Bachelor of Science in
Cybersecurity
Online or On Campus

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Be the First Line of Defense in Our Interconnected Digital World

Prepare for an innovative career protecting organizations’ data, devices, computers and networks from an ever-evolving landscape of threats with a cybersecurity degree from the University at Albany.

Through core courses, you’ll build essential expertise while focusing on the concentration that interests you most – cyber defense, cyber risk management and policy, cyber operations or a self-designed path. You’ll also deepen your knowledge and sharpen your skills through cutting-edge research and immersive hands-on learning, mastering strategies to safeguard systems, ensure privacy and implement recovery processes.

You’ll graduate ready to lead and make an impact working in commercial or nonprofit organizations, as well as across all levels of government.

Note: This program is also offered fully online.

Additional Program Information

Undergraduate Bulletin | Course Catalog | Four-Year Plan | Department Contact

Program of Study
Concentrations
Combined Master's
Career Outcomes
CEHC Home

Program of Study

programofstudy

This program provides a solid foundation of theory and practical skills in key cybersecurity-related subject areas such as web technology, information security, computer networks and more. Your chosen concentration will allow you to further specialize in cyber defense, cyber risk management and policy, cyber operations or a self-designed concentration that you define alongside an advisor.

Whichever path you choose, you will also gain valuable research and experiential learning experience that will prepare you for your future career in cybersecurity.

Required Courses

Foundations of Cybersecurity Management & Policy
Technical Foundations of Cybersecurity
Exploring New Horizons in Cybersecurity
Information Systems Security and Assurance
Senior Seminar in Cybersecurity
Programing Essentials for Cybersecurity
Web Technologies Essentials: Security and Design
Database Fundamentals and Security Principles
Introduction to Systems and Security
Introduction to Computer Networks and Security
Research Methods of Cybersecurity
Elementary Statistics

Experiential Learning

Choose one:

Field Experience in Cybersecurity
Senior Capstone in Cybersecurity
Independent Research
Cyber Community Support
Internship for Cybersecurity
Internship for Cybersecurity Fully Online
Peer Educator Practicum

Electives (6 credits)

Sample courses:

Digital Project Management
Operating Systems
Data Analytics and AI in Cybersecurity
Trustworthy AI
Secure Software Development and Analysis
Web Application Security
Reverse Engineering and Malware Analysis
Economics of Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity Policy, Law, and Institutions
Cyber Threats and Intelligence

Concentrations

Cyber Defense

In this concentration you’ll become adept at identifying, assessing and mitigating cybersecurity threats, diving deep into a variety of areas including vulnerability assessment, threat hunting, digital forensics, incedent response and preventive security.

You'll be well-prepared for roles such as cybersecurity analyst and incident response specialist.

Required Courses

Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing
Advanced Networking and Security
Cyber Incident Response, Threat Hunting, and Digital Forensics
Prevention and Protection Strategies and Technologies in Cybersecurity

Cyber Risk Management & Policy

Designed for those who want to understand and mitigate cybersecurity risk while navigating the complex landscape of compliance, privacy and policy, this concentration will help you develop skills in auditing, strategic planning and intelligence analysis.

You'll be equipped for roles including cybersecurity consultant, risk analyst, compliance auditor or policy advisor in industries where governance and strategic decision-making are critical.

Required Courses

Information Security Compliance and Audit
Cybersecurity: Long Term Planning and Risk Management
Information Security and Privacy
Cyber Threats and Intelligence

Cyber Operations

Cyber Operations is ideal if you wish to gain a technical foundation in programming, algorithms and system-level security. This concentration explores advanced topics like malware, analysis, wireless security and reverse engineering.

You'll be an ideal candidates for roles such as red team operator, malware analyst or software security specialist.

Required Courses

Calculus I
Discrete Mathematics and Algorithms
Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing
Data Structures & Systems Programming
Operating Systems
Reverse Engineering and Malware Analysis
Wireless Technologies and Securities
Prevention and Protection Strategies in Cybersecurity

Self-Designed

With guidance from advisors, you can tailor your studies to your specialized area of interest, creating a concentration focused on your unique goals in the cybersecurity field. You'll gain the necessary skills for diverse roles in the rapidly evolving field of cybersecurity.

Requirements

12 credits selected in consultation with your advisors and approved by the Cybersecurity Undergraduate Director.

A CEHC student demonstrates a 3D printer

Applied Learning

The College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity provides an experiential learning component to all students. Through authentic simulations, work with real-world clients, and research in contemporary and highly relevant topics, students will further their classroom learning in an applied environment. The college partners with various offices, agencies and centers that help to provide research and training opportunities for students, academics, and professionals.

Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Options

You can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Up to 12 academic credits, billed at the undergraduate rate, will count towards both degrees – so you’ll complete your combined program in only 5 years and spend less than you would if you completed each program separately. Choose to combine your Cybersecurity undergraduate degree with the following graduate programs:

combined

MS in Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity
This NSA-designated master’s program teaches you how to rapidly detect and deter malicious network intruders and use special forensics tools to gather and analyze digital evidence.

MS in Information Science
This ALA-accredited master's program covers a broad range of interdisciplinary topics related to library science, information processing, information management and data analysis.

Career Outcomes

By choosing UAlbany, you’ll acquire the expert-level skills to help you achieve success as a cybersecurity professional. You will graduate with experience developing strategies that outsmart cybercriminals to defend your organization.

Potential job titles for a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity include:

Computer Security Specialist
Security Consultant
Information Security Analyst
Ethical Hacker
Computer Forensic Analyst
Risk Manager
Data Security Administrator
Cryptographic Vulnerability Analyst
Security Operations Center Analyst

Two professionals working on a laptop in a computer data center.

career

Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

Bachelor of Science

Demonstrate a basic knowledge of computer systems and identify their vulnerabilities
Demonstrate a basic knowledge of computer networks and identify their vulnerabilities
Define and compare the different types of computer attacks
Differentiate security vulnerabilities
Demonstrate a knowledge of cryptographic principles, systems and implementations
Apply current principles and practices of digital forensics
Demonstrate a knowledge of security policies and procedures
Apply principles and practices of software security
Create and implement plans to defend computer and networks systems in live exercises
Demonstrate an understanding of sources of ongoing updates on security issues, approaches and solutions

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What Makes The University at Albany Great

Living-Learning Communities

Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.

Study Abroad

Become a global citizen: international experience is crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.

Undergraduate Research

Research, scholarship, and creative activities at the University at Albany is an option for all students, across all academic disciplines. You will be able to learn more about a specific academic field or career path all while building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

Explore Minors

Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume.

A minor consists of 18–24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Most undergraduate degrees require completing a minor and it has to have a different title from your major.

Full List of Minors

Acting
Africana Studies
Anthropology
Art
Art History
Atmospheric Science
Bioethics
Biology
Broadcast Meteorology
Business
Chemistry
Chinese Studies
Cognitive Science
Communication (Fully Online Option)
Computer Science
Creative Writing
Criminal Justice Studies (Fully Online Option)
Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
Documentary Studies
East Asian Studies
Economics
Educational Studies
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Electronics
Film Studies
Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
English

Forensic Science
French
Game Design and Development
Geographic Information Science
Geography
Globalization Studies
Hebrew
History (Fully Online Option)
Informatics (Fully Online Option)
Instrumental Performance
International Studies
Italian
Japanese Studies
Journalism (Fully Online Option)
Judaic Studies
Korean Studies
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Law and Philosophy
Leadership
Legal Studies
LGBTQ Studies
Library and Information Science
Linguistics
Machine Learning
Mathematics

Medical Anthropology
Music
Musical Performance
Musical Theatre
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Portuguese
Pre-Education
Psychology (Fully Online Option)
Public Health
Public Policy
Religious Studies
Russian
Russian and Eastern European Studies
Social Welfare Studies
Sociology (Fully Online Option)
Spanish
Statistics
Sustainability
Theatre
Theatrical Design/Technology
Urban Studies and Planning
U.S. Latino Studies
Vocal Performance
Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity FAQs

What can you do with a cybersecurity degree?

Earning a BS in Cybersecurity can help you develop the skills you’ll need to join a growing field. With the frequency and sophistication of cyberthreats increasing every day, cybersecurity professionals are expected to be in demand for the foreseeable future. A bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity from UAlbany can help position you as a leader who can drive solutions for your organization.

Is the BS in Cybersecurity program accredited?

The University at Albany is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State, which has registered all its degrees and programs and fully approved its professional programs through the State Education Department. UAlbany is also fully accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Additionally, the MS in Information Science program is accredited by the American Library Association (ALA), while the MS in Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity program is designated by the National Security Agency (NSA). Students can combine their BS in Cybersecurity with either of these programs to earn their graduate degree faster.

How long is the on-campus BS in Cybersecurity program? How long is the online BS in Cybersecurity program?

Both the on-campus and online BS in Cybersecurity programs take approximately four years to complete on a full-time schedule.

How do the combined master’s programs work?

At UAlbany, we give you the opportunity to combine the BS in Cybersecurity program with either the MS in Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity or the MS in Information Science program. This allows you to begin your graduate degree coursework while still enrolled as an undergraduate — and paying an undergraduate rate. You can complete the combined program in only five years and pay less than if you completed each program separately.

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