St. Charles Community College Cisco Networking Academy

General Information

Programs

The job market is strong for IT workers, according to the Department of Labor. Employment opportunities are expected to increase much faster than the average. See the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook:
http://www.bls.gov/oco/home.htm

Cisco Networking Academy (CCNA, CCNP)

St. Charles Community College has partnered with Cisco Systems to work together to train IT professionals – teaching students the skills necessary to program routers and switches and to design, implement, and troubleshoot enterprise networks. You'll learn the fundamentals of networking, routing, and switching in our state-of-the-art lab by working on real equipment. The Academy prepares you for industry certifications like CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) and CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional).

The online curriculum is coupled with extensive hands-on experience on routers and switches in our lab. Preview a sample of the online curriculum here.

We also have classes in Network Security that combine hands-on lab work with online curriculum. Learn how to guard your network against hackers, outsiders, and even disgruntled employees who threaten information security, integrity, and daily business operations.

Cisco divides CCNA training into 8-week sessions. Each 8-week session is another class. You will complete two 8-week classes within a regular college semester. There are four 8-week classes in the CCNA program consisting of CCNA1 thru CCNA4.

CCNP training also consists of four classes. Building Scalable Cisco Internetworks (BSCI) and Building Cisco Multilayered Switched Networks (BCMSN) are 16-week classes. Implementing Secure Converged WANs (ISCW) and Optimized Converged WANs (ONT) are 8-week classes. You must complete CCNA training or hold a current CCNA certification to take CCNP classes.

The Cisco Networking Academy program and SCC also offers two 16-week Network Security classes. You must complete CCNA training or hold a current CCNA certification before taking Security classes.

Prerequisite classes are often recommended. However, we accept transfer credits, work experience, or certain industry certifications in lieu of the prerequisite classes.

Getting Started

 

Unless you've already taken CPT 115 and CPT 106, you'll need to come by to discuss a waiver of prerequisites. Many times a waiver is granted. Just drop Mike an email at mfuszner@stchas.edu to set up a time to stop by. You'll have a chance to talk about your background and experience, goals, take a brief tour, and prepare to sign-up for classes if it's the right thing for you.

Students may enter the CCNA or CCNP program twice per year (August and January). Sufficient enrollment is required to run a class. Classes meet once or twice per week. In addition, students need to spend additional time in the Cisco lab outside of class. Training consists of presentations, online learning, and hands-on lab exercises where students apply what they learn in class while working on actual networks. Evening classes usually meet from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. All classes are lab-intensive. Our Cisco lab is equipped with numerous routers and switches to allow students real hands-on training. Current routers in use include the 2600 series and 2800 integrated services routers. Current switches in use include the 2900 series, the 2950, 2960, and layer three 3550 and 3560 switches.

Students should plan on five to ten hours per week in class, several additional hours in the Cisco lab outside of class, several hours outside of class reviewing the online curriculum, and completing any labs not finished within class outside of class.

Hybrid CCNA classes allow students to have more control over their schedule. The hybrid approach is called a blended distance learning format by Cisco. It has been developed for non-traditional students with family and job responsibilities, although any student is eligible. Its purpose is to provide the student with greater flexibility in their time management. All four 8-week CCNA classes are offered in both a hybrid format or as a traditional class. Hybrid classes require the same amount of work as a traditional class. Instead of meeting as a regular, traditional class twice per week, hybrid classes meet only once per week – usually on a Monday evening. Students will need to spend additional time on campus in the open Cisco lab to keep up with their lab assignments. The open Cisco lab is available one or two evenings during the week in addition to Saturday mornings. Students may choose when to come in to use the open lab and how often based on their needs. Some students may need to spend less time on campus than others in a hybrid class. In addition, some students have routers and switches at home or on their job that may be used to work on labs off campus.

Some classes fill up quickly. Students register on a first-come, first-serve basis. It is suggested that you register as soon as registration opens up each semester. Spring registration usually begins in late October; Fall registration usually begins in early April.

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