Program Overview

Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate

The Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate is designed to equip non-cyber professionals with the knowledge and technical skills needed to address cybersecurity issues across various fields. This certificate is offered by the Department of Information Systems and Cyber Security and provides a common framework for understanding cybersecurity, allowing for specialization in areas like law, policy, analysis, and response.

Program Overview

To earn this graduate certificate, students must complete four courses totaling 12 semester credit hours. The certificate is designed for non-cyber professionals, such as those in engineering, finance, psychology, etc.

Why Pursue a Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate

Upon completion of the Cybersecurity certificate program, students gain a fundamental knowledge of cybersecurity technologies that affect organizational operations, processes, and decision-making. Students will also learn to demonstrate critical thinking by analyzing cybersecurity situations and constructing or selecting acceptable solutions to mitigate or eliminate problems. Additionally, program graduates will gain an appreciation of the legal and ethical environment impacting cybersystems and be able to recommend or implement solutions within the legal and ethical constraints present in the environment.

National Endorsements

The University of Texas at San Antonio has been designated as a Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security in the areas of CAE-Education, CAE-Operations, and CAE-Research and is one of only 10 institutions in the nation to achieve all three designations.

Admission and Application Requirements

• Required Degree: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution.
• Minimum GPA: 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Departments may consider GPA of last 60 semester credit hours. Otherwise qualified individuals with a GPA below 3.0 may still be eligible for admission consideration.
• Transcripts: Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English.
• Credential Evaluation: Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from FCSA or any NACES-approved credential evaluation agency.
• English Language Proficiency: 550 TOEFL Paper / 79 TOEFL Internet / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100.

Application Deadlines

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Decisions are generally made and sent to applicants within 4 to 6 weeks of receiving the application. Deadlines are as follows:

• Spring 2026: November 1 (International), December 1 (Domestic)
• Summer 2026: March 1 (International), May 1 (Domestic)
• Fall 2026: June 1 (International), August 1 (Domestic)
• Spring 2027: November 1 (International), December 1 (Domestic)
• Summer 2027: March 1 (International), May 1 (Domestic)

Funding Opportunities

Resources are available for students.

Career Options

The possible careers for graduates of this program include positions in demand such as those at Accenture, Apple, Baptist Health System, Boeing, Booz Allen Hamilton, Chevron, Cyber Range Solutions, Dell, Exxon Mobil, Frost Bank, Google, H-E-B, Microsoft Corporation, National Security Agency, Rackspace, SWBC, Target, U.S. Air Force, and Valero Energy Corporation.

Coursework

To earn this graduate certificate, students must complete four courses totaling 12 semester credit hours. Courses include:

• Telecommunications Essentials (required)
• Cyber Law Essentials
• Digital Forensic Analysis Essentials
• Industrial Control System Security Essentials
• Information Assurance and Security Essentials
• Information Assurance Policy Essentials
• Intrusion Detection and Incident Response Essentials
• Web Application Security Essentials

Graduate Advisor of Record

Hongyi Zhu, PhD.