KU News Release

KU launches Linux online noncredit certificate program

LAWRENCE — University of Kansas Continuing Education is launching an online noncredit certificate program for the popular Linux server platform.

The Linux Certification Self-Study online course is approved by the Linux Professional Institute, which is regarded as the premier organization promoting and certifying the professional use of Linux.

Designed for information technology professionals, the course will assist students in passing the LPIC-1 first-level certification exam. Passing this exam certifies the competency of IT professionals using the Linux operating system and its associated tools.

IT consultant Barry Woodbridge will draw upon 20 years of experience, including time spent with Novell Training Services on its first Linux course, to instruct the lessons.

“The information students will learn is essential for IT professionals looking to add certification to their resumes,” said Kevin Curry, program manager at Continuing Education. “The self-study lessons are a very convenient way for students to learn at their own pace using 14 state-of-the-art modules, which have been designed to follow LPIC examination requirements.”

Linux’s functionality, flexibility and robustness has made it a popular alternative for proprietary UNIX and Microsoft operating systems. Used worldwide as a server platform, Linux has seen usage of its desktop operating system increase in recent years. Linux has gained the support of corporations such as IBM, Sun Microsystems, Hewlett-Packard, Novell and Red Hat, and it is estimated that the revenue of servers, desktops and packaged software that run Linux will be greater than $35 billion in 2008.

IT professionals who want to consider a future in Linux should get an LPC-1 certification. Prospective students can register for the course or a free test drive of two online sessions through the Continuing Education Web site (keyword: Linux). Registration for six months of online access to the Linux self-study course is $295.

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The University of Kansas is a major comprehensive research and teaching university. University Relations is the central public relations office for KU's Lawrence campus.