Online Undergraduate Certificate in Security Professional
- Online
What Is an Online Security Professional Certificate?
The Undergraduate Certificate in Security Professional from GCU is a 20-credit online program for aspiring cybersecurity professionals and IT learners seeking offensive security skills. You will study penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, ethical hacking, red teaming techniques, threat analysis and security testing methods.
Through hands-on practice with industry tools, you can gain experience identifying and exploiting system weaknesses in controlled environments. Graduates may pursue entry-level opportunities in offensive security, ethical hacking and related cybersecurity roles.
Online: $295 per credit [More Info]
Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
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).
What’s It Like Earning a Security Professional Certificate?
Earning a security professional certificate is practical, applied and career-focused. You will engage with scenario-based coursework that builds decision-making skills for protecting networks, systems and organizational data. The learning experience may include guided labs, security exercises and assessments that reflect workplace responsibilities. This format can help you develop the technical judgment and professional habits needed to support cybersecurity teams.
What To Expect in a Security Professional Certificate
Online Education That Fits Your Schedule
Our online format is designed to help you balance school with work and other responsibilities. You can access weekly coursework, submit assignments and participate in class through a convenient digital platform. This flexible approach can help you progress toward your certificate while maintaining your current commitments.
Study at an Accredited University
GCU has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. The College of Engineering and Technology shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Access Support Throughout Your Certificate Program
As an online student in the undergraduate security professional certificate, you can use the College of Engineering and Technology student resources to support your learning experience. These resources can help you connect with academic tools, technology-focused opportunities and guidance as you move through your coursework.
Prepare for Industry Certifications
This certificate includes embedded industry certification test-preparation courses and aligns directly with core CompTIA exam objectives. You will complete coursework focused on exam domains, practice activities and exam readiness. You will also receive access to exam vouchers for the related certification exams, which are optional. Students who have successfully completed the industry certification exam will receive credit for the TTP course.
This security professional certificate can prepare you for concepts and practices associated with this industry certification:(See disclaimer 1)
What Will I Study in an Online Security Professional Certificate?
Throughout this undergraduate certificate in security, you’ll be introduced to core cybersecurity practices used to protect digital environments. Coursework emphasizes network defense, access management, incident handling, secure configuration, risk mitigation and organizational security policies.
You will have the opportunity to explore how security professionals monitor activity, interpret alerts and support compliance requirements. The curriculum connects technical concepts with practical cybersecurity practice, showing how controls are applied across business and technology environments.
Security Professional Certificate Core Courses
The security professional certificate curriculum introduces you to the technical foundations and applied practices used in cybersecurity roles. Across the core courses, you can build knowledge in networks, systems, threat analysis, ethical hacking and security best practices while connecting classroom concepts to practical technology environments.
Coursework in this certificate in security professional includes:
Configure network technologies and enterprise systems
Build and test network environments using routers, switches, protocols and scalable design principles
Administer systems and user access
Manage operating systems, applications, permissions and remote administration tasks in enterprise settings
Apply cybersecurity principles and policies
Use security frameworks, ethical practices and operational safeguards to support secure information systems
Analyze threats and vulnerabilities
Identify attack types, assess system weaknesses and evaluate risks across digital environments
Evaluate secure system design
Examine how hardware, software, databases and network protocols can create or reduce security risks
Practice ethical hacking and penetration testing
Use approved testing methods to assess defenses, document findings and recommend improvements
Explore Online Cybersecurity Degree Pathways
This undergraduate certificate can help you take the next step in cybersecurity and related technology education. By developing foundational skills in network security and ethical testing, you may be prepared to explore more advanced coursework in cybersecurity academic pathways.
What Can You Do With an Undergraduate Security Professional Certificate?
Paired with a degree, the security professional certificate is not intended to qualify you for a specific occupation on its own, but it can support broader academic and career preparation in cybersecurity. This certificate can strengthen your understanding of network security, ethical testing and systems protection while adding focused cybersecurity competencies to your degree pathway.
This certificate introduces skills that may be relevant across multiple cybersecurity and technology-focused career areas, including:
Cybersecurity operations
Support day-to-day efforts to monitor systems, assess risks and protect digital environments
Network security
Apply security practices that help protect connected systems, devices and infrastructure
Ethical testing
Explore approved methods for identifying weaknesses before they can be exploited
Systems protection
Strengthen operating systems, access controls and administrative safeguards
Threat analysis
Examine security risks, attack patterns and indicators of potential compromise
Information assurance
Help organizations maintain confidentiality, integrity and availability of data
Security Professional Certificate Tuition and Financial Options
Tuition for your certificate program may vary based on factors like transfer credits. We’re committed to helping you make informed decisions about your educational investment, with options designed to make your education more flexible and accessible.
Ways To Save
Your education is an important financial investment, and there are several ways to help manage costs while earning your degree. GCU’s university counselors are available to help you explore available options and provide personalized guidance on your estimated cost of attendance.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) annually to determine eligibility for federal grants and student loans. Since some aid is awarded on a first‑come, first‑served basis, GCU recommends submitting the FAFSA as early as possible after Oct. 1 to maximize funding opportunities.
If you’ve earned college credits from another institution, you may be able to complete your degree sooner at GCU by transferring those credits. Submit the Lopes Unofficial Credit Evaluation form, then connect with a university counselor who can provide you with personalized guidance.
You may be able to reduce your college costs by applying for GCU’s on-campus or online student scholarships. We invite you to explore available institutional scholarships and determine which opportunities you may be eligible for. GCU also encourages students to seek out third‑party scholarships and grants.
Explore Your Financial Options
Connect with a university counselor to learn more about tuition, cost-planning resources and available options.
FAQs About the Security Professional Certificate
Explore our list of FAQs to help you understand how the undergraduate security professional certificate may fit into your future academic or professional pathways.
Can a certificate in security professional help me move into a supervisory role?
Do I need prior security experience to enroll in the online security professional certificate program?
What's the difference between a security professional and security management?
What practical skills will I learn from the online security professional certificate program that I can use immediately?
How does security impact business operations?
How could an online security professional certificate help me stand out to employers?
What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Security Professional Certificate?
Admission requirements vary based on your academic background. Review our admission requirements to learn more about the qualifications needed to begin your certificate program and explore the resources available to support you as an online learner.
You can apply to a degree program at GCU in just three simple steps. Your university counselor is standing by to assist you with any questions about the application process.
It starts with selecting the program that aligns with your goals from one of GCU's 380+ academic programs — from undergraduate degrees to post-master’s certificate programs to doctoral degrees.
Pick your program
Explore our on-campus, online or evening cohort options under the Degree Programs page to find the right program for you.
Complete our online application
Your university counselor will direct you to the online application. Fill in all required information and submit the form.
Submit supporting documents
Submit your official transcripts and any relevant test scores, and confirm with your university counselor that all forms for your desired program are submitted.
Program Curriculum
Core Courses
Build practical cybersecurity skills online and take the next step in your technology education.
- Grand Canyon University does not accept certification completion for credit or as a substitute for completing a course
- Fortinet Training Institute. (2025). 2025 Cybersecurity Skills Gap Global Research Report. Retrieved June 2026.