Cybersecurity, A.A.S.

NOVA’s AAS in Cybersecurity prepares students, both mid-career professionals and newcomers to the workforce, for careers as cybersecurity technicians or analysts. NOVA provides them with the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities identified in the National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Workforce Framework 2.0 and the National Security Agency/Department of Homeland Security criteria for Centers of Academic Excellence (CAEs). Proximity to the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region makes NOVA the ideal place to study and search for a job upon completion of the program.

Cybersecurity is an "applied" degree that transfers to more than four regional institutions, including:

George Mason University's Bachelor's of Applied Science in Cybersecurity
The George Washington University College of Professional Studies BS in Integrated Information Science, and Technology
Marymount University BS in Information Technology
UMUC's BS in Computer Networks and Security degree

Speak to an advisor about more transfer agreements being identified.

Make the Smart Choice

Cybersecurity transfers easily to several nearby four-year schools. But you’ll want to be aware of the requirements of individual institutions. Let us help make your transfer easy.
Our course selection puts you at the forefront of the defense of our digital infrastructure. Take a look at what you could be studying.

I decided to attend NOVA because it was a nice transition from a four-year university and at the time I was still exploring what I wanted to do next. I later learned about NOVA’s cybersecurity program, it held a distinguished reputation and I felt like it would be a great start into considering a career in that particular field. Prior to becoming a student, I didn’t know anything about cybersecurity or information technology. NOVA helped me to develop my skills and I’ve been here ever since, gaining the hands-on experience I need to become a cybersecurity professional.

Briana Jamison

Where Will I Learn?
- Alexandria
- Annandale
- Loudoun
- Manassas
- Woodbridge
Transfer Information

Transfer is not the primary purpose of an A.A.S. program, but NOVA has articulation agreements and arrangements that facilitate the transfer of this degree to selected senior institutions. Students interested in transfer should contact their academic advisor early in the program for specific course requirements.

Course Details

Two Years			Credits
1st Semester
ENG	111	College Composition I	3
ITE	152	Introduction to Digital and Information Literacy and Computer Applications	3
Choose One
ITN	101	Introduction to Network Concepts	3
ITN	100	Introduction to Telecommunications	3
ITN	106	Microcomputer Operating Systems	3
¹MTH	154	Quantitative Reasoning OR Higher	3
SDV	101	Orientation to Information Technology	1
Total			16
2nd Semester
ITP	100	Software Design	3
Choose One
ITN	107	Personal Computer Hardware and Troubleshooting	3
ITE	221	Personal Computer Hardware and OS Architecture	3
Choose One
ITN	170	Linux System Administration	3
ITN	171	UNIX I	3
ITN	260	Network Security Basics	3
ITN	261	Network Attacks, Computer Crime, and Hacking	4
Total			16
3rd Semester
²ITP		Programming Elective	4
ITN	200	Administration of Network Resources	3
ITN	262	Network Communication, Security, and Authentication	4
ITN	263	Internet/Intranet Firewalls and E-Commerce Security	4
ITN	266	Network Security Layers	3
Total			18
4th Semester
³CST		Elective	3
⁴		Humanities/Fine Arts Elective	3
⁵ITN		Elective	3
ITN	276	Computer Forensics I	3
⁶		Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective	3
Total			15
Total credits for the Associate of Applied Science = 65

Two Years	Credits
1st Semester
College Composition I ENG 111	3
Introduction to Digital and Information Literacy and Computer Applications ITE 152	3
Choose One
Introduction to Network Concepts ITN 101	3
Introduction to Telecommunications ITN 100	3
Microcomputer Operating Systems ITN 106	3
Quantitative Reasoning OR Higher ¹MTH 154	3
Orientation to Information Technology SDV 101	1
Total	16
2nd Semester
Software Design ITP 100	3
Choose One
Personal Computer Hardware and Troubleshooting ITN 107	3
Personal Computer Hardware and OS Architecture ITE 221	3
Choose One
Linux System Administration ITN 170	3
UNIX I ITN 171	3
Network Security Basics ITN 260	3
Network Attacks, Computer Crime, and Hacking ITN 261	4
Total	16
3rd Semester
Programming Elective ²ITP	4
Administration of Network Resources ITN 200	3
Network Communication, Security, and Authentication ITN 262	4
Internet/Intranet Firewalls and E-Commerce Security ITN 263	4
Network Security Layers ITN 266	3
Total	18
4th Semester
Elective ³CST	3
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective ⁴	3
Elective ⁵ITN	3
Computer Forensics I ITN 276	3
Social/Behavioral Sciences Elective ⁶	3
Total	15
Total credits for the Associate of Applied Science = 65

IT courses used for this program may not be more than 10 years old, unless approved by academic dean.

¹ May substitute a higher-level mathematics course. Consult with an academic advisor for appropriate selection.

² Select from the following: ITP 120, ITP 132, ITP 150, ITP 225 or ITP 270.

³ Select from the following: CST 100, CST 110, CST 126, and CST 229.

⁴See humanities/fine arts courses listed under General Education Electives. Electives should be selected with advice of a counselor or academic advisor to meet the requirements of the transfer institution.

⁵ Select from the following: ITN 267, ITN 277, ITN 290, or ITN 295.

⁶See social/behavioral science courses listed under General Education Electives. Elective should be selected with advice of a counselor or facultyadvisor to meet the requirements of the transfer institution.

Related Programs

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Cybersecurity is in demand – and we want you to be a part of this emerging field. Get in touch to ask our advisors questions. Then enroll and join the future.

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Cybersecurity, A.A.S.

Make the Smart Choice

Where Will I Learn?

Transfer Information

Course Details

Related Programs

Secure Your Place at NOVA