Online Bachelor of Science in

Cybersecurity

Threats to the critical infrastructure of data security are spreading exponentially. As technology continues to become more advanced and interconnected, efforts to increase cybersecurity and protect organizational networks are at an all time high. Harnessing the drastic need for qualified IT/IS specialists, you can become a leading cybersecurity expert dedicated to securing systems, mitigating breaches, and detecting attacks to better service businesses across the globe with an online bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from Abilene Christian University.

Threats to the critical infrastructure of data security are spreading exponentially. As technology continues to become more advanced and interconnected, efforts to increase cybersecurity and protect organizational networks are at an all time high. Harnessing the drastic need for qualified IT/IS specialists, you can become a leading cybersecurity expert dedicated to securing systems, mitigating breaches, and detecting attacks to better service businesses across the globe with an online bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from Abilene Christian University.

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Pursue an Innovative Career in Cybersecurity

With an online bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, you will learn the latest skills to ensure confidentiality and protect cyber threats from affecting your company. Along with a comprehensive curriculum reflective of current trends and strategies, you’ll receive support and encouragement from our vibrant, virtual Christ-centered community.

Locked-In Tuition

Introducing
Locked-In Tuition.

ACU’s Locked-In Tuition program guarantees you’ll pay the same price for your entire undergraduate degree.

About the Program

ACU’s Online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity provides you the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of how to better protect current and new information systems while simultaneously jumping into one of the nation’s fastest growing markets today. Emphasizing unique skills in programming, managing data, system defense, and effective testing, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of cybersecurity and its multifaceted approaches.

Program Structure

All the Details on Your Degree

Advance your understanding of a variety of security techniques by strengthening current infrastructures as well as creating new frameworks to promote additional protection for information systems vulnerabilities on a local, national, and global scale. Via our specialized courses, you’ll gain additional insight into the latest trends and policies for highly complex networks without losing sight of your promising career goals in cybersecurity.

Stackable Certificate:
Earn a certificate while completing your bachelor’s degree.

While enrolled in our Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program, you will also earn the Cybersecurity 1: Certificate in Fundamental System Security and Cybersecurity 2: Certificate in Essential System Forensics and Defense. Earn these valuable credentials as you progress through your degree at no additional cost. 

Required Hours

Total: 120 hours
University Requirements: 54 hours (including 9-15 hours in Bible)
Major: 57 hours (up to 9 hours in electives)
Cost: $395/Hour with $600 resource fee per semester

Example Coursework

Introduction to Information, Technology, and Computing Systems Integration and Administration
Cybersecurity Policies, Standards, and Compliance
Cloud and Network Defense

Upcoming Start Dates

October 15, 2024
January 14, 2025

Common Job Titles

Information Security Analyst
Software Security Engineer
Security Architect
Information Security Crime Investigator
Security Consultant

Infosec Partnership

ACU + InfosecEmbark on a transformative cybersecurity education journey with ACU Online, powered by an innovative partnership with Infosec, the leader in cybersecurity training. This collaboration seamlessly integrates Infosec-backed training into our cutting-edge coursework, ensuring that you gain practical expertise during your academic program. This unique fusion of hands-on skills and academic rigor will position you as a leader in the dynamic field of cybersecurity, opening doors to exciting career opportunities.

Already have industry certifications from CompTIA? ACU will award you up to 15 hours of academic credit for your learning achievements, helping you fast-track your path to a cybersecurity degree. Join us in shaping the future of cybersecurity education – where the best of Infosec meets the academic excellence of ACU Online.

Meet the Program Director

Dr. Joe Feliciano, Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity

Dr. Joe Feliciano is the Program Director for the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Administration, the Master of Science in Information Technology, and the Certificate in Cybersecurity programs. He received his doctorate from Pace University in New York. His master’s degree in Information Systems is from Long Island University, and his undergraduate work was completed at Hawaii Pacific University in Business Administration. 

After leaving the U.S. Air Force in 1995, he began to work on Windows Servers, PCs, and Mainframe Systems for manufacturing, health care, and telecom organizations. He has been teaching IT management, computer networking, database, and cybersecurity courses since 2007.

Spotlight

Cybersecurity Program Dr. Joe Feliciano

Program Overview

Are you interested in becoming the first line of defense for businesses and consumers in the ever-evolving digital landscape? We invite you to listen to Dr. Joe Feliciano as he discusses how a degree in Cybersecurity can prepare you to provide proactive digital defense in your career as a Cybersecurity professional.

Types of Places You Can Work with a Degree in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is one of the most sought-after professions around the globe resulting in a multitude of employment options depending on your career goals and lifestyle.

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Cybersecurity-Skills

The Growing Need for Cybersecurity Professionals

As the tech world expands, the threat of data breaches and cyberattacks heightens, putting crucial personal and professional information in jeopardy. Read more about the increasing demand for highly trained cybersecurity professionals protect virtual assets and fight against cybercrime.

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Faculty Spotlight: Joe Feliciano

Meet Dr. Joe Feliciano, mastermind and Program Director for ACU Online’s bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity as well as our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs in Information Technology. Read more about how he thoughtfully designed these programs and his goals for training future tech professionals.

Meet Joe
Female Engineer Controller Observes Working of the System. In the Background People Working and Monitors Show Various Information. Cybersecurity

How to Obtain in Demand Cybersecurity Skills

From intrusion detection to quantum computing, a variety of advanced skills should be developed to ensure success in the demanding field of cybersecurity. Here are some of those skills and how you can build them.

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The demand for more advanced and qualified cybersecurity experts is projected to grow over the next decade. As the speed of technology continues to increase alongside the strikes made by hackers and mitigators, companies are actively recruiting personnel to find the holes in their systems, develop strong frameworks, and place systematic guardrails to diminish attacks and prevent further financial loss.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate of information security analysts is projected to grow 35 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than any other occupation. With close to 20 thousand open positions projected every year across the country, the need for educated and trained professionals is staggering and at an all-time high. Opportunities exist in various types of settings and disciplines from small to large businesses, private to nonprofit, government entities, and a wide spectrum of companies and industries seeking to keep their networks secured and upgraded with the pace of new technology.

To be considered for admission, students must: 

  • Submit official high school and/or college transcripts.
  • Complete the online program application accompanied by a non-refundable processing fee.

There are no prerequisites for this program. Students are not required to submit ACT or SAT test scores.

Graduation Requirements: Students must earn a 2.0 GPA or higher to meet graduation requirements and complete at least 33 advanced hours.

SACSCOC Stamp Color

Abilene Christian University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Ga. 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of ACU.

Abilene Christian University enjoys a strong national reputation as one of the leading private Christian universities in the west and southwest, indicated by various ratings (such as U.S. News and World Report and other reports).


Curriculum

The online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity involves a 57 credit-hour core divided among programming, information technology, mathematics, and cybersecurity courses, with an additional nine credit hours of electives to explore advanced topics related to cloud control, networking and system testing. At the foundation for the program, the core courses touch on programming languages, understanding database management, web technologies, cloud networking, information security, operating systems, systems administration, recent trends and compliance policies in IT/IS support, and statistics.

Aligned with Industry Certifications

CompTIA certifications

  • A+
  • Network+
  • Security+
  • Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+)
  • Pentest+

EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker

Certified Computer Forensics Examiner (CCFE)