Key takeaways
- A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity builds a strong foundation in protecting systems and networks from cyber threats.
- Typically, a bachelor’s degree takes 4 years but can extend to 6 years based on individual circumstances and program requirements.
- Graduates can pursue diverse roles such as Information Security Analyst, Network Security Engineer, and Cybersecurity Consultant.
- Other job roles in different industries like criminal justice are also an available option for cybersecurity graduates.
- Entry into cybersecurity is possible through certifications, boot camps, and self-education. However, a degree is a much more recognized qualification by employers.
- Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand across industries, most prominently in healthcare, finance, and technology.
- While only sometimes extensive, mathematical knowledge is required in cybersecurity and related degrees.
- Cybersecurity graduates can expect competitive salaries, with entry-level roles averaging around $86,000 and experienced roles exceeding $147,000.
- A computer science degree can be a solid foundation for a career in cybersecurity.
- Numerous accredited programs offer online cybersecurity degrees, providing flexibility and accessibility for students.
- WGU cybersecurity program is an excellent choice for various reasons including good financial aid and numerous college accreditations.
If you have decided to pursue a degree in cybersecurity, you must be fully prepared with all the information you can gather. You will have some important questions in your head, such as about the admission requirements, graduation benchmark, and other details about getting a degree in cybersecurity.
Additionally, knowing the smallest details about a degree in cybersecurity fully will allow you to make an informed choice. You will have all the details ironed out and will be prepared to start your journey in a cybersecurity college.
From the list of admission requirements to the coursework to understanding the cybersecurity career paths, you will do everything here. Dig into the following frequently asked questions about a bachelors in cybersecurity and get all your answers!
All the FAQs and their answers
Find the complete list of FAQs about an undergraduate cybersecurity education.
Should I do a cybersecurity bachelor’s and computer engineering degree?
Pursuing a degree in cybersecurity or computer engineering is a matter of personal choice, career goals, and skill set. In particular, a cybersecurity degree focuses on securing systems, networks, and data from cyber threats. You will gain knowledge in areas such as cryptography, network security, penetration testing, and ethical hacking.
On the other hand, a degree in computer engineering combines electrical engineering and computer science, giving you a deeper understanding of hardware and software integration. Moreover, the career paths for each degree are different in various ways.
For example, with a cybersecurity degree, professionals often work with both software and hardware vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, with computer engineering education, you work at the intersection of hardware and software, designing, developing, and optimizing computer systems and components.
In conclusion, exploring alternative degrees for cybersecurity is a good strategy to find the perfect college major for yourself. However, be aware of the career prospects and learning outcomes for each degree.
How long does it take to get a cybersecurity degree?
Typically, a bachelor’s in cybersecurity can take a minimum of 4 years, with most colleges allowing a maximum of 6 years to complete the degree. Moreover, college requirements can vary from institute to institute.
What can you do with a cybersecurity degree?
Based on some of the core skills you can develop during your cybersecurity degree, your career prospects can be diverse and promising. Firstly, here are the skills and competencies you may develop after getting a degree in cybersecurity:
- Network security
- Encryption
- Penetration testing
- Collaboration
- Problem solving
- Programming
- Cryptography
- Malware analysis
- Digital forensics
- Risk assessment and management
Furthermore, these skills prepare you for cybersecurity jobs and careers such as:
- Information security analyst
- Security consultant
- Penetration tester (ethical hacker)
- Network security engineer
- Security architect
- Incident responder (cyber incident analyst)
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Forensic computer analyst
- Security software developer
- Cloud security engineer
- Cybersecurity analyst (compliance analyst)
Lastly, industries that are rapidly employing cybersecurity professionals and are seeing a surge in demand are:
- Health care
- Financial services
- Government sector
- Technology and IT solutions
- Homeland security
- E-commerce and online retail
Can you get into cybersecurity without a degree?
Other than a cybersecurity degree, you can explore alternative paths such as professional certifications, boot camps, courses, and self-education. These forms of education in cybersecurity will allow you to perhaps become eligible for entry-level jobs. However, these jobs may not have much room for growth, and may not be as well-paying.
On the other hand, with a cybersecurity bachelor’s degree, you have a formal education from an accredited college that is accepted everywhere. This degree is your ultimate gate pass to landing well-paying, prestigious cyber security jobs.
However, make sure you are choosing an accredited and reliable college for a cybersecurity degree. Learn how to choose a college for cybersecurity majors with this guide.
Is a cybersecurity degree worth it?
Some of the many benefits of a cybersecurity degree are:
- A solid foundation of core skills, competencies, and knowledge needed in cybersecurity
- An excellent opportunity to interact and network with like-minded people
- Exposure to industry experts through academic resources, college events like seminars, and faculty members
- An easier way to find hands-on work opportunities such as internships through college partnerships and career fairs
- Access to certifications and courses that colleges offer as part of the coursework instead of having to pay for them additionally
- A chance to continue education in a much more specialized field post-graduation like Master’s
- Full access to college facilities like computer labs
- Comprehensive learning opportunity with detailed coursework and structured curriculum
In summary, getting a cybersecurity degree is an excellent choice and definitely worth it if you are seeking easier entry into the professional world.
Can you get a job in cybersecurity without a degree?
As mentioned earlier, as well, you may be able to find entry-level jobs without a cybersecurity degree. However, you will still require some certifications and courses to become eligible for such jobs.
Is cybersecurity a STEM degree?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Therefore, a cybersecurity degree qualifies as a STEM degree that particularly falls into the “technology” and “engineering” category.
Moreover, In cybersecurity, engineering principles are often applied to build secure systems and networks. Additionally, cybersecurity requires a solid understanding of scientific principles and methodologies to protect systems and data. Lastly, in encryption and cryptography, mathematics also plays an important role.
What degree do you need for cybersecurity?
There are numerous degrees you can earn for cybersecurity. The alternatives are available in abundance, but you must narrow down your options to the most suitable degrees, which are:
- Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity
- Bachelor’s degree in computer science
- Information Technology (IT) degree with a cybersecurity focus
- Bachelor of science in computer engineering
- Bachelor’s in information assurance
How to get a cybersecurity degree?
To get a cybersecurity degree, you must follow some important steps to ensure that you make an informed and aware choice. There are many factors to consider during your college planning, therefore, reliable and credible advice is crucial.
So, here is an outline of the steps involved in getting a cybersecurity degree:
- Define your career goals and aspirations. This will tell you whether you should opt for cybersecurity majors or not.
- Research and compare top colleges for cybersecurity. Shortlist the best colleges based on factors like campus life, housing options, cost of attendance, and faculty quality.
- Look into market trends and data to ensure that your chosen degree or college major has a good future.
- Enroll in a good college for cyber security by submitting necessary documents which may include but are not limited to high school diploma, application form, standardized test scores, application fee, and so on.
- Look for financial aid options to ensure that your 4-year commitment to college will be fulfilled without hurdles.
- During your cyber security college degree, interact with like-minded people, faculty members, and student organizations to learn.
- Try to get professional certifications and courses alongside your degree to not only help you academically but also to land better work opportunities.
Can I do cybersecurity with a computer science degree?
The best part about a career in cybersecurity is that your education options are not limited to just one. You do not need to restrict yourself to a degree in cybersecurity, and can definitely explore other options, such as a degree in criminology. Moreover, some people also get a degree in homeland security and then expand into the cybersecurity field.
Therefore, you can start your career in cybersecurity if you get a degree in computer science, which is a closely related field.
Does a cybersecurity degree require math?
Depending on which program or degree you enroll yourself in, there may be a varying level of mathematics and its role in your academia. For example, if you opt for a degree in computer science with a focus on cybersecurity, then mathematics will be an important part of it. However, if you are getting an IT security degree, then mathematics maybe just a smaller part of the entire journey.
Typically, mathematics is required in cybersecurity, particularly discrete mathematics and statistics. Having a strong mathematics background allows you to apply strong analytical skills, critical thinking, and statistical analysis in your field of work.
How much can I make with a degree in cybersecurity?
Just like any other field or profession, the salary scale varies for every job based on factors including:
- Job role
- Seniority or experience level
- Industry of the employer
- The economy of a state or overall nation
- Location
According to ISC2, cybersecurity professionals make up to $147,138 in the U.S. Moreover, the same report suggests that entry-level jobs for cybersecurity graduates may go as high as $86,000 annually. As your experience level goes up, and you may qualify for managerial-level jobs, you can make an average of $149,000.
Furthermore, income for cybersecurity varies based on job roles as well. So, here are the job roles and their average annual incomes according to reports:
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): $256,040
- Network Security Architect: $175,065
- Security Sales Engineer: $157,509
- Cloud Security Engineer: $121,823
- Information Security Analyst: $89,933
Two industries that are said to have the best pay scale for cybersecurity professionals are healthcare and financial services. Lastly, New York and San Francisco have the best-paying jobs for cybersecurity professionals in the U.S.
How to get into cybersecurity with a computer science degree?
If you have opted for a computer science degree and want to pursue a career in cybersecurity, make sure you choose a cybersecurity focus or concentration area. Secondly, getting professional certifications will help you boost your cyber security career opportunities. Lastly, considering further education such as a master’s degree can also help.
Is cybersecurity a bachelor’s degree?
For a cybersecurity, an undergraduate or bachelor’s degree is the way to go. However, after graduating, you may continue higher education and get a cybersecurity master’s degree.
What is a bachelor’s degree mixed with bootcamp cybersecurity?
Firstly, you must understand what boot camps are. So, boot camp programs are rigorous, hands-on, and intensive education programs that are focused on developing technical skills in students. Moreover, their coursework and teaching methods is different from those of formal college education.
Additionally, these programs are focused on increasing the student’s skills and knowledge in a much shorter time span.
So, a bachelor’s degree combined with a cybersecurity bootcamp is an excellent pathway that merges traditional academic study with intensive, focused training in cybersecurity skills. As a result, this combination will allow you to gain a solid foundation in the technology domain while developing practical skills.
Can you get a cybersecurity career with a bachelor?
Yes, a cybersecurity bachelor is a good starting point for a career in cybersecurity. Make sure you make the most out of your cybersecurity bachelors by participating in classes and interacting with like-minded people.
Can I get a cybersecurity degree online?
There are endless advantages to pursuing a cybersecurity degree online. In fact, there are so many online cybersecurity programs that allow you to enjoy the convenience and affordability of online education. Moreover, a cybersecurity degree from Western Governor University, or WGU, is an amazing option for the following reasons:
- It allows program acceleration
- There are numerous financial aid options
- You can complete the WGU cybersecurity degree faster than traditional college
- It i is ideal for students who want to work while studying
Online cyber security degrees are just as valued. Colleges like Arizona State University offer accredited cybersecurity programs that are accepted by employers nationwide.
Explore more about online cybersecurity programs!
How are criminal justice and cybersecurity-related bachelor degrees?
As a matter of fact, cybersecurity and criminal justice are extremely closely related fields, and there are many reasons for that. Firstly, both degrees tend to deal with crime of some kind. Data thefts and breaches are just as serious a crime as theft from a physical store. Many organizations are working rigorously towards the elimination of cyber crimes, hence the two fields are connected.
Furthermore, Many bachelor’s programs in criminal justice now incorporate courses on cybersecurity, covering topics such as digital forensics, cybercrime laws, and data protection strategies. Therefore, the overlapping of curriculums open gates to similar career paths.
Lastly, as cybersecurity focuses on protecting network systems from cyber crimes, this degree is significantly useful in criminal justice professions. Graduates from both fields can work in areas that deal with cybercrime, including roles as cybercrime investigators or forensic analysts.
What jobs can you get with a bachelors in cybersecurity?
Here is a quick list of jobs you can get with a bachelors in cybersecurity:
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Get your cybersecurity degree today!
In conclusion, embarking on a college journey to pursue a degree in cybersecurity is an important decision in your life. You need good and reliable academic advice, along with proper guidance and direction. The above-mentioned questions and their answers will help you gather all the necessary knowledge about getting a bachelors in cybersecurity and beyond.