Cybersecurity Certificate Online
Gain this cybersecurity credential in two semesters.
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Request InfoGraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity Overview
In the University of West Florida’s online cybersecurity certificate program, you’ll learn crucial cybersecurity skills that can position you for success in your career or allow you to smoothly transfer coursework into our master’s degree in cybersecurity.
We have carefully designed the curriculum for our graduate cybersecurity certificate to prepare professionals to become leaders in the protection of data assets and analysis of potential threats and vulnerabilities to systems and networks. This program is comprised of two required courses and several electives that provide foundational knowledge in cybersecurity and technical skills to secure systems, networks, software and data assets. You can complete cybersecurity certificate coursework with two elective courses, featuring topics in secure software development, database security, digital forensics and database systems.
With skills from UWF’s online cybersecurity certificate, you can pursue a career as a security analyst, security architect, or information security manager. Positions in cybersecurity are increasing in virtually every industry because businesses and organizations need professionals who can protect their assets.
Candidates for This Program Include:
- Graduate non-degree-seeking students
- Students interested in pursuing a future master’s degree in cybersecurity
- Working professionals seeking to build their cybersecurity skills
You Will Be Able To:
- Analyze cybersecurity problems
- Assess potential threats to systems and networks
- Defend against cyberattacks
- Formulate and evaluate cybersecurity solutions
- Protect data assets
- Strengthen network and system security
Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.
Courses and Requirements
*Students entering the cybersecurity certificate program with a degree other than Cybersecurity, Computer Science or Information Technology may be required to complete prerequisite courses in computing and programming. The department offers the following foundational courses to complete the prerequisite coursework:
- COP 5518 - Foundations: Computing Essentials
3 Credit Hours
Foundations: Computing Essentials
This course reviews fundamental principles of modern computer architectures, operating systems and computer networks and relates them to computer programming. The course covers topics such as the design of various components of operating systems and services they provide to users and application developers, network structures & devices, network protocol stacks, network performance metrics, network routing algorithms, and network traffic analysis. The role of security in systems and networks will also be covered. This course may require completion of graduate foundations courses in computer programming or the equivalent undergraduate coursework if a student has insufficient academic or professional experience in the discipline.
- COP 5007 - Foundations: Programming Essentials
3 Credit Hours
Foundations: Programming Essentials
A course in the Accelerated Software Engineering Foundations Series in which students will gain a comprehensive understanding of principles/concepts of Java programming and how to apply those principles/concepts in conjunction with principles of software engineering to design and develop object- oriented software systems. Students taking this course should have an understanding of programming language fundamentals including variables, constants, selection, iteration, arrays, and functions or methods.
- COP 5518 - Foundations: Computing Essentials
- CIS 5775 - Cybersecurity Principles
3 Credit Hours
Cybersecurity Principles
This course introduces students to topics in cybersecurity. It provides information related to threat models, vulnerability analysis, and security-policy formation and enforcement. In addition, the course covers information assurance controlling laws and guidelines as well as introduces students to broad topics in network and system security, Internet services, and digital forensics.
- CNT 5407 - System and Network Security
3 Credit Hours
System and Network Security
This course covers the basic strategies and tools that prepare students to engage in proactive and aggressive cybersecurity activities, with an increased focus on computer, network and system security. Students will learn about protection strategies which are most effective when dealing with cyber attacks, especially in an age of increased reliance on distributed devices. This course may require completion of graduate foundational courses in computer science or undergraduate coursework in computer networks and operating systems if a student has insufficient academic or professional experience in the field.
- CIS 5775 - Cybersecurity Principles
- CEN 5079 - Secure Software Development
3 Credit Hours
Secure Software Development
Examines the importance of building security into the design, implementation and testing phases of software development. Covers coding techniques that avoid known vulnerabilities and test strategies that can uncover previously unknown weaknesses. Includes discussion of security policies and design principles. Prior to taking this course students should have knowledge and skill in software development.
- CIS 6376 - Database Security
3 Credit Hours
Database Security
Database Security is designed to teach students how database systems are used, managed, and issues associated with protecting the associated data assets. This course will cover various methods to ensure information confidentiality, integrity and availability on an assortment of data storage systems. This graduate course is a requirement for the M.S.A. in Cyber Security and will be an elective for all other graduate Computer Science programs. Prerequisites: COP 5725 minimum grade of C.
- CIS 6394 - Digital Forensics
3 Credit Hours
Digital Forensics
This course will provide a solid foundation for performing a digital forensic examination. Students will learn the tools and techniques required for conducting a forensic analysis on systems and learn to collect data pertaining to evidence in civil, criminal or administrative cases. Students will develop systematic problem-solving techniques and apply them to digital investigations. These techniques directly correlate to methods used to recover/restore data for various requirements, ranging from litigation to fraud-based investigations.
- COP 5725 - Database Systems
3 Credit Hours
Database Systems
Introduction to database systems and database management system architectures. Various database models are discussed with emphasis on the relational model and relational database design. Case applications using fourth-generation languages, such as SQL are included. This course requires completion of graduate foundations courses in computer programming or the equivalent undergraduate coursework.
- CEN 5079 - Secure Software Development
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the University of West Florida’s online Graduate Cybersecurity Certificate program, you must be admitted to the University as a graduate non-degree-seeking student. In addition, you must:
- Submit a resume.
- Provide proof of a bachelor’s degree from a post-secondary institution accredited by an agency recognized by the United States Department of Education and course syllabi for any IT or computing-related coursework.
How to Apply
To begin the online Graduate Cybersecurity Certificate program, interested students need to fill out a graduate non-degree or degree-seeking application. Prospective students must contact the Computer Science department advisor and complete the certificate declaration online Graduate Certificate Declaration Form on MyUWF before the drop/add period of the semester of completion.
Have questions about the online cybersecurity certificate or the admissions process? Contact our graduate admissions team at gradadmissions@uwf.edu. If you are a current UWF student, please reach out to the department academic advisor.
Costs & Financial Aid
Military Students
UWF is a Military FriendlyⓇ School proudly serving active-duty U.S. military members and veterans. As UWF has been a participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program since 2011, you could be eligible to receive free tuition with your military benefits.
See How We Can Serve YouFinancial Aid
Funding your college education should not empty your wallet. We offer various financial aid options for our online students, including loans, scholarships and grants for degree-seeking students.
Learn More About Financial AidCareer Outcomes
With an online graduate cybersecurity certificate from UWF, you can seek an entry-level cybersecurity position and transfer your coursework directly to UWF’s master’s degree in cybersecurity.
Salary and job outlook information is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale.
Information Security Analysts
These employees are responsible for overseeing cybersecurity in businesses and organizations. They work with both software and hardware to make sure the business runs smoothly. Information security analysts may also teach other employees how to protect their information and address their concerns. In 2021, information security analysts made a median annual salary of $102,600. Available jobs are predicted to grow 35 percent through 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations.
Cybersecurity Analysts
Cybersecurity analysts monitor digital security risks for organizations and then make suggestions on how to prevent threats and cyberattacks. They often develop and maintain the most current cybersecurity policies and procedures for organizations to follow. The average salary for a cybersecurity analyst is $76,626, and additional skills in cybersecurity risk management boost their average salary to $80,737.