The Cisco Networking Academy Program is a comprehensive e-learning program that provides students with the Internet technology skills essential in a global economy. The Networking Academy delivers web-based content, online assessment, student performance tracking, hands-on labs, instructor training and support, and preparation for industry standard certifications.
Who is Cisco?
Cisco Systems, Inc. is the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet. Cisco products include routers, LAN and ATM switches, dial-up access servers and network management software. These products, integrated by the Cisco IOS software, link geographically dispersed LANs, WANs and IBM networks. For more information regarding the Cisco Networking Academies see http://cisco.netacad.net
What is the Cisco Networking Academy Program?
The Cisco Networking Academy Programs a partnership between Cisco Systems, education, business, government, and community organizations around the world. The Networking Academy curriculum centers on teaching students to design, build and maintain computer networks. The Program prepares students for the 21st Century workplace, while serving as a valuable model for e-learning.
CCNA General Information
What does CCNA mean?
CCNA stands for Cisco Certified Network Associate. CCNA is one of the professional certifications given by Cisco Systems that measure technical expertise in implementing computer networks. Cisco networking qualifications offer three levels of Cisco certification – from Associate to Professional to Expert.
The CCNA designation, the first of the three levels of Cisco certification, certifies an individual as having the knowledge to install, configure and operate Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN) and dial-up access services for small networks. You pass one Cisco exam to obtain the CCNA credential from Cisco.
When should a student take the Cisco Certified Network Associate exam? Cisco recommends taking the CCNA exam after completing the fourth course of the CCNA curriculum.
Where is the CCNA test given?
The CCNA test is given at Prometric or Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide. Lone Star College–Tomball Assessment Center is a Pearson VUE testing center.
What certification is after CCNA?
The next level of certification is CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional).
Can I become certified by completing course work only?
No! The only way to become certified is by passing the required exams.
How long is my certification valid?
Your Cisco certification remains valid for three years. Advancing to the next level of certification or recertifying at the current level (When Cisco upgrades an exam) automatically renews the related CCNA Certification.
Are CCNA students assessed as they progress through the CCNA curriculum?
Yes. Cisco has developed a state-of-the-art assessment system to provide students, instructors, administrators, and Cisco personnel with detailed data on student progress.
Does the curriculum teach students things that will be useful for maintaining non-Cisco networks?
The curriculum is a vendor-neutral. While Cisco equipment is used to practice and reinforce certain concepts, students gain broad-based knowledge of the operation of networks, the differences between various types of networking products, how to design and troubleshoot networks, and other general topics.
Can I waive any CCNA courses if I have prior experience?
No, you must enroll in all courses.
What work experience is required to be successful in these courses?
While students with a technical background will benefit from their experience, students from any background with a desire to learn and study can do well. A background in Internet skills or network administration is not required to purse the CCNA designation, although such experience is well suited to achieving certification. The Pima Community College certification course and/or prior experience working on personal computer provides a very good foundation for entry into the CCNA program.
Does this program allow students to use the equipment in class?
Yes! All CCNA courses are taught in a Cisco -approved, hands-on lab environment. Although the amount of hands-on work varies by course, you can expect that half of the overall classroom hours will be devoted to individual or group lab work in class.
Do students need to have access to Cisco equipment outside of class?
Students do not have to have access equipment outside of class. All courses in the CCNA program will provide students with an ample amount of hands-on practice using Cisco equipment. Students are required, however, to have outside access to a computer connected to the Internet which meets certain minimum hardware requirements needed.
Can I use my employer-sponsored tuition assistance program for the courses?
Yes. Most employer-sponsored tuition assistance programs allow their employees to attend these courses, especially for someone in the IT career field. Please check with your employer.
What are the qualifications of the faculty?
The faculty meets or exceeds the skill set required for the Cisco Certified Academic (CCA), which includes current certification as a CCNA.
CCNP General Information
What is Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) Program?The CCNP program follows CCNA. The curriculum consists of CCNP 1 - 4 and prepares students to obtain their CCNP certification. This is a more advanced curriculum covering Advanced Routing (CCNP 1), Remote Access (CCNP 2), Multi-Layer Switching (CCNP 3) and Network Troubleshooting (CCNP 4).
When should a student take the Cisco Certified Network Professional exam?
Cisco Certified Network Professional certification is broken up into four individual exams. Cisco recommends taking an exam after completing course of the CCNP curriculum.
Where is the CCNP test given?
The CCNP test is given at Prometric or Pearson VUE testing centers worldwide. Lone Star College–Tomball Assessment Center is a Pearson VUE testing center.
Are CCNP students assessed as they progress through the curriculum?
Yes. Cisco has developed a state-of-the-art assessment system to provide students, instructors, administrators, and Cisco personnel with detailed data on student progress.
General information
Are the Cisco courses available in the evening?
Yes, the course sequence is offered in the evening. In fact, the evening Cisco courses are primarily designed for working computer professionals who wish to obtain the CCNA certification. The Cisco courses are also technical electives for the students in selected Associates of Applied (AAS) degree and certificates programs.
What are the entrance requirements to be admitted to the program?
There are no special entrance requirements for the program. You must meet the requirements for Lone Star College System Admissions.
What do the courses cost?
Tuition and fees are the same as for any other Lone Star College–Tomball courses. Here is a guide to Lone Star College System tuition and fees.
Who do I contact if this FAQ does not answer my question?
If you have further questions about the Cisco Networking Academy program at Lone Star College–Tomball, you may call the Willie May, Director, CISCO Networking Academy and Engineering Technology, at 281.401.1844 or by email at Willie.May@lonestar.edu.