Northeast State is expanding the Computer Science Networking Program by offering an accelerator course for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification, a premier credential for information technology professionals.
The CCNA program provides a range of networking technology and software development skills that keep the internet and its infrastructure performing 24/7. Communication, education, e-commerce, and healthcare, among others, depend on this technology and IT professionals to function.
The class is scheduled for Aug. 24 to Dec. 7. The course fee is $1,030, which includes the CCNA exam cost. There are no prerequisites for registration, but knowledge or experience in the computer science field is recommended.
Instructor Jim Holbrook, who also teaches in the College’s Computer Science program, said the course covers general networking terms, equipment configuration, protocols, and security. At the end of the class, students will sit for the two-hour CCNA certification exam.
“Students that complete the course will have a better than average opportunity to pass the certification exam,” said Holbrook, who holds three Cisco certifications. He also has 20 years of experience as an IT professional.
The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is a premier credential for information technology professionals.
According to Cisco, 78 percent of technology executives and managers consider technical credentials a critical success factor, and 99 percent of organizations use certifications to make hiring decisions.
“Having a certification–especially a Cisco certification–is a ticket to employment opportunities,” Holbrook said. “This certification is almost crucial anymore.”
The 16-week, one-night-a-week course is funded by a $1 million grant through the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) program.
The grant is designed to foster long-term regional partnerships between higher education, industry, economic development/workforce agencies, and K-12 to address skills gaps in local workforce pools.
According to Dr. Donna Farrell, interim dean of the College’s Technologies Division, the grant allowed Northeast State to replace antiquated equipment with new switches, routers, laptops, desktops, and other equipment needed to present a state-of-the-art course.
“If you can pass an industry-standard certification, it means you are at a level of proficiency in that field,” said Daniel Dotson, a Northeast State graduate enrolled in the course. “In some ways, employers like to see that just as much as they like to see college degrees. That means you are out there doing some independent learning and putting time and money toward passing that exam.”
The CCNA networking classroom is located at the Kingsport Center for Higher Education, 300 W. Market St. The College is also considering the possibility of offering the course on the Blountville campus, 2425 Highway 75.
Northeast State’s office of Workforce Solutions is handling registration. For details, contact Dr. Cindy Tauscher at cmtauscher@northeaststate.edu or 423.354.2570.
Northeast State is expanding the Computer Science Networking Program by offering an accelerator course for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification, a premier credential for information technology professionals.
The CCNA program provides a range of networking technology and software development skills that keep the internet and its infrastructure performing 24/7. Communication, education, e-commerce, and healthcare, among others, depend on this technology and IT professionals to function.
The class is scheduled for Aug. 24 to Dec. 7. The course fee is $1,030, which includes the CCNA exam cost. There are no prerequisites for registration, but knowledge or experience in the computer science field is recommended.
Instructor Jim Holbrook, who also teaches in the College’s Computer Science program, said the course covers general networking terms, equipment configuration, protocols, and security. At the end of the class, students will sit for the two-hour CCNA certification exam.
“Students that complete the course will have a better than average opportunity to pass the certification exam,” said Holbrook, who holds three Cisco certifications. He also has 20 years of experience as an IT professional.
According to Cisco, 78 percent of technology executives and managers consider technical credentials a critical success factor, and 99 percent of organizations use certifications to make hiring decisions.
“Having a certification–especially a Cisco certification–is a ticket to employment opportunities,” Holbrook said. “This certification is almost crucial anymore.”
The 16-week, one-night-a-week course is funded by a $1 million grant through the Governor’s Investment in Vocational Education (GIVE) program.
The grant is designed to foster long-term regional partnerships between higher education, industry, economic development/workforce agencies, and K-12 to address skills gaps in local workforce pools.
According to Dr. Donna Farrell, interim dean of the College’s Technologies Division, the grant allowed Northeast State to replace antiquated equipment with new switches, routers, laptops, desktops, and other equipment needed to present a state-of-the-art course.
“If you can pass an industry-standard certification, it means you are at a level of proficiency in that field,” said Daniel Dotson, a Northeast State graduate enrolled in the course. “In some ways, employers like to see that just as much as they like to see college degrees. That means you are out there doing some independent learning and putting time and money toward passing that exam.”
The CCNA networking classroom is located at the Kingsport Center for Higher Education, 300 W. Market St. The College is also considering the possibility of offering the course on the Blountville campus, 2425 Highway 75.
Northeast State’s office of Workforce Solutions is handling registration. For details, contact Dr. Cindy Tauscher at cmtauscher@northeaststate.edu or 423.354.2570.
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