Cisco Networking Certificate - Career Certificate

A hands-on & rewarding career

Pass the CCNA exam

This career can be financially rewarding, always interesting and very relatable.

In the Cisco Networking certificate, you spend extensive hands-on time in the laboratory, preparing for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam. Cloud-based labs allow you to work from home if you need. Hone your skills in:

network fundamentals
routing
switching
network design and troubleshooting
network security

What can you do with a Certificate in Cisco Networking?

The certificate in Cisco Networking prepares you to start work or continue your education in information technology, network administration or related fields, which prepares you for these careers.

Expand your skillset with stackable certificates

This certificate is stackable and counts toward your A.A.S. with specialty in network administration and cybersecurity.

Choose a certificate combination specific to your interests. With enhanced skills in a specific area, you enter the job market sooner and for those already working in the industry, you upgrade your skills. Your certificate choices include:

Highlights

Stackable Credentials

Earn and learn as you go with stackable credentials.
100% Online

Can be completed 100% online.
Career Certificate

Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.
Program Length: 1.5 Years

Full-time students can complete in 1.5 years.

Career Outlook

Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $74,216
  
  Median
  
  $124,749
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $158,192
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $35.68
  
  Median
  
  $59.97
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $76.05
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Some college
  
  8.35%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  36.22%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  22.51%
  
  Doctorate
  
  32.92%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $103,582
  
  Median
  
  $170,352
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $233,291
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $49.79
  
  Median
  
  $81.89
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $112.15
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  1.26%
  
  Certificate
  
  5.77%
  
  Some college
  
  25.96%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  2.16%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  50.48%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  14.36%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Design and implement computer and information networks, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), intranets, extranets, and other data communications networks. Perform network modeling, analysis, and planning, including analysis of capacity needs for network infrastructures. May also design network and computer security measures. May research and recommend network and data communications hardware and software.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $90,425
  
  Median
  
  $140,396
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $196,237
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $43.47
  
  Median
  
  $67.50
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $94.34
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Some college
  
  4.55%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  4.55%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  45.46%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  45.45%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Analyze, test, troubleshoot, and evaluate existing network systems, such as local area networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), cloud networks, servers, and other data communications networks. Perform network maintenance to ensure networks operate correctly with minimal interruption.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $49,005
  
  Median
  
  $77,400
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $136,622
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $23.56
  
  Median
  
  $37.21
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $65.68
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  4.23%
  
  Certificate
  
  10.16%
  
  Some college
  
  13.63%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  21.68%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  48.77%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  1.53%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Create, modify, and test the code and scripts that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software and web developers or other individuals. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $52,287
  
  Median
  
  $84,921
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $174,750
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $25.14
  
  Median
  
  $40.82
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $84.01
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Some college
  
  2.52%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  8.99%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  88.04%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  0.45%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Analyze science, engineering, business, and other data processing problems to develop and implement solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions, improve existing computer systems, and review computer system capabilities, workflow, and schedule limitations. May analyze or recommend commercially available software.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $65,813
  
  Median
  
  $106,531
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $161,982
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $31.64
  
  Median
  
  $51.21
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $77.87
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  High school diploma or less
  
  0.77%
  
  Certificate
  
  0.54%
  
  Some college
  
  4.62%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  50.71%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  41.93%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  1.42%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).
Design and develop solutions to complex applications problems, system administration issues, or network concerns. Perform systems management and integration functions.
- Salary Levels
  
  Take a look at the average annual or hourly earnings for this career in Lake and Cook Counties.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $52,677
  
  Median
  
  $112,361
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $166,479
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
  
  Entry-Level
  
  $25.32
  
  Median
  
  $54.01
  
  Senior-Level
  
  $80.03
  
  Lightcast earnings figures are based on OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) data from the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) and include base rate, cost of living allowances, guaranteed pay, hazardous-duty pay, incentive pay (including commissions and bonuses), on-call pay, and tips.
- Top entry-level education
  
  Here’s a quick look at the most common degree levels people have in this career.
  
  Certificate
  
  10%
  
  Associate Degree
  
  3.33%
  
  Bachelor's Degree
  
  66.67%
  
  Master's Degree
  
  16.67%
  
  Doctorate
  
  3.33%
  
  Lightcast educational attainment levels are the educational attainment percentage breakdown for a career (e.g. the percentage of people in the career who hold a bachelor degree vs. an associate degree).

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Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

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Credit for prior learning available
Dual credit options available
Global citizenship
Online/Virtual options available

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Highlights
CIT 139	CIT 139 CCNA I: Introduction to Networks Class Description This course covers the architecture, structure, functions, components, and models of the Internet and other computer networks. The principles and structure of Internet Protocol (IP) addressing and the fundamentals of Ethernet concepts, media, and basic network operations are introduced. Students will build simple local area networks, perform basic configurations for routers and switches, and implement IP addressing schemes. This is the first of the three courses sequence to prepare for CCNA industry certification. Recommended: CIT 120	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	CIT 139
Course Title	CIT 139 CCNA I: Introduction to Networks Class Description This course covers the architecture, structure, functions, components, and models of the Internet and other computer networks. The principles and structure of Internet Protocol (IP) addressing and the fundamentals of Ethernet concepts, media, and basic network operations are introduced. Students will build simple local area networks, perform basic configurations for routers and switches, and implement IP addressing schemes. This is the first of the three courses sequence to prepare for CCNA industry certification. Recommended: CIT 120
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Highlights
CIT 159	CIT 159 CCNA II: Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials Class Description This course describes the architecture, components, and operations of routers and switches in a small network. Students learn how to configure a router and a switch for basic functionality. By the end of this course, students will be able to configure and troubleshoot routers and switches and resolve common issues with Routing Protocols such as RIP and OSPF, Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), Inter-VLAN routing in both IPv4 and IPv6 networks. The course also covers LAN and switch security concepts and configurations. This is the second of three courses sequence to prepare for CCNA industry certification.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	CIT 159
Course Title	CIT 159 CCNA II: Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials Class Description This course describes the architecture, components, and operations of routers and switches in a small network. Students learn how to configure a router and a switch for basic functionality. By the end of this course, students will be able to configure and troubleshoot routers and switches and resolve common issues with Routing Protocols such as RIP and OSPF, Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANs), Inter-VLAN routing in both IPv4 and IPv6 networks. The course also covers LAN and switch security concepts and configurations. This is the second of three courses sequence to prepare for CCNA industry certification.
Credits	3

Course Code	Course Title	Credits	Course Highlights
CIT 218	CIT 218 CCNA III: Enterprise Networking, Security and Automation Class Description This course describes the architecture, components, and operations of routers and switches in a larger and more complex network as well as (WAN) technologies and network services required by converged applications in a complex network. Students learn how to configure routers and switches for advanced functionality and resolve common issues with Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol, Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP), and VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) in both IPv4 and IPv6 networks. The course enables students to understand the selection criteria of network devices and WAN technologies to meet network requirements. Students learn how to configure and troubleshoot network devices and resolve common issues with data link protocols. In addition, students develop the knowledge and skills needed to implement Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) and Virtual Private Network (VPN) operations in a complex network. This is the third course of a three-course sequence to prepare for CCNA industry certification.	3

Course Highlights
Course Code	CIT 218
Course Title	CIT 218 CCNA III: Enterprise Networking, Security and Automation Class Description This course describes the architecture, components, and operations of routers and switches in a larger and more complex network as well as (WAN) technologies and network services required by converged applications in a complex network. Students learn how to configure routers and switches for advanced functionality and resolve common issues with Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) protocol, Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP), Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP), and VLAN Trunking Protocol (VTP) in both IPv4 and IPv6 networks. The course enables students to understand the selection criteria of network devices and WAN technologies to meet network requirements. Students learn how to configure and troubleshoot network devices and resolve common issues with data link protocols. In addition, students develop the knowledge and skills needed to implement Internet Protocol Security (IPSec) and Virtual Private Network (VPN) operations in a complex network. This is the third course of a three-course sequence to prepare for CCNA industry certification.
Credits	3

Total Credit Hours

9

*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

Computer Information Technology at CLC

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This certificate is just one possible way to study Computer Information Technology. Get the bigger picture—degrees, credentials and extra options.

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Frequently asked questions

You qualify for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) exam.
At CLC, your learning experience is more hands-on. We have industry-standard facilities and Cisco equipment.

The certificate is offered in Live Zoom and in-person format which gives you plenty of flexibility to work online.
Our student profile is varied. Some students start the program right after high school while others are older. A small group has earned a bachelor’s degree in another field.
Yes—well, most of them. Every course in this program is offered in an online format, except for our field courses which must be taken in-person.
Attend class in the way that works best for your goals:
- Virtual Live: Learn remotely in real time. Take classes taught live via Zoom.
- Online: Have the flexibility to complete course work without scheduled meetings while staying actively engaged in a fully online environment.
- In-person: Keep your degree on track with classes that meet face-to-face, providing you with opportunities to interact in person with faculty and peers.
The estimated cost of this program appears at the top of this web page, under the program title.
The cost is based on recommended pathway credit hours. It includes in-district tuition and fees, such as for books and materials. It does not factor in financial aid (grants, loans, scholarships) that you may receive.
View current tuition and fees
Some courses in this program are subject to variable tuition and course fees because they provide specialized experiences, instruction or technology/equipment.
View courses with variable tuition and fees
Many opportunities exist at CLC to get financial assistance. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.

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Cisco Networking

A hands-on & rewarding career

Pass the CCNA exam

What can you do with a Certificate in Cisco Networking?

Expand your skillset with stackable certificates

Highlights

Stackable Credentials

100% Online

Career Certificate

Program Length: 1.5 Years

Career Outlook

Computer and Information Research Scientists

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Computer and Information Systems Managers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Computer Network Architects

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Computer Network Support Specialists

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Computer Programmers

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Computer Systems Analysts

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Computer Systems Engineers/Architects

Salary Levels

Top entry-level education

Need help?

Recommended Pathway

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Semester 1 3 Credits

Semester 2 3 Credits

Semester 3 3 Credits

Total Credit Hours

Computer Information Technology at CLC

Get the bigger picture

Frequently asked questions

What exams will I qualify for after I complete the program?

How is my learning experience going to be different at CLC?

Are there students like me in the program?

Can I take my classes online?

How much does this program cost?

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