Cybersecurity - Technologies Certificate of Advanced Study*

Program of Study

This certificate is intended to provide students with knowledge, skills and experience sufficient for them to understand the security of systems of computers and networks, and implement or operate these securely.   

Please note that a complementary certificate, “Cybersecurity – Management, Risk and Governance,” explores the development and implementation of cybersecurity policy, governance and risk programs. These two certificates cover most of the courses in the master’s degree, however students need to take three more courses plus Semester-in-Residence project to complete their master’s degree. The selected courses in the certificate program are the prerequisites of the remaining courses of the master’s program.

Students in the Cybersecurity professional science master’s program will automatically receive this certificate after successful completion of the courses required for this certificate.

* The Cybersecurity - Technologies Certificate of Advanced Study is offered through Extended Learning.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

1. Explain network security protocols.
2. Recognize secure operating systems.
3. Explain how secure software is developed.
4. Recognize encryption algorithms.

Admission Requirements and Application

• Admission decisions will be made by the Admission Committee chosen by the Program Director in consultation with its faculty.
• Admission decisions will be based on 1) undergraduate courses and GPA, 2) GRE scores, or resume, 3) TOEFL for some students **, and 4) the statement of purpose and recommendation letters.
• Admission to the program requires an undergraduate degree in computer science or closely related discipline, and should include upper-division courses in operating systems, networks and software engineering. Applicants with a baccalaureate degree in a related field may be able to meet prerequisites with equivalent work experiences in computer science and will be considered for conditional admission.
• Admission requires a minimum GPA of 3.0 in upper-division computer science courses and a GPA of at least 2.5 in undergraduate coursework in the last 60 semester units (or last 90 quarter units) attempted.
• All applicants must submit general GRE scores, or resume when applying. Minimum GRE scores required are:

- Verbal 143
- Quantitative 155
- Analytical Writing 3.5 (this will also satisfy the Graduate Writing Assessment Requirement)

• As an alternative to the GRE, applicants may submit a resume or CV showing work experience in Cybersecurity of technology field.
• Applicants to the program will be subject to standard background checks in accordance with Defense Security Service reporting requirements.

Applicants must submit:

1. The program application form.
2. The statement of purpose outlining the reason or pursuing the certificate.
3. GRE scores, or resume.
4. TOEFL score if required.
5. One set of transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.
6. Two recommendation letters on a provided form.

Student candidates may apply at any time throughout the year. However, selection and admission will be completed by early May for the Fall semester start. Later applications will be considered, as spaces remain available. Feedback to applicants, but not final admission decisions, will be provided on a timely basis regardless of the time of application.

**All applicants must have a TOEFL score of 80 iBT or above (213 on the computer-based examination, 550 paper-based), or an IELTS score of 6.0, unless they possess a bachelor’s degree from a post-secondary institution where English was the principal language of instruction.

Certificate Requirements and Courses

The Cybersecurity – Technologies Certificate requires students to complete the following set of courses. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and earn at least a C (2.0) in each course. Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 and earn at least a C (2.0) in each course, except those taken for credit/no credit. Any student whose overall GPA falls below 3.0 for two consecutive semesters will be dropped from the program. A full-time student should be enrolled in the predetermined course schedule and credit hours each semester for the program

Total: 13 Units