We offer Bachelor's Degrees, Master's Degrees, Associate Degrees, Minors and Certificates
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Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology
Cybercriminology
The value of cybercriminology graduates is evident across a range of industries, from law enforcement and national security to corporate cybersecurity departments and private consultancy. As businesses and governments invest heavily in protecting their digital infrastructure, the demand for professionals trained to combat cybercrime continues to rise. Kent State graduates are uniquely positioned to meet this demand with their comprehensive understanding of both criminal justice and technology, enabling them to bridge the gap between law enforcement and cybersecurity. In a world where cybercrime poses one of the greatest threats to privacy, safety and economic stability, cybercriminology graduates are indispensable to safeguarding the digital landscape.
Common Courses
- Criminology
- Intelligence and National Security
- Cyber Security
- Computer Forensics
- Network Routing, Switching, Setup and Configuration
- Security Essentials
Careers
- Computer and information system managers
- Computer network support specialists
- Database administrators and architects
- Detectives and criminal investigators
- Information security analysts
Pay Scale
Visit our cybercriminology academic program page to see the pay ranges for various careers aligned with this degree.
Find Program Information
Access the academic program page to find out about this cybercriminology degree.
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Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering
Cybersecurity Engineering
This is a high-growth career in the digital economy. As a cybersecurity engineer, you’ll analyze computer networks, ensure that they're running securely, and foresee security issues before they occur. A cybersecurity engineer focuses on designing computer systems equipped to deal with disruptions like natural disasters and/or malicious cyber-attacks.
The Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity Engineering prepares students who want to become professional engineers in the broad field of cybersecurity. Program objectives include providing students with a working knowledge of analysis and evaluation of components and systems with respect to security and maintaining operations in the presence of risks and threats with an emphasis on engineered systems.
Students will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to address security issues pertaining to stakeholder needs and requirements considering the lifecycle of the system from the outset. Design and development of systems, their components and associated networks to increase trustworthiness.
Common Courses
Courses in cybersecurity engineering will focus on data structures and abstraction, discrete structures for computer science, embedded systems, signals and circuits, networking, cybersecurity operations, systems engineering, cryptology and law and ethics for engineers.
Careers
- Cybersecurity engineer
- Information security specialist
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Security operations center engineer
- Network security engineer
- Information security analyst
- Systems engineer
- Cyber threat analyst
- Cloud security engineer
- Cyber threat detection engineer
Pay Scale
The pay scale for most of these jobs for entry-level engineers would range from $70,000-$90,000. Students may attain higher salaries if they earn certain certifications before they graduate.
Find Program Information
Access the academic program page to find out about this cybersecurity engineering degree.
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Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Information Security
The Cybersecurity Concentration in the Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science
This degree seeks to prepare students to have successful careers as computing professionals, with a solid understanding of software development and computer systems and the foundation for life-long learning in the field. Cybersecurity Concentration prepares students to meet the security needs of industry and government through coursework that provides a thorough understanding of security, privacy and cryptographic techniques and protocols used in computing and communication.
Common Courses
Required courses include systems programming, cryptology, network security and information security, as well as an elective ranging from data security and privacy to digital forensics. Students learn
- the modern science of Cryptology and skills highly employable from the NSA to banks, to anybody who needs to encrypt information
- concepts and methodology useful for information security, as specified by the standard from the NSA
- how to detect and handle code vulnerabilities, vulnerabilities in web and database programming
- secure network design and network security including attacks and vulnerabilities and defense measures, intrusion detection techniques, defense against denial-of-service attacks
- hardware, software, and applications attacks and their defense
- security policies, legal and ethical issues in cyber and computer crimes
- the security and privacy issues in legacy systems and security and privacy policies and legislations
- legal aspects of forensics, tools and techniques to perform a full computer forensic investigation.
Pay Scale
According to the department, graduates are typically hired by tech or IT companies, with a starting salary of about $90,000.
Find Program Information
- The academic program page contains program information about these four concentrations: data engineering, game programming, cybersecurity, robotics and embedded systems.
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Bachelor of Science IT Cybersecurity and Forensics Concentration
The Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
This degree in Information Technology provides students with an applied approach that focuses on supporting end-users in a variety of workplace settings by utilizing a range of computing technologies.
The Cybersecurity and Forensics concentration places an emphasis on security of computer and network systems, including forensic work to prevent and/or determine and correct security issues utilizing cybersecurity devices, procedures, tools, and solutions. Graduates are qualified to work in a wide range of computer and network infrastructures in small to large-sized enterprises.
Students in this program will be taking courses in networking and operating systems, server/network setup and configuration, hardware assembly and configuration, Cyber Ethics, emerging technologies, Internet fraud, computer, network. mobile device and social media security and forensics, ethical hacking and multiple computer and network security courses. They will also take a course in programming and web development as well as intermediate and advanced Office Suite tools. They have elective opportunities in virtualization, cloud, and wireless and mobile device security. They will finish off their degree with a Capstone course that will focus on portfolio development, preparation for a career focused resume and interview skills.
Labor statistics and information
2023
- Ohio and surrounding area salaries in cyber
- U.S. BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
- Specifically IT cybersecurity
- Associate IT Security Engineer – Cyber Risk Management
- Cyber Security – Privilege Access Manager
- IT Security Analyst
- Security Accessor
- IT Auditor
Skills
- Security vulnerabilities
- Threats and attacks
- Mitigation solutions for modern cyber networks
- Network infrastructure and how to protect it
Careers
Graduates are qualified to work in a wide range of computer and network infrastructures in small to large-sized enterprises in such positions as:
- IT support specialist/analyst or consultant
- Help desk, network or IT project manager
- Security or forensic analyst
- Cybersecurity specialist or analyst
- Incident specialist/analyst
- Systems, network or database administrators (for all sectors of business, education, manufacturing, healthcare, nonprofit and government)
Job Spotlight from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- 2023 median pay: $95,360
- Entry level education: Bachelor’s degree in computer engineering
- Jobs in 2022: 339,900
- Projcted job growth in 2022-32: 2% growth
- 2023 median pay: $120,360 per year
- Entry level education: Bachelor’s degree
- Jobs in 2019: 168,900
- Projected job growth in 2022-32: 32% growth (much faster than average)
Find Program Information
- Access the academic program page to find out about this Bachelor of Science in Information Technology in Cybersecurity.
- The academic program page contains program information about the six concentrations in the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology information including Application Development, Cybersecurity and Forensics, Database Design and Administration, Health Information Technology, Internet/Multimedia and Networking.
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Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice - Global Security Concentration
The Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice
This degree is designed to equip students with the skills necessary for impactful careers in criminal justice, providing a deep understanding of crime and security challenges from a worldwide perspective. The Global Security concentration prepares students to address the evolving security needs of government and private organizations through coursework that covers terrorism, homeland security, and information and cyber security, fostering expertise in navigating the complexities of international security threats.
Common Courses
- Homeland Security
- Terrorism and Counterterrorism
- Information and Cyber Security
Careers
- Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers
- First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- First-line supervisors of police and detectives
Pay Scale
Visit our criminology and criminal justice academic program page to see the pay ranges for various careers aligned with this degree.
Find Program Information
Access the academic program page to find out about this criminology and criminal justice degree.
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Master of Science in Computer Science - Computer Security Concentration
The Master of Science Degree in Computer Science
This degree in Computer Science with a concentration in Computer Security prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills to protect and defend computer systems and networks. The program focuses on a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application to secure digital assets and ensure data privacy in a wide range of organizations.
The Computer Security concentration covers various topics related to securing computer systems. Students learn to identify vulnerabilities in software and networks and create algorithms and programs to safeguard data, employing techniques such as digital encryption, secure databases, and protected networking methods.
Students in this program will take courses in cryptography, network security, systems administration, information security, and digital forensics. They will complete the program with a Capstone project or thesis that involves researching and developing solutions for real-world cybersecurity challenges, preparing them for careers in a dynamic and rapidly evolving field.
Common Courses
- Systems Administration
- Systems Programming
- Computer Network Security
- Information Security
- Data Security and Privacy
- Digital Forensics
- Introduction to Cryptology
Pay Scale
According to the department, graduates are typically hired by tech or IT companies, with a starting salary of about $90,000.
Find Program Information
Access the academic program page to learn more about this computer science degree.
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Associate of Applied Business in Cybersecurity
The Associate of Applied Business degree in Cybersecurity
This degree provides students with an applied approach to information security concepts. With an ever-growing threat to sensitive and critical data in the field of information technology, understanding the impact of security issues on businesses and individuals is critical. The degree program gives students the tools they need to address current security issues including risk identification, security testing and monitoring, and enterprise risk management.
Courses in this degree focus on building a solid knowledgebase in cyber defense methods, security policies, incident management, business continuity and network hardening. Additional topics include networking, hardware and operating systems, cyber ethics, and current and emerging threat mitigation.
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate core competency in cybersecurity-related topics
- Describe the scope of the information security field and its impact on information technology
- Identify and analyze security risks to determine potential impacts
- Demonstrate ability to develop plans to mitigate security risks
- Identify professional, legal and ethical behavior
Access the academic program page to find out about this Associate Degree in Cybersecurity.
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Minor in Computer Information Systems
Computer Information Systems Minor
The Computer Information Systems minor is designed to enhance a variety of majors by providing students with foundational knowledge in managing and supporting information systems within an organization. The curriculum covers key areas such as database management, systems analysis, and IT project management, giving students practical skills to handle information technology challenges in any field. Electives allow students to customize their learning experience based on their interests and career goals.
Students in this minor will take courses in business modeling, information systems and artificial intelligence. They also have the option to choose electives in designing innovative information systems and digital transformation management.
Find Program Information
Access the academic program page to learn more about the computer information systems minor.
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Minors and Certificates in Computer Forensics and Information
Security
Cybersecurity and Forensics Minor
The Computer Forensics and Security minor is designed to complement a wide range of majors. Curriculum focuses on vulnerabilities, forensics and network security. Electives provide flexibility to tailor the minor to each student's interests and career goals. For example, a student might choose a more in-depth course in hardware, mobile applications, command-line tools, networking, or firewalls.
Students in this minor will take courses in ethical hacking, computer and network forensics, and security. They have options for electives in Internet fraud, networking forensics, command line and programming mobile applications.
Cybersecurity and Forensics Certificate
The Computer Forensics and Information Security undergraduate certificate provides an introduction to information security and incident response, forensic preparation and data recovery and analysis.
This certificate is a great add-on to another degree or specialization. It can also be a great place to start for upskilling, reskilling or entering the IT Security and Forensics field.
Students will participate in courses that focus on law and society, operating systems and networking, hardware and server setup and configuration, forensics and in-depth security courses.