Cybersecurity, A.A.S.

Associate of Applied Science

Campuses: Alexandria, Annandale, Loudoun, Manassas, NOVA Online, Woodbridge

This curriculum is designed for those who seek employment in the field of Cybersecurity (information assurance), for those who are presently in IT or a security field and who desire to increase their knowledge and update their skills, and for those who must augment their abilities in other fields with knowledge and skills in information security. The curriculum is mapped to the NSA/DHS Knowledge Units necessary for NOVA's designation as a Center of Academic Excellence.

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.

Recommended Preparation Information

The student should possess a proficiency in high school English, high school algebra and geometry, and computer keyboarding skills.

Course Curriculum

Below is a table that shows the courses needed to satisfy this program. Please speak with an advisor to ensure you meet your program requirements.

Two Years			Credits
1st Semester
ENG	111	College Composition I	3
Choose One
ITE	115	Intro. to Computer Applications and Concepts	3
ITE	119	Information Literacy
Choose One
ITN	101	Introduction to Network Concepts	3
ITN	100	Introduction to Telecommunications
ITN	106	Microcomputer Operating Systems	3
Choose One
¹MTH	154	Quantitative Reasoning	3
SDV	101	Orientation to Information Technology
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
Choose One
ITN	170	Linux System Administration	3
ITN	171	UNIX I
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 ECommerce 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
Choose One
Intro. to Computer Applications and Concepts ITE 115	3
Information Literacy ITE 119
Choose One
Introduction to Network Concepts ITN 101	3
Introduction to Telecommunications ITN 100
Microcomputer Operating Systems ITN 106	3
Choose One
Quantitative Reasoning ¹MTH 154	3
Orientation to Information Technology SDV 101
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
Choose One
Linux System Administration ITN 170	3
UNIX I ITN 171
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 ECommerce 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.