The Master's Program: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Master's Program?

The Master’s Program is a comprehensive, in-depth training and career development program designed to have a lasting and measurable impact on the careers of our students. Its focus on challenging, real-world applications and rapid skills development is designed to provide you with a competitive edge in today’s job market.

Integrated and Leading Edge Training

Each quarter, our curriculums are evaluated and updated based on recommendations and guidance from students, alumni, leading industry partners and marketplace assessments.

Career Development

Master’s Program students receive critical job search and personal marketing strategies to increase their visibility, employability and career resiliency. In addition, SetFocus markets students directly to its network of hiring partners and recruiters facilitating introductions, interviews and follow up.

How long has The Master’s Program been running?

The first Master’s Program ran in October 1997. Since this time we have trained and placed an estimated 1500 candidates. In the past decade, we have attained Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status; been included on the NJ Training Provider list as recognized by the Department of Education and Department of Labor and Workforce Development; received recognition as a semi-finalist for the Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (2000) and as a semi-finalist for the New Jersey Family Business of the Year (2004). SetFocus received the 2009 New Jersey Smart Workplaces Platinum Award for use of The GRID® technology in its training and business operations. SetFocus ranks among the top 25% of America’s 5000 fastest-growing companies in the 2009 Inc. 5,000 survey and among New Jersey’s Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies. 

I found your listing on a job board, why?

There are two options under which someone can attend The Master’s Program; Contract Option or Tuition Option. The listing on the job board relates to our Contract Option.

Learn more about The Master’s Program Admissions Process and the Contract Option.

What is your criterion for selecting candidates into The Master’s Program?

As we evaluate applicants for our Master’s Programs, we always have the question in mind: Does this person have the aptitude, logic, technical talent and determination to get through hundreds of hours of non-stop technical training? Every quarter, SetFocus reviews thousands of applications from around the world looking for individuals who meet our requirements. It is not an easy task. All applicants go through an in-depth admissions process. We look for aptitude, experience, communication skills, passion, drive, and dedication, just to name a few criteria.

Learn more about The Master’s Program Admissions Process.

What does the typical Master's Program candidate look like -- education, experience, geographic location?

Approximately 97% of SetFocus candidates have a minimum four-year university degree prior to attending The Master’s Program, with 17% having completed post-graduate work with either a Master’s or PhD degree. 

Experience levels run the gamut from entry-level developers to senior IT professionals with 20+ years experience. 

Candidates attend The Master’s Program from all over the country via our remote training solution known as The GRID®. 
For a more in-depth profile of .NET, SQL Server and Business Intelligence Master's Program  alumni, 2007-2008 SetFocus Candidate Demographics and Placement Statistics are available for download in PDF format. 

How many SetFocus graduates find employment upon completing The Master's Program? How long does it take?

Evidence of the value of a SetFocus education is reflected the success of our alumni.

  • 93.5% of SetFocus alumni who graduated in 2007-2008 found employment.
  • 87% of our 2007-2008 graduates attained a desired position within 13 weeks of graduation --
    • 13% secured a position prior to completing The Master’s Program.

A comprehensive summary of candidate demographics and placement statistics -- including prior education and experience levels, geographic location, placement rates, time to employment, types of positions and average salaries attained upon completing The Master’s Program is available for download in PDF format.

What types of positions and salaries do SetFocus candidates attain upon completing The Master's Program?

Because SetFocus candidates bring a wide range of experience -- from entry-level developers to senior IT professionals with 20+ years experience -- to The Master's Program, the answer to this question varies. A comprehensive summary of time to employment, types of positions and average salaries attained by SetFocus alumni is available for download in PDF format. 

I am not a US citizen and do not live in the US.  What are the documents that I need to prepare to apply for a Student VISA?


First, we recommend that you visit the Department of State website with reference to Student Visas.
The following is additional useful information taken from the Department of State website.

To qualify for a student visa, you must prove that:

  • You have successfully completed a course of study normally required for enrollment
  • You have been accepted for a full course of study by a vocational institution approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The institution must send you a Form I-20M-N, certificate of eligibility for nonimmigrant (M1) student status for vocational students
  • You are sufficiently proficient in English to pursue the intended course of study, or the school you intend to attend has made special arrangements to teach you the English language
  • You have sufficient funds to cover the first year of study, and access to sufficient funds to cover subsequent years
  • You have a permanent residence in your home country, which you do not intend to abandon
  • You intend to depart the U.S. upon completion of the course of study. You may establish this by presenting evidence of economic, social and/or family ties in your homeland sufficient to induce you to leave the U.S. upon completion of studies
  • Your proposed education in the U.S. would be useful in your homeland, and therefore induce you to leave the U.S. upon completion of studies

What is the schedule of The Master’s Program?

SetFocus offers its Master’s Program on both a Full Time and Part Time Schedule.

Full Time Day Program

Day classes meet Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm (EST) for the duration of the course.

  • .NET Training (14 weeks)
  • SharePoint Training (8 weeks)
  • SQL Server Training (8 weeks)
  • MS Business Intelligence Training (12 weeks)

Part Time Evening Program

Evening classes meet two evenings per week from 7:30pm-11pm (EST) and alternating Saturdays from (10am-6pm EST) for the duration of the course.

  • .NET Training (42 weeks)
  • SharePoint Training (24 weeks)
  • SQL Server Training (24 weeks)
  • MS Business Intelligence Training (36 weeks)

Where is The Master's Program offered?

Full-time students have the option of attending class at our training facilities in Parsippany, NJ or online via The GRID ®.. Part-time students attend The Master’s Program solely online via The GRID.

Learn more about our online training solution via The GRID

What is The GRID®?

The GRID® is a revolutionary online training experience for IT Professionals. Through The GRID®, individuals attend live instructor-led courses from their homes or home offices as full classroom participants.

This is NOT webex, nor is it live meeting.

It IS remote attendance via Polycom video/audio technology with access to virtual machines running full developer / IT environments. Audio quality within The GRID® is 400% greater than standard telephone audio and video quality is equal to that of TV.

The GRID® is guaranteed to change the way you learn now and in the future.

How do I learn more about The Master’s Program?

Contact an admissions representative today to learn more about The Master’s Program and the next step to moving your career forward as an IT Professional!