View a complete list of courses, relevant certifications, program-specific requirements, technology-related recommendations, and more.
This program requires a total of 120 credits.
If you are interested in a career in digital forensics, you can take three of the following upper-level courses to satisfy the 9-credit requirement listed above:
Courses in this program are designed to provide you with the knowledge you need to take the valuable industry certification exams, which can help you increase your marketability. See how the courses below align to specific industry exams.
If you pass one of the listed certification exams while completing the corresponding course, you may be eligible to use your certification in place of a final exam. Contact your instructor before pursuing the certification to discuss if this option is worth considering.
| Industry Certification | Course(s) |
|---|---|
| AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner—Foundational | (3 Credits, CMIT 326) |
| AWS Certified Solutions Architect—Associate | (3 Credits, CMIT 426) |
| CERT Computer Security Incident Handler (CSIH) | (3 Credits, CMIT 460) |
| Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNAv70) | (3 Credits, CMIT 351), (3 Credits, CMIT 352) |
| Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP-ENARSI) | (3 Credits, CMIT 456) |
| Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP-ENCOR) | (3 Credits, CMIT 455) |
| CompTIA A+ | (3 Credits, CMIT 202) |
| CompTIA Cloud+ | (3 Credits, CMIT 326) |
| CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+) | (3 Credits, CMIT 421) |
| CompTIA Linux+ and LPIC-1 | (3 Credits, CMIT 291) |
| CompTIA Network+ | (3 Credits, CMIT 265) |
| CompTIA PenTest+ | (3 Credits, CMIT 386) |
| CompTIA Security+ | (3 Credits, CMIT 320) |
| EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) | (3 Credits, CMIT 321) |
| (ISC)2 Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) | (3 Credits, CMIT 436) |
| (ISC)2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) | (3 Credits, CMIT 425) |
| ISFCE Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) | (3 Credits, CMIT 424) |
| Microsoft 365 Certified: Enterprise Administrator Expert | (3 Credits, CMIT 382), (3 Credits, CMIT 422) |
| Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate | (3 Credits, CMIT 380), (3 Credits, CMIT 420) |
| Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900) | (3 Credits, CMIT 336) |
For some of the upper-level cybersecurity and IT courses in this program, you will need equipment that meets the following specifications. Courses in graphics- or computing-intensive disciplines may require a higher processing speed, more RAM, and/or better screen resolution.
Choose one of the following:
Through an accelerated pathway, students who complete this program may be eligible to reduce their total coursework for a master's degree or graduate certificate in Cloud Computing Systems, Cybersecurity Management and Policy, Cyber Operations, Cybersecurity Technology, or Digital Forensics and Cyber Investigation by up to 6 credits.
Graduates of this cybersecurity program may be able to develop crucial, in-demand skills that are important in cybersecurity jobs. In our hands-on courses, you may gain experience in penetration testing, ethical hacking, systems engineering, cloud computing, packet analysis, system administration, information security, network security, and more. Our program directors refresh and update the curriculum regularly, with a focus on helping students achieve the following:
This degree program is designed for mid-level professionals hoping to advance their careers in a high demand industry. A cybersecurity degree may help you qualify for cybersecurity jobs such as security engineer, systems administrator, solutions architect, Linux systems administrator, information security analyst, information systems manager, cybersecurity analyst, cybersecurity engineer, and more.
Throughout your curriculum, your instructors will assign hands-on coursework that will help you prioritize real-world skills and experience. In past courses, students have been able to complete the following course projects:
Gain insight from our faculty and staff and delve deeper into a range of topics, including hands-on projects; information security, cyber attacks, and incident response; cybersecurity salaries and career paths; cloud-based learning; and more.
Brian O., BS in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity (left), and Karla O., BS in Investigative Forensics (right), Collinsville, IL
Get answers to questions that current and prospective students are asking about program admission, credibility, student organizations, and more.
This 120-credit online cybersecurity bachelor's can teach you the operational procedures and technologies to design, implement, administer, secure, and troubleshoot corporate networks while applying cybersecurity principles operationally. This cybersecurity degree may be worth the commitment for additional reasons, as it may help prepare you for several cybersecurity certification exams and boost your marketability on your cyber career path. Potential cybersecurity job titles include security engineer, systems administrator, solutions architect, Linux systems administrator, information security analyst, information systems manager, cybersecurity analyst, cybersecurity engineer, and more.
In this 120-credit degree program, courses are offered year-round. Your program completion time will depend on several factors, including your goals, how many transfer credits you have, your course load each semester, and whether you are able to benefit from one or more of our fast paths to credit, including credit for prior learning and credit for military education and training.
At UMGC, we're proud to offer competitive, affordable tuition to students who want to earn a cybersecurity bachelor’s that is worth their time. We offer scholarships for those who qualify, an interest-free monthly payment plan, and no-cost digital materials instead of most textbooks to help make your program even more affordable. You can see our affordable tuition, including a low in-state rate for Maryland residents and a reduced tuition rate for military servicemembers and their spouses and dependent children, at the top of this page.
You do not need any security-related or computing-based background or experience in cybersecurity to apply for and graduate from this program. As long as you meet our undergraduate admission requirements, you can enroll in this program.
UMGC is a designated National Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence (CDFAE) institution and can help you earn the CDFAE Certificates of Completion listed below. These CDFAE Certificates of Completion can be exchanged for industry-recognized U.S. Department of Defense forensics certifications, which are required when performing forensics work for the Federal Government or Federal contractors.
Earn the following CDFAE Certificates of Completion by completing the listed requirements:
Digital Media Collector: (3 Credits, CMIT 202) and (3 Credits, CMIT 460) with a grade of C or better in each course.
Digital Forensic Examiner: (3 Credits, CMIT 202), (3 Credits, CMIT 424), and (3 Credits, CMIT 460) with a grade of C or better in each course.
In addition, you will need to complete the requirements for graduating from this degree program and obtain employment with an applicable Federal employer or Federal contractor. Once you have met these requirements, please e-mail cite@umgc.edu and include "CDFAE Certificate of Completion Request" in the subject line and your full name, student ID, and mailing address in the e-mail. Once the CITE Department verifies that these requirements have been met, it will issue the CDFAE Certificate of Completion.
Please read the CDFAE Certificates of Completion webpage thoroughly for additional details, including required timeframes for exchanging your Certificate of Completion.
The Computing Club provides a dynamic environment where members can work collaboratively, share innovative ideas, enhance their career-readiness, and gain marketable experience in their respective fields. It is available to graduate or undergraduate students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. Students and alumni can join the Computing Club group on CareerQuest.
The Cyber Competition Team represents UMGC at various cybersecurity events and tournaments nationwide. Being a member of the team gives students an opportunity to develop their cybersecurity skills and network with other students. The team is open to undergraduate and graduate students and alumni through a tryout process. Email jesse.varsalone@umgc.edu or visit the team webpage to learn more.
Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the international honor society for the computing and IT disciplines, is designed to promote the computing and information sciences and to encourage the enhancement of knowledge in the field. Upsilon Pi Epsilon is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a degree in the computing and information science disciplines. Membership is by invitation only.
Undergraduate membership is open to students majoring in one of the computing disciplines who have completed at least 45 credit hours towards their degree, including 30 or more credits at UMGC (in graded coursework) and at least 15 credits from information technology and computer science courses. Undergraduate students need to have a cumulative GPA of a 3.5 or higher and a GPA of 3.5 or higher in all coursework taken from the information technology and computer science courses.
Graduate student membership is open to students pursuing a master's degree in cloud computing systems, cyber operations, cybersecurity management and policy, cybersecurity technology, data analytics, or digital forensics and cyber investigation; a master's degree in information technology with a specialization in database systems technology, informatics, information assurance, software engineering, or systems engineering; or a legacy master's degree in cybersecurity. Graduate students must have completed at least 18 resident credits towards their degree at UMGC, with a cumulative GPA of a 3.5 or higher.
For more information, please email upe@umgc.edu.
The Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Student Chapter at University of Maryland Global Campus aims to build a community within UMGC that promotes women’s education, participation, and leadership in the field of cybersecurity. It is available to graduate or undergraduate students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. Interested students and alumni are invited to join the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) group on CareerQuest.
