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B.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE Cybersecurity and Information Assurance

Servers and systems are under constant attack, compromising the data of corporations and individuals alike. Prepare yourself to lead the defense. Build a career around fighting against cyberthreats.

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A course in this online degree program won a coveted CODiE award from the Software & Information Industry Association.

A course in this degree program won a coveted CODiE award from the Software & Information Industry Association.

2016 CODiE SIIA Award Winner for Best Learning Management Solution

Overview
Earn your bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and information assurance plus industry certs online.

Every day, hackers and cyber criminals launch new, sophisticated computer viruses, malware, and scams that threaten the data our society relies on. Earning your bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and information assurance can expand the arsenal you need to protect this valuable asset. Plus, holding a B.S. in cybersecurity can increase your earning potential and opportunities for advancement as an IT professional.

WGU’s online B.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree program was designed with input from cybersecurity experts and leading IT employers to meet the most recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and National Security Agency (NSA) guidelines. This online cybersecurity degree program includes multiple industry-recognized certifications including those from CompTIA, CIW, EC-Council, and ISC² that are built into the curriculum and do not add time or cost—certifications that will boost your résumé as soon as you've earned them, even before you complete your WGU degree in cybersecurity.

73% of graduates finish in

6–18 mos.

WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.
See how it works

Tuition per 6-month term is

$3,190

Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. Finish faster, pay less!
See how time is money

On average, students transfer

37 credits

Certifications, an associate's degree, or previous college credit may waive some courses. A transcript review will determine your transfer credits.
Get started

Tuition as of January 1, 2018.
Protect individuals, companies, and the economy from cyberattacks.

Because more and more of our lives rely on cyberspace—commerce, devices, even cars and buildings—we are increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats. Every industry and private citizen is counting on our cybersecurity and information assurance experts to detect system vulnerabilities and protect our sensitive data. Students who earn a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity will be prepared for a variety of essential careers including:
Cybersecurity response specialist

Cybersecurity engineer

Cyber threat analyst

Security operations specialist

Information analyst
Learn about our grads' careers
What you’ll learn: relevant, up-to-date curriculum developed by cybersecurity experts.

The bachelor’s degree program in cybersecurity and information assurance was designed, and is regularly updated, with input from the experts on our Information Technology Program Council, ensuring you learn best practices in systems and services, networking and security, scripting and programming, data management, and the business of IT.

Download Program Guide

Earning this cybersecurity degree, designed by industry experts, adds theoretical depth to the practical knowledge you already have. Our Information Technology Program Council are industry experts who know exactly what it takes for a tech graduate with a degree in cybersecurity to be successful in many connected industries.
Core Subject Areas

Lower-division courses may be cleared through transfer credit. Following are some examples:

Introduction to Geography

English Composition I

Intermediate Algebra

College Algebra

Introduction to Probability and Statistics

Introduction to Communication

Critical Thinking and Logic

English Composition II

See all courses
Key Subject Areas

Courses specific to the fields of IT and cybersecurity include:

Business of IT - Applications

Business of IT - Project Management

Introduction to IT

IT Foundations

IT Applications

Fundamentals of Information Security

Information Systems Security

Network and Security - Foundations

Network and Security - Applications

Networks

Integrated Physical Sciences

Natural Science Lab

More

See all courses
Certs Included

Your coursework incorporates certifications, with no added time or cost. This program includes:

Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) – Associate of (ISC)² designation

Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) – Associate of (ISC)² designation

Certified Encryption Specialist (EC-Council ECES)

Certified Incident Handler (EC-Council ECIH)

Certified Internet Webmaster – Site Development Associate (CIW-SDA)

Certified Internet Webmaster – Web Security Associate (CIW-WSA)

A+ (CompTIA)

Network+ (CompTIA)

Security+ (CompTIA)

Project+ (CompTIA)

IT Operations Specialist (CompTIA)

Secure Infrastructure Specialist (CompTIA)

ITIL®¹ Foundation

1. ITIL® is a registered trade mark of AXELOS Limited, used under permission of AXELOS Limited. All rights reserved.

Explore the curriculum
A supported, personalized experience.

WGU is unlike any university you’ve experienced before—in the best possible way! Take a look at what we mean:

Faculty Learning Assessment Capstone Alumni Support

Faculty

SUPPORTING YOU: Faculty focused on students.

WGU faculty members have one goal in mind: your success. Your Program Mentor is your individually assigned faculty member, providing guidance and instruction from the day you start to the day you graduate. In addition, Course Instructors provide subject-matter instruction and support, typically one-on-one, exactly when you need it.

Learning

YOUR ROADMAP: A personalized learning plan.

Your program is made up of a series of courses, each a personalized journey toward subject mastery. A preassessment provides insight into what you already know. You’ll then learn what you still need to learn, using online learning resources—available 24/7—along with one-on-one or cohort-based faculty instruction.

Assessment

PROVE IT: Show you know your stuff.

WGU measures learning, not time, so each course culminates in an assessment—a test, paper, project, or certification that allows you to prove what you know. As soon as you’re ready, take the assessment—including the ability to take proctored exams from the comfort of your own home— via webcam, any time of day!

Capstone

APPLY IT: Solve a problem.

Throughout your program, you will focus on acquiring and proving specific competencies. At program’s end, you’ll complete a final capstone project that allows you to show off everything you’ve learned by proposing a solution to an relevant issue in your industry. Your mentor can help you select your capstone topic.

Alumni Support

ALWAYS a Night Owl.

Continued support after you graduate includes many opportunities for professional development and enrichment, career support, and networking. Night Owls may be independent learners, but they also become highly engaged in our active alumni community through apps, groups, and events.

The accreditation you need, plus industry respect and recognition.

Accredited

Western Governors University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), which provides the accreditation of many other major institutions, such as the University of Washington, University of Oregon, Gonzaga University, University of Utah, University of Idaho, and Brigham Young University, to name just a few.

Respected

Recognized

“I’m impressed by the results in places like Western Governors University. Its low-cost online programs rely on competency-based progression, not class time or credit hours. It uses external assessments to evaluate student proficiency.”
Bill Gates
“Why American Colleges Have to Change”

Accredited

Respected

Recognized

Our programs check all the boxes. If this degree is your goal, get started toward becoming a student today—programs start the first of each month.

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Cost & Time
When we say affordable, we mean it.

$3,190

Tuition per 6-month term

+

+$295

Resource and Program Fees, per term

=

=$3,485

TOTAL PER TERM

+$65

One-time application fee

Apply FREE this week

$295 per-term fees include Resource Fee of $145 (covers all e-books and learning resources, saving you hundreds per term) and Program Fee of $150 (covers additional costs specific to this program).
Control the cost of your program: Our tuition links cost to time.

By charging per term rather than per credit, WGU empowers students to get the most for their education dollars. You can accelerate through material you already know or are able to learn quickly, allowing you to control how much your degree will ultimately cost.
Flat-rate tuition of $3,485 per term links cost to time.

By charging per 6-month term rather than per credit hour—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or can learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees.

Adjust the time and see your costs change

Your time

2 yrs

Your cost

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3 yrs

1 yr
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There's help if you need it.

Financial aid is available.

WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.

View more about financial aid.

WGU students borrow less than half the national average.

Our goal: You graduate with little or no debt.

The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2016 (among those who borrowed) was less than half the national average. WGU’s three-pronged approach to keeping your debt low and your return on investment quick: One, provide useful information and advice on responsible borrowing before enrollment. Two, keep tuition low while you're enrolled. And three, offer degree programs that lead to better-paying jobs after graduation.

Read about our Responsible Borrowing Initiative.

Compare the Costs*

For-Profit Online University

Other Nonprofit Online University

WGU

A bachelor’s in cybersecurity for about half what you’d pay at another university.

Low tuition and the ability to accelerate make WGU more affordable than most other schools. When you compare us with other programs, WGU’s Bachelor of Science Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree program offers rigorous curriculum with competitive post-graduation results for about half what you'd pay at another university—or even less.

*Estimates based on July 2017 WGU and comparable universities' tuition data. Learn more about WGU's tuition and how it compares.

Transparent fees and no hidden costs.

The cost of attending college often includes much more than tuition and fees. WGU is designed to be different, and that translates to cost savings everywhere from books to babysitting.

Other universities bury you in unexpected costs. Not WGU.

Click to explore the extra costs:

Tuition Books

Parking Gas

Library / resource fees Babysitter every week for
nighttime classes

WGU

Other online college

Traditional
4 year school

This demonstration shows how various costs—including official fees and incidental costs of attending school—can add up in different learning environments. It's meant as an illustration only.

Scholarships make our already-low tuition even more affordable.

Many scholarship opportunities are available. You may be eligible to apply for these scholarships:

$2,000

Back to School Scholarship

$3,000

Salute to Veterans Scholarship

$2,000

Future in IT Scholarship

The affordable, flexible programs offered at WGU put high-quality education within your reach. Start working toward your future.

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Courses & Competencies

Curriculum that ensures you graduate with the skills and knowledge employers want.

Program consists of:
34 Courses What about transfer credits?

At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to ensure your degree is proof you really know your stuff.

Every course focuses on a set of clearly defined competencies that you must prove you’ve learned—through tests, papers, projects, or other assessments. Demonstrating mastery is how you pass a course, so learning what it takes to be outstanding in your career is at the heart of WGU’s Bachelor of Science Cybersecurity and Information Assurance curriculum.

That means what you learn is often directly applicable the next day at work—and it means what you’re doing at work frequently informs the work you’re doing in your courses. It’s all about real-world applicability so every moment spent studying is time well spent.

Courses in this online degree program.

This program consists of the following courses. Some may be waived through transfer from your previous college experience. The rest you typically will complete one at a time as you make your way through your degree program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. You’ll work through each course as quickly as you can study and learn the material. As soon as you’re ready, you’ll pass the assessment, complete the course, and move on. This means you can finish as many courses as you're able in a term at no additional cost.

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Business of IT

Business of IT - Applications

Business of IT – Applications examines Information Technology Infrastructure Library ( ITIL®) terminology, structure, policies, and concepts. Focusing on the management of Information Technology (IT) infrastructure, development, and operations, students will explore the core principles of ITIL practices for service management to prepare them for careers as IT professionals, business managers, and business process owners. This course has no prerequisites.

Business of IT - Project Management

In this course, students will build on industry standard concepts, techniques, and processes to develop a comprehensive foundation for project management activities. During a project's life cycle, students will develop the critical skills necessary to initiate, plan, execute, monitor, control, and close a project. Students will apply best practices in areas such as scope management, resource allocation, project planning, project scheduling, quality control, risk management, performance measurement, and project reporting. This course prepares students for the following certification exam: CompTIA Project+.

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IT Fundamentals

Introduction to IT

Introduction to IT examines information technology as a discipline and the various roles and functions of the IT department as business support. Students are presented with various IT disciplines including systems and services, network and security, scripting and programming, data management, and business of IT, with a survey of technologies in every area and how they relate to each other and to the business.

IT Foundations

IT Foundations is the first course in a two-part series preparatory for the CompTIA A+ exam, Part I. Students will gain an understanding of personal computer components and their functions in a desktop system, as well as computer data storage and retrieval; classifying, installing, configuring, optimizing, upgrading, and troubleshooting printers, laptops, portable devices, operating systems, networks, and system security; recommending appropriate tools, diagnostic procedures, preventative maintenance and troubleshooting techniques for personal computer components in a desktop system; strategies for identifying, preventing, and reporting safety hazards and environmental/human accidents in a technological environments; and effective communication with colleagues and clients as well as job-related professional behavior.

IT Applications

IT Applications is a continuation of the IT Foundations course preparatory for the CompTIA A+ exam, Part II. Students will gain an understanding of personal computer components and their functions in a desktop system. Also covered is computer data storage and retrieval, including classifying, installing, configuring, optimizing, upgrading, and troubleshooting printers, laptops, portable devices, operating systems, networks, and system security. Other areas include recommending appropriate tools, diagnostic procedures, preventative maintenance and troubleshooting techniques for personal computer components in a desktop system. The course then finished with strategies for identifying, preventing, and reporting safety hazards and environmental/human accidents in a technological environments, and effective communication with colleagues and clients as well as job-related professional behavior.

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Secure Systems Analysis & Design

Fundamentals of Information Security

This course lays the foundation for understanding terminology, principles, processes and best practices of information security at local and global levels. It further provides an overview of basic security vulnerabilities and countermeasures for protecting information assets through planning and administrative controls within an organization.

Information Systems Security

IT security professionals must be prepared for the operational demands and responsibilities of security practitioners, including authentication, security testing, intrusion detection and prevention, incident response and recovery, attacks and countermeasures, cryptography, and malicious code countermeasures. This course provides a comprehensive, up-to-date global body of knowledge that ensures students have the right information security knowledge and skills to be successful in IT operational roles to mitigate security concerns and guard against the impact of malicious activity. Students demonstrate how to manage and restrict access control systems; administer policies, procedures, and guidelines that are ethical and compliant with laws and regulations; implement risk management and incident handling processes; execute cryptographic systems to protect data; manage network security; and analyze common attack vectors and countermeasures to assure information integrity and confidentiality in various systems. This course prepares students for the Systems Security Certified Practitioner (ISC2 SSCP) certification exam.

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General Education

Introduction to Geography

This course will discuss geographic concepts, places and regions, physical and human systems and the environment.

English Composition I

English Composition I introduces learners to the types of writing and thinking that are valued in college and beyond. Students will practice writing in several genres with emphasis placed on writing and revising academic arguments. Instruction and exercises in grammar, mechanics, research documentation, and style are paired with each module so that writers can practice these skills as necessary. Comp I is a foundational course designed to help students prepare for success at the college level. There are no prerequisites for English Composition I.

Intermediate Algebra

This course provides an introduction of algebraic concepts and the development of the essential groundwork for College Algebra. Topics include: A review of basic mathematical skills, the real number system, algebraic expressions, linear equations, graphing, exponents and polynomials

College Algebra

This course provides further application and analysis of algebraic concepts and functions through mathematical modeling of real-world situations. Topics include: real numbers, algebraic expressions, equations and inequalities, graphs and functions, polynomial and rational functions, exponential and logarithmic functions, and systems of linear equations.

Introduction to Probability and Statistics

In this course, students demonstrate competency in the basic concepts, logic, and issues involved in statistical reasoning. Topics include summarizing and analyzing data, sampling and study design, and probability.

Introduction to Communication

This introductory communication course allows students to become familiar with the fundamental communication theories and practices necessary to engage in healthy professional and personal relationships. Students will survey human communication on multiple levels and critically apply the theoretical grounding of the course to interpersonal, intercultural, small group, and public presentational contexts. The course also encourages students to consider the influence of language, perception, culture, and media on their daily communicative interactions. In addition to theory, students will engage in the application of effective communication skills through systematically preparing and delivering an oral presentation. By practicing these fundamental skills in human communication, students become more competent communicators as they develop more flexible, useful, and discriminatory communicative practices in a variety of contexts.

Critical Thinking and Logic

Reasoning and Problem Solving helps students internalize a systematic process for exploring issues that takes them beyond an unexamined point of view and encourages them to become more self-aware thinkers by applying principles of problem identification and clarification, planning and information gathering, identifying assumptions and values, analysis and interpretation of information and data, reaching well-founded conclusions, and identifying the role of critical thinking in the disciplines and professions.

English Composition II

English Composition II introduces undergraduate students to research writing. It is a foundational course designed to help students prepare for advanced writing within the discipline and to complete the capstone. Specifically, this course will help students develop or improve research, reference citation, document organization, and writing skills. English Composition I or equivalent is a prerequisite for this course.

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Network and Security

Network and Security - Foundations

Network and Security - Foundations introduces students to the components of a computer network and the concept and role of communication protocols. The course covers widely used categorical classifications of networks (e.g., LAN, MAN, WAN, WLAN, PAN, SAN, CAN, and VPN) as well as network topologies, physical devices, and layered abstraction. The course also introduces students to basic concepts of security covering vulnerabilities of networks and mitigation techniques, security of physical media, and security policies and procedures.This course has no prerequisites.

Network and Security - Applications

Network and Security - Applications prepares students for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam. Successfully completing the course ensures the student will demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to install and configure systems to secure applications, networks, and devices; perform threat analysis and respond with appropriate mitigation techniques; participate in risk mitigation activities; and operate with an awareness of applicable policies, laws, and regulations. The following course is a prerequisite: C480 Networks

Networks

Networks for undergraduates focuses on the general concepts and applications of computer operating systems and network topologies. The fundamental knowledge and skills gained in this course prepares students for the CompTIA Network+ (N10-007) certification exam. C172 is a pre-requisite for this course, and should be completed prior to beginning Networks, C480.

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General Science Content

Integrated Physical Sciences

This course provides students with an overview of the basic principles and unifying ideas of the physical sciences: physics, chemistry, and Earth sciences. Course materials focus on scientific reasoning and practical and everyday applications of physical science concepts to help students integrate conceptual knowledge with practical skills.

Natural Science Lab

This course gives you an introduction to using the scientific method and engaging in scientific research to reach conclusions about the natural world. You will design and carry out an experiment to investigate a hypothesis by gathering quantitative data.

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Scripting and Programming

Scripting and Programming - Foundations

Scripting and Programming - Foundations provides an introduction to programming, covering basic elements such as variables, data types, flow control, and design concepts. The course is language-agnostic in nature, ending in a survey of languages and introduces the distinction between interpreted and compiled languages. There are no prerequisites for this course.

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Web and Cloud Security

Managing Web Security

Almost all businesses and organizations require a web presence. The security needs, demands, and defenses for these online environments differ from those of an isolated single computer or intranet. This course introduces best practices for preventing security breaches by applying web security protocols, firewalls, and system configurations. This course prepares students for the Web Security Associate (CIW WSA) certification exam.

Managing Cloud Security

Managing Cloud Security will prepare students to design solutions for cloud-based platforms and operations that maintain data availability while protecting the confidentiality and integrity of information. Many of today’s companies and organizations have outsourced data management, availability, and operational processes through cloud computing. Topics include security controls, disaster recovery plans, and continuity management plans that address physical, logical, and human factors. It is recommended that the following courses be completed before attempting this course: Networks and IT Applications.

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Data Management

Data Management - Applications

This course covers conceptual data modeling and provides an introduction to MySQL. Students will learn how to create simple to complex SELECT queries including subqueries and joins, and will also learn how to use SQL to update and delete data. Topics covered in this course include exposure to MySQL; developing physical schemas; creating and modifying databases, tables, views, foreign keys/primary keys (FKs/PKs), and indexes; populating tables; and developing simple Select-From-Where (SFW) queries to complex 3+ table join queries.

Data Management - Foundations

This course introduces students to the concepts and terminology used in the field of data management. They will be introduced to Structured Query Language (SQL) and will learn how to use Data Definition Language (DDL) and Data Manipulation Language (DML) commands to define, retrieve, and manipulate data. This course covers differentiations of data—structured vs. unstructured and quasi-structured (relational, hierarchical, XML, textual, visual, etc); it also covers aspects of data management (quality, policy, storage methodologies). Foundational concepts of data security are included.

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Technical Communication

Technical Communication

This course covers basic elements of technical communication, including professional written communication proficiency; the ability to strategize approaches for differing audiences; and technical style, grammar, and syntax proficiency.

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Digital Forensics and Incident Response

Digital Forensics in Cybersecurity

Digital forensics, the science of investigating cybercrimes, seeks evidence that reveals who, what, when, where, and how threats compromise information. This course examines the relationships between incident categories, evidence handling, and incident management. Students identify consequences associated with cyber threats and security laws using a variety of tools to recognize and recover from unauthorized, malicious activities.

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Ethics & Cyber Law

Legal Issues in Information Security

Security information professionals have the role and responsibility for knowing and applying ethical and legal principles and processes that define specific needs and demands to assure data integrity within an organization. This course addresses the laws, regulations, authorities, and directives that inform the development of operational policies, best practices, and training to assure legal compliance and to minimize internal and external threats. Students analyze legal constraints and liability concerns that threaten information security within an organization and develop disaster recovery plans to assure business continuity.

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Hacking Countermeasures and Techniques

Cyber Defense and Countermeasures

Traditional defenses such as firewalls, security protocols, and encryption sometimes fail to stop attackers determined to access and compromise data. This course provides the fundamental skills to handle and respond to the computer security incidents in an information system. The course addresses various underlying principles and techniques for detecting and responding to current and emerging computer security threats. Students learn how to handle various types of incidents, risk assessment methodologies, and various laws and policy related to incident handling. This course prepares students for the Certified Incident Handler (EC-Council ECIH) certification exam.

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Wireless & Mobile Technologies

Emerging Technologies in Cybersecurity

The continual evolution of technology means that cybersecurity professionals must be able to analyze and evaluate new technologies in information security such as wireless, mobile, and internet technologies. Students review the adoption process which prepares an organization for the risks and challenges of implementing new technologies. This course focuses on comparison of evolving technologies to address the security requirements of an organization. Students learn underlying principles critical to the operation of secure networks and adoption of new technologies.

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Capstone

IT Capstone Written Project

The capstone project consists of a technical work proposal, the proposal’s implementation, and a post-implementation report that describes the graduate’s experience in developing and implementing the capstone project. The capstone project should be presented and approved by the program mentor in relation to the graduate’s technical emphasis.

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Web Development

Web Development Foundations

This course prepares students for the CIW Site Development Associate certification. The course introduces students to web design and development by presenting them with HTML5 and CSS, the foundational languages of the web, by reviewing media strategies, and by using tools and techniques commonly employed in web development.

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Information Assurance

Introduction to Cryptography

This course provides students with knowledge of cryptographic algorithms, protocols, and their uses in the protection of information in various states. This course prepares students for the Certified Encryption Specialist (EC-Council ECES) certification exam.

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Risk Management

Managing Information Security

This course expands on fundamentals of information security by providing an in-depth analysis of the relationship between an information security program and broader business goals and objectives. Students develop knowledge and experience in the development and management of an information security program essential to ongoing education, career progression, and value delivery to enterprises. Students apply best practices to develop an information security governance framework, analyze mitigation in the context of compliance requirements, align security programs with security strategies and best practices, and recommend procedures for managing security strategies that minimize risk to an organization.

Plan to work hard: Program requirements and expectations.

The B.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree program is an all-online program that you will complete by studying and working independently with instruction and support from WGU faculty. You will be expected to complete at least 12 competency units (WGU's equivalent of the credit hour) each 6-month term. (Each course is typically 3 or 4 units).

The first person you speak with at WGU will be your Enrollment Counselor, an expert in your cybersecurity degree program who can explain all the requirements and expectations in more detail. You can also read more about each course in the Program Guide.

Request info from an Enrollment Counselor

Download the Program Guide

Special requirements for this program:

Capstone project: At the end of your program, you will complete a capstone project that represents the culmination of all your hard work—a research project applicable to the field of cybersecurity and Information assurance that aims to expand the body of knowledge in the profession.

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Quality you can trust: Curriculum developed with guidance from IT employers and experts.

Program councils—teams of industry and academic experts—drive the ongoing development of our degree programs and curriculum, providing input on the competencies a successful graduate needs to have mastered.
How You'll Learn
A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity and information assurance designed to fit your life.

Competency-based education puts working, busy, adult students in the driver’s seat of their education. At most other schools—including other online programs—you move through the curriculum at a set pace, driven by semesters and hours in class. At WGU, your progress is driven by your ability to prove what you know, so how quickly you progress is largely up to you. Once you’ve mastered the defined competencies (knowledge and skills), you prove what you know through tests, papers, projects, or other assessments.

“WGU’s advantage is its flexibility. The education itself is top-notch, and the flexibility allows busy people to get through school. I recommend WGU to everybody, particularly in IT fields. The certifications you get at WGU are fantastic—some of the best in the industry.” Ken Krauss
M.S. Information Security and Assurance, 2015

Designed for professionals with tech talent.

You’ve worked in tech for years, and have achieved the biggest promotion you can get until you earn your degree. But your experience should count for something. You deserve a degree program that will take into account all the know-how you’ve gained over the years, and maybe even offer an opportunity to graduate faster. That’s where WGU can help. You can move through courses as quickly as you master the material: no waiting for other students, or the next semester. And because we charge tuition at a flat rate, you may save both time and money.

Competency-Based Education (CBE)

How it helps you

Efficient

Save time and money by focusing your efforts where they matter the most.

No two students are alike—especially adult students working in the competitive field of IT (or looking to break into it). Students come to school knowing different things, they learn at different speeds, and they have different amounts of time to spend studying. Competency-based education lets you prioritize where you spend your valuable time.

Flexible

Learn on your own terms.

Some people do their best studying in the early mornings, before going in to work; others are most energized when they come home in the evenings. Sometimes work gets crazy; and sometimes, it gets really crazy—deadlines loom, you hit the busy season, and then you enjoy the relative quiet of “down time.” Online degree programs in general offer some flexibility, but it only goes so far; thanks to the flexible scheduling and potential for acceleration you enjoy at WGU, you work when, where, and how your life allows.

Results

Know you’re learning real-world skills.

You earn a IT degree for results—not simply to accrue certifications. Competency-based education centers on competencies—the clearly defined knowledge and skills that leading employers are looking for. How do we know what they’re looking for? They tell us—and their input drives our curriculum.

Finish courses by proving what you know, as soon as you’re ready.

With competency-based education at WGU, success is measured by actual learning, not class time. You advance by demonstrating that you've mastered the course subject matter—whether you learned it through your study at WGU or picked up that knowledge through years of work experience.

Your progress through a course is driven by you.

How quickly you learn

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The time you devote to studying

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How much previous knowledge you bring
See it in action.

Play the game to see how a competency-based course works at WGU.
competency, noun

Demonstrated knowledge, skill, or ability required to advance in a degree program.

At WGU, course competencies are defined by an expert council, including employers.

For this course, there are 3 areas you need to prove competency in.

Start

First, let's take a pre‑assessment.

Determine what you already know from previous work and education experience, and where you need to focus your studies. Prove your competency in 3 areas in this exercise.

Start Pre-Assessment

Competency 1: Retrieving results...
Competency 2: Retrieving results...
Competency 3: Retrieving results...

Start Course

Second, study course materials.

Click on the free learning resources created by education experts that will help you master the competencies.

E-textbook

Web-based Tutorials

Online Classes

Simulations

Learning Communities

Course Mentors

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Measuring:

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Your experience pays at WGU.

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Career Outlook
A degree in cybersecurity and information assurance will pave the way to a strong career.

Every day, we share data, socialize, and complete transactions in cyberspace, making the need for experts who can protect our information increasingly critical. The knowledge, techniques, and certifications you’ll earn as you complete your cybersecurity and information assurance degree will prepare you to successfully fill the ever-growing demand for information security specialists.
WGU's cybersecurity grads are doing crucial white-hat work in highly satisfying jobs.

Our approximately 100 B.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance alumni have great jobs and satisfying careers. Examples of work our IT security and cybersecurity grads are doing include:
Job Titles

Cyber crimes investigator

Director of cybersecurity

Chief of cyber counterintelligence

Cybersecurity engineer

Cyber operations planner
Diverse Industries

Private business

Government

Military

Law enforcement

Colleges and universities
Major Employers

AT&T

U.S. Department of Defense

Google

U.S. Air Force

Verizon
Explore a career in cybersecurity and info assurance.

Get salary info, job and industry outlook, work environment description, and more.

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WGU is a university committed to producing successful grads.

The ultimate test of your degree's value is whether it helps you become an outstanding employee and advance your career. Our happy grads—and their happy employers—confirm that WGU is the path to that kind of degree.
Happy employers

Happy grads

They're Prepared.

Employers said that WGU graduates were prepared for their jobs.

They Perform.

Employers rated WGU graduates' job performance as very good or excellent.

They Wow.

Employers said their WGU graduates have exceeded their expectations.

They're Confident.

Graduates said the majority of their coursework was related to their jobs.

They're Working.

Graduates are working full-time.

They're Satisfied.

Graduates said their degrees were worth the cost of their education.

Source: 2016 Harris Poll survey of 301 employers; 2016 Harris Poll Online survey of 1,403 new college graduates nationwide compared with survey of 1,207 WGU graduates; WGU--Gallup 2016 Report
“WGU's technology-forward, self-paced model allows students to learn as life permits. In addition, the credentials-focused curriculum enables employers to know what skills prospective employees would bring to the workplace in our rapidly growing tech market.“ Mike Langellier,
President and CEO, TechPoint

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The first step toward change can be the hardest—we get it. Your "welcoming committee" at WGU is made up of Enrollment Counselors, Admissions Specialists, and faculty members. Your initial interactions at WGU will be guided by an Enrollment Counselor who specializes in the programs you're interested in.

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Admission requirements unique to this degree.
To be considered for enrollment into the Bachelor of Science Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree program, you must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. You must also be able to demonstrate IT experience through at least one of the following:

Option 1: Possess an associate’s degree in information technology or equivalent (A.S. or A.A.S. acceptable).

Option 2: Possess a high-level IT certification in network, security, programming, data management, operating systems, or hardware management earned within the last five years.

Option 3: Provide your résumé showing three-plus years of IT work experience.

Option 4: Show completion of high-level IT coursework within the last five years:

Two or more upper-level networking courses; OR

Two or more upper-level object-oriented programming courses (Java, C#, etc.); OR

One or more upper-level operating systems courses; OR

One or more upper-level information security and assurance courses.

View general admission requirements
Making an informed admissions decision.

WGU seeks to admit individuals who have the capacity and determination to complete a rigorous WGU degree program…and graduate. The admission process is designed to help you and the university reach an informed decision about your likelihood of success.

At WGU we want you to graduate, not just enroll. Consequently, not every applicant is admitted because not every individual is a good fit for WGU’s programs and competency-based, online academic model.
Your existing IT certifications may transfer to WGU.

See which certs transfer.

Common questions about enrolling in a College of IT degree program.

What if I can't meet the eligibility requirements to enroll in the IT program I am interested in?

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You should speak with an Enrollment Counselor. WGU can often provide advice or resources to help a prospective student fulfill enrollment prerequisites.

Why are certifications and other prerequisites required?

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When you enroll in a WGU degree program, our goal is to see you through to graduation. Admission requirements are designed to increase your likelihood of success. Years of data and experience with the nontraditional students WGU serves have shown us how various types of academic and professional experience can be highly important in helping a student persist to graduation. Industry certifications are one of many ways a student can meet eligibility.

Why doesn't WGU accept certifications that are older than five years?

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WGU has an obligation to our graduates—and their current and future employers—to ensure WGU alumni have mastered the the most up-to-date, current competencies and skills needed in the workplace. Recency of certifications helps us ensure that students have demonstrated competency in skills as they are needed in today's working world.

Is this program truly "at your own pace"?

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As a full-time student, you will be required to maintain a minimum pace of 12 competency units (CUs) per term for undergraduate programs or 8 CUs per term for graduate programs. However, there is no maximum speed—once you complete a course, you move immediately to the next, and you complete a course not by waiting for the syllabus, the professor, or the rest of the class. You progress by learning the material and proving it—so you can move through your coursework at the speed of your own learning and experience.

If there aren't classes or lectures, what role do Course Instructors play?

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Course Instructors are highly educated, experienced experts in the subject matter of a course. Unlike in a traditional university where going to class means listening to an instructor lecture while you take notes and try to learn in a group setting, WGU's Course Instructors provide one-on-one instruction and support when you need it—tailoring the instruction to your precise needs when you need it. Course Instructors also provide additional resources, lead topical discussions in online communities, and find countless other ways to bring a specific course to life for students.

Have more questions? We're here to answer them!
Speak with an Enrollment Counselor.

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