Guide to Online Cybersecurity Degrees
With policymakers warning of emerging cyber threats, colleges have been steadily creating online cybersecurity degree programs to train more professionals in the field. These d egrees seek to teach useful skills in threat detection, countermeasures, and policy planning. Whether you're a prospective undergraduate or graduate student, you can apply for an online cybersecurity program that features either a general curriculum or an optional concentration. Graduates of these degrees have embarked on careers as computer and information security specialists for government agencies, businesses, and nonprofit entities.
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Is a Cybersecurity Degree Worth It?
There's no single answer that's true for everybody. However, an education in cybersecurity may help you join a well-compensated cohort of professionals whose services are in high demand. If this prospect sounds intriguing, consider our list of pros and cons as you plan your education.
Potential Benefits
The cybersecurity job field is growing very rapidly. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), information security analysts can look forward to 33% growth in new jobs in the 2020-2030 period. This is by far the fastest growing computer or IT career that the BLS tracks.
These roles tend to pay well. Information security analysts pull median annual salaries of $102,600, which is well over the $41,950 median rate for all jobs combined. Occupations with similar skill sets also feature high wages — for example, network architects make a median wage of $120,520 per year, while database administrators earn $98,860.
Cybersecurity professionals are largely content with their work. In 2021, 77% of them reported being satisfied or extremely satisfied in their role, according to the latest workforce survey by non-profit organization (ISC) 2.
Potential Drawbacks
Cybersecurity is overwhelmingly white and male. Aspen Tech Policy Hub researchers identified 9% of cybersecurity employees as Black, 4% as Hispanic, and 24% as female. This suggests systemic barriers to entry that may be difficult to overcome.
Studying online may limit your ability to network, which can potentially affect your career opportunities. Without live meetings, you have fewer chances to interact either formally or informally with classmates and faculty. You may also find that you prefer the chance to have your questions answered in real time.
Cybersecurity Degree Requirements
Your admissions requirements will vary depending on which degree level you pursue, as will the program requisites you'll need to complete before graduating.
Admissions Requirements
You must submit several items to enroll in a cybersecurity undergraduate degree program, whether it's an associate or bachelor's.
- Official high school or GED transcripts, often demonstrating a minimum GPA of 2.5
- Official SAT or ACT scores — though this is less common than in the past
- Recommendation letters from teachers or mentors
- Personal essay, usually based on a prompt
- Nonrefundable application fee
- In the case of a degree-completion bachelor's program, official transcripts showing an associate degree in a specific technical subject
If you're a graduate degree candidate, you'll need to gather the following to apply.
- Official transcripts from your accredited bachelor's degree institution, typically proving a minimum 3.0 GPA in a technical major such as computer science, cybersecurity, or network administration
- Recommendation letters from professors
- A resume detailing education and work experience
- Nonrefundable application fee
Program Requirements
Colleges have wide latitude to structure their cybersecurity degrees as they see fit, but there are a few general commonalities among programs at the same level.
| Degree Type | Program Length | Requirements to Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| Associate | Two years — 60 credit hours |
|
| Bachelor's | Four years — 120 credit hours |
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| Master's | 2-3 years — 36-48 credit hours |
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| Doctorate | 4-6 years — 48 credit hours |
|
What Do You Learn in a Cybersecurity Program?
Network and information security professionals often find themselves scrambling to stay ahead of hackers who mean their employers harm. For this reason, a cybersecurity curriculum aims to teach critical thinking skills so that alumni can not only counter known threats but also predict the forms that future cyberattacks might take.
At the associate degree level, professors introduce computer science concepts such as networks, programming, and databases. They also survey the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including data privacy, cloud computing, security architecture, and vulnerability analysis. Cybersecurity bachelor's degrees contain this foundation but add more advanced coursework that may cover digital forensics, critical infrastructure, offensive security exploitation, wargaming, and digital privacy law.
Master's degree faculty assume a student's familiarity with computer science, so a typical curriculum is loaded with strictly cybersecurity courses. These classes cover topics in strategic operations, intelligence and counterintelligence, preemptive deterrence, database management, and cryptography. Doctoral degree students usually take the same courses as master's learners, but may also take a research methodology course to aid their dissertation.
Cybersecurity Concentrations
Schools may offer cybersecurity education in several forms. The first form is a degree in computer science, information technology (IT), or business with a concentration in cybersecurity. This includes some Master of Business Administration degrees designed for students who want to work in cybersecurity management.
The second type is a degree with cybersecurity as the specific major, such as a Bachelor of Applied Science in Cybersecurity or Master of Science in Information Systems and Cybersecurity. Some of these programs feature concentrations that let you focus your studies on a particular specialization. We've listed a few of those here.
Computer forensics courses focus on gathering digital evidence of computer crimes. Topics usually include data recovery, the chain of evidence, and criminal trial procedures. Employers also use forensic specialists to aid in disaster recovery.
Governance, risk management, and compliance is about designing and managing a strategic security program for an employer. As a student, you typically learn how to audit your IT staff, comply with regulatory requirements, and present risk analyses to executives.
Network security classes are about defending the vulnerable connections between machines, including wired, Wi-Fi, and distributed networks. Professors discuss network architecture, virtual private networks, firewalls, and intrusion detection and prevention.
Can You Get a Cybersecurity Degree Online?
Colleges across the U.S. offer cybersecurity programs via distance learning. Most online programs feature asynchronous courses, which means they don't have live class meetings. Instead, you log in to a learning management system at your convenience to complete coursework and watch recorded lectures. This learning mode may be well suited to cybersecurity because it's a technical discipline with more emphasis on computer-based practice than group discussion.
Some degree programs feature hybrid programs, which are a mix of asynchronous and live elements such as presentations over video conferencing. In addition, you typically need to complete any internship requirements in person at an approved location near your home.
If you're interested in online learning, check out our rankings lists of the best online bachelor's degrees and the best online master's degrees in cybersecurity.
Funding an Online Cybersecurity Degree
Few degree seekers can afford to fund their education by themselves, which is why most postsecondary students receive at least some financial aid. This often takes the form of loans that graduates need to repay with interest, but it's important to first exhaust all possible gift aid opportunities to reduce future debt: grants, loans, and work-study programs. In general, online students qualify for the same types of aid as in-person learners.
You can start the aid process by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which assesses your eligibility for federal funding. You can't fill out a FAFSA if you have undocumented immigration status, but your state of residence may offer an alternate form to help you qualify for state aid.
In addition to government money, you can apply for private scholarships specifically intended for cybersecurity students, such as the following examples. Check with your school's financial aid office to make sure they accept funds from these and other sources.
How to Choose the Right Cybersecurity Degree Program
There are many factors to consider when deciding what subject to study and where to apply. To help with the process, we've created a list of questions to ask yourself. This might help guide your thoughts but isn't meant to be exhaustive — ultimately, you'll decide what matters most to your educational and career goals.
This is a good question no matter what you study. It's important to attend an institutionally accredited school, because this is a sign that your education meets recognized criteria for quality. Attending a nationally or regionally accredited school usually means you can use federal financial aid at the institution. However, you can typically transfer credits more easily from a regionally accredited school, so you may want to consider this type of college if you think you may change colleges or earn an advanced degree later. The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) lists the regional accreditors, and each of these maintains a list of accredited schools.
Programmatic accreditation is relatively new in cybersecurity, but several independent organizations currently review these degrees to ensure their quality. The first is the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), which has an important voice in STEM higher education even if it's no longer recognized by the CHEA. This organization only started reviewing cybersecurity programs in 2020, so it's likely that it will approve more in coming years. In addition, the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security created the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity initiative that programs can join if they meet certain curriculum requirements. If you want to work in national security for the government, you might consider enrollment in one of these programs.
This number can vary widely once you factor in tuition, fees, books, and — if you live on campus — room and board. For both undergraduate and graduate degrees, the most affordable schools tend to be public as long as you qualify for in-state tuition. Private for-profit schools are the next most expensive, with private non-profit institutions costing the most.
Not every school offers an online cybersecurity degree at the right level for you, so the answer may eliminate several possibilities right away. Along the same lines, you may need a program that lets you study part time so you can juggle existing responsibilities.
Think through the process of earning your cybersecurity degree for more potential considerations. Do you have personal recommendations of a particular school from friends or family? Is the college willing and able to meet your need for disability or inclusivity accommodations? Do student reviews praise or reproach the institution's services, such as the financial aid office, virtual counseling, or tutoring?
Cybersecurity Career Outlook
The job market for information security analysts is likely to remain hot through 2030, with a 33% growth rate that's more than four times the 8% nationwide average rate. But cybersecurity program alumni might also qualify for related jobs based on some of the same skills learned in their programs, such as critical thinking, problem solving, and the ability to build security measures into network, database, operating system, and website architecture.
The following table lists some jobs that you might pursue as a cybersecurity graduate. They each pay well above the U.S. median wage of $41,950 per year, but three of the four have a slower growth rate.
| Title | Job Outlook in 2020-2030 | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Computer network architect | 5% growth | $120,520 |
| Database administrator or architect | 8% growth | $98,860 |
| Network and computer systems administrator | 5% growth | $80,600 |
| Web developer | 13% growth | $77,200 |
Cybersecurity Certifications
A professional certification indicates expertise in the cybersecurity field, and earning one may help you market yourself to employers. Some employers might even require certifications for applicants seeking particular roles.
There is a wide array of certification options on the market, which attest to everything from general cybersecurity knowledge to specializations such as cloud security or healthcare information assurance. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency maintains a list of industry certifications on its website. It can be hard to determine which credential is right for you, but you can review job posts for employers and industries where you want to work for mentions of preferred certifications. You can also talk to professors in your degree program for their recommendations for certification.
Can You Work in Cybersecurity Without a Degree?
It is possible to land an entry-level position without a degree, but you'll almost certainly need other qualifications. These can include:
- Military experience in a cybersecurity role that included on-the-job training
- An industry certification designed for professionals without a degree, such as (ISC)2's Entry-Level Cybersecurity Certification
- A certificate of completion from a tech bootcamp with a cybersecurity specialization
After spending time in your role, you can evaluate whether earning a degree will help you advance or if real-world experience will suffice for your intended career path. Keep in mind that in a recent survey of 4,753 cybersecurity professionals, only 6% topped out at a high school diploma, and 86% held at least a bachelor's degree.
FAQs About Degrees in Cybersecurity
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