Cybersecurity – Undergraduate Certificate

Get to your next in cybersecurity

You’ve already built a strong technical foundation, and now it’s time to take that next step to elevate your career in cybersecurity. As companies ramp up efforts to protect data, they need professionals like you to lead the way. Iowa State’s online undergraduate certificate in cybersecurity is built for working professionals, giving you the flexibility to gain advanced skills without disrupting your busy schedule.

Tailored for those with an associate’s degree in security or IT-related roles, this program lets you upskill on your own terms—one course at a time or at an accelerated pace. Learn from experts and apply what you know to make an impact where it matters most. Take control of your career and shape the future of digital security.

Make your next move with Iowa State

Employers are looking for mid- to advanced-level cybersecurity employees. This certificate will bridge the knowledge gap between a two- and a four-year degree.

We bring the classroom to you, delivering a series of short courses totaling 21 credits. Our curriculum aligns seamlessly with the esteemed National Institute of Standards and Technology’s National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NIST/NICE) framework, ensuring you’re equipped with the latest and most relevant cybersecurity expertise.

This certificate program isn’t just an educational milestone; it’s your passport to gaining a competitive edge and propelling your career to new heights in the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity. Seize the opportunity and join us in shaping the future of cybersecurity!

Advanced Cybersecurity Knowledge: Students will gain in-depth knowledge in various aspects of cybersecurity, including network security, data security, web security, and more.
Practical Skills and Competencies: Students will develop practical skills and competencies required for mid to advanced-level positions in the cybersecurity field.
Effective Communication: Students will be trained to communicate complex cybersecurity concepts to a diverse professional audience effectively.
Adversarial Thinking: Students will learn to anticipate and mitigate cyber threats by understanding cybersecurity from an attacker’s perspective.
Comprehensive Understanding of Cybersecurity Architecture: Students will be able to develop and apply a comprehensive cybersecurity architecture in real-world scenarios.

Required Courses:

Professional Communication for IT & Cyber – 3 credits
Fundamentals of Network Security – 2 credits
Adversarial Thinking and Cybersecurity Architecture – 2 credits
Fundamentals of Data Security and Privacy – 2 credits
Fundamentals of Web Security – 2 credits
Cybersecurity Capstone – 2 credits

Elective Courses (choose four, 2 credits each):

Threat Hunting and Intelligence
Digital Forensics and Incident Response
Applications of Cryptography
Fundamentals of Operating Systems Security
Fundamentals of Cloud Security
Fundamentals of Software Security
Fundamentals of Cybersecurity Scripting
Fundamentals of Cyber Resilience
Fundamentals of Cyber-Physical and Critical Infrastructure Security

Courses can be taken in any order (with the capstone at the end).

Admissions Requirements

Associate’s degree (or equivalent) in cybersecurity or networking
Minimum 2.00 transfer GPA

Learn from the Best in the Field

Doug Jacobson is preparing learners to address critical infrastructure defense issues in the Midwest by growing local talent, fostering collaboration, and cultivating a new generation of cyberdefenders.

Jeff Franklin is one of the state’s leading cybersecurity experts and leads cybersecurity trainings to industries throughout Iowa. He is the Senior Information Security Officer with Heartland Business Systems and professor of practice at Iowa State University.

Cybersecurity – Undergraduate Certificate