Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Degree

Find Your Purpose

Receive a No-Cost Industry Certification Exam Voucher After Course Completion¹

Overview

Develop Skills To Defend Against Cybersecurity Threats

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree at Grand Canyon University was developed with industry guidance to produce highly skilled, well-equipped cybersecurity professionals. As cyberattacks grow more advanced — especially with threat actors using AI to target high-value data — the need for skilled cybersecurity professionals is more critical than ever.^{(See disclaimer 2)} A cybersecurity degree can prepare you to defend against these evolving threats using the same advanced tools attackers rely on.

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity

Offered By

College of Engineering and Technology

Class Settings

Campus

Online

Tuition Rate

Campus: $8,250 per semester [More Info]

Online: $490 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 120

Campus: 15 weeks

Online: 8 weeks

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Transfer Credits

Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division

Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)

16+ years old
High School Graduate
2.8+ Unweighted GPA

OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and

ACT: 19
SAT: 1000*

Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).

Why GCU

Strengthen Your Understanding of Network Defense

This cybersecurity bachelor’s degree emphasizes critical thinking, field-based application and practical project management experience. You will be taught valuable workplace skills, such as collaboration, adaptability, initiative, effective communication and ethical decision making — all within a project-based environment.

Rooted in GCU’s Christian worldview, the program also emphasizes integrity and responsible practice in the face of complex cybersecurity challenges.

This on-campus and online cybersecurity degree responds to industry needs by teaching:

Practical Knowledge

Exposing you to curriculum designed to help prepare you for emerging threats, incident response and risk management scenarios

Protective Measures

Instructing you to prevent data breaches, protect against various types of cybercrime and address vulnerabilities

Adaptability

Revealing the importance of adapting quickly to evolving cybersecurity tools, risks and industry compliance standards

Continual Education

Instilling a mindset of continuous upskilling and lifelong learning to stay ahead in the fast-evolving digital field

Flexible Learning Options To Fit Your Lifestyle

At GCU, we recognize the demands of a busy lifestyle, which is why we offer flexible learning options to support your academic journey. Whether you're balancing work, family or other commitments, our online and in-person classes are structured to provide the convenience and adaptability necessary to achieve your academic goals.

Online Experience

Experience the flexibility and convenience of earning your cybersecurity bachelor’s degree online. Our comprehensive program is focused on teaching you industry-related skills and knowledge, all accessible through our robust online learning platform.

Online Learning

Campus Experience

Engage in hands-on learning and direct lab interaction with knowledgeable faculty in simulated cybersecurity scenarios. Refine technical skills, collaborate with peers and receive immediate instructor feedback for cybersecurity career readiness.

Campus Life

Hear From Our Students and Faculty

"The thing that excites me the most about this cybersecurity program is that there is no shortage of information and skills to learn."

Caitlin Secrist

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity

"The thing that excites me the most about this cybersecurity program is that there is no shortage of information and skills to learn."

Caitlin Secrist

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity Degree Requirements

Learn about the general requirements for a cybersecurity degree, including typical coursework, admission criteria and any recommended technology or software tools.

Software Requirements

Admission Requirements

Coursework

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Coursework

Step into the front lines of digital defense with a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree that can equip you with the skills to protect computer systems, networks and sensitive data from hackers and malicious software. This cybersecurity bachelor’s degree builds and measures your competency across key areas, including defensive cybersecurity, cyberlaw and cyberethics.

Cybersecurity degree areas of study include:

Digital forensic investigations

Malware reverse engineering

Wireless security

Security architecture design

Security frameworks

Secure system administration

Information assurance foundations

Critical Skills for Identifying and Managing Threats

You will have the opportunity to implement and present a field-based applied research and design project as part of your capstone in this cybersecurity degree.

Throughout the program, you will be taught skills in:

Platform and network technologies
Cyberlaw and privacy in a digital age
Cybersecurity and ethical hacking
IT business case planning for global enterprise
Analysis, design and management of secure corporate networks

Industry Certs

Prepare for Industry Certifications

GCU’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity can help you prepare for related IT certification exams through embedded certification test-preparation coursework. Students complete lessons aligned with certification exam domains, practice relevant skills and build exam readiness. The program also provides access to exam vouchers for the eligible IT certification exams.^{(See disclaimer 1)}

Note: Students who have already completed the industry certification exam will receive course credit for the corresponding test preparation course.

This cybersecurity program includes embedded certification test-preparation coursework and exam voucher access for these certifications:^{(See disclaimer 3)}

CompTIA Network+
CompTIA Linux+
CompTIA Security+
CompTIA Project+
CompTIA PenTest+
CompTIA CySA+
ISC2 SSCP
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

Careers

Career Paths for Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree Graduates

Working in cyber intelligence can be a rewarding career with room to position yourself for potential advancement.

A few occupations in the cybersecurity field may include:

Computer and information systems manager

Information security analyst

Computer network support specialist and architect

Network and computer systems administrator

Computer systems analyst

Computer and information research scientist

$129,180

Median annual wage for information security analysts as of May 2025^{(See disclaimer 4)}

21%

Estimated job growth for information security analysts from 2025 to 2035^{(See disclaimer 5)}

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

This section answers common questions about our bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity online and in person, including details about the field and other key details to help you make an informed decision.

Is a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity worth it?

Is a cybersecurity degree hard?

A cybersecurity bachelor’s degree can be challenging, but it's manageable for students who are motivated, analytical and open to learning. If you’re curious, think like a problem-solver and enjoy exploring how systems work, you may find it no harder than other tech degrees. Approach challenges like a hacker — with creativity and healthy skepticism — and you can be prepared to pursue opportunities in the field.

Are cybersecurity jobs needed?

Does cybersecurity pay well?

Courses

Program Curriculum

Credit Summary

General Education Requirements34-40 credits

Major80 credits

Open Elective Credits0-6 credits

Degree Requirements120 credits

Required General Education Courses

CYB-110

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the core principles of cybersecurity, including the concepts of confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Explore common cyber threats, attack vectors, and defense strategies, as well as the fundamentals of network security, cryptography, and risk management. Through hands-on activities and case studies, develop a foundational understanding of how to protect information systems and data in both personal and professional contexts.

UNV-106

4 Total Credits

CST-180

4 Total Credits

CYB-220

4 Total Credits

Course Description

The Internet Age has introduced myriad legal challenges on a global level. Students will explore the emerging specialty within law that is cyber law. Topics will expose the reality that our legal system has evolved in a physical and visual world, but cyber space is largely invisible and virtual. Students will learn that past legal decisions or legal precedence has been important in our system and reasoning by analogy has been used extensively. In many cases the laws applied in the physical realm do not translate equally well into cyber space. This course will discuss the importance of this area introduce legal issues that need to be addressed.

STG-390

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This writing intensive course provides an insight into professional communications and conduct associated with careers in science, engineering and technology. Students learn about the changing modes of communication in these disciplines recognizing the advances in digital communications. They gain practical experience developing and supporting a thesis or position through written, oral, and visual presentations prepared and delivered individually and in groups. Students will explore concepts and issues in professional ethics and conduct such as privacy, discrimination, workplace etiquette, cyber-ethics, network and data security, identity theft, ownership rights and intellectual property.

CYB-420

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course covers an analysis of Cyber warfare in the 21st Century and beyond. Cyberspace is a complex environment that controls every aspect of a country’s Economy, Communication, and Infrastructure. This course will examine cyber warfare from a case-study perspective, applying the battlespace doctrine developed by military cyber operations teams. At the conclusion of this course students will have a fundamental understanding of the cyberspace threatscape, ethical challenges, and be able to strategize and implement cyber warfare operations. Prerequisite: ITT-340 or SWE-310.

Core Courses

ITT-116

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course exposes students to the fundamentals of networks and networking in IT. It then builds deeper understanding of how networks work, including the topics of LANs, WANs, service providers, packets, hubs, routers, switches, and internet protocols. The laboratory reinforces and expands learning of principles introduced in the lecture. Hands-on activities focus on setting up and configuring local and enterprise networks, experimenting with various topologies, and scalability planning with switches and routers.

ITT-121

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course introduces students to system administration and maintenance as well as platform technologies. The course surveys operating systems, applications, administrative activities and domains, computer architecture and organization, and computing infrastructures. The laboratory reinforces and expands learning of principles introduced in the lecture. Hands-on activities focus on developing practical skills in configuring computer systems, deploying enterprise applications, managing user permissions, and remote administration. Prerequisite: ITT-116.

SWE-120

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of C programming, focusing on software engineering principles such as modularity, readability, debugging, and structured development. Students learn how to design, implement, test, and document basic programs in C while developing habits essential for professional software engineering. Emphasis is placed on developing efficient, well-documented code and understanding how low-level programming relates to modern software development. Prerequisite: CST-180.

CST-201

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course covers classical algorithms and data structures, with an emphasis on implementation and application in solving real-world computational problems. The course focuses on algorithms for sorting, searching, string processing, and graphs. Students learn basic strategies to evaluate divide-and-conquer, recursive backtracking, and algorithm efficiency. Hands-on activities focus on writing code that implements concepts and algorithm implementation techniques. Prerequisite: CST-210 or CST-239 or CST-250 or SWE-120.

ITT-216

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course focuses on advanced router and switch configuration for use in large and enterprise networks. Topics include dynamic routing, network security and access control, network address translation, wide area network implementations, virtualization, management, design, troubleshooting and automation. Implementation and troubleshooting of advanced routing technologies and services including Layer 3 VPN, Infrastructure security, and infrastructure services. Prerequisites: CYB-110 or ITT-111 and ITT-116.

TTP-100

2 Total Credits

ITT-307

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course builds upon knowledge already acquired in the areas of system architecture and operating systems and focuses on the core issues of information security. Students learn fundamental concepts of information security including data encryption, security awareness, legal and ethical issues, operational issues, security policies, and attack types; while expanding on the coverage to include security domains, forensics, security services, threat analysis, and vulnerabilities assessments. Prerequisite: ITT-121 or CST-221.

CYB-310

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course explores the fundamental low-level structures that underpin modern computing systems. Topics include computer architecture, memory organization, machine language, and assembly programming. Students learn how data is stored, accessed, and manipulated at the hardware level, with an emphasis on how these concepts relate to cybersecurity vulnerabilities and exploits. Through hands-on exercises, students gain practical experience in examining and modifying low-level code to understand system behavior and security implications. Prerequisite: ITT-310 or SWE-120.

TTP-104

2 Total Credits

CYB-355

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides an in-depth study of Linux shell scripting as a tool for automating administrative tasks and enhancing system security. Students learn to write, debug, and optimize scripts that monitor system activity, manage files, and enforce security policies. The course covers scripting techniques for log analysis, vulnerability scanning, and intrusion detection. Through practical labs, students develop the ability to create custom automation solutions to improve efficiency and security in Linux-based environments.

CYB-320

4 Total Credits

Course Description

In this course students will explore the world of malware through meticulous analysis and binary reverse engineering techniques. This is a skill-based course with hands on labs that focus on both static and dynamic malicious code analysis. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to apply the tools and methodologies to safely perform analysis on common malware samples in a control environment. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Malware Analysis. Prerequisite: ITT-310 & ITT-307.

ITT-340

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course covers mathematical models for computer security. It analyzes and compares the properties of various models for hardware, software, and database security. The course examines how system designs, network protocols, and software engineering practices can result in vulnerabilities. Students learn to design, evaluate, ethically hack, and implement adequate security measures that can safeguard sensitive information. Prerequisite: ITT-307.

CST-323

4 Total Credits

TTP-102

2 Total Credits

TTP-114

2 Total Credits

ITT-375

4 Total Credits

ITT-380

4 Total Credits

Course Description

Information Assurance is explored from the perspective of frameworks and technical compliance. Students will be exposed to the idea that proper understanding of, and implementation of frameworks and compliance has recently become a requirement for many security careers. Students will perform in-depth analysis of the needs of the system juxtaposed against the requirement to comply with a mandated framework. Practicum/field experience hours: None. Information Assurance. Prerequisite: ITT-307.

TTP-108

2 Total Credits

STG-455

2 Total Credits

Course Description

This writing intensive, first capstone course provides students the opportunity to work in teams to tackle applied research and design projects in their chosen area of study. Students conduct a feasibility study, learn to protect intellectual property, develop teamwork skills, budgets, and a schedule for completing the project. Students conduct extensive research, integrate information from multiple sources, and work with a mentor through multiple cycles of feedback and revisions. Students use this course to further develop technical writing and business presentation skills.

TTP-106

2 Total Credits

ITT-430

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course covers the design, management, and maintenance of virtual enterprise and datacenter infrastructure. Students learn to use appropriate tools such as request tracking, monitoring, configuration management, virtualization, and scripting to administer and defend systems using documented, repeatable processes. Emphasis will be placed on volume management, directory services, and network-based authentication and file systems. Students develop automatic procedures for installations and file distribution. Prerequisite: ITT-307.

ITT-425

4 Total Credits

TTP-112

2 Total Credits

STG-456

2 Total Credits

Course Description

This writing intensive, second capstone course provides students the opportunity to continue in teams to further implement and present the applied project designed, planned, and started in the first capstone course. The capstone project is a culmination of all the learning experiences in the program of major. Students conduct extensive research, integrate information from multiple sources, and work with a mentor through multiple cycles of feedback and revision. Prerequisite: STG-455.

TTP-116

2 Total Credits

Course Description

This course encourages students to review essential topics in threat detection, incident response, vulnerability management, and security operations within modern technology environments. Learners will engage in exam-focused preparation to practice the foundational knowledge and analytical skills needed for external assessment in cybersecurity analysis. This course content aligns to the third party industry certification, CompTIA CySA+.

GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change

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Admission

Take the First Step Toward Network Security

If you’re passionate about protecting digital systems and ready to build valuable skills in cybersecurity, this degree could be the right fit for your future.

Apply Now

Vouchers are valid for 90 days from completion of the test preparation course. Certification exams are optional. Exam completion is not required to earn course credit.
Field Effect. (2025, Feb. 3). What Is the Future of Cybersecurity? Retrieved July 2025.
Grand Canyon University does not accept certification completion for credit or as a substitute for completing a course.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Information Security Analysts as of May 2025, retrieved September 2026. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as information security analysts, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It is very unlikely that a median salary will reflect an entry-level salary. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
Data shown is effective August 2026, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts, retrieved September 2026.
Market.us. (2024, October). Cyber Security Market. Retrieved July 2025.

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Degree

Develop Skills To Defend Against Cybersecurity Threats

Strengthen Your Understanding of Network Defense

Flexible Learning Options To Fit Your Lifestyle

Hear From Our Students and Faculty

Cybersecurity Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Coursework

Critical Skills for Identifying and Managing Threats

Prepare for Industry Certifications

Career Paths for Cybersecurity Bachelor’s Degree Graduates

NCAE-CD Designation

Frequently Asked Questions

Program Curriculum

Required General Education Courses

Core Courses