Graduate Certificate Programs in Cybersecurity - Online and Campus

Graduate certificate programs in cybersecurity offer college graduates and mid-career professionals a relatively direct means of acquiring the technical skills and practical knowledge required to work in the field of computer and information security and assurance. These programs are designed to provide qualified students with a more affordable, less time-intensive alternative to master’s programs in cybersecurity, which can take one to two years or more to complete. In contrast, cybersecurity graduate certificate programs, which typically consist of four or five master’s-level courses, can often be completed in one year or less of part-time enrollment.

Students who complete a graduate certificate are generally prepared to pursue careers in computer, network, and information security, and may also be eligible to transfer all or most of the graduate credits earned in the certificate program to a master’s program in cybersecurity or a related field.

Note: Graduate certificate programs in cybersecurity are different from professional certifications in cybersecurity. Many companies and organizations offer professional certifications for cybersecurity professionals. These include CompTIA (CompTIA Security+), EC-Council (Certified Ethical Hacker), (ISC)² (CISSP, CCSP), ISACA (CISM, CISA), Cisco (CCNA Security), and more. While some graduate certificate programs in cybersecurity may prepare students for some of these certifications, students mainly interested in professional certification may be able to get the training needed through a dedicated computer training program or a bootcamp, as opposed to pursuing a graduate certificate program.

Cybersecurity Explained

Cybersecurity is a field in which technical expertise and knowledge is applied to the processes, protocols, and practices that defend and protect computer systems, wireless networks, and other vital parts of digital infrastructures. It encompasses the development and maintenance of secure computer and software systems, digital networks, and user interfaces and applications; troubleshooting and debugging existing systems to bolster security; deploying defensive countermeasures to prevent attacks; designing enterprise-wide policies that facilitate legitimate access to digital systems and information while preventing unauthorized intrusions; and responding to hacks, viruses, and malware attacks.

Cybersecurity professionals generally cultivate proficiencies in core areas of computer science and information technology (IT), as well as specialized skills in areas like cryptography, firewall design, digital forensic techniques, network security and verification protocols, penetration testing, and security software solutions. In addition, communication skills for educating and informing others within an organization about security measures and vectors of attack are highly valued in the field of cybersecurity, as many information security strategies require the cooperation and compliance of all parties who have access to networked digital systems, including those who do not have a technical background.

Identifying and Classifying Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate Programs

There are several key features of graduate certificate programs. They are academic programs offered by accredited colleges and universities that culminate in the conferral of a certificate of completion rather than a degree. They consist of a limited number of graduate courses that provide career-oriented training and instruction in a narrow field of study. And they are designed for students who hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree; graduate students and those holding a master’s or doctoral degree are also typically eligible to enroll in these programs.

Cybersecurity graduate certificate programs adhere to all of the criteria detailed above and offer a curriculum that covers topics that are central to the professional practice of computer and network security. These programs may be formally designated as graduate or postbaccalaureate certificate programs, which indicates that they require applicants to have at least a bachelor’s degree. Some programs may have additional admissions requirements, such as a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field, and/or prior experience in computer programming or IT management. Finally, there are post-master’s graduate certificate programs, which is the designation for certificate programs that require applicants to hold a master’s degree for admission.

Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate Coursework

While coursework and curricular requirements vary by program, most cybersecurity graduate certificate programs offer courses that provide training in the principles and practices of information security and assurance, the design and function of computer and wireless network security systems, and the countermeasures used to defend against the most common types of cybersecurity threats. This may include courses in data encryption algorithms, public-key cryptography, and key management; firewalls and other perimeter network defense measures; computer and digital forensic investigation techniques; penetration testing and intrusion detection tactics; mobile network security; and/or enterprise security planning and response. Some programs may also include a course in C programming and other common programming languages for cybersecurity professionals. However, many cybersecurity graduate certificate programs expect students to have prior computer programming experience or to take one or two prerequisite courses in computer programming to prepare for certificate program coursework.

The list below draws on actual graduate certificate programs in cybersecurity to provide a representative overview of the types of courses commonly offered as requirements and/or electives by these programs.

• Cyberspace and Cybersecurity Foundations
• Cyber Attack Vectors and Responses
• Digital Cryptography
• Digital Forensics
• Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing
• Fundamentals of Cloud Computing and Cloud Security
• Introduction to Computer Networking and Network Security
• Leadership, Communication, and Problem Solving in Cybersecurity
• Operating Systems and Systems Programming
• Secure Mobile Networks

Online Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity

In an effort to extend the reach of cybersecurity programs and offer these programs in a format that maximizes convenience and scheduling flexibility, a growing number of schools are leveraging advances in distance-learning technologies to offer fully and partially online graduate certificate programs in cybersecurity. These programs provide students with the same type of training and instruction as traditional, campus-based programs, but do so using interactive learning management systems (LMSs) that deliver live and pre-recorded lectures, virtual class sessions, and other instruction components to students anywhere with a secure internet connection.

There are two primary modes for online instruction: synchronous and asynchronous instruction. Synchronous instruction denotes instruction that takes place in real-time, such as live lectures and virtual classes. Asynchronous instruction encompasses instruction that does not have a real-time component, including pre-recorded lectures that students can access and view at their convenience through a program’s LMS, and assignments that have due dates but that students are free to complete whenever their schedule permits.

Synchronous instruction is more rigid in structure than asynchronous instruction, but it may appeal to students who would prefer an online learning experience that is similar to attending in-person, campus-based classes, featuring live interactions with instructors and classmates. Asynchronous instruction allows for greater scheduling flexibility, especially for working professionals who may not be able to attend weekly live sessions in the mid to late evenings. However, asynchronous instruction is better suited for independent learners who know how to manage their time effectively. For both types of instruction, students receive support from the program and instructors, so students should consider what type of learning method they prefer and choose a program that offers that type of instruction.

Many schools offer fully online graduate certificate programs in cybersecurity that do not require any campus visits. However, some schools require students who are enrolled in an online program to attend a limited number of campus-based sessions for orientations, workshops, labs, seminars, and other learning activities. GraduateCertificates.com classifies both of these types of programs as online programs as long as they do not require more than three campus visits per year. Programs that require more than three campus visits annually are classified as blended/hybrid programs. While blended/hybrid programs may not be a practical option for students who do not live or work within commuting range of the school offering the program, these programs represent a relatively more convenient and flexible alternative to fully campus-based programs for students who are able to attend four or more campus sessions to complete a graduate certificate program.

Examples of Online Graduate Certificate Programs in Cybersecurity

Each of the schools listed below offers an online cybersecurity graduate certificate program. These programs are representative examples of the types of programs that are currently offered by accredited, non-profit colleges and universities.

Stanford University in California offers an online Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate program through Stanford Online and the Stanford School of Engineering. The 12-credit program consists of four master’s-level courses that introduce students to the professional, technical, and policy aspects of computer systems and network security. The program is designed for information security managers, web developers, computer network architects, and other professionals working in computer occupations who hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. No campus visits are required to complete the program. For more information on the program, visit Stanford Online at online.stanford.edu.

The University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) offers an online Graduate Certificate Program in Cybersecurity Technology that consists of three courses that confer 18 graduate credits. The program, which does not require any campus visits, is designed for mid-career professionals who have a working knowledge of IT systems, computer networks, and databases. For those who are new to the field, UMGC offers a Basic Information Technology course and an Essentials of Computer Programming course online that can be taken to prepare for the graduate certificate program curriculum. For more information on the program, visit UMGC at www.umgc.edu.

University of Massachusetts Lowell (UMass Lowell) offers an online Graduate Certificate Program in Cybersecurity through UMass Online and the UMass Lowell Computer Science Department. The program consists of four master’s level courses that confer 12 graduate credits, all of which are eligible for transfer if a student opts to pursue one of two master’s programs offered by UMass Lowell: a Master of Science (MS) in Information Technology; or a Master of Science (MS) in Security Studies with a Cybersecurity Concentration. The graduate certificate program is designed for bachelor’s program graduates who majored in computer science, information systems, IT, or a similar field. It does not require students to attend any campus visits. For more information on the program, visit UMass Lowell’s Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies at gps.uml.edu.

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More Graduate Certificates in Cybersecurity

School Name	Location	Program
Boston University	Online; Boston, MA	Graduate Certificate in Information Security
Central Michigan University	Online; Mount Pleasant, MI	Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate
Colorado State University	Online	Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity
Georgetown University	Online; Washington, DC	Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Risk Management
Harvard Extension School	Online; Cambridge, MA	Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate
Northeastern University	Boston, MA	Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity
Portland State University	Portland, OR	Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity
Siena College	Loudonville, NY	Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity and Enterprise Risk Management
Stanford University	Online	Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte	Online; Charlotte, NC	Graduate Certificate in Information Security and Privacy
University of Denver, University College	Online; Denver, CO	Information Security Graduate Certificate
University of Maryland Global Campus	Online	Cybersecurity Management and Policy Graduate Certificate
University of Maryland Global Campus	Online	Cybersecurity Technology Graduate Certificate
University of Massachusetts Lowell	Online	Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity
University of Missouri-St. Louis	Online; St. Louis, MO	Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity
University of Rhode Island	Online	Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security
University of South Florida	Online	Graduate Certificate in Cyber Intelligence
Webster University	Online; St. Louis, MO	Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity - Information Assurance.
Webster University	Online; St. Louis, MO	Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity - Threat Detection