cyber security degree students working on UAS

Cyber Security Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Start your new career path in the exciting world of cybersecurity, helping to tackle vulnerabilities and strengthen security.

Today’s computer systems provide critical functionality and services to energy networks, transportation, health care, and manufacturing infrastructure. Security, reliability and resiliency vulnerabilities make these systems prone to cyber-attacks. UND's Cyber Security degree offers an opportunity to be a part of the solution to this growing threat.

Program type:
Major
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
4-5 years
Credit hours:
120

Why earn a Cyber Security degree?

Application Deadlines
Fall:
Aug. 15
Spring:
Dec. 15
Summer:
May 1

 

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Cyber security is an immense priority in today's technology-dependent world. Threats make it essential to have skilled individuals that can protect mission-critical infrastructure, defense technologies and other vital systems from attacks.

Demand for cyber security specialists is significant and growing across enterprises of all shapes and sizes. Rapidly rising salaries for analysts, security architects, software developers and cryptographers shows that there is a critical need for individuals that can work with sensitive infrastructure and design safety measures for data, operating systems, and networks.

With UND's on campus or online Cyber Security bachelor's degree program, you'll benefit from a degree that:

  • Allows you to excel in a highly educated technical workforce with cyber-physical security skills
  • Offers you opportunities to participate in cybersecurity research
  • Provides the knowledge and technical skills for working in the cybersecurity sector, along with a strong liberal arts foundation for a well-rounded education
  • Can be customized to focus on specific areas of cybersecurity that interest you the most

Hands on Cyber Security Degree

Your talent will be developed throughout your time at UND and culminate in your senior year, when you take part in a two semester senior design sequence. During this time you'll have the opportunity to design, present and test a project or research plan. These projects are supported by industry partners and business leaders to help fill real-world needs, and give you the opportunity to develop practical experience before entering the workforce.

The skills you develop in our Cyber Security program will be applicable in any field. Graduate ready to protect against regional threats to power supplies and combat events important to national security. You will be well positioned to translate your highly valuable skill-set into a high paying career, and a strong return on investment for your education.

UND's Cyber Security Degree

  • Designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) in Cyber Research, UND is a go-to university for anyone studying cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data science. Here you'll participate in cyber security research in areas of strategic importance to North Dakota and the nation.

  • Get specialized cybersecurity expertise and skills needed to excel in this high-demand field.

  • Gain access to significant computer resources and technologies. Work in UND's Secure Cyber Physical Energy Systems & Data Sciences Laboratory.

  • Let our team of academic advisors help you plan your major. You'll also have access to personalized Degree Map software to keep you on track to graduate in four years.

  • Benefit from a program housed within the College of Engineering & Mines. We're one of the most well-respected engineering schools in the upper Midwest.

  • Blend the skills of computer science, programming, and electrical engineering to prepare for a cutting edge career to prevent, stop, and secure infrastructure and networks from cyber-attacks.

What can you do with a bachelor’s in Cyber Security?

120k

Median annual salary for information security analysts, 2023

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

33%

Projected job outlook for information security analysts through 2033

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The protection of data assets, and for the security of our infrastructure and country are vital, and cybersecurity skills are highly valued. The Cyber Security undergraduate program at UND will help you attain the skills sets needed to thrive in this strategically important function.

Job titles you can expect to apply for with a cyber security degree include:

  • Cryptanalyst: Analyze encrypted information to break the code/cipher or to determine the purpose of malicious software.
  • Cryptographer/Cryptologist: Use encryption to secure information or to build security software.
  • Cyber Security Analyst: Monitor, prevent, and stop attacks on private data.
  • Information Security Engineer: Implement and monitor computer and network security protocols to protect sensitive information from hacks or theft.
  • Security Administrator: Install and manage organization-wide security systems.
  • Security Architect: Design and maintain security systems to ensure defensive measures are in place.
  • Security Software Developer: Develop security software, including tools for monitoring, traffic analysis, intrusion detection, virus/spyware/malware detection, and anti-virus software.

Cyber Security Degree Graduates

UND graduates can expect a range of opportunities in careers with many kinds of institutions, and in many different industries. It is anticipated that students completing this program will be in demand by:

  • Local, regional, national, and international cybersecurity-focused businesses
  • Companies expanding into the Red River Valley, such as Northrup-Grumman and General Atomics
  • Local start-up and emerging companies
  • Government agencies

Best Online Cyber Security Degree

National Community of Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-C) Institutions

 

The University of North Dakota is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) in Cyber Research (CAE-R), and is part of the national community of Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (CAE-C) institutions committed to increasing the number of cybersecurity professionals dedicated to reducing vulnerabilities in the national infrastructure.

UND is a top choice for an online Cyber Security degree for flexibility and affordability. Plus, the program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET ensuring it meets certain standards of quality and rigor.

Flexibility is important to our online students. That’s why we’ve designed the online Cyber Security degree to be 100% online and never require a campus visit.

Compare the cost of UND’s online Cyber Security degree. You’ll find it’s one of the most affordable programs in the nation. All online Cyber Security students pay the same tuition rate regardless of their residency.

Flexible Cyber Security Online Classes

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

  • Lesson modules
  • Streaming video content
  • Virtual libraries
  • Posted lectures
  • Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Cyber Security Degree Courses

EE 201. Introduction to Digital Electronics. 3 Credits.

Introduction to the fundamentals of digital circuit design. Logic gates; Boolean algebra; Karnaugh maps; Mathematical operations; Flip Flops; Counters. Corequisite: EE 201L. F,S.

CSCI 487. Penetration Testing. 3 Credits.

Provides theoretical and practical aspects of Network Penetration Testing. The course includes in-depth details and hands on labs for each of the five distinct phases of an ethical hack including reconnaissance, scanning and vulnerability assessment, gaining access and exploitation, maintaining access, and covering tracks. An applied approach with a focus on current tools and methodologies will be stressed. S.

CSCI 388. Exploit Analysis and Development. 3 Credits.

Provides fundamental knowledge of Malware analysis. Topics include an introduction to both static and dynamic techniques for analyzing suspect binaries. Students will be exposed to advanced malware concepts including malware detection as well as the utilization of industry standard tools to analyze, debug, and reverse engineer suspect binaries. F.

EE 206. Circuit Analysis. 3 Credits.

Introduces the foundations of electrical engineering, applying these concepts in developing the fundamentals of energy conversion, electronics and circuit theory. Prerequisite: MATH 165 with a grade of C or better; EE Major should be declared. F.

EE 318. Engineering Data Analysis. 3 Credits.

This course will provide undergraduate electrical engineering students with an understanding of the principles of engineering data analysis using basic probability theory and basic statistics theory. Students will have the opportunity to apply these concepts to actual engineering applications and case studies. Prerequisite: EE 206 with a grade of C or better. Corequisite: EE 313. F.

EE 314. Signals and Systems. 3 Credits.

Passive filters; Laplace transform applications; Fourier transform; Z-transform; Nyquist sampling theorem; other topics as time permits (state variables; introduction to control and communications theory; discrete Fourier transform). Prerequisite: EE 313. Corequisite: MATH 266 and EE 314L. F.

Best Online Cyber Security Bachelor's Programs

#2 College Cliffs
#8 College Consensus
#19 UniversityHQ
#26 Intelligent

UND is ranked by many as a Top 30 best online Cyber Security bachelor's program in the nation. We are well regarded for our educational quality, affordability, flexibility, and career outcomes.

Ranking sites vary in their methodology, but are generally based on the following criterion:

  • Financial data such as net cost, loan default rate, and return on investment
  • Academic rigor including curriculum standards, accreditation status, and faculty reputation
  • Student gratification, retention rate, and support services
  • Employment rate and graduate salary

Leaders in Online Cyber Security Degrees

1#

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

160+

online programs

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

FAQs

Absolutely. Online Cyber Security degree programs offer the flexibility needed for learners to balance their studies with other personal and professional commitments.

Our students have the flexibility to change the modality of their program from an online to an on campus format. Some students have decided they prefer an in person experience and moved to campus, while vice versa some students find that the online format works better for them.

Compare our online and on campus costs. You'll find we are one of the most affordable cyber security schools in the Midwest. Our online students pay the same affordable tuition rate regardless of their legal residency.

UND is committed to assisting students in funding their education, providing over $105 million in financial aid annually. A range of financial aid options offered by UND, including scholarships (merit-based), grants (need-based), and loans, help students alleviate college costs.

Yes, a Cyber Security degree is valuable as it caters to the increasing demand for experts in digital security and opens doors to a range of rewarding career opportunities in a tech-driven world.

Cyber security can be challenging due to the constantly evolving nature of cyber threats. However, dedication to learning and staying updated on industry trends can help navigate the field successfully.

The duration of a Cyber Security degree depends on the program and whether it is pursued full-time or part-time. Typically, a bachelor's degree takes around four to five years to complete.

Cyber Security Transfer Student

Transferring and looking for a cyber security program, Julia Dewhurst found herself drawn to UND.

Read Julia's Story
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