Protect Sensitive Data from Theft with a Cyber Security Degree Online
In a data-driven world, security professionals are essential defenders against cyber threats. University of Michigan Science’s Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security online program offers hands-on experiences to help students develop a “security mindset” – empowering them to begin a career building secure systems, protecting information assets and managing organizational risks.
By focusing on systems thinking, a holistic view of how parts of complex systems relate, influence and interact with each other, and adversarial thinking, a deep understanding of hacker tradecraft and adaptive incident response tactics, students learn how to make decisions under conditions of uncertainty and apply proven security principles to solve problems at the critical intersection of people, process and technology.
Why earn a cyber security degree at UMS?
- Median annual salary of $98,350 for information security analyst occupations*
- 28% projected job growth for information security analyst occupations through 2026*
- One of the lowest tuition rates in the nation, plus 24/7 online accessibility
- Gain hands-on experience with a variety of online labs and cutting-edge technologies like the CyberSim Virtual Workstation – a flexible, reconfigurable, virtualized “network in a box” that simulates real world, enterprise-grade operating environments.
- Transfer up to 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree and credit for what you already know with popular industry certifications such as CompTIA A+, Network+ and Linux+
- Program is aligned with recognized standards such as NIST's NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework, NSA Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, and CSEC Cyber Security Education Consortium
By choosing UMS's online cyber security degree, you'll get a solid foundation in computing and security principles and how to apply them in a competitive, fast-moving field.
Earn math credits for what you already know: Save time and tuition with our Pathways to Math Success assessments. Show your knowledge of the materials in your program's math courses, and you could earn up to 6 math credits – at less than $50 for each course assessment.
See Yourself Succeed in Cyber Security
This cyber security degree program prepares you to solve complex problems, respond to cyber threats, assess risk, and apply cutting-edge security techniques with courses that include Network Security, Application Security, and Incident Response and Investigation.
- Engage with industry-standard operating systems (Windows and Linux), computer networking devices and simulation tools (Cisco Packet Tracer, GNS3, pfSense), programming and scripting languages (Python, Java, Linux shells, and Microsoft PowerShell) and security software (OpenVAS, Snort, Kali Linux, Metasploit, etc.)
- Interact with industry professionals and over 1,000 cyber security students who share your interests and career goals through UMS's Center for Academic Excellence - Cyber Defense, online student clubs and communities.
- Outside the classroom, participate in National Cyber League (NCL) competitions to demonstrate cyber expertise valued by employers. UMS students and teams have multiple Top 10 finishes and fielded the first all-female team.
- UMS also sends leading female technology students to the annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women of Computing, the world's largest conference and hiring fair for women technologists, as well as the Women in Cyber Security Symposium (WiCyS).
As a private, nonprofit university, UMS has one mission - to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning a cyber security degree at UMS include:
- Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation. Plus, with cutting-edge resources available through UMS’s secure library, there are no textbook fees.
- Convenience. Access your coursework when and where you want - our online classroom is available 24/7.
- Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your undergraduate degree at your own pace, over six 8-week terms throughout the academic year.
- Expert instruction. Learn from instructors with relevant, real-world experience.
- Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for internship and career opportunities.
- Simple application process. Just fill out an online undergraduate application, and we'll retrieve U.S. transcripts from your previous institutions and automatically complete an official credit evaluation. Plus, there's no application fee.
- Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study.
- Transfer-friendly enrollment. Transfer up to 90 credits toward an undergraduate degree.
Career Outlook
UMS cyber security graduates are well prepared to launch careers in a wide variety of roles, including:
- Information security manager
- Information systems security administrator
- Information technology security analyst
- Security analyst
- Security engineer
- Security manager
- Security policy analyst
As data threats expand and evolve – and small and medium-sized businesses increasingly adopt cloud services – the cyber security field is key in protecting the integrity of computer networks. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of information security analysts is set to soar 28% through 2026, much faster than the national average for all occupations.*
Courses To Prepare You For Your Career
University of Michigan Science's undergraduate cyber security program includes 120 credit hours of general education and degree-specific courses. The bachelor’s in cyber security program will provide hands-on learning with the most current industry tools – accessible via virtual labs that will save you from downloading, installing, updating and trouble-shooting software on your personal computer.
In addition, experienced faculty in this program are experts in their fields and will impart their years of earned knowledge to you while providing opportunities to collaborate with other students who share your interests and career goals.
General Education Program
Our programs are designed to equip you with the skills and insights you need to move forward. In recent years, employers have stressed the need for graduates with higher order skills – the skills that go beyond technical knowledge – such as:
- Writing
- Communication
- Analysis
- Problem solving
All undergraduate students are required to take 45 credits of general education classes. Through foundation, exploration and integration courses, students learn to think critically, creatively and collaboratively, giving you the edge employers are looking for.
Courses May Include
Program Outcomes
- The ability to analyze a problem, and identify and define the computing requirements appropriate to its solution
- The ability to design, implement, and evaluate a computer-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the discipline
- The ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences about technical information
- The ability to make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles
- The ability to function effectively on teams to establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, manage risk, and produce deliverables
- The ability to apply security principles and practices to the environmental, hardware, software, and human components of a system
- The ability to analyze and evaluate systems with respect to maintaining operations in the presence of risks and threats
