Cisco Certification and the Networking Academies

Cisco, a leading internetworking company, has long offered trainings through third parties on its hardware and software. A few years ago it recognized the need for technical training programs in high schools and colleges more closely tied to the current needs of the networking industry. Working together with schools, Cisco developed the Cisco Networking Academy Program. It has grown rapidly, and there are currently over 10,000 Networking Academies around the world.

The Cisco Networking Academy program prepares you for entry level networking technician positions. After completing the courses, you may take the Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) exam. This is Cisco's entry level certification. Typical tasks might include the setup and maintenance of network wiring and internetworking equipment like hubs, switches, and routers.

After taking the CCNA, students may go on to the Networking Professional (CCNP) or Internetworking Expert (CCIE) levels. CCNP is equivalent to a network administrator, CCIE is equivalent to a network engineer.

City College of San Francisco (CCSF) is a Cisco Regional & Local Networking Academy. We currently offer both the CCNA and the CCNP program.

Cisco Networking Academy Courses offered at CCSF:

The CCNA curriculum is a four course program that is offered at many high schools and community colleges. The courses (except for the first course which is also offered in a semester long schedule) are offered in the "Accelerated" format which meets 6 hrs/wk for 1/2 semester. Two courses can be taken in one semester. The four courses are a sequence and may not be taken concurrently. They are:

* CNIT 201E (CCNA Exploration 1- Network Fundamentals)
* CNIT 202E (CCNA Exploration 2 - Routing Protocols and Concepts)
* CNIT 203E (CCNA Exploration 3 - LAN Switching anmd Wireless)
* CNIT 204E (CCNA Exploration 4 - Accessing the WAN)
Students are expected to work through web-based lessons outside of class (either from our on-campus computer labs or from home or work). Classes meet face-to-face in our router lab. In class activities include lectures, group work, hands-on practice, and online exams. Students keep a journal of their progress.

The CCNP Curriculum is also a four course program. Each course leads to one of the four Certification Exams needed for the CCNP Certification. CCSF is in the process of offering the following CCNP courses:

* CNIT 205P (CCNP Building Scalable Internetworks)
* CNIT 206P (CCNP Building Multilayer Switched Networks)
* CNIT 207P (CCNP Implementing Secure Converged WANs)
* CNIT 208P (CCNP Optimized Converged Cisco Networks)
These courses are usually offered in a staggered way. Check the schedule to see which ones are offered on a given semester.

Alternative Paths to Certification:

You can take the CCNA certification exam without taking the four courses in the Networking Academy program. There are shorter, more expensive paths to prepare for Cisco certificate exams (typically, one or more courses, each one week long and costing about $2,500). There is also self-study. You can get a good book and prepare for the exam on your own (one such book is: CCNA Study Guide, 4thd edition, by Todd Lammle, Sybex Press).

To compare the various paths to Cisco certification please visit their website at: http://www.cisco.com/edu

Also, you need to look carefully at your career path. Cisco certification can help you get an entry level job, but four classes is not a complete preparation for a career in the computing industry. It is a great beginning and complement to other knowledge. You might also consider working towards a BA degree in Computer Science.

Who Can Take the Classes:

The Networking Academy program is open to any student at CCSF. We want you to have basic computer literacy and know how to use e-mail and the web. We recommend that you have taken CNIT 131 or have the equivalent background. Please see our catalog for the exact pre-requisites and advisories for the classes. However, no prior knowledge of networking is required.

Enrollment Process:

There is no special enrollment process besides signing up for the courses. The currently available courses are numbered CNIT 201E-204E for the CCNA and CNIT 205-208 for the CCNP. You must take the courses in sequence and pass a written and hands on final for a course before you can take the next course. It is still important to go to the first day of class to see if there are any new openings. And you may want to take other CNIT classes as well.

Some related beginning level courses include:

* CNIT 106 (Introduction to Networking)
* CNIT 131 (Internet Basics and Biginning HTML)
* CNIT 120 (Network Security)

Costs:

Each course is three units at the regular cost ($26 unit). After you complete the four-course program, the actual CCNA Certification Exam (640-802) is given by a 3rd party or VUE) and normally costs $150. Students who pass a qualifying test at the end of their fourth CCNA course get a voucher which provides a discounted price ($62.50) for the exam.

For more information:

On Cisco certificates and the various paths to them: www.cisco.com/edu
On when Cisco classes are being offered this semester: Schedules for CCSF Credit Classes
On other CCSF CNIT Department Programs: CNIT Department website
On CCSF in General: City College of San Francisco

If you have further questions about the Cisco Networking Academy program at CCSF, please contact:

Pierre Thiry, Cisco Networking Academy Coordinator , email: pthiry@ccsf.edu
or the other Cisco Instructors: pwood@ccsf.edu, ccolom@ccsf.edu, lbaca@ccsf.edu