I’m currently in the process of getting a Microsoft certification (MCPD: Enterprise Applications Developer) and I’m doing this through Charles Sturt University. One of the great benefits of doing this through CSU is that while doing my certification, at the same time I get a Master’s degree is Systems Development. The program has two components to it, one is the certification which is done through IT Masters and the second component is academic which is managed by CSU.

The second benefit I find with the course is that it is trimester which means rather than finishing a master’s degree in 3 years, I get to finish it in 2. This may sound too long if compared to Internet time but in academic time, this is fast. Just bear in mind that this is also a master’s degree on top of the Microsoft certification. Course materials are sent to me including the prescribed text book which saves me a lot of time searching for the correct edition. Assignments can be submitted online as well as snail mail.

A major benefit of doing this course is that it is administered through distance education and using the Internet to gain access to other peers and course coordinators. Some of the support methods provided by the university are weekly webinars, forums and email. To be honest, when gaining a university degree through distance education was starting, I had doubts. I didn’t think that it would stack up against normal classroom lectures. What I didn’t count on is that the Internet was about to change our way of life. Distance education and the Internet is a good mix.

I’m now half-way through my course and being a techie, there’s no reason not to love the technical side of things. Sure I’ve got my ups and downs but that’s just part of life.