Collaboration Between Embry-Riddle, Microsoft Will Continue to Help Service Members Transition to New IT Careers

An innovative SkillBridge partnership between Embry-Riddle’s Worldwide Campus and Microsoft, which has already helped hundreds in the military transition to rewarding new information technology careers in the civilian sector, will continue offering opportunities for those who serve.

The Microsoft Software & Systems Academy (MSSA) is currently available at 11 Embry-Riddle Worldwide campuses nationwide. All successful graduates have the opportunity to interview with Microsoft or one of the other 500-plus hiring partners.

In the five years since the program began at Embry-Riddle, more than 1,500 students in 80 cohorts have completed the MSSA, with a graduation rate of 94%. Graduates have been hired at industry-leading companies, including Microsoft, Southwest Airlines, Prudential Financial, and CACI, a multinational information technology company.

Worldwide Campus Chancellor Dr. John R. Watret signed an extension with Microsoft recently, ensuring the MSSA program will keep providing a solid bridge between two great careers.

“Microsoft Software & Systems Academy provides transitioning service members and veterans with critical career skills required for today’s growing technology industry,” Dr. Watret said. “We’re passionate about the work our veteran community does, and we’ve taken a holistic approach to support them through their journey.”

The MSSA program offers key advantages to transitioning service members. Completing the 15-credit certificate course will open doors to IT industry jobs right away, helping fill the increasing demand for professionals skilled in software development and testing and server and cloud administration, among other vital roles.

Those 15 earned credits are also transferrable should veterans who complete the MSSA decide to go on and obtain an associate or bachelor’s degree.

The flexible online classes offered by the Worldwide Campus make it easier to learn while working and juggling family responsibilities. In many cases, IT employers will help pay the cost of tuition.

Transitioning service members can also be secure in the knowledge that Embry-Riddle is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s top school for veterans, and for its online degree programs.