Which Courses Require Accreditation?

Not every education organisation is a Cisco Academy

Becoming a Cisco Academy is your choice, but being affiliated with NetAcad gives you 1,400+ hours of free content. The programme has been operational in the UK and Ireland since 1998, connecting a community of Cisco Academies from Schools, Colleges, Universities and other types of organisations. Some courses require prior accreditation for teachers before you offer these to students, but many others simply require registration as a Cisco Instructor via an approved Cisco Academy.

Courses that can be taught without prior accreditation

  1. IT Essentials (CompTIA A+) - an extensive 70 hour course covering everything you have ever needed to know about computer systems, computer hardware, operating systems and hardware support. Aimed at the IT Technician - the IT Essentials from Cisco Systems is designed to align with the CompTIA A+ certification. Like all Cisco courses, there is a strong practical element - work can be accomplished using Packet Tracer as well as hands on and virtualised lab activities.

  2. Networking Essentials - designed as a comprehensive introduction to networking. Like IT essentials and the model for all industry focussed course it is set at 70 hours. Any national (or degree) programme with a generic networking principles module can be supported by the content in this course. Like all Cisco courses, there is a strong practical element - work can be accomplished using Packet Tracer as well as hands on lab activities.

  3. Get connected - this is a short course (under 15 hours) that can be used for students requiring digital literacy

  4. Introduction to CyberSecurity - this is a single short course set at under 15 hours. Designed to take any student from no knowledge to informed. It covers the technical and legal aspects as well as offers a set of practical activities using the free Packet Tracer network simulator.

  5. CyberSecurity Essentials - set at approximately 30 hours of study. Designed to follow on from the Introduction to Cybersecurity. This course offers the student an insight into the professional expectations around being a cybersecurity professional as well as explore the technologies used to secure the system as well as recognise commonplace exploits and risks.

  6. Programming Essentials in Python - This short course includes an inbuilt browser based development environment that provides support and feedback to the student. This course is 70hrs, and is split into two sections covering 'procedural' [40hrs] and 'object oriented' [30hrs] programming

  7. JavaScript Essentials - course introduces the student to some universal computer programming concepts, such as data types, type casting, containers, comments, operators, conditional execution, loops, functions, errors, exceptions, troubleshooting, and code debugging. The course guides the student step-by-step to understanding and using the core JavaScript language to design, build, and improve simple JavaScript programs. No prior programming knowledge is required. The course begins with the very basics guiding you step by step until you become adept at solving more complex problems.

  8. C/C++ Essentials and Advanced - a core language of many different systems, including Linux and many embedded systems. These courses are designed to take students from a low experience level to moderately advanced programming skills. All of these courses can be used in conjunction with any computer science programme. Each course is approximately 70hrs in length.

  9. Cloud Security - This course is designed to provide in-depth understanding of the full capabilities of cloud computing and the knowledge to develop a holistic cloud security program. The estimated time to complete the course is approximately 35 hours.

  10. Linux Unhatched/Linux Essentials - supported by Cisco partners NDG. Accompanied by an in built browser based virtual machine. These courses provide a practical introduction to the open source Linux operating system

  11. Internet of Things (introduction and fundamentals) - this is a range of courses, that enable students to discover home and industrial automation technologies. Supported by Packet Tracer, these courses explore integrated technologies as well as programming skills. This course is approximately 24hrs. There are additional IoT courses covering Big Data + Analytics, Security and Connecting Things - each of these require prior accreditation (offered for free) and are an estimated 50hrs each.

  12. Packet Tracer - this educational software tool is a free network simulator. Any Cisco Academy can use it for all of their students, on all computers in all classes. Packet Tracer covers an extensive range of technologies, including programmable IoT devices. This 10 hours course is useful to quickly learn about the tool.

To teach the most of the courses listed above you do not need to be connected to an ASC, however it will help as you will be able to obtain support. Each course is based on the assumption that as an experienced educator you know your capabilities and will, if required - review each course before teaching it to your students.

To learn more about this and other course, please visit the Courses page.

Courses requiring prior teacher accreditation

Cisco, the Open University and all other Cisco Academy Instructor Training Centres maintain an open model for training and accreditation. This means you can go to anyone anywhere if you wish. The following courses require prior teacher (known as instructor) accreditation based on their direct route to industry accreditation and employment. You must be connected to an ASC to access this ... at the bottom of this page is a link and an associated video explaining the application process.

  1. CCNA - set as the flag ship industry associate level certification and at the core of the Cisco NetAcad experience. This is a portfolio of three separate sequential courses, each with 70 hours, including practical hands on and Packet Tracer based activities. This programme is a combined learning experience set at around 210 hours.

  2. Network Security - designed to follow the first two courses from the CCNA (Introduction to Networks + Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials), this 70 hour course focusses on securing network infrastructures using Cisco technologies.

  3. CyberOps Associate - designed to follow on from the 'free' cybersecurity courses - CyberOps set to be released early 2018 is focussed on the professional practice of managing and defending networks against 'back hat' and cyber attack vectors.

  4. CCNP - Route, Switch and TSHOOT - three professional level courses, all also set at 70 hours a piece. Following on from the CCNA R+S, each of these explore core advanced certifications from Cisco Systems. Ideally set for degree level programmes, these can be offered by a range of Cisco Academies. However, anyone embarking on CCNP delivery must be aware of the hardware commitments associated with these courses. (this is being replaced by CCNP Enterprise, watch this space)

To learn more about this and other course, please visit the Courses page.

Submitting an application to become a Cisco Academy

You just need to fill in the form available on netacad.com/become-an-academy.

Cisco will check the application, verifying if it's from Schools, Colleges, Universities, Apprenticeship Training Providers or other eligible organisations. Only clearly identifiable not-for-profit organisations will be accepted.