Looks like this UNIX/AIX certificate will be offered online from Marist College in the fall of 2012. It is 2 courses that I think are worth 3 credits each. Institute for Data Center Professionals - UNIX Systems - AIX on Power Overview There is a Z/OS certificate too... Institute for Data Center Professionals - z/OS Program Overview
The only reason I could see taking this course is that it's cheaper than the course from IBM. I would otherwise think it would be wise to take the IBM course, or at least take the IBM specific certification after taking the AIX course from Marist. Is there a value in getting an AIX certificate from Marist College instead of IBM? On a related note I think some of the courses on the Marist IDCP site look great. If I wasn't in the middle of another degree program I would seriously consider the facilities management, advanced facilities management, and greening of the datacenter courses. I would love to seem them combine these data center centric courses into a degree program. -Rob / Certified AIX Technical Expert
IBM offers the “AIX Jumpstart for UNIX Professionals” for $3,775 or the “AIX Basic” class for $2,825. If you do the two courses for System Administrator Track it’s a total of $7,650 “AIX Implementation and Administration” is $3,775 “Advanced Administration and Problem Determination” is $3,875 I just thought it was a good deal for AIX instructor lead training for $999 a course ($1998 total) and that it was worth some college credit (6 Credits)/certificate. I was thinking that it might be attractive for an admin of another flavor of UNIX/Linux to have the ability to get some exposure to AIX/pSeries for there resume or getting a new job. I do agree that it would be nice for them to combine the data center classes into some sort of degree or certificate.
It is a good deal. I wonder if they would setup a method for corporations to pay for their employees directly. I have some staff that could use the training. I'm use to being able to use a PO when going direct to IBM or a reseller.