2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Washington Veterans to Technology (WaV2T): A Pathway for Military Personnel to IT Careers
The Washington Veterans to Technology (WaV2T) program is a comprehensive 16-week certificate course designed for transitioning service members, veterans, and military spouses. The program provides participants with the academic foundation and technical knowledge in the fast-paced information technology field. Through a combination of classroom instruction, immersive hands-on exercises, and continuous professional development, WaV2T ensures graduates are well-prepared for civilian IT careers.
WaV2T offers three distinct learning paths, delivered in two 8-week sessions: Server & Cloud Application, Cloud Application Development, and Cybersecurity Administration. Participants complete three courses per session (total 18 semester credit hours), which can be applied toward an undergraduate BSCS or BSIT degree at Saint Martin’s University. The university’s Computer Science Department, which delivers the program, is regionally accredited and recently achieved ABET accreditation for its Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science (BSCS) and Information Technology (BSIT).
WaV2T was born out of the Microsoft Software and Systems Academy (MSSA), which was launched in 2013 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) as a partnership between Microsoft, JBLM, and Saint Martin’s University, with critical support from Senator Patty Murray. This program was made possible in part by the Veterans Opportunity to Work (VOW) Act, which mandates that active-duty service members within six months of separation receive transition assistance, including career training. The MSSA initially targeted service members within their final six months of active duty and veterans with honorable or general discharges. Over time, the program became the most successful military transition program in the U.S., expanding nationwide, with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University joining as an academic partner.
In 2020, Microsoft restructured the program to focus on its own certifications through an online-only format, moving away from academic partnerships. However, WaV2T, a direct continuation of the original MSSA model, continues to flourish at Saint Martin’s University, maintaining a balance between academic instruction and career development.
Over the past 11 years, the MSSA and WaV2T programs have produced over 1,000 graduates, demonstrating consistently outstanding results:
• 98% Graduation Rate
• 94% Overall Success Rate
• 74% Employment in IT Careers
• 24% Pursuing Further Education
WaV2T’s strong relationships with more than 180 companies provide a direct pathway for participants to secure high-paying jobs in the IT sector.
This paper will outline the three certificate paths offered by WaV2T and how each path prepares participants for specific IT roles. It will also highlight WaV2T’s Career Professional Development Program, which complements the technical training with soft skills and career-readiness preparation. Case studies, graduate placement examples, and testimonials will illustrate the program's long-term impact, including how alumni continue to support current cohorts through mentorship, internships, and hiring. By examining these elements, this paper will highlight WaV2T’s role in facilitating successful transitions from military service to civilian IT career and conclude by highlighting new career paths currently under development.