An online bachelor’s degree in cyber security program may provide students with the skills and training to protect the country’s data assets. Students enrolled in these four-year programs may learn how to secure and defend the availability and integrity of information, information systems, and domains. Coursework within online bachelor’s-level programs in cyber security may combine several general education requirements along with electives and major-specific courses, such as network security, information security, and digital forensics.

Graduates may either seek entry-level employment or pursue a graduate degree program in cyber security. Bachelor’s degree graduates may find employment opportunities in law enforcement, telecommunications, and defense contracting.

Program Overview

• Prerequisite: High School Diploma or GED
• Program Length: Four years to complete
• Post-Grad Options: Entry-Level Employment or Master’s / Doctoral Program
• Projected Employment Growth: 22% (2010-2020)*

Program Coursework

The curriculum within an online bachelor’s degree program in cyber security may combine general education requirements alongside major-specific courses and electives. In these four-year programs, students may study cyber-crime investigations and forensics as well as information assurance. Core online cyber security courses may include the following:

• Information Security
• Cyber-crime Law and Investigations
• Criminology
• Network Security
• Emerging Technologies
• Media and Society
• Digital Forensics

Career Options

Graduates of online bachelor’s degree programs in cyber security may find career opportunities dealing with computer technology for law enforcement, telecommunications, private investigating, and defense contracting. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for those pursuing a career as information security analysts, Web developers, and computer network architects are expected to increase by 22% from 2010-2020.*

Possible careers include:

• Information Security Analyst
• Computer Network Architect
• Senior System Manager
• System Administrator
• Cryptographer

Continuing Education

Graduates of online bachelor’s degree programs in cyber security may continue their education and enroll in a master’s-level program in cyber security. These graduate-level programs may provide students additional training on computer forensics and intelligence.

*U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook