Online Cybersecurity Certificate Program

Overview

Cybersecurity Certificate: Protect Data From Hackers

In today’s world, where hackers pose increasing threats to critical data, companies rely on skilled cybersecurity professionals to safeguard their assets.^{(See disclaimer 1)} The Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Foundations at Grand Canyon University supports aspiring information technology (IT) and cybersecurity professionals. The program is designed to equip you with essential knowledge and hands-on experience in cybersecurity tools, technologies and procedures, to help you prepare to combat and prevent cyber threats in your career.

Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Foundations

Offered By

College of Engineering and Technology

Class Settings

Online

Tuition Rate

Online: $500 per credit [More Info]

Cost of Attendance

Course Information

Credits: 24

Online: 7 weeks

[]

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
3.0+ 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

Deepen Your Skills With Our Undergraduate Certificate

This certificate offers a strategic pathway for college students looking to enhance their talents. This program does not grant professional certification directly but provides essential tools and experiences to pursue opportunities in the cybersecurity field. The skills taught in this certificate program can help prepare you to work toward pursuing professional certification. It represents an opportunity to enhance your skills, deepen your expertise and strengthen your foundational understanding of cybersecurity principles.

Pursue an Online Cybersecurity Certificate From Anywhere

Embark on your cyber defense journey with a flexible and instructor-led online certificate program in information security foundations. This virtual program offers flexible online education for busy professionals and students, allowing you to study from anywhere with an internet connection while balancing your commitments. Whether you're looking to enter the cybersecurity field or enhance your existing IT skills, this online format offers flexibility without compromising the quality of instruction.

Faith-Focused Ethics and Principles

Coursework

Program Coursework and Topics

This cybersecurity certificate program integrates practical, hands-on activities that go beyond theory. Courses will focus on the deployment of advanced techniques in exploitation, vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, policy management, security program design and cyber defense activities. You will also have the opportunity to delve into the realm of professional communications and conduct skills associated with a career in technology.

Course topics include:

LANs, WANs, service providers, protocols and more

Cloud technologies

Scalability planning

Deployment of enterprise applications

Relationship between cybersecurity and ethical hacking

Incident management and data loss prevention

Cyber technologies for forensic investigations

Program Domains and Requirements

Each course is designed to build upon the knowledge learned in the previous course in sequence and provide a networking and security foundation. This can equip you with the skills necessary for potential opportunities in cybersecurity following completion of the program.

Program domain areas include:

Network technologies and system administration
Ethical hacking and forensic investigations
Information systems technical skills
Network technologies and information security platforms
Cybersecurity foundations

Admission Requirements

Course Requirements

Careers

Career Paths for Cybersecurity Certificate Holders

Along with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, this certificate program may help prepare you for various cybersecurity careers. For those who wish to develop deeper skills in the field of cyber defense, GCU also offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity.

Career possibilities include:

Computer and information systems manager

Information security analyst

Computer network support specialist

Database administrator

Computer network architect

Database architect

Network and computer systems administrator

32%

Estimated job growth for information security analysts from 2022-2032^{(See disclaimer 2)}

$120,360

Median annual wage for information security analysts as of May 2023^{(See disclaimer 3)}

Accreditation

Earn Your Certificate From an Accredited University

Since 1968, GCU has maintained institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, ensuring the quality and rigor of its educational programs. The College of Engineering and Technology shares the university’s commitment to providing students with a reputable and respected academic experience across various disciplines.

FAQ

Cybersecurity Certificate Program FAQs

Whether you're considering advancing your IT skills or entering the cybersecurity field, answers to these frequently asked questions can help provide clarity on what our program offers and how it can benefit you.

Can I earn a cybersecurity certificate online?

Which certificate is best for cybersecurity?

Before deciding which one is best, it’s important to note the differences between a certificate and certification. Certificates such as this Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Foundations will focus on specific skills and advancing your knowledge in the area. Certifications typically involve passing an exam to validate broader expertise in cybersecurity and often result in receiving a credential or certificate.

The best certificate depends on your career goals and current skill level. Professional certificates and certifications like CompTIA Security+, Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)^{(See disclaimer ®)} and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) are highly regarded in the industry.^{(See disclaimer 4)} It's essential to research each certificate's requirements, content and relevance to your career path before choosing the one that best aligns with your goals.

Is a cybersecurity certificate worth it?

As global organizations face growing threats, cybersecurity is becoming increasingly vital. A significant majority of small and medium sized businesses recognize the urgency of addressing cybersecurity concerns, with many planning to bolster their investment in this critical area over the next year.^{(See disclaimer 5)}

Pursuing an education in cybersecurity, along with obtaining a bachelor’s degree, may be worthwhile, equipping you with essential skills to tackle evolving cyber threats and contribute effectively to organizational security measures. Additionally, the median annual wage for information security analysts is $120,360 as of May 2023, according to the BLS.^{(See disclaimer 3)}

How fast can I learn cybersecurity?

The speed at which you can learn cybersecurity depends on various factors such as your prior knowledge of IT and security concepts, your dedication to learning and the intensity of the program or courses you undertake. With focused effort and commitment, you can make significant progress in mastering cybersecurity skills. Fill out the form on this page to speak with a university counselor to determine how long it takes to earn a certificate in cybersecurity.

Courses

Program Curriculum

Credit Summary

Major24 credits

Degree Requirements24 credits

Core Courses

ITT-111

4 Total Credits

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the role of computing technology within business and corporate environments. Introductions to concepts, terminologies, and a wide use of relevant daily software and tools relevant to any career in the information technology field. Topics include: Technology-integrated academics, digital networking concepts, systems administration and maintenance, information security, database and transactional systems, cloud technologies, scripting, and project management.

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.

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-120, or ITT-121 or CST-125 or CST-126 or CST-220 or CST-221.

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.

ITT-375

4 Total Credits

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

More Resources

All Certificates

Financial

Calculate My Costs

Tuition & Financing

Scholarships & Grants

Information

Admission

Stop Hackers in Their Tracks

If you’re interested in helping others stay safe online, this certificate may be right for you!

Apply Now

Kaspersky. (n.d.). What Is Cyber Security? Retrieved Aug. 4, 2023.
COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts, retrieved July 19, 2024.
The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Information Security Analysts, as of May 2023, retrieved July 19, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. 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 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.
Seiter, C. (2024, Feb. 19). Check Out the 10 Best Cybersecurity Certifications. Forbes. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
Griffiths, C. (2024, Jan. 7). The Latest 2024 Cyber Crime Statistics. AAG. Retrieved July 19, 2024.

Online Undergraduate Cybersecurity Certificate Program

Cybersecurity Certificate: Protect Data From Hackers

Deepen Your Skills With Our Undergraduate Certificate

Program Coursework and Topics

Program Domains and Requirements

Gain Practical Skills Needed to Stop Cyber Threats

Career Paths for Cybersecurity Certificate Holders

Earn Your Certificate From an Accredited University

Cybersecurity Certificate Program FAQs

Program Curriculum

Core Courses

We're here to help.

Cybersecurity Certificate: Protect Data From Hackers

Earn Your Certificate From an Accredited University

Deepen Your Skills With Our Undergraduate Certificate

Gain Practical Skills Needed to Stop Cyber Threats

Cybersecurity Certificate Program FAQs

Program Coursework and Topics

Career Paths for Cybersecurity Certificate Holders

Program Domains and Requirements

Program Curriculum

Core Courses