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Create or expand a networking, cybersecurity, or technology program.
Cisco Academy Support Center
Build A Cisco Networking Academy With WASTC
Every Cisco Academy starts with three things: an approved application, a qualified instructor, and a classroom that's ready. WASTC gets ICT educators across the West through all three, and stays on well after launch.
Supporting Cisco Academies since 2011
Academy setup · Instructor training · Classroom planning · Ongoing educator support · Professional development · ICT educator community
One Path, Tailored To Your Role
Run the program, teach it, or approve the budget - start where you fit.
ICT Educators
Become qualified to teach Cisco Networking Academy curriculum.
Administrators
Understand costs, equipment, instructor requirements, and implementation before launching.
Three Steps To A Running Academy
Three things stand between you and a live academy. Here is each one, in order.
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Step One
Establish Your Cisco Academy
Start at netacad.com. Under Get Started › Educators, scroll to Become an Academy, complete the short form, and submit.
Cisco confirms your application, then sends an agreement to accept - you'll find it in the ‘pending’ folder of the Manage area. Once accepted, your Cisco Academy is live and you can offer the full Non-Core curriculum.
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Step Two
Partner With WASTC
To teach the Core Curriculum (IT-Essentials, CCNA, CCNA Security, CCNP, Network Essentials, or IoT Fundamentals), you align with an Academy Support Center (ASC). Any ASC will do. We hope you'll pick WASTC.
In NetAcad, go to Manage › Manage ASC relationship, search “Western Academy Support and Training Center,” and select it with the radio button.
ASC Approvals
Send us a note so we can approve your alignment and get you on your way: Karen.stanton@wastc.org
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Step Three
Prepare Your Instructors & Classroom
Qualify Your Instructors
Instructor training is required to teach the core courses. The WASTC Instructor Training Center (ITC) offers the courses your instructors need to get qualified on the core Cisco Academy curriculum. See the training schedule ›
Set Up Your Classroom
Provide a classroom with computers so students can access the online curriculum, take assessments, and read lab materials. Some courses add hands-on labs that need network gear - check your chosen curriculum for its lab requirements.
What WASTC Provides
WASTC runs the instructor courses and the summer and winter training events. You also get ICT educators who have already built what you're building.
Academy Support
Straight answers from your NetAcad application through ASC alignment.
Instructor Training
ITC courses that qualify your instructors on the core Cisco Academy curriculum.
Professional Development
Summer faculty development weeks and an annual winter conference for ICT educators.
Classroom Planning
Help scoping the computers, lab gear, and space your courses will need.
Equipment Guidance
Know what to buy - and how to claim the Cisco Academy discount - before you order.
Community Support
ICT educators who will tell you what worked, what to buy, and how their labs are wired.
What It Costs
The figures below are published upfront so administrators can plan before committing, and equipment needs vary by curriculum.
| Item | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| First-year WASTC supportAcademy Support Center membership | $550first year |
| Annual renewalWith the Early Bird discount | $300per year |
| Instructor trainingCheck the training schedule for exact costs | $600per instructor / course |
| CCNA equipment pod3 switches, 3 routers, cabling - supports up to 6 students | ~$5,000per pod |
| Rolling racksTo mount the gear - set of 4 | ~$1,4004 racks |
Equipment requirements vary depending on curriculum. Contact WASTC before purchasing equipment.
- IT-Essentials gear is inexpensive - mainly computers students can take apart and rebuild.
- Plan for several CCNA pods. One pod maxes out at six students; more pods mean more hands-on time.
How To Purchase Equipment
A few guardrails so you buy the right gear, at the right price, the first time.
Vendor Flexibility
Buy from any vendor you like - academies are not locked to a single supplier.
Cisco Discounts
Cisco Academies receive a substantial discount. Choose a vendor who knows how to apply it.
Purchasing Guidance
Equipment lists for each curriculum live on NetAcad - part numbers, descriptions, and quantities for a complete course lab.
Best Practices
Check each course's Instructor Lab Manual for equipment and topology detail, and see real lab setups in the Resources area.
Ready To Build Your Cisco Networking Academy?
The application, instructor training, equipment lists: it's a lot to line up. Email us to get started, and we'll take it from there.