Microsoft Business Application Developer Certificate

In collaboration with Microsoft and W5 LIFE, Lasell University is excited to launch a Microsoft Business Application Developer Certificate Programme. The programme is designed to prepare participants to become Microsoft Certified and to jump start a career path as a business application developer. It is a professional hybrid programme comprised of two 6-week courses. Microsoft Power Platform makes it easy to develop mobile and web apps even if the learner has no technical or development experience. The learner will create Power Apps, connect data with Microsoft Dataverse, automate a process with Power Automate, build a chatbot with Power Virtual Agents, and receive an introduction to the newest member of the Power Platform, Power Pages. As a value add, this certificate integrates job readiness skills through each course, increasing student success. 

Who is this certificate for?

This certificate is designed for:

• Post-secondary graduates
• Career changers
• Job seekers
• Students completing their university placement
• Students who live in Ireland and want to become low-code/no-code business application developers on the Microsoft Platform.

Job Outlook is High

There is a shortage of skilled application developers today. In the next five years, it is estimated that 500M new apps will be built. That’s more than has been built in the last 40 years. Technical talent is scarce and nearly 86% of organizations struggle to find skilled developers to build applications. IDC predicts that the global shortage of developers will increase from around 1.4M today to 4M in 2025. Lasell University, Microsoft & W5 LIFE recognizes the opportunity to collaborate on developing and supporting a Microsoft Business Application Developer Certificate on the Microsoft Power platform. Learners completing this certificate will be candidates for entry level positions with Microsoft partners, have the foundation to be low-code/no-code developers on other platforms, and fill a multitude of entry-level roles in businesses.

Credentials Earned

Upon completion of the Microsoft Business Application Developer Certificate courses, students will receive the following credentials from Lasell University:

• Business Application Developer Certificate (completion of 2 courses)
• Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals badge (completion of module 1)

The programme prepares students to take the PL-900 Certification Exam.  Taking the PL-900 certification exam is optional for this program. Students who opt to take the exam are responsible for the exam fee.  

What is the cost?

The programme cost (2 courses) is €2,162/£1,850.

Course 1: €1,081/£925

Course 2: €1,081/£925

Programme Format

The courses are delivered flexibly, blending online synchronous & in-person sessions with self-paced coursework. In-person evening sessions will alternate between the W5 LIFE Center in Belfast and the Microsoft Dream Space in Dublin. Students will alternate by joining synchronous online and in person according to their proximity to Belfast or Dublin.

Time Requirements

Students will spend about 12 to 15 hours of weekly class and project time.

Benefits 

• Employees & job candidates earn industry-recognized credentials
• Convenient co-located format - students attend a weekly two-hour evening session either remotely or in person at the W5 LIFE Center in Belfast or the Microsoft Dream Space in Dublin

Employers

• Opportunity to expand your organization's workforce pipeline
• Increase employee retention

Students

• Learn skills that are in high employer demand to fill existing developer shortages
• Prepares students to be low-code/ no code developers and positioned to grow into management roles

This certificate includes two curated courses. The first course provides instruction and the second course is heavily project-focused and is the capstone course for the certificate. In-person classes will be once a week on Wednesdays from 7:00 - 8:00 PM.

COURSE 1: MICROSOFT POWER PLATFORMS (PL900)

Dates:  Wednesday, October 25 – Tuesday, December 5, 2023

In this six-week course, students will learn to develop business applications that build businesses. The Microsoft Power Platform makes it easy to develop mobile and web apps even if learners have no technical or development experience. In this course, students will create simple Power Apps, connect data with Microsoft Dataverse, automate a process with Power Automate, build a chatbot with Power Virtual Agents and be introduced to the newest member of the Power Platform, Power Pages. 

This course will act as a bedrock of fundamental knowledge to prepare learners for the Microsoft Certification: Power Platform Fundamentals - PL900 certification exam. Students will also get hands-on experience developing apps and building a portfolio of work to present to potential employers

Upon successful completion of this course, learners will receive the following credentials:

• Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals – PL900 Badge from Lasell University

This course will prepare learners for the following Microsoft certification:

• Microsoft Power Platform Fundamentals – PL900 Certification: Taking the exam is optional for this course. But students will need to register and take the exam to be certified. Students will not receive this certification if they don’t pass this exam.
  • Microsoft Official Practice Test
  • Pearson VUE and Certiport exam testing centers

Learning Outcomes:

• Describe the business value of Microsoft Power Platform and identify the core components of Microsoft Power Platform and Agile Scrum ceremonies and why they are important.
• Demonstrate the capabilities of Power BI, Power Apps, Power Automate, and  Microsoft Teams for collaboration and business value of Power Virtual Agents.
• Deliver compelling oral presentations.
• Apply Microsoft Power Platform low code development to real world simulations.

COURSE 2: MICROSOFT BUSINESS APPLICATION DEVELOPMENT

Date: Wednesday, January 24 – Wednesday, February 28, 2024

This six-week capstone experience serves as the culmination of the core courses in the Microsoft Business Application Developer Certificate. Students will draw upon your knowledge of business, project management and the Microsoft Power Platform to design, plan, build, and demo comprehensive business applications.

In this capstone experience, learners will be immersed in a real-world connected learning environment by defining a business challenge and designing a business application that solves the problem and creates value for the organization. The capstone project, supporting documents, and plans will be added to the student's portfolio to present to potential employers.

Upon successful completion of this course, learners will receive the following credentials:

• Microsoft Business Applications Development Certificate

Learning Outcomes:

• Identify a business challenge and develop a business application that solves the challenge.
• Demonstrate how to build a project plan.
• Develop a budget and timeline.
• Design and build a business application on the Microsoft Power Platform.
• Apply business principles to the application.
• Prepare documentation and training materials.
• Demo the business application.

The core qualities that make a successful business application developer are an intense curiosity, the intrinsic drive to improve things for others, a want to improve how people do their work, an ability to embrace innovation and change, and a love of making and doing.

The Business Application Developer Certification is a great starting point for a learner starting a new career or career changer. As the learner gains experience and acquires new skills and specializations, they can branch out into higher-paying careers.

To be eligible for the programme, learners must fulfill the following requirements:

• Over 18 years of age
• Have attained a minimum of grade D in five subjects in the Junior Certificate or grade C or above in five GCSEs, including English and Maths
• Completion of Computer Basics – Level 1 self-paced training

For candidates who don't have the above qualifications, they may still apply if they fulfill one of the following requirements:

• Complete an approved preparatory training course followed by an assessment interview
• Are over 18 years of age and have relevant work experience, in which case students will also be asked to do an assessment interview

Technology Requirements:

To be successful in this course, you will need regular access to a Windows or Mac computer and a stable internet connection. Be sure your Windows or Mac operating system is up-to-date and you are using the latest version of your browser: Microsoft Edge Links to an external site., Chrome Links to an external site., or Firefox Links to an external site. Using an unsupported browser or an outdated version will cause problems accessing online materials. While mobile devices are great for watching a video or reading content, we do not recommend relying on them as your primary method for taking this course. You will also need the following hardware & software:

·       Webcam and microphone so you can participate in regular virtual meetings

·       Microsoft Teams (provided by Lasell University)

·       Microsoft Office 365 (provided by Lasell University)

·       Microsoft Power Apps & Microsoft Power Automate (free through Microsoft)

Ready to Start? The next cohort starts in October 2024. 

The application deadline is October 9, 2024.

Upload the following credentials to the application portal:

• Two letters of reference from supervisors, teachers, or colleagues in a leadership role
• Resume
• One Page Personal Statement of Goals
• Official copy of education record and qualifications

All applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview with the Program Director as part of the admission process.