Online Graduate Certificate in Cyber Security, Certificate

Candidates for this graduate certificate must submit the following items to be considered for admissions:

• Application: Applications are reviewed on an on-going basis and accepted students may begin at the next available session
  • Application Deadline: Rolling
• Official Transcripts: Candidates must have earned a bachelor's degree in a computer related discipline from an accredited US institution with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (B).  Applicants who have not earned a degree in a related field may still be eligible for admission based on professional experience and potential to succeed in the program. Applicant who lacks related coursework may be eligible for ‘provisional’ admission to the program. Provisional admission simply requires the completion of one or two additional foundational courses as part of your plan of study.
• Personal Statement:  A personal statement detailing your professional goals as well as how the program from DeSales University can assist you in achieving these goals.
• Resume 

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The Cyber Security Certificate is a 12-credit Graduate Certificate requiring four (4) of the following courses:

• IT 515 Vulnerability Assessment - Students will learn vulnerability assessment best practices and validate their design through penetration testing.
• IT 525 IT Security - Students will learn the goals of preserving the integrity of access and data, and preventing unauthorized access to information.
• IT 545 Cyber Security Management - Students will get exposure to operational cyber security through risk assessment, business continuity planning, and disaster recovery.
• IT 573 Cryptography - Confidentiality, integrity, and authentication (CIA) principles are exhibited using cryptography best practices.
• Any additional IT course related to Cyber Security.

Job growth in this field is at an all-time high, and trained professionals are in consistently increasing demand.

Average national salaries within this field:

• Senior Data Analyst - $79,703
• Senior Privacy & Security Analyst - $95,565
• Director of Analytics - $126,597
• Data Security Administrator - $69,634
• Information Security Analyst - $71,309 – $98,350
• Information Security Manager - $113,115
• Cyber Security Engineer - $94,929
• Clinical Analyst - $69,038
• Health Information Management Director - $70,691
• Information Technology Manager - $87,593
• Information Technology Project Manager - $87,446

(Source: Payscale.com, 2016 & Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Program Costs

• Tuition/credit hour: $940*
• Re-admission Fee: $50
• Graduation Fee: $120
• Returned Check Service: $30
• Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) fee – 30% of course tuition charge

*Tuition/credit hours listed are for 2024/2025 academic year. Tuition and fees are reviewed each academic year and are subject to change with notice.

View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and graduate program information sheets

Tuition Deferment

DeSales University offers graduate students the opportunity to defer payment of their tuition when they will be receiving reimbursement from their employer or when they are eligible to receive financial aid. A copy of your employer's tuition reimbursement policy must be forwarded to the Treasurer's Office and/or all necessary financial aid paperwork must be filed with the Financial Aid Office before tuition deferment is granted. 

Tuition deferment is a privilege given to graduate students at DeSales and can be revoked if this privilege is abused. Please note that you, as the student, are responsible for payment of your tuition balance in the event that your financial aid/loans or employer reimbursement is not received by the Treasurer's Office.

Tuition Reimbursement

When a student is eligible for tuition reimbursement from his/her employer, written evidence of eligibility is required. The student is responsible for requesting this reimbursement from his/her employer. In cases where reimbursement is contingent upon successful completion of the course(s) and the student either withdraws or does not achieve a grade sufficient to warrant maximum reimbursement, the student is ultimately responsible for payment for the course(s).