Levels of Cisco Career Certifications
October 24, 2012
•AIU Atlanta, Information Technology (IT)
• 0 Comments
You might have heard about the IT certification programs Cisco offers, but did you know you can choose from five levels and nine paths of certification? Check out this program overview to discover the information technology certification that’s best for you:
Entry-Level
Students who enroll in the Entry-level Certification program can gain the knowledge and skills needed for entry-level support opportunities. They learn to identify, solve, and replace networking devices through one of the following paths of certification:
- Routing & Switching
- Design
- Network Security
- Wireless
- Voice
- Storage Networking
- Service Provider Operations
Associate
The second level of Cisco certification, Associate, is considered the program’s foundation course. Students in the Entry-Level program typically plan to progress to the Associate level, and many other first-time students start Cisco certification with one of the following Associate paths:
- Routing & Switching
- Design
- Network Security
- Wireless
- Voice
- Service Provider
- Service Provider Operations
Professional
Taking a Professional Certification course can allow IT professionals to obtain an expertise in networking foundations. After obtaining Associate Certification, consider Professional Certification in the same path for in-depth training. Professional Certification is offered in the same seven paths as the Associate level.
Expert
The highest level of technical networking certification for many paths, this Cisco program allows network professionals to master the products and problem-solving techniques of Cisco. The program offers Expert Certification in all nine paths:
- Routing & Switching
- Design
- Network Security
- Wireless
- Voice
- Data Center
- Storage Networking
- Service Provider
- Service Provider Operations
Architect
While the Expert Certification provides the highest level for specialized paths within Cisco, Architect Certification offers the overall highest level of design accreditation in the Cisco program. The Architect title recognizes the expertise of designers who can support and manage complex networks while applying business strategies to the technology world.
If you’re interested in information technology programs, learn more about AIU Atlanta’s Bachelor of Information Technology - Network Administration Specialization.