Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity
Overview
The graduate certificate in cybersecurity provided by Lee Business School and the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering equips individuals with essential skills for digital security. They learn to evaluate an organization's computer network and information security needs, assess cybersecurity risk management policies to protect critical resources and assets, demonstrate mastery of in-depth cybersecurity knowledge, and formulate, update, and communicate organizational cyber-related strategies and policies.
Five Reasons to Get a Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity at UNLV
- Importance of Cybersecurity: The Department of Labor has identified cybersecurity as one of the most needed professional skills, and graduates in the field are in high demand. Currently, there is an abundance of unfilled positions in the country.
- Organizational Needs Assessment: Evaluate an organization's computer network and information security needs.
- Risk Management Evaluation: Assess cybersecurity risk management policies to adequately protect critical resources and assets.
- Mastery of Cybersecurity: Demonstrate mastery of familiarity with in-depth cybersecurity knowledge.
- Strategy Formulation and Communication: Formulate, update, and communicate regarding organizational cyber-related strategies and policies.
Information Is Power — Learn How To Protect It
Information is more than data points and statistics — it is power. Currently, there is a demand at the local, state, regional, and national levels for individuals to be trained in the knowledge of computers, networks, and risk and security management. Students will be trained in technical and managerial aspects of cybersecurity.
The certificate program is ideal for
- Professionals with some job requirements that deal with cybersecurity and desire to have a quick background in cybersecurity.
- Cybersecurity professionals without a graduate education, who cannot commit to a full two-year program or lack the necessary academic credentials for immediate entry, may consider a transitional entry into the graduate program. This pathway offers an opportunity for both the student to sample the program and for the program to assess the student's potential for completing the full master of science program successfully.
- Individuals considering switching their career trajectory into cyber and wish to try out the concepts and ideas.
- Individuals who are in cybersecurity and wish to hone their soft or hard skills through a focused certificate program.
This program is a joint offering from the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering and the Lee Business School. The duality of the program ensures that students within the program are exposed to the hard skills related to the engineering/hardware/software aspects of cybersecurity, but also to the managerial skills of controls, risk management, audit, governance, and strategic management related to cybersecurity. Our students have a more well-rounded education and the opportunity to specialize more to their strengths within cybersecurity.
“I enrolled into the Certificate in Cybersecurity here at UNLV to not only gain more knowledge in regards to cybersecurity and protecting myself, but also to learn insightful information that can be utilized in my future work. The opportunity to be part of a new and growing program was very special to me!”Khayla Rooks Certificate in Cybersecurity Alumni, Spring ‘22
Career Options
The field of cybersecurity is large and requires completely technical and non-technical skill sets to meet the demands of the industry. The current shortage of students and professionals entering the cybersecurity field has created a significant supply-demand gap across all industries. Therefore, now is an opportune moment to consider and pursue a career in cybersecurity. Education is the crucial first step towards entering this field, providing the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the increasing demands of cybersecurity roles in various sectors.
Graduates of the certificate in cybersecurity often land lucrative entry-level jobs right after graduation. Here are some of the positions you can expect to be employed as:
- Information security analyst
- Information security specialist
- Security engineer
- Digital forensic examiner
- IT auditor
- Consultant
Admission Requirements
The graduate certificate in cybersecurity program is open to graduates from technology , such as computer science, information systems, security, engineering, etc. The certificate demonstrates the individual's desire to master their professional field and seek new knowledge about cybersecurity. Should students choose to pursue a master’s in the future, all coursework from the graduate certificate in cybersecurity can be applied toward various graduate degrees offered at Lee Business School. The grade must be B or above to apply toward a graduate degree. The certificate can be completed independently or combined with an existing master's or Ph.D. program.
To be considered, applicants must have the following:
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution in the United States or an approved equivalent.
- A resume/CV.
- A statement of intent explaining the reason for applying.
- Two letters of recommendation.
- Submit all post-secondary official transcripts.
- GMAT and/or GRE scores (optional).
Program Structure
To earn this certificate, students must complete four core courses. This graduate certificate program is an introductory method for students who wish to try out the graduate program without committing to the entire 30 credit hours.
- Requires 12 credit hours (four courses), which may be finished in less than two years.
- The only required course within this smaller program is the security analytics course. Then, in consultation with your advisor, you would select three other courses to build upon or in the area of cyber that you would like to develop for your career.
- Courses are offered in person, hybrid, or online.
The core cybersecurity curriculum includes courses in security data analytics. You must also complete 9 credits of advisor-approved courses in the (CSEC). Course options are suggested in, but not limited to, the following:
- Security operations
- Secure communication protocols
- Cyber physical systems security
- Human factors in cybersecurity
- Enterprise security administration
- Modern cryptography
- Trusted software systems
- Cybercrime and cyberterrorism
- IT forensics and incident response
- Information warfare
Application Deadlines
Fall Term:
Aug. 1 – Domestic or permanent residence applicants
Spring Term:
Dec. 1 – Domestic or permanent resident applicants
Summer Term:
May 1 – Domestic or permanent resident applicants
Note: International students are not eligible to apply to this certificate program unless they are enrolled in a post-secondary degree program or above at UNLV.
Program Advisors Contact
Lee Business School
Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology
Greg Moody
Professor, Lee Professor of Information Systems, Program Director of the MS in Cybersecurity Program
702-895-1365
gregory.moody@unlv.edu
Prospective Student Contact
Lee Business School
Graduate Student Services
702-895-3655
LEEogss@unlv.edu
Catalog Information
Visit our Degrees Directory to view our catalog information.
