Best Online Bachelor’s in Cybercrime Programs

The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security recently granted Bellevue University the honor of being a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity. This distinction, which will last through 2021, demonstrates the quality education cybersecurity students receive at the school. Bellevue’s bachelor of science in cybersecurity presents students with the choice to complete the program in a traditional format or as part of an accelerated cohort. The traditional format adheres to the university’s standard academic schedule, whereas the accelerated cohort follows a 54–week schedule, segmented into nine–week courses.

Regardless of program format choice, tuition cost per credit hour remains the same. Given that Bellevue University was “founded by military, for military,” the university boasts discounted tuition options for active duty service members, veterans, and dependents and spouses. Veterans benefit from academic credit for military training and service.

The curriculum for the cybersecurity degree consists of 30 core cybersecurity courses and six elective courses. Students entering the accelerated cohort must have earned at least 60 credit hours or an associate degree before enrollment. All students must complete the Kirkpatrick signature series, which educates students in western civilization institutions and traditions.

Located in New Castle, Delaware, Wilmington University has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity. WilmU’s bachelor of science in computer and network security features coursework in cryptography, programming, and firewalls. Students interested in cybercrime benefit from classes such as cyberlaw, electronic discovery, computer forensics, and criminal evidence and procedures.

WilmU’s co–op assignment presents students with an ideal opportunity to develop their resume and gain field experience. Instead of taking online courses, co–op students earn skills through hands–on work with a professional organization. The six–credit co–op program accepts applications from students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0, a minimum of 60 completed credits, and at least two remaining semesters.

Students typically complete their degree in eight semesters. While distance learners have the flexibility to fit their courses into their schedule, they must participate at least three days per week. In order to graduate, students must earn a grade of C– or above in all major courses. Approved certifications, licenses, and credentials may also count for academic credit. WilmU prides itself for being a Yellow Ribbon School and offers active duty military a discounted tuition rate.

Initially founded to offer women independence through education, the Sage Colleges first opened a campus for men in 1949. The university’s innovative and empowering mission to make education accessible to all only strengthened with the implementation of online learning. Sage’s bachelor of science in information technology and cybersecurity covers topics such as incident analysis, national cybersecurity policy, and data communications. Students complete 33 general education credits, 33 core credits, and 18 specialization credits. Distance learners choose between a capstone project or internship. This requirement gives students technological experience in a non–academic setting.

Applicants must submit official transcripts from all post–secondary institutions. Potential students must also write a one– to two–page essay about their career goals. Sage’s admission counselors evaluate transfer student transcripts on a case–by–case basis to determine the transferability of coursework from other institutions. Before applying, the school encourages transfer students to complete an associate degree or at least 40 college credits in good academic standing. Sage Online abides by a rolling admissions policy.

Located in Plainview, Texas, WBU offers a BBA in cyber security. Students in this program learn to protect valuable information, perform risk analysis, and ensure internet safety. Using raw consumer data and computer hardware and software, WBU students train with cutting edge technology to learn the most effective security measures used by industry professionals. The program at WBU offers unique opportunities for students to integrate intensive business training with modern cyber security skills. Graduates of this program work in specialty fields, such as cryptography, forensics, security analysis, and software development.

In addition to the 54–credit hour general education curriculum, and the 39–credit hour core business curriculum, those pursuing this cyber crimes degree must complete 24 major–specific course credits. Overall, WBU students complete a total of 124 credit hours for this degree, with a capstone course required during a student’s final semester. The cyber crimes degree takes about four years to complete with a full–time course load.

Online students pursuing a degree in cyber crime may be eligible for financial aid. WBU offers internal scholarships and work–study programs made possible by churches, alumni, and organizations. Online students are eligible to apply for several academic scholarships for freshmen or re–entering students. WBU also has financial awards available for transfer students, military personnel, and veterans. In most cases, students must demonstrate a need for financial aid and earn a 2.75 GPA or higher during their first semester.

The online BS in professional technology studies – computer forensics at Pace University in New York City emphasizes the critical computer skills used to secure information for large corporations, government departments, and law enforcement agencies. This computer forensics concentration teaches students to investigate computer systems and mobile devices while helping them understand networking and database management. Pace University prides itself on preparing its students for active participation in the criminal justice system, compiling relevant evidence in cases and preparing accurate testimony for court hearings.

This cyber crimes program uses the Blackboard learning environment to deliver course content. Students interact with professors and classmates to complete individual and group assignments online. Course offerings at Pace lean heavily on the legal and criminal law components of cyber crime studies. Pace may be an excellent fit for students interested in computer forensics with a secondary emphasis in crime and public policy.

An accelerated online cyber crime degree through the Seigenberg School of Computer Sciences and Information Systems can be completed in as little as two years and four months. Students must complete a total of 120 credits to graduate, with 41 major–specific credits and 19 credit hours for electives. A total of 40 credits may be transferred from another accredited institution.

Pace University does not offer internal scholarships for online students. All hopeful students must complete a FAFSA each year to be considered for federal loans and Pell grants.

Located in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin University offers a BS in cyber security that focuses on cyber security as it pertains to business. Additionally, Franklin boasts a "360–degree education" with classes in technology, policy, management, architecture, programming, database, systems, and networks.

Within Franklin University’s cyber security program, graduates gain knowledge in security architecture, web application and network security, risk management, and security law. Courses are offered asynchronously, with multiple starting points available to students during each trimester.

The cyber security program at Franklin University allows students to transfer up to 94 credit hours from an accredited institution. Transfer credits may include military training, vocational credit, professional training, proficiency exams, community college credit, and previous university credit.

For most full–time students, this cyber crimes degree can be completed in less that four years. Students with transfer credits may be able to finish sooner.

In addition to federal and state financial aid, students may help fund their degree in cyber crime with more than 50 internal scholarships offered by the school. Several scholarships are reserved for women or students majoring in specific areas, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Some Franklin undergraduates are eligible for grants that do not have to be paid back.

Located in Naples, Florida, Hodges University offers the bachelor’s of science in cybersecurity and forensics. Hodges provides online students with a well–rounded foundation in liberal arts with the practical and theoretical aspects of business. Housed in the Fisher School of Technology, graduates of this cyber crime program support computer information systems with their knowledge in cybersecurity and forensics and are eligible to earn industry recognized certifications.

Hodges University’s cybersecurity program is certified by the Committee on National Security Systems, which may help new graduates advance into the national security sector upon graduation.

With an asynchronous format, students may enter the cyber security program during any semester. The core computer information technology courses include introductory courses in web design and scripting for a total of 24 credits. Cybersecurity and forensics, totaling 40 credits, includes courses in ethical hacking and project management. The required business courses provide training in accounting principles and personal finance. With the liberal arts core courses and electives, students must complete a total of 120 credits, which usually takes about four years to complete. Students may begin six months of unlimited course access on the first day of any month, with a minimum of 12 credits per term and no limit, making this one of the most flexible online course programs available.

Hodges offers internal financial aid in the form of scholarships. Additionally, students may apply for federal and state grants that do not need to be repaid. The state of Florida offers several grant programs, both need–based and by lottery drawing.

Indian River State College, located in Fort Pierce, Florida, boasts a diverse online bachelor’s of science in information technology management/cyber security. Indian River graduates of this cyber crimes degree go on to work for businesses, government, and the military. This 60–credit hour program requires a high school–level proficiency in a foreign language in addition to a capstone course for graduation. Using the Blackboard system, students participate in courses, such as database design and administration, network technologies, computer forensics, web application development, and business management.

Applicants seeking a cyber crime degree at Indian River must possess an associate degree from a regionally accredited institution, with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in computer information technology or closely related field. Applicants must also have completed courses in A+ certification training, networking basics, introduction to computer and web programming, database management, and windows professional. Applicants who completed some but not all requirements may be eligible for provisional admission.

In–state residents pay a significantly lower amount per credit at Indian River State College. The school’s financial aid office helps students locate funding for their education and offers flexible payment plans that do not accrue interest.

In Elizabeth City, North Carolina, Elizabeth City State University offers a BS in computer networking and cyber security technology. This program is nationally accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering.

ECSU strives to prepare students for both the technological and managerial roles assumed by cyber security professionals. Students work within individual and group assignments to develop communication skills. Students pursuing a cyber crimes degree at ECSU engage in a business–heavy curriculum and must demonstrate the principles of management in the public and private sectors. Undergraduate students are also encouraged to choose a field–specific specialty. In addition to these cyber security topics, Elizabeth City State University students must also apply introductory knowledge of physics, chemistry, mathematics, statistics, and psychology to their computer technology studies.

The ECSU cyber crimes degree requires a total of 127 credit hours, with substantial flexibility for elective credits. Since any technology department credit can be counted toward the required 18 elective credit hours, students have more opportunity to tailor their degrees than most schools.

This technology department offers a variety of grants and projects to financially support student research. Hewlett–Packard, for instance, helps fund research to improve laboratory environments, introduce young students to the field, and further develop existing research programs around the country.

Located in Providence, Rhode Island, Johnson & Wales University offers a competitive bachelor’s degree in organizational risk and cyber security management. This BS in business administration teaches students essential management skills as they pertain to cyber security. From fraud, information theft, computer hacking, and terrorism, JWU graduates work to prevent any cyber activity that may disrupt normal workplace operations.

Within the 11–week semesters, students take a variety of risk management courses, such as business management, cyber security, law, accounting, and human resource management. Johnson & Wales University specializes in fraud examination, information security, cyber crimes, enterprise risk management, risk analysis, and loss prevention. Many students in this program acquire a minor concentration in human resource management to grow their qualifications before entering their career field. This minor, which can be integrated with the major curriculum, consists of 22.5 credit hours. Full–time students can complete the full 180–credit hour degree in cyber security in four years.

Applicants for this cyber security degree must have at least two full years of full–time work experience after high school graduation. Degree candidates must also display proficiency in mathematics and advanced composition.

While seeking a cyber security degree from JWU, students often apply for grants to offset the cost of tuition. Grants do not have to be repaid and are obtained through the federal government, Rhode Island, or private organizations and civic groups. JWU also makes a strong effort to arrange employer reimbursement programs, wherein students’ employers pay a specified percentage of their tuition.

Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia offers 128 online majors, including a bachelor’s of science degree in cyber and digital forensics. Highly, integrated with the criminal justice program, Regent’s BS in cyber and digital forensics equips students to combat cyberattacks and other online security breaches. This Christian university incorporates faith–based instruction into each program.

Regent University’s graduates go on to work as computer systems analysts, network and systems engineers, cyber risk managers, network applications supervisors, and intelligence investigators.

For full–time students, this 120–credit hour program can be completed over the course of four years, which includes taking one class during two summer semesters. Students may take classes either entirely online or a hybrid of on–campus and online. All students select core general education courses, many of which are faith–centered philosophy courses. This cyber crimes degree is also heavily rooted in mathematics, including statistics, calculus, and discrete mathematics. Students seeking a degree in cyber security may also consider earning a minor in one of several government and national security areas, such as homeland security, international relations and foreign policy, or political philosophy.

Students at Regent University apply for federal and state financial aid in addition to scholarships and grants offered from private organizations. Approximately, 88% of Regent students receive some form of financial aid. Regent is also in the top 5% of most affordable colleges in the United States.

New York’s Utica College offers an online cyber crime degree as a part of its respected center for identity management and information protection. This bachelor’s of science in cybersecurity with a specialization in cyber crime and fraud investigation functions, in part, as a collaborative effort by the school to advance data security, identity management, and information sharing technology. Students in this program explore unique approaches and best practices to maintain the highest level of security in the field.

Techniques and methods taught at Utica College come from federal agencies and well–known national corporations, such as the FBI, United States Secret Service, United States Marshals, TransUnion, and Northrop Grumman. This program is recognized by numerous national security agencies, including the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and the National Security Agency.

Those pursuing this 127–credit hour degree in cyber crime at Utica College may specialize in one of four available options, including network and intrusion investigation, information assurance, cyber crime and fraud investigation, or cyber operations.

Part–time students can complete this cyber security degree in approximately three years. By taking more than six credits a semester, students may finish sooner. Applicants must hold an associate degree or have earned a minimum of 57 credits from a four–year institution prior to enrolling in the program. Degree seekers do not need a background or training in computer science to apply.

The University of Texas at San Antonio, offers a competitive online bachelor’s of business administration in cyber security with a specialization in digital forensics. As one of the first programs to be certified by the National Security Agency as a center of academic excellence, UTSA’s online degree in cyber crime prepares students for in–demand security positions. UTSA boasts an on–campus research center called the Cyber Center for Security and Analytics. This center helps pioneer innovative, world–class education programs and student–led research. Prospective students who anticipate a research–intensive career in their future may find the program at UTSA especially enticing.

In this 120–credit hour cyber crime degree, students spend four years taking core curriculum courses and standard technology or business courses required for all BBA degree candidates. Located within the college of business, the general courses for this major at the University of Texas at San Antonio are business–intensive. Of the 120 total credits, 21 consist of major degree content, exploring programming concepts, object–oriented programming, operating systems security, and network security. Students pursuing a cyber crimes degree must also take 12 credits of elective courses to support their major.

Financial aid is available through the university in addition to federal or state assistance. All students must fill out a FAFSA in order to be considered for funding. Scholarships through UTSA have a need–based component, some of which are reserved for incoming freshman or transfer students. Work–study employment opportunity programs are available and function as a way for students to earn tuition while gaining on–the–job training.

In Cocoa, Florida, Eastern Florida State College offers the bachelor’s of applied science in computer information systems and technology. This cyber crime degree has a specialization in cybersecurity that prepares students for entry–level positions in database security, network security, application software security, and forensics. Graduates of EFSC go on to pursue professional careers as software developers, database administrators, web developers, computer forensics technicians, and network security analysts.

At EFSC, synchronous courses are offered in 12– and 16–week formats. Applicants for this 120–credit degree in cyber crime must hold an associate degree or higher. EFSC degree candidates in this program with an associate in arts degree may be required to complete additional math and science courses. All students must be competent in applicable calculus and physics knowledge prior to graduation. Advisors may add technical elective courses to a student’s curricula in order to remedy any missing or unsatisfactory mathematical or science training. As a special feature, students with a degree from another state institution in Florida may receive up to 36 general education credits toward this degree.

Full–time students can expect to complete this cyber crimes degree in about four years.

All students must submit a FAFSA in order to be considered for state and federal funding. Eastern Florida State College offers numerous scholarships based on scholastic achievement or special talent, while others focus on financial need.

The bachelor’s of science in cybersecurity at Hallmark University in San Antonio, Texas, features a state–of–the–art training program. Using simulation exercises and scenarios and hands–on labs to teach computer technology and security concepts, this cyber crimes degree readies students to be competitive members of the cyber security workforce. This cyber crime program connects students with major companies in the information technology field, including Microsoft, Cisco, VMWare, and CompTIA, who help Hallmark stay current with the latest technological advancements. Prospective students are encouraged to tour the facilities while visiting campus for their required admissions interview.

This competency–based program specializes in teaching students how to orchestrate critical infrastructure services, identify instances of cybersecurity attacks, remedy the situation, and implement new plans to avoid similar attacks in the future. Hallmark University graduates also learn how to restore information and restabilize network systems following a cyberattack. As a unique feature, students seeking this degree in cyber crime may choose to incorporate courses offered in other specializations within the information technology department.

For full–time online students, this program takes 28 months to complete. Part–time students may take credits at their own pace but must consult with an academic advisor to secure a general timeline for degree completion. Students may take courses entirely online or as a hybrid format that includes traditional on–campus courses.

Students must complete a FAFSA in order to be considered for financial aid. Hallmark does not offer internal scholarships for online students.