Cybersecurity Certificate Online

  • Graduate Certificate
  • College of Sciences
  • Department of Computer Science

This online cybersecurity certificate program teaches web professionals working in computer science and related fields the additional skills needed to manage, analyze, and secure cyber data.

You will take one core course, then choose three courses to complete the program. Your core course teaches the fundamentals of cybersecurity, introducing:

  • networking and the Internet protocol stack
  • vulnerable protocols such as HTTP, DNS, and BGP
  • an overview of wireless communications, vulnerabilities, and security protocols
  • cryptography
  • cyber threats and defenses
  • firewalls and IDS/IPS
  • and more.

Complete this graduate certificate in as little as one year by taking two courses in the spring semester and two courses in the fall semester.

If you decide to continue your studies, credit for these courses may also apply toward ODU's Master of Science in Computer Science degree program.

When you graduate, you will earn a Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity.

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Old Dominion University has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) by the National Security Agency (NSA) in all three focus areas:

  • National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD)
  • National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO)
  • National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research (CAE-R)

Learn More About NCAE Designations

    • 12 credit hours (four courses)

    After taking the core course, you will choose three of these four courses to complete the certificate:

    • Cryptography for Cybersecurity - Learn mathematical foundations, including information theory, number theory, factoring, and prime number generation; cryptographic protocols; and cryptographic techniques (including key generation and key management) and applications. Cryptographic algorithms are also covered.
    • Networked Systems Security - Covers authentication, authorization, and accounting in cyber systems including SSO and password-, address-, and biometrics-based systems. Learn how to secure wired and wireless networks and applications like e-mail and e-commerce. Security and privacy in cloud environments is also covered.
    • Information Assurance for Cybersecurity - In this course, you will learn about metrics, planning and deployment; identity and trust technologies; verification and evaluation, and more. This course also covers human factors such as regulation, policy, and enforcement, and legal, ethical, and social implications.
    • Data Analytics for Cybersecurity - Learn classical and advanced models and techniques in machine learning and deep learning, and how to apply these techniques to activities such as anomaly detection, network security, and malware detection. Cyber-attacks on machine learning and AI systems and the possible consequences are also covered. Advanced applications such as self-driving cars and IoT systems are discussed.
  • Access course materials online from any location. Many classes don't have a scheduled meeting time, so you can fit class into your personal schedule. The instructor may schedule assignments and exams at specific times. All courses follow ODU's regular academic calendar.

  • In-state Virginia Residents
    $620 per credit hour*
    Out-of-state Students
    $642 per credit hour

    Rates are effective Fall 2024 and subject to change.
    * In-state rate assumes residency requirements are met.

  • Scholarships don't need to be repaid. Learn more about scholarships as an ODUGlobal student. It is also worthwhile to search scholarship sites - billions of dollars are available.

You'll have a dedicated academic advisor for this program.

Contact us if you have questions about admission requirements, transferring credits, or application deadlines.