AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate) Curriculum

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Curriculum

AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate)

Deep dive into AWS cloud architecture. Prepare for the SAA-C03 exam with hands-on labs.

Duration: 16 Weeks
Level: Advanced
Study Time: 8 hours/week + labs
School: Hexadigitall Academy

Welcome to AWS Certified Solutions Architect (Associate)! 🎓

This curriculum is designed to take you from core understanding to confident delivery through weekly applied practice, measurable outcomes, and portfolio evidence.

Each week builds progressively with practical tasks, implementation checkpoints, and reflection points so you can convert knowledge into repeatable professional performance.

Your success is our priority. Stay consistent with weekly execution, document your work, and use feedback loops to continuously improve your delivery quality.

Essential Resources

  • Cloud architecture reference implementations and Well-Architected Framework reviews
  • Infrastructure-as-Code templates and cloud service comparison matrices
  • Cost optimization playbooks and resilience validation runbooks

Learning Roadmap

  • Early Weeks: Core cloud services, networking fundamentals, and basic deployments
  • Middle Weeks: Advanced architectures, multi-region deployment, and disaster recovery
  • Late Weeks: Cost optimization, governance frameworks, and production readiness
  • S3 Storage Classes, Lifecycle Rules, and Static Hosting
  • EBS, EFS, Backup, and Durable Storage Choices
  • VPC Design, Subnets, Route Tables, and NAT
  • Route 53, CloudFront, and Edge Delivery Patterns
  • RDS, DynamoDB, and Database Selection Trade-Offs
  • CloudWatch Monitoring, Logs, and Operational Visibility
  • KMS, Secrets Management, and Security Hardening
  • Serverless Foundations with Lambda and API Gateway
  • Well-Architected Review and Exam Scenario Practice

Detailed Weekly Curriculum

Each week includes outcomes and practical lab work aligned to the curriculum structure.

Week 1

AWS Global Infrastructure and Shared Responsibility Model

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Analyze the principles of AWS Global Infrastructure and Shared Responsibility Model and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Evaluate AWS Global Infrastructure and Shared Responsibility Model in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Design trade-offs, risks, and decision points for AWS Global Infrastructure and Shared Responsibility Model, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Justify a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for AWS Global Infrastructure and Shared Responsibility Model with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 2

IAM Users, Groups, Roles, and Policy Evaluation

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Analyze the principles of IAM Users, Groups, Roles, and Policy Evaluation and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Evaluate IAM Users, Groups, Roles, and Policy Evaluation in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Design trade-offs, risks, and decision points for IAM Users, Groups, Roles, and Policy Evaluation, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Justify a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for IAM Users, Groups, Roles, and Policy Evaluation with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 3

EC2 Instance Types, EBS, and Pricing Models

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Analyze the principles of EC2 Instance Types, EBS, and Pricing Models and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Evaluate EC2 Instance Types, EBS, and Pricing Models in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Design trade-offs, risks, and decision points for EC2 Instance Types, EBS, and Pricing Models, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Justify a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for EC2 Instance Types, EBS, and Pricing Models with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 4

AMIs, Auto Scaling, and Elastic Load Balancing

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Analyze the principles of AMIs, Auto Scaling, and Elastic Load Balancing and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Evaluate AMIs, Auto Scaling, and Elastic Load Balancing in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Design trade-offs, risks, and decision points for AMIs, Auto Scaling, and Elastic Load Balancing, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Justify a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for AMIs, Auto Scaling, and Elastic Load Balancing with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 5

S3 Storage Classes, Lifecycle Rules, and Static Hosting

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Analyze the principles of S3 Storage Classes, Lifecycle Rules, and Static Hosting and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Evaluate S3 Storage Classes, Lifecycle Rules, and Static Hosting in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Design trade-offs, risks, and decision points for S3 Storage Classes, Lifecycle Rules, and Static Hosting, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Justify a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for S3 Storage Classes, Lifecycle Rules, and Static Hosting with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 6

EBS, EFS, Backup, and Durable Storage Choices

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Analyze the principles of EBS, EFS, Backup, and Durable Storage Choices and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Evaluate EBS, EFS, Backup, and Durable Storage Choices in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Design trade-offs, risks, and decision points for EBS, EFS, Backup, and Durable Storage Choices, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Justify a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for EBS, EFS, Backup, and Durable Storage Choices with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 7

VPC Design, Subnets, Route Tables, and NAT

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Evaluate the principles of VPC Design, Subnets, Route Tables, and NAT and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Design VPC Design, Subnets, Route Tables, and NAT in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Optimize trade-offs, risks, and decision points for VPC Design, Subnets, Route Tables, and NAT, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Justify a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for VPC Design, Subnets, Route Tables, and NAT with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 8

Security Groups, NACLs, and Hybrid Connectivity Basics

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Evaluate the principles of Security Groups, NACLs, and Hybrid Connectivity Basics and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Design Security Groups, NACLs, and Hybrid Connectivity Basics in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Optimize trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Security Groups, NACLs, and Hybrid Connectivity Basics, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Justify a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for Security Groups, NACLs, and Hybrid Connectivity Basics with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 9

Route 53, CloudFront, and Edge Delivery Patterns

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Evaluate the principles of Route 53, CloudFront, and Edge Delivery Patterns and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Design Route 53, CloudFront, and Edge Delivery Patterns in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Optimize trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Route 53, CloudFront, and Edge Delivery Patterns, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Justify a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for Route 53, CloudFront, and Edge Delivery Patterns with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 10

RDS, DynamoDB, and Database Selection Trade-Offs

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Evaluate the principles of RDS, DynamoDB, and Database Selection Trade-Offs and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Design RDS, DynamoDB, and Database Selection Trade-Offs in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Optimize trade-offs, risks, and decision points for RDS, DynamoDB, and Database Selection Trade-Offs, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Justify a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for RDS, DynamoDB, and Database Selection Trade-Offs with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 11

CloudWatch Monitoring, Logs, and Operational Visibility

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Evaluate the principles of CloudWatch Monitoring, Logs, and Operational Visibility and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Design CloudWatch Monitoring, Logs, and Operational Visibility in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Optimize trade-offs, risks, and decision points for CloudWatch Monitoring, Logs, and Operational Visibility, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Justify a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for CloudWatch Monitoring, Logs, and Operational Visibility with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 12

High Availability, Fault Tolerance, and Disaster Recovery

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Design the principles of High Availability, Fault Tolerance, and Disaster Recovery and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Optimize High Availability, Fault Tolerance, and Disaster Recovery in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Architect trade-offs, risks, and decision points for High Availability, Fault Tolerance, and Disaster Recovery, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Defend a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for High Availability, Fault Tolerance, and Disaster Recovery with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 13

KMS, Secrets Management, and Security Hardening

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Design the principles of KMS, Secrets Management, and Security Hardening and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Optimize KMS, Secrets Management, and Security Hardening in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Architect trade-offs, risks, and decision points for KMS, Secrets Management, and Security Hardening, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Defend a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for KMS, Secrets Management, and Security Hardening with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 14

Serverless Foundations with Lambda and API Gateway

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Design the principles of Serverless Foundations with Lambda and API Gateway and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Optimize Serverless Foundations with Lambda and API Gateway in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Architect trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Serverless Foundations with Lambda and API Gateway, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Defend a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for Serverless Foundations with Lambda and API Gateway with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 15

Well-Architected Review and Exam Scenario Practice

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Design the principles of Well-Architected Review and Exam Scenario Practice and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Optimize Well-Architected Review and Exam Scenario Practice in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Architect trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Well-Architected Review and Exam Scenario Practice, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Defend a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for Well-Architected Review and Exam Scenario Practice with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.
Week 16

Capstone: Design a Secure Multi-Tier AWS Architecture

8 hours/week + labs
Learning Outcomes
  • Design the principles of Capstone: Design a Secure Multi-Tier AWS Architecture and link them to course outcomes at advanced depth with architecture-level decision quality.
  • Optimize Capstone: Design a Secure Multi-Tier AWS Architecture in a guided scenario using realistic tools, constraints, and quality gates.
  • Architect trade-offs, risks, and decision points for Capstone: Design a Secure Multi-Tier AWS Architecture, then record rationale for stakeholder review.
  • Defend a portfolio-ready architecture decision record for Capstone: Design a Secure Multi-Tier AWS Architecture with measurable success criteria and next actions.
  • Track measurable progress using rubric scores, defect/risk trends, and evidence completeness each week.
  • Run a short retrospective focused on what to retain, improve, and scale into the following week.
  • Incorporate peer or mentor feedback and revise the week deliverable to professional publication quality.
  • Publish the week output into your cumulative portfolio with concise outcome narrative and proof artifacts.

Capstone Projects

Project 1: High-Availability Web Tier on AWS

Build a resilient web architecture using EC2 Auto Scaling and ALB across multiple Availability Zones.

  • Launch templates, health checks, and scaling policy configuration
  • Cost-performance comparison across instance and scaling options
  • Operational validation report with failure simulation evidence

Project 2: Secure Data and Delivery Architecture

Design secure storage and data access patterns using S3, RDS or DynamoDB, Route 53, and CloudFront.

  • Data protection controls, encryption strategy, and backup plans
  • Edge delivery and DNS routing strategy with failover behavior
  • Architecture decision record with trade-offs and risk notes

Project 3: Final Associate Capstone Architecture Defense

Deliver a complete AWS architecture case with security, reliability, performance, and cost justifications.

  • End-to-end architecture diagram and service mapping
  • Well-Architected review findings and remediation actions
  • Stakeholder presentation deck and technical Q and A brief