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Cybersecurity, Graduate Certificate
Computing has become integral to the infrastructure of modern society. From banking and health to education and business, our world runs on algorithms and computing machines. Software and hardware are ubiquitous in every aspect of modern life. This infrastructure is powerful, complex—and highly vulnerable. Small design flaws or less than vigilant safety guards can lead to attacks and exploits that can cost businesses hundreds of billions of dollars and valuable consumer trust, and loss of infrastructure critical to modern civilization.
Given the emerging need for cybersecurity in a growing number of fields, a graduate certificate allows students to develop an advanced understanding of the field that can be applied many areas of science, industry, and business.
The graduate certificate in Cybersecurity will augment your graduate study with the skills needed to analyze and respond to cybersecurity threats. These widely-applicable skills will support work in many areas of expertise in science, industry, and business.
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Career Accordion Open
Career opportunities that might be pursued:
- Cybersecurity consultant
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Cybersecurity developer
With further education, one of these paths is possible:
- Cybersecurity researcher
- University professor
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University Requirements
- Graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit hours. Many certificate programs require more than 12 credit hours.
No more than one 400-level NAU course (3 or 4 units) may be used on a certificate program.
No more than 25% of the units required for the certificate program may be transferred from another university.
A 400-level course (undergraduate course) completed at another university is not eligible for transfer credit.
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved to obtain a graduate certificate. No more than three units of coursework with a grade of "C" may be used in a certificate program.
A graduate student may pursue a graduate certificate concurrently with a graduate degree. Each graduate degree program must decide which, if any, certificate courses can be counted toward the graduate degree.
Students who are admitted to a graduate certificate program will be eligible for the official posting of the graduate certificate to their transcripts when all applicable coursework has been successfully completed and approved by the academic unit and the Graduate College.
- Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates, if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program). See the “Details” tab for additional information.
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Overview
In addition to University Requirements:
- Complete individual plan requirements.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 12 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Study Abroad | Study Abroad is required. |
| Some online/blended coursework | Required |
Purpose Statement
Computing has become integral to the infrastructure of modern society. From banking and health to education and business, our world runs on algorithms and computing machines. Software and hardware are ubiquitous in every aspect of modern life. This infrastructure is powerful, complex—and highly vulnerable. Small design flaws or less than vigilant safety guards can lead to attacks and exploits that can cost businesses hundreds of billions of dollars and valuable consumer trust, and loss of infrastructure critical to modern civilization. At the same time there is a shortage of workers with the skills needed to secure these systems.
The population best suited for the graduate program are students with undergraduate preparation or work experience in business and technology areas impacted by cybersecurity threats. The graduate certificate in Cybersecurity will augment your graduate study with the skills needed to analyze and respond to cybersecurity threats. These widely-applicable skills will support work in many areas of expertise in science, industry, and business.
Cybersecurity careers encompass a large set of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary opportunities and this certificate can help students prepare for these opportunities.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Analyze a complex cybersecurity problem and apply principles of cybersecurity and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
- Articulate requirements for a problem with cybersecurity as a central concern and then design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution.
- Build on existing security principles and practices to develop new practices and tools that support the maintenance of operations in the presence of risks and threats.
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Details
Additional Admission Requirements
- NAU Graduate Online application is required for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
- Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or the equivalent.
- Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
- Transcripts
- For details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy
- International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy
Individual program admission requirements include:
- Prior experience and credentialing in software development, software engineering, or computer engineering
- Personal statement outlining the prospective student's professional goals in cybersecurity
Certificate Requirements
Take the following 12 units:
Please note that you may count only one 400-level course toward this certificate.
This certificate may only be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program. This certificate is not available as a stand-alone certificate.
This certifcate is not available to students pursuing the Cybersecurity; M.S.
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.