Cybersecurity Essentials

Graduate Certificate

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Understand the fundamentals of cybersecurity.

The Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Essentials provides students with an introductory, holistic approach to cybersecurity without the necessary background and experience required for more specialized certificates or master’s degrees. This highly flexible online certificate is ideal for those who seek entry-level cybersecurity positions and/or for those who wish to augment and enhance their existing professional skillset with strong cybersecurity fundamentals.

Currently, there are more than 590,000 open cybersecurity positions in the United States and 22,000 in the State of Colorado. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), information security analyst roles will experience 33% growth through 2030. This certificate allows students to develop essential cybersecurity skills, qualify for new entry-level professional opportunities and help meet the increasing demand for cybersecurity at all levels of business and government.

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Program Snapshot

Program Format
Online courses
8-week terms

Time Commitment
6-12 months

Key Dates
Starts are offered in January, March, May, June, August and October.

View Full Degree Curriculum and Requirements

Join Regis Alumni Working As:

Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst

Report on cyberthreats and implement any changes needed to protect your organization.

Network Operations Center (NOC) Analyst

Provide technical support and troubleshooting for end users of a computer network or program.

Government Cybersecurity Analyst

Help federal, state, local, municipal and tribal governments keep vital data safe and secure.

"When I started at Regis, I only had a GED . . . my degrees from Regis opened more doors for me than I could have ever imagined"

Name: Robert Bowles
Title: Director, Center for Information Assurance Studies
Hometown: Conway, SC

Read More About Dr. Bowles

How long have you been teaching at Regis? And how long have you been teaching in the information assurance and cybersecurity programs?
I have been teaching at Regis for 25 years. I have been teaching in the information assurance and cybersecurity programs for 23 years and wrote the first 6 IA courses.

What kind of professional expertise and knowledge do you bring to the cybersecurity classroom?
Thirty-six years of combined IA and cybersecurity experience, as well as more than 20 years as an Information Assurance Manager (IAM) and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

In your opinion, what are the greatest strengths of Regis’ information and cybersecurity degree and certificate programs?
Our primary faculty in this program are all current or previous CISOs. They bring real-world and practical experience into the classroom — there is no substitute for better learning. This mixed with academia is the best of both worlds.

What are the key skills and/or experiences students gain from the Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Essentials? What makes this program unique?
This certificate is for the career changer. It gives students who have no experience in IT or cybersecurity the opportunity to see the big picture and receive the technical skills to enter the marketplace at a security analyst level I or II.

What type of student thrives in the information and cybersecurity programs at Regis? What sort of talents and abilities are useful in these programs?
Students who hunger and thirst for knowledge and want to make a difference. Students who want to contribute to something bigger than themselves and provide a significant service to others. Those that want to reach their full potential in their career. The talents needed are leadership, persistence, consistency, commitment and dedication.

Is there anything else you would like to mention about Regis University, our information and cybersecurity programs, or the cybersecurity field in general?
If I may share my personal testimony, I was a high school dropout. When I started at Regis, I only had a GED that I received when I was in basic training in the Army. My degrees from Regis opened more doors for me than I could have ever imagined. Going from food stamps, special lunch programs and government housing to C-Level positions was more than a poor boy from the South could ever dream. I will never be able to repay what Regis University did for me.

By the Numbers

597767

Total cybersecurity job openings in the U.S.*

$103590

Median pay for information security analysts**

33 %

Projected cybersecurity job growth through 2030**

*CyberSeek, cyberseek.org/heatmap.html
**U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm

Interested in going further?

Start with a certificate program, end up with a full master's degree. All classes in our Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Essentials can be applied towards the M.S. in Information and Cyber Security program. This allows you to boost your credentials now, with the opportunity to level up even more in the future.

Explore the M.S. in Information and Cyber Security

MSCC 610: Information Technology Concepts

Explore how information technology concepts and architectures are utilized as system resources needed to meet organizational mission and objectives.

MSIA 605: Advancing to Cyber Security

Discover a basic industry approach that surveys the fundamental aspects of computer systems and establishes a context for subsequent courses in cyber security.

MSIA 678: Risk Management

Learn the essential tools and processes used to evaluate an organization’s exposure to information technology security threats using rigorous policy and standards-based analysis.

student doing homework in front of a somputer

MSIA 680: Computer Forensics

Through hands-on lab work, explore basic computer forensics and learn the technical capabilities of forensic tools, including various legal and technical challenges.

To apply to the Cybersecurity Essentials Graduate Certificate program, you will need:

Completed online application
Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university (any field)
Official degree-bearing transcripts from a regionally accredited university
3.0 GPA

Real people. Really invested in you. Contact your admissions counselor today and learn how we help you each step of the way.

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Tuition for the 2023-2024 academic year: $896 per credit hour
Total program credits: 12
Tuition is one part of the overall cost of attendance, which includes all expenses students may have, including basic living costs. For more information about tuition, fees and your estimated cost of attendance, visit our Cost of Attendance for Adult Undergraduates and Graduate Students page. Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Earning your Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Essentials from Regis sets you apart and expands your professional network—think of it as an investment in your future. Between scholarship opportunities and financial aid packages, advancing your education is within reach. Explore our Investing in Your Future graduate financing guide or visit our Office of Financial Aid on the web.

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A Culture of Excellence

Want to learn more? Here's something for you:
The Cybersecurity Essentials Graduate Certificate Program is offered by the Computer Science and Information Systems Department in the Anderson College of Business and Computing.