The first semester is the same for all students in this program; it is designed to provide all students with a foundation in information technology hardware and software fundamentals.
During the second semester, students begin to explore cybersecurity concepts. At the conclusion of the second semester, the student will select elective offerings in areas of special interest in Digital Forensics, Network Security, or Information Assurance.
Cybersecurity students will take classes that will help to prepare for the following in-demand entry level cybersecurity industry certifications: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Security+, CompTIA Linux+, and EC Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).
Depending on elective selections, students may take courses to prepare for these additional certifications: EC Council CHFI, AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, and CISCO CCNA.
- Students opting to take Digital Forensics electives will take classes that will help to prepare them for the Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI) industry certification. These elective courses will place special emphasis on the knowledge and skills to conduct digital forensics investigations and to develop and administer policy in support of digital forensic programs.
- Students selecting the Network Security electives will take classes that will help to prepare them for the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) industry certification. These elective courses will place special emphasis on the knowledge and skills to implement, administer, and secure networks of various sizes.
- Students selecting electives in Information Assurance will take classes that will help to prepare them with the technical knowledge, as well as the foundational leadership and management capabilities to further skills related to policy development, compliance, standards, and risk management.