Become a highly sought-after cybersecurity professional
The American National University’s Cybersecurity bachelor’s degree program is designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in the network security industry.
Cyber-attacks are being waged all over the world – whether at a corporation, government agency, or communications system. From online banking to electronic commerce to transportation operations, our world increasingly depends on a cyber-infrastructure. Handling these diverse software and controls systems against malicious users has become a national priority.
The demand for cybersecurity professionals has never been greater. Be prepared to meet this critical need and secure your IT career with a Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity from American National University.
With a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity you will be prepared to compete for entry-level positions like: network security specialist, digital forensics and incident response specialist or vulnerability analyst.
Your Learning Experience
As a student you will learn practices for the design of secure modern networks as well as how to secure existing computers and networks – both wired and wireless; and cover topics about evolving threats and the proper use of specific security tools. Your coursework will focus on:
- The core set of skills needed for practical and dynamic network defense.
- Technical issues related to safe software and architectures, as well as the broader issues of privacy and legal ramifications.
- Topics ranging from cryptographic methods, data and information security, virtualization and cloud computing, disaster recovery and risk management principles, computer forensics and investigations, and biometrics it applies to computer security.
- How to investigate cybersecurity threats and master techniques needed to protect the network.
Whether you are interested in starting or advancing your career in this specialized field, this program will prepare you to sit for industry recognized certifications exams. These certifications can help you stand out in today’s competitive job market and broaden employment opportunities.
American National University promotes a progressive learning format, so as you earn your degree in cybersecurity, you can immediately use your training to advance your career as you further your education in the field of cybersecurity; or continue your education in other high-demand fields at the bachelor’s degree and graduate levels in areas such information technology and business administration management.
Earn Your Online Cybersecurity Degree
The cybersecurity degree program is available online through ANU’s eUniversity. Learn more about our online programs.
American National University is a Microsoft Imagine Academy member, giving our students access to industry-standard curricula, certifications, and a wide variety of resources.
AWS aids higher education institutions in bringing software developers up to the industry-standard in an evolving technological business environment, increasing their competitiveness in the modern job market.
We have incorporated industry-standard cloud computing into the program through membership in the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Academy.
CYBERSECURITY – BACHELOR’S DEGREE REQUIRED COURSES
Experiential Learning Track
Upon completion of 36 credit hours, students may apply to pursue the Experiential Learning Track, which requires students to maintain professional experiences related to their field of study during their enrollment, of at least five (5) hours per week, not including the final program course, CY499 Cybersecurity Externship and Capstone. The minimum cumulative number of hours worked prior to enrollment in CY499 is 576 (approximately 5 hours per week for each term leading up to the student’s final term). Successful entry to the Experiential Learning Track will require an attestation by the students and their supervisors indicating the average number of hours worked each week and how long the work experience is expected to last. Students interested in pursuing the Experiential Learning Track should schedule a meeting with their Academic Advisor and Dean to discuss this track and to obtain the attestation form.
180 credit hours required/360 quality points required. All courses are 4 credit hours
Program Core (Required) 108 total credit hours required
COM151 The Microsoft® Office
4 Credit Hours
This is an introductory course that provides a comprehensive study of The Microsoft® Office. This course is a combination of lecture and hands-on training.
CS105 Introduction to Relational Database Management Systems
4 Credit Hours
This course provides a vendor-neutral survey of Relational Database Management Systems Technology. Students will study the relational model and relational design including E-R diagramming and normalization techniques. The course introduces the student to Query-By-Example (QBE) and Structured Query Language (SQL) and introduces the fundamentals of database administration and management, data integrity and data security.
CS250 Systems Analysis & Design I
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– NET205) Students taking this course are introduced to the analyses, methodology and tools used to translate business requirements into information systems that support the short- and longterm objectives of the enterprise. Students will learn about traditional structured analysis, objectoriented concepts and agile methods and the Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC). They are also introduced to project management concepts and the software tools most commonly used by systems analysts.
CY200 Security+
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– IT110 and IT111) This course provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the core concepts of computer and network security. This course explains key security concepts including understanding threats to a computing infrastructure, securing a network infrastructure, understanding encryption technologies, securing communication and applications, and responding to security incidents. This course is designed to help prepare students for the CompTIA Security+ Certification Examination.
CY300 Physical and Technical Security
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – IT100) This course provides students with a detailed study of cyber-physical systems (CPSs) and an overview of the various technologies that support the security functions of today’s enterprise.
CY302 Mobile Security –
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – IT221) This course provides students with a foundation in securing Android, Windows, BlackBerry OS, and iOS mobile operating systems. Students completing this course will have an understanding of how to secure PAN networks, use SMS security, and enterprise security on mobile OS.
CY310 Principles of Incident Response and Disaster Recovery
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – CY200) This course provides students with a foundation in disaster recovery principles and planning and emphasizes the importance of incident response in minimizing prolonged downtime that can potentially lead to irreparable loss to the enterprise.
CY320 Cyber Security Law and Ethics
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – IT221) Students taking this course will learn about laws concerning network and computer security, legal limits for accessing systems, data, and various other forms of regulations on digital information. Students in this course will also be introduced to Crimeware and how it relates to multiple areas of the application architecture.
CY325 Biometrics: Application, Technology and Management
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – CY200) This course presents the student with an introduction to biometrics as applied to computer security. The course emphasizes the biometric technologies employed in authentication, authorization, identification and access control to protect valuable computer and network resources and assets. The course examines how and why biometric systems are emerging as an increasingly important aspect of cybersecurity.
CY350 Information Security Fundamentals
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – NET229) Students taking this course will learn the fundamental skills needed to evaluate and ultimately defend the networks and clients that they manage. This course introduces students to the core concepts of security, malicious attacks, threats, and vulnerabilities. Students in this course will have an understanding of cryptography, auditing, and security operations.
CY375 Computer Forensics
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – CY350) Students taking this course will gain a solid foundation of digital computer forensics. Those in this course will understand data acquisition, digital crime scenes, and live acquisitions. Students in this course will learn to effectively mitigate the effects of digital crimes, while properly identify and processing all related evidence.
CY410 Ethical Hacking and Network Defense
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – CY375) This course introduces students to the tools and penetration testing methodologies used by ethical hackers and provides a thorough discussion the role of ethical hackers and their importance in protecting corporate and government data from cyber-attacks. Students are provided with updated computer security resources that describe new vulnerabilities and innovative methods to protect networks. The course includes a review of federal and state computer crime laws, as well as recent changes in penalties for illegal computer hacking.
IT100 Electronics and Systems
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will obtain a background in digital electronics, digital devices, digital circuits, safety, digital security, and will obtain an introduction to networking.
IT110 Network I
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT101) Students taking this course will prepare for the CompTia Net+ certification. The will use their knowledge of networking technology for local area networks (LANS), wide area networks (WANS), and the Internet.
IT111 Network II
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.— IT110) Students taking this course will obtain an understanding of networking technology for local area networks (LANS), wide area networks (WANS), and the Internet. As well as prepare them for the CompTia NET+ certification.
IT215 Client Configuration I
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT102) Students taking this course will obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to implement, administer, and troubleshoot a desktop operating system in a network environment. This course aligns with the objectives in the Microsoft certification for client configuration.
IT216 Client Configuration II
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT102) Students taking this course will obtain the knowledge and skills necessary to implement, administer, and troubleshoot a desktop operating system in a network environment. This course aligns with the objectives in the Microsoft certification for client configuration.
IT220 CISCO I
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT110, IT111) Students taking this course will obtain a strong foundation in each aspect of computer networking. This course aligns with the objectives in the ICND1 blueprint from Cisco Systems.
IT221 CISCO II
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT220) Students taking this course will obtain a strong foundation in each aspect of computer networking. This course aligns with the objectives in the ICND2 blueprint from Cisco Systems.
IT300 Linux Operations I
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– IT111) Students taking this course will build the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively deploy, manage and administer servers and clients using the Linux operating system in the enterprise and to effectively integrate devices using Linux based operating systems into the enterprise network.
IT330 Project Management for Information Technology Professionals
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—NET205) Students taking this course will develop skills in project integration, scope, time, cost, quality, human resource, communications, risk, procurement and stakeholder management as well as planning, executing, monitoring, controlling and closing processes. This course emphasizes the principles distinctive to managing information technology projects that extend well beyond standard project management requirements.
NET227 Network Server Installation and Configuration
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—NET205) Students taking this course will build the skills and knowledge necessary to implement a core Windows Server 2016 infrastructure in an enterprise environment. This course focuses on implementing, managing, maintaining, and provisioning services and infrastructure using Windows Server 2016. It covers the initial implementation and configuration of core services, such as Active Directory Domain Services, networking services, and Hyper-V configuration.
NET228 Network Server Core Services
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—NET205) Students taking this course will build the knowledge and skills necessary to implement a core Windows Server 2016 infrastructure in an enterprise environment. This course focuses on mastery of core services such as user and group management, network access, and data security.
NET229 Network Server Advanced Services
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—NET205) Students taking this course will build the skills and knowledge necessary to implement advanced Windows Server 2016 Services in an enterprise environment. This textbook focuses on mastery of fault tolerance; load balancing, failover clustering, certificate services and identity federation.
Standard Track
Electives: Select 4 (16 total credit hours required)
IT200 Technical Writing for Information Technology Professionals
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– ENG090, if applicable) Students taking this course will develop the skills necessary to produce clear and effective technical documents and reports.
IT230 Helpdesk Remote Services
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT111) Students completing this course will be able to understand concepts that a service and help desk use to solve simple to complex computer and server issues. These issues will be addressed using phone, remote services, and face to face interaction. Upon completion of the course the student will have also acquired skills necessary to measure performance and manage a service and help desk environment.
IT315 Application Development
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– IT110, IT111) This course introduces students to multiple areas of application development while stressing Python style, best practices and good programming habits. The course covers application development for clients and servers, databases, interfacing with popular Microsoft Office applications, the World Wide Web, the cloud and social media.
IT335 Principles of Cryptography
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– CY200) This course provides a practical survey of both the principles and practice of cryptography in computer security. Students are introduced to the basic concepts of cryptography and their use in protecting data and resources from disclosure, to guarantee the authenticity of data and messages, and to protect systems from network-based attacks.
IT400 Information Security Governance
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– CY200) Students in this course will learn the basic strategies and tools used for developing a business case for information security/information assurance governance and will learn how to develop and implement a strategy to increasingly integrate assurance functions to improve security, lower costs and ensure the preservation of the enterprise and its ability to operate.
NET310 Implementing Collaboration Services
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– NET229) Students taking this course will obtain the knowledge and build the skills necessary to install, configure, and administer Microsoft SharePoint in the enterprise. The course also covers managing and monitoring sites and users. This course is designed to help students prepare for and pass Microsoft Certifications.
NET315 VOIP & Unified Communications I
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– NET205) This course provides students with an introduction to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and emerging Unified Communication technology. Students will learn the component technologies, how they work, how they work together and how to employ them profitably in the enterprise.
Experiential Learning Track
CY499 Cybersecurity Externship and Capstone
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. Should be taken in last quarter of enrollment) Students will gain practical skills and hands-on experience by spending 30 clock hours in a supervised cybersecurity environment. The course will culminate in a fully functional capstone project related to cybersecurity body of knowledge and learning domains where practitioner’s approach can be applied thru prior professional experiences in this domain.
Electives: Select 3 (12 total credit hours required)
IT200 Technical Writing for Information Technology Professionals
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– ENG090, if applicable) Students taking this course will develop the skills necessary to produce clear and effective technical documents and reports.
IT230 Helpdesk Remote Services
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.—IT111) Students completing this course will be able to understand concepts that a service and help desk use to solve simple to complex computer and server issues. These issues will be addressed using phone, remote services, and face to face interaction. Upon completion of the course the student will have also acquired skills necessary to measure performance and manage a service and help desk environment.
IT315 Application Development
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– IT110, IT111) This course introduces students to multiple areas of application development while stressing Python style, best practices and good programming habits. The course covers application development for clients and servers, databases, interfacing with popular Microsoft Office applications, the World Wide Web, the cloud and social media.
IT335 Principles of Cryptography
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– CY200) This course provides a practical survey of both the principles and practice of cryptography in computer security. Students are introduced to the basic concepts of cryptography and their use in protecting data and resources from disclosure, to guarantee the authenticity of data and messages, and to protect systems from network-based attacks.
IT400 Information Security Governance
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– CY200) Students in this course will learn the basic strategies and tools used for developing a business case for information security/information assurance governance and will learn how to develop and implement a strategy to increasingly integrate assurance functions to improve security, lower costs and ensure the preservation of the enterprise and its ability to operate.
NET310 Implementing Collaboration Services
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– NET229) Students taking this course will obtain the knowledge and build the skills necessary to install, configure, and administer Microsoft SharePoint in the enterprise. The course also covers managing and monitoring sites and users. This course is designed to help students prepare for and pass Microsoft Certifications.
NET315 VOIP & Unified Communications I
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq.– NET205) This course provides students with an introduction to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and emerging Unified Communication technology. Students will learn the component technologies, how they work, how they work together and how to employ them profitably in the enterprise.
General Education: At least 1 from each discipline required; a minimum of 5 must be 300–400 level courses, 56 total credit hours required
Written and Oral Communication
ENG102* English Composition
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – ENG090 if applicable) Students taking this course will study and discuss rhetoric, style, and composition, with special emphasis on written communication skills.
ENG126 Oral Communication
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will develop the ability to express themselves effectively in public and private settings.
Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
LOG215 Thinking Critically
4 Credit Hours
This course introduces students to the process of critical thinking and offers knowledge and experience that can be applied to academic, professional, and personal growth. Students will learn to examine and evaluate the information they are exposed to, confidently select appropriate evidence from conflicting data, and craft that evidence into viable answers or solutions. Material will be drawn from examples and scenarios based on actual academic and professional situations so that the application of knowledge will easily transfer to events outside of the classroom.
LOG357* Logic and Critical Thinking
4 Credit Hours
This practical course provides students with an introduction to the art of thinking based on examining and discussing different types of reasoning and the requirements of logical consistency.
MAT101 Understanding Mathematics
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – MAT090 if applicable) Students taking this course will examine the fundamental principles of mathematical theory and grow to understand the logic and inter-relationship of various mathematical functions.
MAT214* Algebra
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – MAT090 if applicable) Students will learn algebraic problem solving, radicals, quadratic equations, polynomials, inequalities, and applied problem solving.
MAT220* Algebra and Basic Statistics
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. MAT090, if applicable) This course introduces algebra topics and basic elements of exploratory data analysis. This course will cover constructing, evaluating and analyzing mathematical models, specifically linear and exponential functions, to represent relationships in quantitative data.
MAT419 Introduction to Statistics
4 Credit Hours
(Prereq. – MAT214) Students will be introduced to common statistical methods. The focus of the course is to increase each student’s statistical literacy. Upon completion of the course students should be able to identify and perform appropriate statistical procedures, and properly interpret the results.
Arts and Humanities
ETH205 Ethics
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will study ethical thought and ideals, with emphasis on the central assumptions of personal and social morality. Students will also investigate ethics and related problems in industry, civil society, and the typical American community.
GEN241 Cultural Appreciation
4 Credit Hours
The need for cultural awareness doesn’t just apply to one’s relationship with others; conflicting cultural perspectives often exist within the individual. Students will learn to appreciate their own heritage and understand how their heritage influences their perspectives while gaining an appreciation for the cultural heritage of those around them. Students will be challenged to think and discuss their beliefs and opinions in light of cultural influence and understand how those values affect their work ethic and working relationships. Course content will incorporate experiences similar to those that will occur in the vocation’s students have chosen to study.
REL330 World Religion
4 Credit Hours
A concise examination of the historical and philosophical foundations of the major living religions of the world. Students taking this course will also explore the lives and teachings of the founders of these major religions and the cultural factors that produced them.
Social and Behavioral Sciences
GOV340 American Government
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will study constitutional principles, institutions, functions, and processes as they relate to government in the United States.
HIS290 American History 1945–Present
4 Credit Hours
This course documents the exciting political, social, and corporate events that forged the United States’ industrial and technological power from 1945 to the present.
HIS490 American Economic History
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this survey course will examine the complete range of economic ideas from ancient times to the present.
POL202 Political Science
4 Credit Hours
This course provides the student with the means and opportunity to engage their government as a concerned individual. Global political systems and principal theories will be examined and compared to events and decisions affecting each student at the local level. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to become participants in their local government and to recognize and understand the various challenges that influence local decisions. The information and skills students learn in this course may be applied to many professional fields.
PRO453 Parliamentary Procedures/ Group Dynamics
4 Credit Hours
Students taking this course will study the rules that govern the proceedings of many businesses and civic organizations. Emphasis is placed on effective group interaction and communication skills to include group dynamics, group structure, and group roles.
PSY127* Psychology
4 Credit Hours
This course provides students with an overview of the fundamental principles and methods of psychology. Topics for discussion include biological basis of behavior, sensory and perceptual processes, learning, motivation, developmental changes, personality, social behavior, and behavioral disorders.
PSY200 Human Growth and Development
4 Credit Hours
This course is designed to study human growth and development across the life span with emphasis upon normal growth and milestones achieved in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional systems. Professional consideration is given to understanding changes that occur at different stages of development, and how care and interaction with individuals needs to be appropriate for their stage of development.
SOC103 General Sociology
4 Credit Hours
This course is a combination of applied sociology, communications and interpersonal relations designed to acquaint the student with the tools for self-examination and understanding of business and social relationships.
SOC463 Social Problems
4 Credit Hours
This course explores a variety of contemporary social problems utilizing a sociological framework and a variety of theoretical perspectives. Both structural and cultural aspects of social problems will be examined and analyzed with specific focus on their origin, development, and proposed solutions. Students will evaluate current data and research and will have an opportunity to propose solutions to various social problems.
Physical/Natural Science
BIO101 Introduction to Biology
4 Credit Hours
Introduction to Biology is a general biology class for non-biology majors in which the following basic principles are explored: Characteristics of Life, Basic Biochemistry, Cell Structure and Function, Cell Metabolism and Reproduction, Genetics and Heredity, and Scientific Method. This class is intended for students who have never studied biology or who need to review basic biology.
ENV101 Environmental Science
4 Credit Hours
Environmental Science is a general course for non-biology majors in which students will explore the following basic principles: concepts required to understand interrelationships of the environment and the natural world; environmental problems both natural and man-made; risks associated with air, water, land pollution; health of humans and ecosystems; deforestation and climate change; overpopulation, and environmental law, economics, and ethics.
PER330 Personal Health
4 Credit Hours
This course provides students with an introduction to contemporary health concerns and issues. Students will discuss mental health, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, physical fitness, nutrition, and disease.
For all courses: See course description for applicable prerequisites.
* This program requires this General Education course or equivalent.
