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Why ODU for Cybersecurity?

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

If you decide to continue your studies, 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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Ranked #23

Best Online Cyber Security Certificate Programs, 2019 - CyberDegrees.org

Required Courses

  • 12 credit hours (four courses)

You will take one required course, Cybersecurity Fundamentals:

  • An introduction to networking and the Internet protocol stack, including vulnerable protocols such as HTTP, DNS, and BGP. You'll get an overview of wireless communications, vulnerabilities, and security protocols. You'll also learn about cryptography, cyber threats and defenses, firewalls and IDS/IPS, and more.

You will choose three of these four courses to complete the certificate:

  • Cryptography for Cybersecurity
    This course covers mathematical foundations, including information theory, number theory, factoring, and prime number generation. Course details include cryptographic protocols, including basic building blocks and protocols. This course also covers cryptographic techniques (including key generation and key management) and applications, and cryptographic algorithms.
  • Networked Systems Security
    This class will familiarize you with authentication in cyber systems technology including SSO and password, address, and biometrics-based systems. You'll go over authorization and accounting in cyber systems. You'll learn critical skills in securing wired and wireless networks and applications including e-mail, web, and e-commerce applications. Security and privacy in cloud environments will also be covered.
  • Information Assurance
    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 and policy languages, and legal, ethical, and social outcomes.
  • Data Analytics for Cybersecurity
    The course introduces classical and advanced models and techniques in machine learning and deep learning. It applies these techniques in the cybersecurity domain including anomaly detection, network security, and malware detection and classification. Advanced applications such as self-driving cars and IoT systems are also discussed. In addition, cyber-attacks on machine learning techniques and AI systems and the possible consequences are also discussed.

Online Learning Environment

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.

Calculating Cost

  • In-state Virginia Residents$571 per credit hour*
  • Out-of-state Students$595 per credit hour

Rates are effective Summer 2022 and subject to change.
* In-state rate assumes residency requirements are met.

Bright Outlook

Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 35 percent from 2021 to 2031.
— Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, March 2023

Careers in Cybersecurity

Advanced knowledge in cybersecurity can help you in positions like the ones below.

Note: earning a degree from ODU does not guarantee employment in the positions listed above. Explore more career information on our Career Coach website.

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How to Apply

To apply for this graduate certificate program, you must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited academic institution with a computer science-related major. You'll need to be accepted into ODU as a non-degree graduate student before you apply to the certificate program with the department.

If you decide to pursue a Master of Science in Computer Science at ODU and are admitted into that program, courses from this certificate may also apply towards that degree.

Meet Your Team

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

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