If you are looking for technical certification, business, medical, legal (including a Juris Doctor degree), travel and more, then be sure to look at Empire College. This could be Sonoma County's best kept secret -- a fine college in the heart of the California Wine Country.
Empire College is a place where you can get the education you need while feeling like you are on vacation.
MyLearningGuide Says:
Sometimes the best education comes from unusual places -- like the wine country of California. Empire College is located in Santa Rosa, just north of San Francisco and in the heart of the Sonoma vineyards. This location has long been prized as a great place to visit for wine-tasting or just to relax in one of the many bed and breakfasts in the area. Napa Valley also is not far away.
So what does that have to do with your education? Well, for one thing, you can find some of the best teachers here. One of the reasons is obviuos -- it is a great place to live.
Read the testimonials below to get a feeling as to how the students feel about this special school. We also included a listing of their computer and technology programs. Take some time to check out Empire College. You may be glad you did.
Third Party Reviews: Testimonials:
"I loved Empire College. It was awesome! The teachers were great. I felt that I got a lot out of every class I attended. Going to Empire College has allowed me choices that I did not have before."
"I was hired during my last week of school at Empire College. I even got a raise before I got my first paycheck because I was doing so well!"
"The Empire College Placement Director told me about this job, and I was hired within one week of graduation. I loved my teachers; they were professional and supportive. They made learning fun."
"If it were not for Empire College, I would not be in this job. Empire's training provided the foundation necessary for me to expand and choose my own direction in the high tech field."
"I attended Empire College twice – several years ago for the Executive Secretary program and again for the Specialized Associate Degree in Accounting program. I thought Empire College was great."
"I needed to get marketable skills quickly so that I could get a good job and support myself. The Empire College training was just right for me, and the teachers were really great."
More Company Details: What Empire College Says:
"Empire College, located in Santa Rosa, California, is just one hour north of the San Francisco Bay Area in the heart of the wine-growing region of Sonoma County. On January 4, 2000, Empire opened the doors of its 55,000 sq. ft. campus, which also houses two Sonoma County Superior Courts, at 3035 Cleveland Avenue in Santa Rosa.
At Empire College, we believe that education is one of the most important assets that you will acquire during your lifetime. We also believe that our graduates' success is our legacy.
Since it was founded in 1961, the School of Business has dedicated its resources to providing quality career education that gives graduates an advantage in the job market. Over the past five years, Empire graduates have been placed in over 1500 companies, earning a combined income of more than $100,000,000!
For the past 30 years, Empire College School of Law has been providing a rigorous and quality evening Juris Doctor education for students wishing to pursue a career in the field of law. We are very proud of the accomplishments of our graduates including members of the judiciary in Sonoma, Napa, Mendocino, and Merced Counties.
The School of Business offers an alternative to the traditional two- or four-year college program. Empire College's programs are directed toward practical knowledge and career training designed to get our graduates on the job in as short a time as possible in the following areas of specialization:
Accounting and Bookkeeping
Computer Information Technology
Legal Assisting and Office Administration
Medical Assisting, Billing/Coding and Transcription
Office Administration
Tourism, Hospitality and Wine Industries
We have a strong training emphasis on computer skills in all of our courses. Additionally, our degree programs develop critical thinking, communications, management and decision-making, and human relations skills. Hands-on training, coupled with a curriculum designed for practical application, has produced outstanding successes for our many graduates.
Empire College strives to excel as a career training institution by creating a caring, supportive educational environment that focuses on student success. We believe that self-esteem and recognition of achievement play an important part in that success. We strive to build self-confidence and poise in our students, advantages that allow them to function comfortably and competitively in today's fast-changing business world.
Because education is one of the most important assets an individual acquires, the lifelong learning process is emphasized throughout the Empire curricula and through continuing education opportunities at the University of Phoenix.
Since Empire's founding in 1961, thousands of successful graduates have developed and added to the College's reputation as a training institution that cares for its students and produces top graduates.
Empire College now offers more options for Information Technology students by giving them the flexibility to choose between an emphasis in Microsoft, Linux, and/or Cisco architectures. Certification in all three of these areas positions students to enter a talent-hungry job market. Graduates assume positions in hardware installation, customer support, network administration, and management roles.
SPECIALIZED ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - MICROSOFT CONCENTRATION: Develop the ability to provide customer and user support for Microsoft products, preparing for seven areas required for certification as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) in Windows 2000. In addition, gain experience with Unix/Linux, Visual Basic, web authoring, technical drawing with Visio, and fiber optic communications.
Objective: This program encompasses all of the courses and skills learned in the Computer Support Specialist, the Network Administrator, and the Network Specialist programs (outlined below). In addition, students gain experience with Unix/Linux, Visual Basic, web authoring, technical drawing with Visio, and fiber optic communications.
As a Microsoft IT Academy, Empire College provides Microsoft Official Curriculum that prepares the student for 11 certifications:
CompTIA A+ Technician
CompTIA Network+
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA)
4 Core MCP Subjects: Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, Network Infrastructure Administration, and Active Directory
3 Additional MCP Preparations: Designing Windows 2000 Active Directory Services, Designing Windows 2000 Security, and Designing Windows 2000 Networking Infrastructure Administration
Novell Certified Network Administrator (CNA)
Program Length: 6 quarters (15 months)
Specialized (Occupational) Associate Degree awarded upon successful completion of all graduation requirements.
SPECIALIZED ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - CISCO CONCENTRATION: Develop the ability to provide customer and user support for Cisco and Microsoft products, preparing for certification as a Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and three of the seven areas required for certification as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE). In addition, gain experience with routers, Unix/Linux, Visual Basic, web authoring, technical drawing with Visio, and fiber optic communications.
Objective: This program encompasses all of the courses and skills learned in the Computer Support Specialist and portions of the Network Administrator and Network Specialist programs (outlined below). As a Cisco Networking Academy, Empire College provides training in Cisco routers configuration and Cisco routers in wide area networks. In addition, students gain experience with Microsoft Windows 2000 networks, routers, Unix/Linux, Visual Basic, web authoring, technical drawing with Visio, and fiber optic communications. Sample Student Project: Threaded Case Study for a school district.
The student is prepared for 7 certifications:
CompTIA A+ Technician
CompTIA Network+
Cisco Certified Network Associate
3 Core MCP Subjects: Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, and Network Infrastructure Administration
Novell Certified Network Administrator (CNA)
Program Length: 6 quarters (15 months)
Specialized (Occupational) Associate Degree awarded upon successful completion of all graduation requirements.
SPECIALIZED ASSOCIATE DEGREE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - LINUX CONCENTRATION: Develop the ability to provide customer and user support for Linux and Microsoft products, preparing for certification as a Linux Certified Administrator and three of the seven areas required for certification as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE). In addition, gain experience with routers, Visual Basic, web authoring, technical drawing with Visio, and fiber optic communications.
Objective: This program encompasses all of the courses and skills learned in the Computer Support Specialist and portions of the Network Administrator and Network Specialist programs (outlined below). The student is introduced to networking including Local Area Networks (LAN), media and topologies, Media Access Control (MAC) numbers, TCP/IP addressing schemes, network documentation skills, and cable management techniques. This program is designed to provide the student with the fundamental knowledge of the Linux operating system and installation, configuration, and basic system management including commands, and X Window systems emphasizing Red Hat Linux.
The student is prepared for 8 certifications:
CompTIA A+ Technician
CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Linux+
Sair Linux GNU Certified Administrator *
3 Core MCP Subjects: Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, and Network Infrastructure Administration
Novell Certified Network Administrator (CNA)
Program Length: 6 quarters (15 months)
Specialized (Occupational) Associate Degree awarded upon successful completion of all graduation requirements.
NETWORK SPECIALIST: Become experienced with Windows 2000 networks in a theory and laboratory setting. Prepare for seven Microsoft Certified Professional exams for certification as a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer.
Objective: This program is designed to give students the critical thinking skills required to analyze malfunctions and make the necessary judgments to troubleshoot hardware, software, and networks.
The student is prepared for 10 certifications:
CompTIA A+ Technician
CompTIA Network+
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
4 Core MCP Subjects: Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, Network Infrastructure Administration, and Active Directory
2 Additional MCP Preparations: Designing Windows 2000 Active Directory Services and Designing Windows 2000 Networking Infrastructure Administration
Novell Certified Network Administrator (CNA)
Program Length: 5 quarters (12 months)
Diploma awarded upon successful completion of all graduation requirements.
NETWORK ADMINISTRATOR: Gain experience with the Windows 2000 operating system and Active Directory Services. The Novell Network is introduced at the administration level.
Objective: This program is designed to give students classroom instruction, lab and real work experience to be able to provide customer and user support for computer systems and networking products including Windows 2000 and Novell NetWare.
The student is prepared for 8 certifications:
CompTIA A+ Technician
CompTIA Network+
Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator
4 Core MCP Subjects: Windows 2000 Professional, Windows 2000 Server, Network Infrastructure Administration, and Active Directory
Novell Certified Network Administrator (CNA)
Program Length: 4 quarters (10 months)
Diploma awarded upon successful completion of all graduation requirements.
COMPUTER SUPPORT SPECIALIST: Develop the ability to troubleshoot and repair computers, coupled with network administration and software application knowledge, through 750 hours of "hands-on" classroom experience.
Objective: This program is designed to give students classroom instruction, lab and real work experience to prepare them for careers in the technical side of personal computers. Training in hardware support and service – including basic electronics theory, terminology, and computer systems assembly/disassembly complete with software installation, troubleshooting techniques, and solutions – prepares graduates to assume positions as computer technicians.
Students are introduced to LAN cabling including system design, installation, and maintenance. In addition, instruction includes an emphasis in networking.
The student is prepared for 5 certifications:
CompTIA A+ Technician
Network Plus
2 Core MCP Subjects: Windows 2000 Professional and Windows 2000 Server
Novell Certified Network Administrator (CNA)
Program Length: 3 quarters (7½ months daytime; 12 months evenings)
Diploma awarded upon successful completion of all graduation requirements."
