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You may want to check the CompTia site for information on some of their certification and training programs:

http://www.comptia.org/index.asp?ContentPage=certification/training/training1.asp

This link will allow you to choose a program that isof interest to you and find the institutions in your area.

You may also want to check the Microsoft site to look for the Microsoft authorized training centers in your area:

http://www.microsoft.com/Train_Cert/

Keep in mind that the authorized training centers are not necessarily cheap, but usually tends to have competent instructors.

Other vendors may have their own authorized training centers; you'll have to look at their respective web sites for additional info.

You may also want to find out if the school will allow you to use their equipment for "hands on" practice after hours, weekends, etc.

Good luck.

I have taken some courses from IKON and thought that they were pretty good. They have several different locations in VA. You can look them up on their Website www.ikon.com

Check out Computer Learning Centers (www.clcx.com) They offer 7-month courses in programming and network engineering, as well as a slightly longer program in hardware. I went to CLC in Michigan and was pleased overall with the experience.

At around $14-15,000 I'm not sure if that qualifies as "not very expensive," but it's comparable with other places. They have sites in Laurel MA, and Alexandria VA.

Of course, with any institution, you should ask about the specific credentials of the instructors. When I went to CLC, most of the instructors were fully-certified with years of experience. The local rumor-mill has it that it's getting harder to find experienced instructors and they may be resorting to recently-graduated students (I'd call that tutor-plus, not instructor).

New Horizons is also a popular school. I believe they cater more to people with previous industry experience, not the beginner.

Tim

#2 is good with the Ikon answer, but their future is uncertain. Also Computer Learning Centers was just merged with New Horizons. This makes for an even stronger schooling atmosphere with the new backing, plus this is now a world bound company. You can start at www.nhtricities.com There are contact #'s here you can call and ask about the various areas you need.

I used to work for several schools offering the training you seem to be seeking. Computer Learning Centers, Inc (www.clcx.com)was one of them, they are not affiliated with New Horizons or some of the smaller schools with a similar name. It is a confusing situation that has its roots years ago in a predecessor to many of the CLC companies. All the schools I worked for that had more than one location varied in quality from location to location. The CLC in Cherry Hill NJ was very good while I was there. Staff turnover is something that all schools have to deal with and the school I worked for is no exception. You need to be selecting the school as though you were an employer highering the staff to train you.

Here are a few things to look for when selecting the program.

After you build a list of local places like the two CLC locations mentioned, interview the schools. Ask to talk to the trainers and the administrators, not just the admissions staff. The better feeling you get from these interact