Program

120

Total Credits

40

Total Classes

On Ground

Format

The Cybersecurity Bachelor of Science degree will train students on state-of-the-art technology, prepare them for the CompTIA A+ exam, and prepare them for industry-leading certifications including Certified Ethical Hacker, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, and Certified Computer Forensic Examiner.

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Learn what the Siena Effect can do for you.

The Siena Heights University Cybersecurity program offers students an exciting pathway to a high demand, rewarding profession. The curriculum consists of a balance of cybersecurity-focused courses, Computer Information Systems (CIS) electives, and classes in business and management. The flexible curriculum design allows students to transfer up to 12 credits of approved CIS coursework towards their degree. Additionally, students may choose to complete coursework to earn an Information Technology Management (ITM) minor with their Cybersecurity major. SHU is a participant in the Department of Energy’s CyberForce Program, which provides workforce development through cybersecurity competitions, webinars, and career fairs. Siena Heights University was awarded a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to support qualifying low-income STEM majors with scholarships and academic assistance.

In today’s world, it has become incredibly easy to automate constant digital attacks against any individual, Fortune 500 corporation, or government system. As a result, we now live in a world where we can assume that everyone is constantly at risk of attack from advanced cyber threats.

This new paradigm has led to a boom in cybersecurity careers. According to Burning Glass, cybersecurity professionals earn a median salary of $90,757, with entry-level positions starting at $60k. Furthermore, there is virtually zero-percent unemployment within the field of cybersecurity, and approximately 460,000 unfilled positions in the US alone.

Our Cybersecurity major is designed with two goals in mind:

  • To ensure that students stay one step ahead of evolving cyber threats.
  • To provide students with fundamental IT skills.

While the first goal is primary and more foundational to a cybersecurity program, the importance of the second goal should not be disregarded for two major reasons. First, entry-level cybersecurity roles, as well as roles at smaller organizations, frequently blend elements of cybersecurity and IT work. Second, the cybersecurity function of an organization is inextricably linked with IT since both networks and team members present opportunities to bad actors. To that end, students who complete the recommended IT focus area will not only be prepared for numerous cybersecurity certifications; they will also be prepared for the CompTIA A+ exam.

Within this program, students will assess modern cybersecurity challenges that threaten our privacy, security, and safety, and gain both the knowledge and hands-on technical skills to protect digital assets from cyber criminals who leverage sophisticated social and cyber tactics to facilitate attacks. Furthermore, as the cyber attack surface continues to expand via the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, it is increasingly vital that students learn how to “harden” networks, systems, and endpoint devices against cyber attacks, topics which are covered in the course Modern Cybersecurity. It is, however, impossible to create a perfectly secure system, so students will also learn how to perform cyber forensics to investigate, collect, and preserve digital evidence associated with a breach. Finally, students will learn how to think like a “hacker” and use industry standard tools to find weaknesses in systems.

Students who complete this curriculum will not only be prepared for a career as a cybersecurity professional, they will also be well positioned to obtain a number of certifications which will increase their employability, including Certified Ethical Hacker, Certified Information Systems Security Professional, and Certified Computer Forensic Examiner.

SHU recently received a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation to support low-income STEM majors with scholarships and academic support.



Costs & Aid

We know that college can be expensive, but we don’t want cost to keep you from attending Siena Heights University! We offer numerous financial aid opportunities. Federal aid is available to students who qualify by completing the FAFSA. Feel free to contact us with questions about financial aid opportunities, or click on one of the links below.