Packaging and Characterization Certificate Program
The semiconductor packaging and characterization certificate program prepares students for careers in the semiconductor and electronics industry by teaching the principles of semiconductor packaging.
Students will learn about the fundamental electrical, thermal, reliability, and materials considerations and trade-offs, and state-of-the-art technologies, processes, and tools. The courses will consist of two to three asynchronous lectures and one in-person lab per week. Labs will be held at the Virginia Tech Research Center in Arlington, Virginia and at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia.
Registration is now open for the
Summer 2025 Session:
MAY 26 - AUGUST 8, 2025.
NEW! We are proud to announce our first ever online only version of the FTSC Program (Lectures Only). With this program, students who are not available to take in-person classes during the Summer can take the first half of the certificate program remotely. A full certification will require in-person, hands-on lab only portion, which will be available in the Spring of 2026. See below tab for more details.
REGISTRATION CLOSES MAY 19TH
Full certification requires participants to successfully complete both online lectures and in-person labs. The program is 10 weeks long and consists of 40 hours of lectures and up to 60 hours of engaging, in person lab training. When completed participants are expected to have acquired the skills for entry-level engineering and technician positions in the semiconductor industry. Participants will recieve a VAST Lectures microcredential, a VAST Labs micro credential, and full VAST Packaging certification.
SUMMER 2025 SESSION: MAY 26 - AUGUST 8, 2025
Lectures are held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6:00-8:00 pm, with both synchronous and asynchronous options available. Labs are held at two locations around Virginia and with multiple times options. When registering, choose your location and lab time.
Virginia Tech Research Center, Arlington
- Lab Option 1: Thursdays 8am-12 pm
- Lab Option 2: Thursdays 3pm-7pm
Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Lexington
- Lab Option 1: Wednesdays 9am-1 pm
Registration closes May 19. REGISTER
If you find these lab hours conflicting with your schedules, please contact us at info@vast-alliance.org, suggesting a schedule that may work better for you.
Although we recommend taking lectures and labs simultaneously, participants also have the option to attend lectures only. When the program is completed you will receive a VAST Lectures microcredential and be eligible to take engaging lab training in a future cohort. Students will need to complete the lectures and lab portions to be fully certified.
NEXT SUMMER 2025 SESSIONS: MAY 26 - AUGUST 8, 2025
Lectures will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 6:00-8:00 pm, with both synchronous and asynchronous options available
Registration closes May 19th. REGISTER
Registration is now open for the Summer 2025 Session:
MAY 26 - AUGUST 8, 2025.
Lab training for this cohort will be available at:
Virginia Tech, Arlington
Virginia Military Institution, Lexington
Discounts Offered
We are proud to serve our Virginia community and are extending a few discount options for the following:
**NOTE: Codes are Case Sensitive
Lectures & Labs (Full Certification):
Discount code: PkgV25ST
This 75% discount code is for: Highschool graduates, Community college students, Bachelors level students, Masters level students, PhD students, and Teachers. Limited to Virginia Residents.
Discount code: PkgV25mil
This 97% discount code is for: Active duty military, Veterans, Military Reserve, Military spouse and immediate family. Limited to Virginia Residents.
Lectures Only:
Discount code: PLO25ST
This 67% discount code is for: Highschool graduates, Community college students, Bachelors level students, Masters level students, PhD students, and Teachers. Limited to Virginia Residents.
Discount code: PLO25mil
This 93% discount code is for: Active duty military, Veterans, Military Reserve, Military spouse and immediate family. Limited to Virginia Residents.
Schedule
The packaging certificate program will be 10 weeks and will include 60 hours of asynchronous online lectures, and 40 hours of hands-on, in-person lab training. The course consists of 4 modules:
- Packaging components, materials, and processes
- Electrical design
- Thermal design
- Reliability
Outcomes
Students will learn how to design, build, and test semiconductor packages through simulation tools and gain hands-on packaging experience in labs using state-of-the-art equipment.
Having successfully completed this program, students will be able to:
- Design basic architecture and layout of a semiconductor package
- Analyze the electrical and thermal characteristics of a semiconductor package
- Select appropriate materials and processes for the fabrication of a semiconductor package
- Fabricate and characterize a semiconductor package using state-of-the-art equipment
- Determine failure mechanisms and reliability for a semiconductor package.
Roles You’ll Be Ready For
Participants will be ready for entry-level engineering and technician positions in the semiconductor packaging industry following the completion of the program.