Help Defend Against Cyber Threats
The threat to individuals, companies, and governments has never been greater or more constant. Our program in Cybersecurity is designed to give students the skills to keep them safe in a digital world and advance into well-paid careers. The median salary in this field is over $90,000 and entry-level positions start above $60,000. This is a fast-growing career with nearly zero unemployment.
Cybersecurity is one of the nation’s fastest-growing career fields with over 460,000 open positions in the US alone. Our program is business-oriented, giving students a rounded and practical experience that expands beyond IT skills alone. This program will teach students how to build practical defenses against cyber attacks by “hardening” networks and devices, investigate breaches, and ultimately how to think like a hacker to find and fix breaches.
Developed with Fortune 500
We consulted leading faculty, experts, and companies in the field to develop this program so you won’t be learning from an outdated textbook.
Median Salary of $90,000+
According to industry research performed by Lightcast, cybersecurity professionals earn a median salary of $90,757.
Hybrid Learning Options
Specialty courses in this program are available in synchronous or asynchronous options, allowing for more flexible class schedules while still on campus.
Career Path
The number of jobs open nationally for data analysts video has a bright outlook. Entry-level positions, such as Cybersecurity Analyst or IT Security Analyst, earn average salaries in excess of $83,000 annually. Beyond the entry level, some of the job titles in this career pathway are:
- Information Security Analyst – National Average Salary: $102,600
- Information Security Engineer– National Average Salary: $95,270
- Digital Forensic Analyst – National Average Salary: $95,270
- Network Penetration Tester – National Average Salary: $95,270
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst – National Average Salary: $98,220
Earn Your Cybersecurity Degree
- Faculty with real-world experience
- Transfer credit accepted
- Accredited by the HLC
- Analyze and investigate cyber attacks.
- Adapt to emerging threats within their field.
- Be prepared to sit for multiple industry certifications
Why Cybersecurity Matters
Our modern world is built on technology, and that technology has become vulnerable as hacking has become more automated and profitable. This cybersecurity program consists of two fundamental focuses:
- Cyber Threats – how to identify, neutralize, and prevent them from happening at both personal and corporate scales.
- Fundamental IT Skills. These are important because at many companies, the role of cybersecurity and IT is rolled into one job or function and so these skills are necessary in helping graduates succeed in the workforce.
How does this degree align with the real world?
We consulted cybersecurity experts and Fortune 500 companies during the creation of this curriculum, and therefore it’s designed to help students meet the entry-level job needs of both small and large companies alike. Students who complete this curriculum will not only be prepared for a career as a cybersecurity professional, they will also be well positioned to obtain a number of certifications which will increase their employability, including Certified Ethical Hacker, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, and Certified Forensic Examiner.
Taught by Industry Experts
OKWU has partnered with a consortium of colleges and universities to be able to bring this degree to campus. Several of the technical courses in this degree will be taught online by professors from one of our partner universities.
Featured Core Classes
Cybercrime and Governance
Cybercrime is one of the biggest threats companies face on a daily basis, and they are constantly looking for new hires to help protect them. In this course, you will get a firsthand look at the methods used to commit cybercrimes. You will also learn how governments detect, investigate, and stop these crimes, and become familiar with the laws and policies in place to deter cybercriminals.
Modern Cybersecurity
Just as technology is constantly evolving, so too must cybersecurity to keep pace with changing trends. In this class, you will learn about the changing landscape of cybersecurity, emerging technologies that are likely to be targeted, and new forms of cyber-attack being launched. By the end of the course, you will be able to implement the most up-to-date practices in cybersecurity in order to protect against attacks.
Network and System Security
Modern organizations know that even the strongest systems can be vulnerable to cyber-attacks. As a result, jobs in cybersecurity are rapidly expanding as companies look to secure their digital assets. This course will teach you how to secure those assets by identifying and fixing potential security vulnerabilities. By the end of the course, you will be able to identify and remedy common network and systems vulnerabilities.