Online Bachelor of Science Degree in Cybersecurity

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Program at a Glance

  • According to a 2022 report, there are a total of 755,743 open cybersecurity jobs in the U.S.*
  • Develop foundational knowledge to prepare for industry certifications. 
  • Gain additional real-world experience through an optional internship at the end of your undergraduate program.
  • Shorten your path to a graduate degree with the accelerated bachelor’s to master’s option.
  • Choose from ten cybersecurity concentrations:
Upcoming Start Dates

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Course Effort
15–18 Hours per Week
Course Length
10-Week Terms
Average Completion
4 years
Of Full-Time Study
Credits Required
180
(120 Semester Credits)
Cost per Credit
$371
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Purdue Global Career Outcomes 2020–2021

Each year, our Center for Career Advancement sends a NACE First Destination survey to our graduating class to learn more about their career choices and potential income within 18 months of graduation. We’re proud of our recent Purdue Global alumni accomplishments.

92%

Graduates in Purdue Global’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program were employed or continued their education within 18 months of graduation.

“Career Outcomes Rate” is not the same as an “employment rate”—it includes graduates who are: (1) employed (whether full or part time); (2) participating in a program of voluntary service, (3) serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, or (4) enrolled in a program of continuing education. This rate may also include graduates employed in jobs unrelated to their degree or who were employed while attending Purdue Global. (9,106 graduates surveyed across associate's, bachelor's, master's, JD, EJD, and DNP programs from July 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020. 7,803 of 9,106 replied.)

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Overview

Many organizations are now identifying cyberattacks themselves, rather than relying on the services of external sources. Our online cybersecurity bachelor’s degree helps you develop the skills and knowledge to protect companies from a wide range of cyberthreats.

This online cybersecurity degree provides rigorous training to help you master the fundamentals of cybersecurity, recognize best practices, and identify IT security threats and products. 

Coursework in this program is focused on preparing you to:

  • Analyze a complex computing problem to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  • Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
  • Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  • Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  • Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
  • Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.

Course Outcomes

Students are assessed each term on their mastery of the course outcomes, which measure the skills, knowledge, abilities, and behaviors employers expect. View a summary of these assessments and access recent enrollment and graduation rate data.

Jeffrey M. Buck, PhD, dean and vice president of Purdue Global’s School of Business and Information Technology, discusses the University’s goal to help organizations develop knowledgeable people in the field.

Purdue Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Purdue Global's School of Business and Information Technology has received programmatic accreditation for the following programs:

With ABET accreditation, students, employers, and all those served by the University can be confident that a program meets the quality standards that produce graduates prepared to enter a global workforce.

National Center of Academic Excellence
National Security Agency (NSA) seal  Department of Homeland Security (DHS) seal

Purdue Global has been designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) for the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity.

Visit the Purdue Global Cybersecurity Center

Admissions Requirements

You must be a high school graduate or possess a General Educational Development (GED) certificate or other equivalency diploma. You are also encouraged to complete orientation before you start classes. Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

Accelerated Master’s Degree Option

Earning a minimum course grade in select bachelor's degree courses can gain you entry into a shortened version of Purdue Global's master’s degree in information technology or cybersecurity management

Complete both your bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in less time and at a lower cost than completing both programs separately. For details and eligibility requirements, speak to an Advisor.

Accelerate Your Career With ExcelTrack®

Forget what you know about earning a degree. ExcelTrack® is personalized learning that gives you more control over your education, getting you to the same degree faster and for less money.

Ways to Save

  • Transfer Credits

    Earn credit for prior coursework completed at eligible institutions, including community colleges.

    Save Time and Money on Your Degree

  • Prior Work Experience

    You could earn undergraduate credit for your life and professional career experiences.

    Your Experience Counts

  • Financial Aid

    Title IV federal financial aid is available for many of our degree programs.

    Financial Aid FAQ

  • Grants

    Learn about federal financial grants and loan programs that may be available.

    Federal and State Grants

  • Corporate Partner Benefits

    Employees of Purdue Global partner organizations may be eligible for special tuition reductions.

    Employee Savings and Benefits

  • Military Tuition Reduction

    55% reduction per credit for current servicemembers, 38% per credit for veterans for undergraduate programs.

    Tuition Savings for Military

  • Prior Military Experience

    We offer credit for ACE-evaluated training and CLEP and DANTES examinations.

    Credit for Military Training

  • International Tuition Reduction

    International students living outside of the United States are eligible for a 25% tuition reduction.

    International Tuition and Benefits

Program Cost Estimator

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Prepare to Sit for Industry Certifications

The bachelor’s degree program provides you with the depth and breadth of materials to pursue many of the critical certifications recognized by the information assurance community and for Department of Defense (DoD) personnel, as mandated by DoD Directive 8570.1.

Earn Credit for Prior Certifications

If you’ve already completed certification exams, you may be eligible for credit toward your degree. Learn more about eligible IT certification exams.

Military Transfer Credit

Servicemembers and veterans can earn a degree faster with our PME2Degree® program. Use our Military Transfer Credit Estimator to see how much of your training counts as credit.

How Many Credits Have You Earned?

What Courses Will I Take?

Courses focus on the fundamentals of cybersecurity and applying industry-accepted and emerging practices to solve real-world security problems.

All courses are updated regularly by our dedicated curriculum department and advisory board to ensure they reflect the most recent developments in the field.

See All Cybersecurity Courses
Sample Courses
  • Ethical Hacking
  • Network Security
  • Python Programming
  • Digital Forensics
  • Intrusion Detection and Response

Program Requirements

  • Core Credits
    45
  • Major Credits
    85
  • Elective Credits
    50
  • Total Credits
    180

Cybersecurity Concentrations

Concentrations in cybersecurity allow you to focus on an area of study that best fits your career path.

  • CISSP certification preparation

    Gain the foundational knowledge of security governance, risk management, business continuity planning, and compliance that prepare you for this certification.

  • Cloud computing

    Develop skills in information assurance, risk management, and more while learning how to program in cloud environments using in-demand scripting languages.

  • Data management

    Analyze and transform data into relevant information for businesses, learn to manipulate and organize large amounts of data, and more.

  • Game development

    Study software development, the C# game programming language, the Unity game development engine, and the process of adding artistic elements to video games.

  • Programming and analytics

    Develop specialized skills in programming languages like Python, R, and Java, while preparing and securing databases against vulnerabilities.

  • Software development using C#

    Focus on the C# programming language in software design and development, including web and mobile applications. C# is an object-oriented, component-oriented programming language.

  • Software development using Java

    Use the Java programming language to design, develop and write programs across devices. Java remains the most popular language for application software development.

  • Software development using Python

    Explore software development concepts using the Python programming language while applying related approaches to data structures, algorithms, web services, graphics, mobile, and multimedia. Python is a versatile language known for its beginner friendliness, making it widely used.

  • Software development using web languages

    Study advanced software design and development concepts using JavaScript and PHP. JavaScript is a client-side scripting language while PHP is a server-side scripting language.

  • Supply chain management and logistics

    Learn key processes of global supply chain management, logistics, distribution, purchasing and vendor management, and supply chain analytics.

Career Opportunities

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analyst is among the top 10 fastest growing occupations from 2021 to 2031 and is projected to grow 35% in the same time, much faster than the average for all occupations. Develop the knowledge and job skills to meet industry demands with an online cybersecurity degree.

Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:

  1. Critical Thinking
  2. Active Listening
  3. Judgment and Decision Making
  4. Complex Problem Solving
  5. Systems Analysis

Top Jobs With This Degree

Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018–2030) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

View Information Technology Faculty Directory
grad hat icon 100% IT faculty members who have advanced degrees
diploma icon 36% IT faculty members who hold a doctorate
tablet icon 395 Faculty publications in 2021–2022
student at desk icon More Than 38,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2021–2022

Advanced and Doctoral Degrees: Statistics include all Purdue Global IT faculty members. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, May 2022.
Publications and Development Hours: Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school- or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2022. 2021–2022 academic year.

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Take 3 Weeks to Get to Know Us

Not sure if Purdue Global is right for you? Experience a Purdue Global undergraduate program for an introductory 3-week period.

There’s no financial obligation and no cost to apply.

That’s the Purdue Global Commitment.

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Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about the online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

Prepare yourself for success with a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity.

NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Job Growth in Cybersecurity: Source: Cyber Seek, Cybersecurity Supply/Demand Report, www.cyberseek.org/heatmap.html

Certification Exams: Students are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. The University cannot guarantee students will be eligible to sit for or pass exams. In some cases, work experience, additional coursework beyond the Purdue Global program, fieldwork, and/or background checks may be necessary to be eligible to take or to successfully pass the exams.

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts, www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm; and Fastest Growing Occupations, www.bls.gov/ooh/fastest-growing.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.