plans can lower your out-of-pocket cost.
Are the CompTIA A+ exam vouchers included?
Yes. The voucher bundle covers one attempt at each of the two exams required for A+ certification. If you need to retake an exam, you buy a new voucher directly from CompTIA. Voucher distribution and exam scheduling guidance happen in Module 6.
How long does it take to get CompTIA A+ certified?
The course is 36 hours of live instruction: two 3-hour sessions per week for about 6 weeks. Plan two to three hours per week outside class for review and practice exams. You schedule both exams after Module 6, once your exam prep is complete.
Can I get CompTIA A+ certified with no IT experience?
Yes. No prior IT experience or degree is required. Module 1 starts with how a computer works and builds from there. What helps is curiosity about technology and comfort with step-by-step troubleshooting. The pace is fast, so students who complete the practice exams outside class do best.
What jobs can I get with CompTIA A+?
Common first roles are help desk technician, IT support specialist, desktop support technician, and technical support analyst. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a May 2025 median of $62,890 for computer support specialists and about 48,700 openings a year. Many A+ holders move on to networking or cybersecurity with Network+ and Security+.
Is this CompTIA A+ course eligible for WIOA funding?
Yes. The IT Support Specialist Certificate is eligible for WIOA funding through local American Job Centers, with eligibility determined individually. Admissions provides full program documentation for case managers and can confirm eligibility in your state. Start with our WIOA funding guide.
What credential will I earn?
The DWC IT Support Specialist Certificate, a professional certificate issued by Digital Workshop Center, and the CompTIA A+ certification, issued by CompTIA when you pass both Core 1 and Core 2. CompTIA A+ is recognized under the Department of Defense 8570 and 8140 workforce frameworks.
Keep exploring
Related programs and classes
Enroll any time. Start within weeks.
Request program information and an admissions advisor follows up within one business day to plan your schedule, your exam timeline, and your funding.
*Class start timing depends on enrollment and cannot be guaranteed. Monthly payment example: the full $2,850 financed over 36 months at 13.99% APR (Climb's lowest current rate); $100 registration fee applies; financing subject to credit approval. Exam vouchers cover one attempt at each exam; retakes are purchased from CompTIA. CompTIA-approved study materials are purchased separately. An advisor follows up within one business day.