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Cybersecurity, Associate of Science

Philosophy

Data breaches, ransomware, identity theft, theft of intellectual property and countless other cybercrimes continue to be a major problem, affecting individuals, companies, critical infrastructure and government. The need for skilled cybersecurity professionals to keep networks and data safe and to prosecute the criminal elements behind such crimes continues to grow.

The Associate of Science in Cybersecurity program (ASC) provides a solid foundation in cybersecurity skills and is designed to both prepare students for entry level cybersecurity jobs as well as to continue their education with seamless transfer into undergraduate cybersecurity programs, such as Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity.

Purpose

The Associate of Science in Cybersecurity (ASC) program provides students with a foundation in cyber defense to protect data and network assets. In addition, students are introduced to digital forensics, which is needed for cyber crime investigations. Students completing courses in this program with some additional self-study can sit for the following certifications:

• Security+
• CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker
• Network+
• A+
• Linux+

In terms of the NICCS Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity (), the curriculum for this degree aligns closely with the categories of

• Operate and Maintain
• Protect and Defend
• Investigate

Other categories are touched upon, as well.

Some of the job titles for which students graduating from this degree program should qualify include:

• Associate Network Engineer
• Customer Service and Technical Support
• Computer User Support
• Cyber Security Analyst
• Cyber Security Engineer
• Data Support Technician
• Desktop Support Administrator
• Field Service Technician
• Help Desk Specialist
• Information Security Analyst
• Information Security Manager
• IT Administrator
• IT Auditor
• IT Technician
• IT Technical Support Specialist
• Linux Administrator
• Network Administrator
• Network Analyst
• Network Support Specialist
• Penetration Tester
• Security Engineer
• Security Analyst
• Security Administrator
• Service Desk Analyst
• Systems Administrator
• Systems Analyst
• System Support Specialist

In addition, the curriculum for the ASC is designed to align as a Program of Study for the NSA/DHS National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education for 2-year programs (). Â鶹ÊÓƵ was first designated as an NSA/DHS National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) in 2011 and continues to serve nationally as a cybersecurity education leader. The ASC degree is designed to seamlessly transfer completely into the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (formerly Computer & Network Security) degree program, which has been validated by the NSA as a CAE-CDE Program of Study.

Program Competencies

Students completing the Cybersecurity A.S. program will be able to:

• Describe ethical considerations required of computer professionals.
• Recognize cybersecurity problems using required skills and knowledge.
• Describe generally current and accepted best practices in cybersecurity projects.
• Evaluate and employ appropriate informational resources that are generally accepted as legitimate and valid.
• Appraise the needs of the audience and then speak in a clear and succinct manner.  Research, construct, and deliver professional presentations using a variety of communication tools and techniques.
• Write with clarity and precision using correct English grammar: mechanics and usage. Correctly and ethically exhibit competence in writing for specific purposes, diverse audiences, and genres.

Experiential Learning

The Office of Experiential Learning takes a 360â—¦ approach to experiential learning.  Whether you come to Â鶹ÊÓƵ with a vast amount of professional experience and are awarded Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), or you participate in a Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunity (Internships or Cooperative Education) embedded in your curriculum for credit, we provide a pathway to completing your degree. 

Minimum Grade Policy

This program has set a minimum passing grade of "C-" for Cybersecurity A.S. Core courses.  Students receiving a grade lower than "C-" in any of these courses must retake that course.

Cybersecurity A.S. Curriculum

General Education Requirements (30 credits)

Computer Applications

Fundamentals of Economics

English Composition I

English Composition II

Public Speaking

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Contemporary Global Issues

American Politics

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Introductory Survey of Mathematics

Introduction to Critical Thinking

Introduction to Psychology

Natural Science Elective

Cybersecurity A.S. Core (30 credits)

Database Foundations

Introduction to Computer Hardware and Operation

Principles and Practice of Information Security

Introduction to Linux

Networks and Telecommunications

Operating System and Computer Systems Security

Introduction to Programming with Python

Introduction Computer Forensics

Ethical Hacking

Free Elective (3 credits)

This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2024-2025 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2023 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.