Transitioning military personnel have additional opportunities for IT training and education under a new agreement between Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Microsoft Corp.

Embry-Riddle is now a designated academic partner in Microsoft’s Software & Systems Academy (MSSA), an initiative that provides eligible service members and veterans with training for high-demand jobs in the IT industry.

Initially, the new program will be rolled out at Embry-Riddle Worldwide campuses in Jacksonville and San Diego. However, plans are underway to expand to other Embry-Riddle locations later in 2016.

“Embry-Riddle takes great pride in its relationship with the military and long history of serving the educational needs of U.S. service members,” said Embry-Riddle Worldwide Chancellor Dr. Brad Sims. “By combining Embry-Riddle’s commitment to high-quality academics with Microsoft’s unparalleled IT expertise, we know we have a formula for success.”

Three Microsoft specializations – Cloud Applications Developer, Server and Cloud Administrator and Database and Business Intelligence Administrator – will align with Embry-Riddle’s Associate of Science in Technical Management and Bachelor of Science in Technical Management.

The first offering will be the Server and Cloud Administrator specialization, which is an 18-credit hour program within the Associate or Bachelor of Science in Technical Management. As the courses are introduced, classroom instruction will take place once or twice a week. Additional locations, specializations and course delivery options will be available in the future.

MSSA graduates will be well prepared for Microsoft professional certifications as well as continued studies toward an Embry-Riddle associate or bachelor’s degree.

“In this time of troop transition, where many service members are seeking new, promising career paths, it’s critical for us to be tightly aligned with trusted education partners who have an understanding of and proven approach to continuing education on military bases,” said Chris Cortez, Vice President of Military Affairs for Microsoft. “Our work with Embry-Riddle can showcase a strong example of public-private-institutional collaboration on behalf of our transitioning service members.”

Through its Worldwide Campus, Embry-Riddle currently serves nearly 17,000 active-duty and student veterans online and at more than 120 campuses around the world. The university’s tradition of educating service members began in 1970 at Fort Rucker in Alabama and has grown to include base locations in Europe, the Middle East, Japan and South Korea.