Find Your Story in Cisco Networking

In our increasingly networked world, the call for people who understand the science of connection is continually rising. The WACTC Cisco Networking program has been developed in conjunction with Cisco Systems and its international network of users and partners. It focuses on the skills and theory required to design, build, troubleshoot and maintain a wide variety of computer networks.

The expectations of network engineering and the job market are requiring more, aspiring network engineers need programming skills and a broader and deeper understanding of programming logic. The ability to problem solve is a skill that is paramount in programming languages such as SNAP, CSS, Javascript, Python, C++, and Linux and should be mastered by all networking students. The Cisco curriculum is constantly evolving to better prepare and ready networking students for the realities of the digital world and the challenges they will face.

Certifications

Upon graduation, qualified students will receive a Cisco Certified Networking course certificate and are well-prepared to pursue the following certifications at two-and-four year colleges:

  •         Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician
  •         Cisco Certified Networking Associate
  •         Cisco Certified Networking Professional
  •         Cisco Certified Security Professional
  •         Cisco Certified Internetworking Expert

Articulation Agreements

Upon completion of the three-year program students can graduate with up to 17 college credits.

  •         Community College of Rhode Island
  •         New England Institute of Technology
  •         Johnson and Wales University
  •         Roger Williams University
CISCO Academy Computer Screen Schematic
CISCO Academy Student Crimping Wire
CISCO Academy Student at Terminal
Electronics Program

Curriculum

The Cisco Networking Academy is an alliance of Cisco Systems, education, business, and government organizations around the world. It centers on teaching students how to design, build, troubleshoot and maintain computer networks. The Cisco program prepares students for the 21st century workplace while serving as a valuable model for successful e-learning. Students earn industry standard career certifications and learn lifelong skills. The most important opportunity the Cisco Academy provides is the chance to learn Internet technology skills essential in a global economy.

Year One

Networking basics including Ethernet technologies, cabling of LANs and WANs, network media, TCP/IP and IP addressing, and routing fundamentals. Students learn to design, build and maintain LANs and WANs.

Year Two

Expands on Year One and adds initial router configuration, Cisco IOS Software management, routing protocol configuration, TCP/IP, access control lists (ACLs) and network troubleshooting. Students develop the skills to configure a router, manage Cisco IOS Software, configure routing protocols, create access lists and troubleshoot networks.

Year Three

In preparation for the CCNA exam and an internship, year three focuses on advanced IP addressing techniques (VLSM, NAT, PAT and DHCP), intermediate routing protocols (RIP v2, singe-area OSPF, EIGRP) command-line interface configuration of switches, Ethernet Switching, Virtual LANs (VLANs), Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP), WAN technology and terminology, (PPP, ISDN, DDR, Frame Relay), network management and introduction to optical networking. Students develop the skills of switching basics, intermediate routing and WAN technologies.