Associate Degree in Cyber Security Online Courses

Flexible

With no set class meeting times, you can learn on your schedule and access online course materials 24/7.

Affordable

Take advantage of some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation, plus financial aid for those who qualify. We also make it easy to transfer to SNHU by accepting up to 90 credits for a bachelor's degree and 45 credits for an associate degree from your previous institution.

Respected

Founded in 1932, Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution with over 100,000 graduates across the country. SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), which advocates for institutional improvement and public assurance of quality.

Recently, Southern New Hampshire University has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:

• “Most Innovative” regional university honors from U.S. News & World Report each year since 2015
• A $1 million grant from Google.org to explore soft skills assessments for high-need youth
• Recognition as a 2017 Digital Learning Innovator by the Online Learning Consortium

Networking

As an SNHU student, you can tap into a powerful network of peers, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate your industry.

Opportunities to prepare you for your career:

• Technology competitions: Outside the classroom, participate in National Cyber League (NCL) competitions to demonstrate cyber expertise valued by employers. SNHU students and teams have multiple Top 10 finishes and fielded the first all-female team.
• Technology conferences: SNHU also sends leading female technology students to the annual Grace Hopper Celebration of Women of Computing, the world's largest conference and hiring fair for women technologists, as well as the Women in Cyber Security Symposium (WiCyS).
• Cyber Security Center of Excellence: Through our Cyber Security Center of Excellence, SNHU proudly supports cyber security students across the globe. To learn more about our contributions to the field, and connect with our academic leaders, visit our Cyber Security Center of Excellence page.

96.5% of students would recommend SNHU.² Discover why SNHU may be right for you.

Part of our mission to expand access to quality higher education means removing the barriers that may stand between you and your degree. That’s why you can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials.

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 6 (8-week) undergraduate terms.

Simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options, answer all your questions and walk you through the application process. Start by:

• Completing a free undergraduate application
• Providing previous institutions attended – so we can retrieve transcripts for you at no cost

Test scores are not required as part of your application.

Notes: 

• Laptop or desktop?  Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style, though laptops tend to offer more flexibility. 

• Note:  Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be used for some course functions, they cannot be your primary device. SNHU does, however, have an affordable laptop option that it recommends: Dell Latitude 3301 with Windows 10. 

• Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. Review system requirements for Microsoft 365 plans for business, education and government. 

• Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers. 

The short answer is, yes. While many employers do seek candidates with a bachelor's degree, an associate can help put you on track to pursue some entry-level roles. You may, for example, qualify for positions such as:

• Cybersecurity specialist
• Cybersecurity technician
• Cybersecurity analyst

This all depends on the degree. At SNHU, our curriculum is industry-aligned and features practical application throughout. That means you'll build the skills you need to succeed in a number of different industries.

“The classes are 100% online but [also include some] hands-on labs where you learn how to use industry-standard tools and techniques," said Dr. Denise Kinsey, technical program facilitator of cyber security programs at SNHU.

An associate in cybersecurity presents opportunities to use technology in a meaningful way. For this reason, those interested in areas like psychology and criminal justice may be well-suited for this career track.

"Cybersecurity touches every aspect of our lives, from the physical locks on our doors, to our financial and medical records, our ability to communicate and share information, and essentially function in today’s world," Dr. Kinsey said. "The skills you learn in [these courses] will provide the basis for protecting that information."

Earning your associate degree is just one factor. The amount you make will also vary depending on years of experience, location, past credentials and job title. That said, the BLS does note promising earning potential for cybersecurity professionals – even for those entering the field.

• Information security analysts, an occupation the BLS predicts will grow 31% through 2029, earned an annual median salary of $103,590 in May 2020.¹ It should be noted that typical entry-level education for these roles is a bachelor's.¹ However, this is a highly desired field that could be a strong option for those looking to build their skills and continue their education in cybersecurity.
• Computer support specialists earned an annual median salary of $55,510 in May 2020.¹ While some in the field have attained a bachelor's degree, not all employees require it – making these jobs particularly attractive for those with an associate degree.¹
• Network and computer system administrators, on the other hand, reportedly earned a median annual salary of $84,810 in May 2020.¹ The BLS notes that, while most employers seek bachelor's level attainment, a postsecondary certificate or associate degree could be a sufficient entryway for some.¹
• Computer systems analysts are also paid well above the national average for all occupations.¹ In May 2020, computer systems analysts reported earning a median salary of $93,730.¹ While many in the field have a bachelor's, it's worth noting that even the lowest 10% earners made about $56,510 that year.¹

It's important to note, too, that further degree attainment may result in higher earning potential and lower unemployment rates – even outside of cybersecurity.

According to the BLS, associate degree holders earned a median weekly salary of $938 in May 2020.¹ By comparison, those with a bachelor's earned $1305 weekly.¹ That's a 39% increase in pay. And those with a master's earn even more.¹

That's why at SNHU we also offer a seamless transfer from your AS in Cyber Security to a BS in Cyber Security. We even offer an online master's in cyber security, if you want to keep going.

Generally, for a part-time student (one class per term) with no transfer credits, an associate degree in as few as 2 years. But at SNHU, we offer pathways to fast-track your goals, too.

First, we accept up to 45 transfer credits for all associate-level programs. Of these credits, 21 are for general education courses. That means, even if you have previous college credits that aren't necessarily in the field of cybersecurity, you could still position yourself to earn a degree faster.

Next, our online class schedules can give you the flexibility you need to graduate sooner. Full-time students take 2 courses per term. Even without transfer credits under your belt, that could mean finishing your degree in a little over 1.5 years instead of 2.

Finally, with six 8-week terms per year, you progress from one class to the next, without ever losing momentum.

And if, for whatever reason, you need to take a term off, you'll have the ability to do that, too.

The price of your associate degree in cyber security depends on multiple factors – such as cost of tuition, credits to complete, number of transfer credits and more. At SNHU, we're proud to say we offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the nation – and we've kept them that way for about a decade.

As a university built for people, not for profit, our mission is to make education as affordable as possible.

That's why the cost per credit for our AS in Cyber Security is $320. With 60 credits required to complete the program, that means a total tuition cost of $19,200.

If you have previous education credits, you could transfer them to lower the cost of your degree even more.

You may also be eligible for one of our merit-based scholarships, grants and tuition discounts. U.S. Active Duty, National Guard and Selected Reserve and the spouses of those on active duty, for example, may be eligible for up to 30% tuition discounts.

Curious about more ways to save? Talk to one of our financial advisors to learn more.

Everybody's pathway is different, but there are 2 major advantages that can help you land a role in the industry: education and networking.

The AS in Cyber Security is affordable, fast and aligned with industry standards – making it a great place to start. We also offer some exciting networking opportunities as part of the program.

For example:

National Cyber League (NCL). If you're looking for hands-on experience, the National Cyber League is a fun and engaging way to enter the arena.

Terry Winn, an adjunct instructor at SNHU, describes NCL as a “capture-the-flag” style competition. "With a small out-of-pocket cost, [you're given] a training platform and compete in various events to further hone [your] cybersecurity skills," he said. "You'll get hands-on experience with many of the cybersecurity tools being used in the field today."

SNHU students and teams have had multiple Top 10 finishes over the years – and even fielded the first-ever all-female team. Not only that, but NCL can also help prepare you to sit for formal certification examinations.

Technology conferences. At SNHU, we recognize how challenging it can be for women to break into technology professions – especially women of color and those within LGBTQ+ communities.

That's why we select leading female technology students each year to attend the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women of Computing, the world's largest conference and hiring fair for women technologists. We also send students to the Women in Cyber Security Symposium (WiCyS) each year, adding to our continued efforts to level the field for diverse talent in STEM.

¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet, at:

• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists.htm#tab-1 (viewed May 17, 2021)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/network-and-computer-systems-administrators.htm#tab-1 (viewed May 17, 2021)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-systems-analysts.htm#tab-1 (viewed May 17, 2021)
• https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm#tab-1 (viewed May 17, 2021)
• https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm (viewed May 17, 2021)

Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.

² According to more than 9,200 SNHU online students in survey responses from the fall of 2019.