Program Overview

Program Overview

The Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to excel in the rapidly evolving field of digital information management and security. This online graduate certificate program will give students the knowledge to identify vulnerabilities within systems and mitigate a wide range of IT-related risks for organizations.

Certificate Details

• The program consists of 12 credits and can be completed in two semesters if courses are taken concurrently or three semesters if courses are taken sequentially.
• The tuition fee is $867 per credit.
• The certificate awarded is a Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity.

Curriculum

To earn the graduate certificate, students must successfully complete the following courses:

• CIS 606: Application Software Infrastructure (3 credits)
• CIS 620: IT Communications Infrastructure (3 credits)
• CIS 623: Cybersecurity (3 credits)
• CIS 563: Information Assurance and Security (3 credits)

Faculty

The online program is instructed by the same faculty members who teach the MCIS program on CSU’s main campus in Fort Collins, Colorado. The faculty includes:

• Ramadan Abdunabi, Clinical Professor
• Charles Butler, Professor

Admission Requirements

• An undergraduate degree from an accredited, four-year institution
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher from the most recent degree completed
• If the GPA is below 3.0, an academic performance explanation must be submitted with the application

Application Process

Review Admission Requirements

Generally, graduate certificate applicants must meet or exceed the admission criteria.

Prepare Application Materials

• A current resume that describes professional experience and accomplishments
• An academic performance explanation if the GPA is below 3.0

Complete Online Application

• Submit the online graduate application and pay the nonrefundable application processing fee
• Choose "Cybersecurity (Certificate) – Distance" when selecting the Program of Study

Request Transcripts

• One official transcript of all collegiate work completed from all institutions attended
• Transcripts must be received directly from the originating institution to be considered official

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can credits from this graduate certificate be applied to a master’s degree? Yes, every credit earned in this certificate can later be applied toward the CSU College of Business’s online (or on-campus) Master of Computer Information Systems.
• What kind of advice and support can students expect as they move through the program? Students have access to a CIS advisor and CIS faculty throughout the program, as well as additional support resources such as the CSU Career Center and College of Business Career Services Liaison.

Career Opportunities

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analysts with the right skills and experience can expect to earn an average annual salary of $99,730. Job growth in this field is also projected to grow by 32% between 2018 and 2028, much faster than the average growth for all professions.