DSU Beacom College launches Cisco Network Academy

September 5, 2025

The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences is launching a Cisco Network Academy for students pursuing careers in networking.

Dr. Pat Engebretson, serving as the Director of DSU's Cisco Networking Academy, spent a year completing the training to become a designated Cisco Academy Instructor. DSU's Cisco Networking Academy is strategically designed to complement, not compete with, DSU's existing networking, routing, and switching curriculum.

Students who complete networking I & II and routing and switching courses can enroll in a one-credit course. Engebretson will guide enrolled students through the official Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) curriculum to prepare for the CCNA exam.

Students enrolled in DSU's Cisco Network Academy course will receive the CCNA curriculum for no additional fees. The course is graded on a pass/fail basis and may be taken multiple times. Students who complete specific objectives are eligible for a discount on the CCNA certification exam.

To receive the discount, students must meet the following criteria.

• Successfully complete the CCNA: Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation coursework.
• Achieve a score of 70% or higher on the first attempt of each qualifying course final exam.
• Complete course feedback survey.
• Be marked as "complete" in the Cisco Networking Academy learning platform grade book by the instructor.

"This model gives students who are interested in earning this industry-recognized credential a significant head start, while still grounding their knowledge in our academic courses," said Dr. Mary Bell, dean of The Beacom College of Computer & Cyber Sciences. "It's a value-add, not a substitution, and reinforces our commitment to blending rigorous academic preparation with real-world professional advancement."

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