Academics

Cisco Networking Specialist

In an age where we are constantly connected to social media, work computers, e-mail and even our cellphones, it is no wonder the importance of networking is constantly growing.

If you are computer savvy and want to learn a skill that is in high demand, then ICC has the program for you.

Cisco Aligned Courses

ICC’s Cisco networking courses are aligned to all Cisco certifications beginning with the Entry-level CCENT (Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician) and Associate-level CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Associate) certifications. Certification training for the Professional-level or Enterprise-level CCNP (Cisco Certified Network Professional) that aims to further develop networking skills in core routing and switching are also available.

“I recommend the program to anyone that wants to pursue Information Technology (IT). I don’t believe there is a better program anywhere around, and for only two years and a relatively small tuition fee the program is the best learning experience for the cost I have found anywhere.” – Logan Winkler, former ICC student

ICC’s Cisco Networking Specialist program can lead to achieving highly-sought after Cisco certifications – an impressive addition to your resume, which can open the door to an exhilarating and opportunity-rich future.

Hands On

In order to get you ready for a career in networking you have to know more than just concepts. At ICC we understand this and that’s why we have one of the most state of the art learning labs to give you hands-on experience using physical enterprise-level equipment.

“I liked the hands-on training you get. It isn’t a three hour lecture, it is an overview and then off to the lab to apply the content on real devices.” – Chad Birchnell, former ICC student

Career Focused

The Cisco Networking Specialist program is designed to provide students with hands-on networking experience in enterprise-level networking that develops an advanced understanding of routing and switching technologies. Students will receive best in-class instruction from professors who have taught future employers.

“One of the greatest rewards for us is that our former students are now in positions to hire our current students.” – Kim Hawthorne, ICC CCNA, CCAI Professor

Demand for certified Cisco Networking Specialists is on the rise. According to the U.S. Labor Department, careers for network and computer systems administrators is expected to grow at a rate of 12 percent by 2022 and will see the highest growth at industries that provide cloud-computing technology.

Why Choose ICC’s Networking Academy?

• Hands-on labs using physical enterprise-level equipment.
• Access to extensive tools designed to help students reinforce complex concepts and configurations through simulation, visualization, and collaboration capabilities outside of the classroom.
• Real-world projects to develop relevant networking job skills.
• Hybrid-learning, utilizing an online curriculum and online assessments in addition to hands-on training.
• Career-focused and Certification aligned aimed at helping students prepare for entry-level networking opportunities.

So if you are looking for a career that is in high demand and will give you the skills needed to succeed in a connected world, start taking Cisco Certified Networking classes today!

Illinois Central College’s Cisco Networking program also includes:

• Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) — Certificate (Certificate Program)
• Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) — Certificate (Certificate Program)

Degree

Associate in Applied Science (Career Program)
Total Credit Hours: 63

Program Requirements

Select a course number below to see a course description.

Required General Education Courses

Course	Name	Credit Hours
	ENGLISH *	3
	COMMUNICATION *	3
	SOCIAL SCIENCE *	3
	LABORATORY SCIENCE/MATHEMATICS *	7
	HUMANITIES *	3

Required Program Courses

Course	Name	Credit Hours
CMCIS 147	FUNDAMENTALS OF VOICE AND DATA CABLING I	4
CMCIS 151	NETWORK FUNDAMENTALS	4
CMCIS 152	ROUTING AND SWITCHING ESSENTIALS	4
CMCIS 153	SCALING NETWORKS	4
CMCIS 154	WAN COMMUNICATION	4
CMCIS 156 or	CCNA VOICE ** or	3
CMCIS 157 or	CCNA WIRELESS ** or	3
CMCIS 158	CCNA SECURITY **	3
CMCIS 271	CCNP ROUTE	4
CMCIS 273	CCNP SWITCH	4
CMCIS 274	CCNP TROUBLESHOOTING	4
CMNET 140	WINDOWS ADMINISTRATION	3
CMNET 210	WINDOWS SERVER ADMINISTRATION	3

Elective Courses

Course	Name	Credit Hours
	APPROVED ELECTIVES ***	3 to 4

* See specific requirements for Associate in Applied Science Degree.
** See advisor for recommendations
*** Electives may be from any of the following prefixes: CMCIS, CMPSC, CMGEN, CMNET, or CMWEB

Recommended Course Sequence

Semester	Courses
Fall Semester 1	CMCIS 151; CMCIS 152; CMNET 140; English
Spring Semester 1	CMCIS 153; CMCIS 154; CMNET 210; Laboratory Science/Mathematics
Summer Semester	Approved Elective; CMCIS 156 or CMCIS 157
Fall Semester 2	CMCIS 271; Social Science; Humanities; CMCIS 147
Spring Semester 2	CMCIS 273; CMCIS 274; Communication; Laboratory Science/Mathematics; CMCIS 158 (only if CMCIS 156 or CMCIS 157 not completed)

Program Contact Information

Business, Legal, and Information Systems Department
Technology Center
Room 205
(309)694-5558

Illinois Career Cluster

Information Technology

Career Pathway:
Network Systems

The mission of the Cisco Networking Specialist degree is to prepare students for employment in the networking field through education and training on real-world networking equipment by specializing in areas of cabling, network design, core routing and switching technologies, and security concepts, as well as telephony and wireless technologies. The program is aligned to several highly-sought after Cisco certifications including the CCNA and CCNP.

Career Pathway

Pathway programs at ICC have a map that shows the courses/degree requirements that will lead students to their desired education and employment goals.