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Cisco Certifications
Cisco Certified Network Associate
Cisco is a leading authority in the IT field, and, as such, Cisco certifications are some of the most respected in the computing industry. In fact, many Cisco certifications have been accredited by the American National Standards Institute. WGU is proud to offer programs that prepare students for three Cisco certifications: Cisco CCNA, Cisco DevNet Associate, and Cisco CyberOps Associate as part of the B.S. in Network Engineering and Security. Through the program, students will earn a bachelor’s degree and the knowledge and skills to prepare for the certification exams. Because WGU students can graduate with not only a degree but also these industry-respected Cisco certifications, they can stand out in a crowded job market.
B.S. Network Engineering and Security Cisco Certifications
- Cisco CCNA
- Cisco DevNet Associate
- Cisco CyberOps Associate
CCNA
When you earn a B.S. Network Engineering and Security degree at WGU, you'll also earn valuable industry certifications—at no extra cost. The Cisco CCNA certification is just one of the many important certs you can earn as part of your degree program. In the IT industry, certifications are key to demonstrating knowledge and skills. IT certs at WGU help you boost your résumé before you even graduate. And the Cisco CCNA is an extremely important addition to your list of credentials.
Cisco CCNA, or Cisco Certified Network Associate, is the most popular IT certificate in the world. The certification program offers candidates the chance to demonstrate core IT knowledge. The focus of the CCNA is to educate IT professionals on ever-changing technological and networking information.
In 2019 Cisco released a new CCNA certification program that is taking over several of their other certifications. The old certifications stopped being applicable in February 2020. The new CCNA certification program has entirely replaced the older version.
The CCNA certification is ideal for those who have IT experience or are pursuing an IT degree. The knowledge you learn in a degree program or from experience will help prepare you for this exam. It's recommended you spend about 10 hours per week studying for at least one month to be prepared for the CCNA exam.
CCNA Exam
The CCNA exam tests your knowledge and skills related to:
- Network fundamentals
- Network acces
- IP connectivity
- IP services
- Security fundamentals
- Automation and programmability
Students in the B.S. Network Engineering and Security degree program at WGU will be prepared to take the CCNA exam as part of their program. The CCNA exam costs $300 to take, but that cost is included with your WGU tuition. The exam can be taken in person or online and takes approximately one to two hours. Preparing for the exam takes around three to four months , but for WGU students, much of that preparation happens in conjunction with the degree program curriculum.
CCNA Certification
The CCNA certification looks great on a résumé and will demonstrate to potential employers that you have the fundamental IT knowledge to perform needed job functions. You can set yourself apart from other candidates with a CCNA certification in your toolbelt.
The CCNA certification is valid for three years from the day you pass the exam. To recertify, you must follow Cisco’s recertification policy, which can involve finishing continuing education activities and taking tests. Get more information on the Cisco website.
WGU allows you to prepare for your CCNA certification while getting your bachelor's degree at the same time. WGU helps you by covering the CCNA certification fees, and giving you the training you need to pass the exam.
CCNA Salary
The average salary for a CCNA is approximately $84,000 per year. IT employees who get their CCNA certification can expect a salary raise of at least five to ten percent anywhere from 5 to 10%, or more. Many organizations view certifications and degrees as an important measure in of your abilities and will reward your work with salary increases. A CCNA certification can also help you be eligible for promotions. While some positions will require additional education, such as a master's degree, many IT positions will be available to those with a bachelor's degree and industry certs like the CCNA. Below is a list of IT job titles and the average pay for these titles when the employee has their CCNA certification.
Cisco DevNet Associate
Cisco’s development network associate (DevNet Associate) certification is best for those who develop and maintain applications built on Cisco platforms. This certification is tailored mainly to junior developers and DevOps engineers. It helps developers broaden their skill set, giving them added expertise in the areas of software and automation.The CCNA certification is ideal for those who have IT experience or are pursuing an IT degree. The knowledge you learn in a degree program or from experience will help prepare you for this exam. It's recommended you spend about 10 hours per week studying for at least one month to be prepared for the CCNA exam.
DevNet Associate Exam
The Cisco DevNet Associate exam requires students to show expertise in the following areas:
- Understanding and using APIs
- Infrastructure and automation
- Application deployment and security
- Cisco platforms and development
- Network fundamentals
- Software development and design
DevNet Certification
The Cisco DevNet Associate certification training helps both beginning developers and network professionals gain a solid baseline understanding of elements including data formats, Python data structures, version control operations, and APIs. Developers and network engineers who understand how to write and optimize applications for today’s networks are invaluable. Earning the DevNet Associate Certification gives WGU students a great foundation and a leg up when it comes to landing a job. It would typically cost $300, but for WGU students, the cost is included in their tuition. As with other Cisco certifications, the DevNet certification is valid for three years. See the Cisco site for more information on how to recertify.
DevNet Salary
Those who earn the DevNet certification may be able to command high salaries. Average compensation varies by role, but those in DevNet-related jobs see average salaries of $80,247 per year. That said, software architects and senior network engineers can make anywhere from $116,000 to $133,000 annually.
Cisco CyberOps Associate
The Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate certification is geared toward security operations center teams and helps them gain the skills and tactical knowledge to identify and react to cybersecurity threats. Earning the certification prepares students for entry-level cybersecurity roles. Students will learn valuable skills related to basic security concepts and network intrusion analysis.
The CyberOps Associate exam and training covers knowledge and skills related to security concepts, security monitoring, host-based analysis, network intrusion analysis, and security policies and procedures.
CyberOps Associate Exam
The CyberOps Associate Exam will validate skills in areas including:
- Security concepts
- Security monitoring
- Host-based analysis
- Network intrusion analysis
- Security policies and procedures
CyberOps Certification
The CyberOps Associate Certification will help new cybersecurity professionals gain the basic skills they need to succeed on the job. Those who earn this certification may be prepared for a role like cybersecurity analyst. There are no formal prerequisites for the exam, but students are encouraged to study for around 10 hours a week for a few months and familiarize themselves with the exam description. The cost for the certification is $300, but it’s included in tuition for WGU students in a related program. The recertification process is explained here.
CyberOps Salary
Cisco CyberOps Associate certification holders earn an average salary of $82,778 per year. Professionals with this certification may be prepared for entry-level positions like information security analyst, a role that earns $69,000 annually. At the higher end of the scale, senior network engineers can command annual salaries over $103,000.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cisco Certifications
- What is CCNA certification?
- How difficult is CCNA certification?
- Can I get a job with CCNA certification?
The Cisco Certified Network Associate or CCNA certification is an IT certification offered by CISCO. It is designed to test your knowledge and skills surrounding network administration and security, demonstrating to employers and colleagues that you have a solid understanding of how these important systems function.
For those who are studying network administration and security, the CCNA examination will not be too challenging. It will take a month or two of study, but for those who are studying for a degree program in network administration, your coursework should help you be well-prepared. It is not recommended to take this test unless you have a firm grasp of network administration, IP connectivity, IP security, etc.
The CCNA certification is an extremely valuable credential that IT professionals can add to their résumé. While you may get hired with just a CCNA certification, combining your certification with other important credentials and skills, such as a degree or other certifications, will make you stand out from the competition. It's ideal to find a degree program that can give you a bachelor's degree as well as industry certifications, like the IT programs offered at WGU.
WGU IT Certifications
Each WGU IT degree comes with top industry certifications at no extra cost.
