When you study for a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, you’ll learn a great deal about the threat of cybercrime and techniques you can use to keep computers, mobile devices, software, and data safe. You’ll prepare for a career in internet technology (IT), law enforcement, research and academia, or software development among other fields using your cybersecurity expertise.
Your classes will provide a solid base of knowledge about security threats, types of dangers for both personal computers and corporate IT, techniques to keep hardware, software, and information safe, and the laws and regulations currently in place.
Cybersecurity is essential to companies and organizations of all kinds. But it’s just as important for employees, gig workers, and freelancers working from home and students studying virtually. Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly advanced with sophisticated malware, spyware, viruses, ransomware, and other types of breaches that can wreak havoc on business operations or people’s personal lives (and livelihoods).
An online bachelor’s in cybersecurity will provide you with the knowledge to protect internet users and get ready to work in a field that offers job security, learning opportunities, and plenty of room for advancement.
To get started, learn more about an online bachelor’s in cybersecurity and the average salaries, educational experience, benefits, advantages of studying online, and other facts.
How Much Does an Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity Cost?
While yearly tuition at colleges and universities varies, you can expect to pay anywhere from $14,000 to $60,000 and up for two semesters with a full course load. This range includes state universities and high-priced private colleges.
Besides tuition, you must also pay for books, tech equipment, an internet connection, and miscellaneous supplies.
Average Salary for an Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity
With a bachelor’s in cybersecurity, you can expect to find jobs in a range of fields. The average salary for each of these jobs is specific, but the pay is often good.
One of the most sought-after jobs for graduates with a BS in cybersecurity is cybersecurity analyst. These specialists can expect to earn $74,000 per year on average.
Depending on your course concentration and skills, however, you might consider a position as a cybersecurity engineer, and that could mean a higher salary — about $88,000 per year on average.
If network engineering is your path, you’ll help build and establish safe networks within companies and for individuals working remotely.
You might also consider a more general job in IT. Network engineers who specialize in IT typically earn around $74,000 annually, but starting with a cybersecurity degree might mean a slightly lower salary of about $61,000 per year. But it could mean getting your foot in the door of a company that may have openings in your specific field later on.
What you’ll earn with a BS in cybersecurity depends on a variety of factors. When the time comes for job searching, consider the company location, the type of company, the job responsibilities, and other details such as your employment history and related job skills that employers are looking for.
What Is the Job Outlook for Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity Holders?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, people who work in cybersecurity can expect the job outlook to grow by 31% in the next 10 years. This growth rate is much higher than the average for other industries.
Courses for an Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity
An online bachelor’s in cybersecurity requires a variety of courses related to technology, cybercrime, computer science, and engineering. You should also expect to fulfill requirements for classes that prepare you for upper-level courses such as math and business basics. And as with any four-year degree, your university will require core curriculum courses in the humanities, social sciences, English composition, natural science, and other fields.
Some of the most common courses include
Fundamentals of information security
IT foundations
Critical thinking and logic
Ethics in Criminal Justice
The business of IT
Foundations of web development
Foundations of scripting and programming
Managing information security
Digital forensics
Intrusion detection and response
Advanced cloud security
Data mining and data warehousing
Programming for data analysis
Reporting and visualization
Cyber defense and countermeasures
Game programming and game art
Linux security
Ethical hacking
FAQs on Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity
What jobs require a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity?
An online bachelor’s in cybersecurity will open many paths for you. Two of the most popular positions are cybersecurity analyst and cybersecurity engineer.
You may also be qualified for work as a cybersecurity or network architect because, depending on your coursework, you’ll know how to build a secure network. Besides IT-specific jobs, your degree can prepare you for a range of fields. These include homeland security, law enforcement, and technology consulting. You might even consider work as a researcher or instructor.
Each position varies in terms of responsibilities.
– Ethical hacker: In this job, you’ll help companies who need an expert to secure their networks. Sometimes called “Penetration Testers,” ethical hackers search for network vulnerabilities and attempt to hack in — all to show how an organization’s network can be safer. If you enjoy challenges and want to use hacking skills for a good purpose, this is a great job for you. – Cryptographer: Cryptographers create codes to protect information. As a cryptographer, you’ll devise systems and algorithms that keep an organization or individual’s information safe. Cryptographers may also need to break codes when necessary. Government organizations, law enforcement organizations, and large companies use cryptographers to keep information safe. – IT auditor: An IT auditor evaluates the safety of a company’s entire IT system or network. After performing an audit, an IT auditor offers suggestions for increased network security, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. This role requires strong data analysis skills. – Information Security Analyst: In this position, you’ll analyze an organization’s network to ensure security against cyberattacks. IT analysts expose weaknesses and also devise better security solutions, perform regular monitoring for ongoing information safety, and consistently implement the best software to protect sensitive information and valuable devices and hardware. – Computer forensics: If working in law enforcement appeals to you, becoming a computer forensics professional might be a great path. Computer forensics experts help law enforcement teams crack cases and solve crimes related to technology. Computer forensics experts don’t always work in law enforcement, however. Private individuals may also hire them to solve crimes or investigate problems they cannot figure out on their own. – Network architect: Network architects design and build a company’s network, and they ensure safety from the get-go. They may also remain available to a company to ensure it continues to function and remain safe over time. – IT Consultant: Consultants do less hands-on technology work. Instead, they analyze an organization’s systems and technology and give the company feedback about how well those systems are working — and where they are weak. IT consultants can consult in a range of areas including networking, computing, information security, and more.
Does an online bachelor’s in cybersecurity offer good job prospects?
Research by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics proves that the field of cybersecurity is rapidly expanding and, because of ongoing new technology development and more advanced cybercriminals, job prospects are high.
You’ll find many jobs in the IT field or creating and maintaining networks for companies. Others will be in fields that deal specifically with cybersecurity and need an expert with technical know-how to understand risks and protection. These include positions in law enforcement, finance, insurance, and more.
Job prospects fall into several categories:
– building and managing safe networks and computers – analyzing existing networks and computers to ensure they’re safe – solving specific problems
If you want to work at a company to help them maintain safe systems, you could be an information security manager, an IT engineer, or a security software developer.
If analyzing the safety and function of an organization’s systems appeals to you, consider a position as an IT consultant, information security analyst, an ethical hacker or penetration tester, an IT auditor, or a network security analyst.
If you simply want to use all the fascinating knowledge and skills you gathered while earning your degree, you can work toward a job like a computer forensics expert, a cryptographer, or a computer systems designer.
What are the different fields of an online bachelor’s in cybersecurity?
With a four-year degree in cybersecurity, you’ll have in-depth knowledge and an understanding of networks and how to keep them safe. But you can also choose a specialization. With enough classes, you might have an official minor area of study which will qualify you for specific work.
To choose a specialization or minor, consider what you’re truly passionate about in computing, networks, and technology.
– Do hackers fascinate you, and do you want to understand how they work to stop them? – Does setting up complicated, secure systems for large organizations fascinate you? – Is building software and creating programs your passion? – What about solving crimes and developing skills to help law enforcement teams?
If you’re sure of your interests, consider an area of specialization. Some fields within cybersecurity that you might focus on include: cloud computing
– game development – programming and analytics – program management – certification preparation (a specialized course of study that prepares you for
How long does it take to get a cybersecurity degree?
Whether you take courses online or on campus, a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity requires an adequate amount of time to complete the course credits required. Coursework varies from school to school, but in most cases, you can expect it to take three to four years.
If you already hold a two- or four-year degree or have taken relevant courses, some credits might transfer, especially general education courses. This means you might spend less than three or four years to complete your degree.
If you work full time and need to study part-time, your degree can take significantly longer than four years. This all depends on the course load, the way you structure your learning, and whether you’ve already earned transferable college credits.
On average, online bachelor’s degree programs require about 120 credits to complete. Traditionally, this takes about four years to finish. However, if you take fewer than 15 credits per semester, the degree might take longer to complete.
If you want to complete the program faster, consider taking more than 15 credits each semester. You can also take summer or winter break classes along with regular semester classes. Tackling more courses and devoting yourself to studying full time means you’ll complete your degree sooner. If your situation requires part-time study, consider night classes, weekend classes, or summer classes only. A part-time program means you can attend to other responsibilities like a job or parenting while you study. However, earning a degree part-time can take significantly longer than the typical four years, so keep that in mind if you want to work in cybersecurity soon.
What does a cybersecurity program curriculum typically include?
The coursework for an online bachelor’s in cybersecurity prepares you to understand how computers and networks work. You will study topics like: network threats
– how cybercriminals find system vulnerabilities – ways to protect systems – how to detect breaches – methods to repair damage and retrieve data – techniques to improve networks and reduce vulnerability – tracking and tracing procedures
To learn all of this, courses focus on programming and networks, including how to build them. They may even include the history and politics of the field. Students also take general education courses in English composition, math, social sciences, natural science, and the humanities among others.
Expect to take at least 12 credits per semester (usually four classes) as a full-time student. Some institutions require 15 credits for a full course load, and you can usually take 18 or even 21 credits with approval.
Accelerated programs require more credits per semester than the typical 15, and that means more time spent in class and studying on weekends, over holiday breaks (including winter or spring break), and summers.
While studying for your bachelor’s in cybersecurity, you can expect to tackle basic courses in cybersecurity, networking, and information technology. If you pick a concentration within your major, you’ll also take specialized courses geared toward that topic. Here are some common foundational courses plus a few classes students take for a concentration or area of expertise within the field:
– fundamentals of computer programming – fundamentals of cybersecurity – information security management – introduction to networks – introduction to digital forensics – introduction to cyber threats and detection – cryptography – data security – ethics – probability and statistics – economics – calculus – business communications – accounting – operations management – cyber law and policy – database design – ethical hacking – cloud security – mobile security – incident response – introduction to python – web page development – introduction to operating systems – mobile app technology – information warfare – effective cyber writing and speaking – hacker exploits – vulnerability management – intrusion detection – securing windows – battlefield forensics – public cloud security – security of web applications
An online criminal justice program allows you to earn a high-level degree where and when it is convenient. You can do a program completely remotely or do a hybrid program that is partially in person.
Many people can finish an accelerated criminal justice program within a year and a half. A typical course of study takes most students around 4 years to finish.
There are standard criminal justice programs and specialized criminal justice concentrations. Students may take a standard course, or, if they know what area they are passionate about or what profession they want to work in, they may choose a concentration that suits their goals.
The field of
The job outlook in cybersecurity is currently very good, since the field is growing.
Cybersecurity knowledge is valuable and experts are in short supply, so jobs in the field pay at least $60,000 per year on average
Cybersecurity specialists can work in a range of fields from IT to financial services to law enforcement and beyond.
Program costs vary from program to program, depending on things like the number of credits required and the reputation of the school.
Expenses beyond tuition include a computer, the Internet, and books or other supplies.
Some programs charge as little as $19,000 for the entire program, so do some research to find affordable options—they’re out there.
