Most companies pay big money to ensure that their data and corporate secrets remain secret. In addition, governmental regulations are becoming more and more aggressive towards businesses that do not protect customer information, or medical organizations that do not protect customer health information from attack. This degree prepares students to enter the world of corporate information security.
Companies are eager to hire people with understanding and skills necessary to protect data. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find enough qualified cybersecurity professionals and the demand is currently very high for students with this skillset. Students often start out in the role of level-1 Security Analyst and can move into other areas like Penetration Testing, or Risk Analysis as they get more experience.
Course Requirements
Religion Courses
REL, Two cornerstone religion courses (REL 200, REL 225, REL 250, or REL 275), 4 credits
REL, Two additional Religion Courses, 4 credits
Total Religion Courses Minimum Credit Hours 8
Program Required College Courses
BAP 115, Excel and Introduction to Technology, 1 credit
CAR 101, College Success, 1 credit
CAR 201, Career Success, 1 credit
IT Internship, CAR 299 or CAR 499 or IT 499, 1 credit
COMM 122, Interpersonal Communications, 3 credits
ENG 101, Introduction to College Writing, 3 credits
MAT, Elective Choose 1 from the following: MAT 110, MAT 111, MAT 112, MAT 213, MAT 237, 3 credits
Total GE and College-Wide Courses Minimum Credit Hours 13
Program Core Courses
CS 105, Introduction to Programming, 3 credits
CS 115, Object-Oriented Programming, 3 credits
CS 160, Agile Project Management, 3 credits
IT 125, Introduction to Information Technology, 3 credits
IT 143, Database Design and Analysis, 3 credits
IT 210, Linux Fundamentals, 3 credits
IT 235, Windows Server Fundamentals, 3 credits
IT 255, Networking Fundamentals, 3 credits
IT 280, Python Programming, 3 credits
IT 312, Cybersecurity Fundamentals, 3 credits
IT 320, Cybersecurity Risk Analysis & Policy, 3 credits
IT 322, Penetration Testing, 3 credits
IT 350, Network Configuration and Design, 3 credits
Total Program Core Courses Minimum Credit Hours 39
Total Cybersecurity (AAS) Degree Minimum Credit Hours 60
Recommended Sequence of Courses
*Individual student circumstances, such as the need for a smaller course load or the number of preparatory English or Math courses a student must take, may require additional semesters to complete the program. Please see your academic advisor for assistance.
First Semester
CAR 101, College Success, 1 credit
BAP 115, Excel and Introduction to Technology, 1 credit
CS 105, Introduction to Programming, 3 credits
ENG 101, Introduction to College Writing, 3 credits
IT 125, Introduction to Information Technology, 3 credits
**REL, See Current Religion Requirements, 2 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 13
Second Semester
CS 160, Agile Project Management, 3 credits
IT 143, Database Design and Analysis, 3 credits
IT 235, Windows Server Fundamentals, 3 credits
IT 255, Networking Fundamentals, 3 credits
**REL, See Current Religion Requirements, 2 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 14
Third Semesters
COMM 122, Interpersonal Communications, 3 credits
MAT, Elective Choose from the current list (see below), 3 credits
IT 210, Linux Fundamentals, 3 credits
MAT 252, Statistics, 3 credits
**REL, See Current Religion Requirements, 2 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 14
Fourth Semester
CS 115, Object-Oriented Programming, 3 credits
IT 280, Python Programming, 3 credits
IT 322, Penetration Testing, 3 credits
IT 350, Network Configuration and Design, 3 credits
**REL, See Current Religion Requirements, 2 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 14
Fifth Semester
CAR 201, Career Success, 1 credit
IT Internship, Choose one: CAR 299 or CAR 499, 1 credit
IT 320, Cybersecurity Risk Analysis & Policy, 3 credits
Total Minimum Semester Hours 5
Total Cybersecurity AAS Degree Minimum Credit Hours 60
*Math Electives MAT 110, MAT 111, MAT 112, MAT 213, MAT 237
Graduation Requirements
1. Minimum of 63 total semester credit hours as outlined
2. Grade of C or higher in all core courses
3. Cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher
4. Two cornerstone religion courses, 2 additional elective religion courses