Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity 

Earning a degree while working full-time or raising a family has never been more possible. Here’s why adult students are thriving and reaching their goals at SNU:

• Classes take place entirely online.
• Students focus on one class at a time to ensure true mastery and prevent overwhelm.
• You can earn up to 30 hours of college credit for what you already know.
• Earn up to 9 hours of college credit from field-specific credentials, certifications, or other professional development
• Students study alongside other adults in similar stages of life.
• Instructors with vast amounts of industry experience guide students through courses.
• Textbooks are delivered directly to your door at the beginning of each class.
• A dedicated student success advisor guides students through the duration of your studies.

Cybersecurity professionals strive to protect data and information systems from threats of any type. They also design security systems that will deter bad actors from hacking into a firm's information systems.

Earning a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from SNU opens doors to a rapidly growing field, with high demand for professionals skilled in protecting data and systems from cyber threats. The program provides hands-on training in areas such as network security, ethical hacking, and risk management. With the increasing frequency of cyberattacks, organizations in industries like finance, healthcare, and government are seeking qualified cybersecurity experts to safeguard sensitive information. A degree in this field also offers strong job security and competitive salaries.

Graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity are hired by a wide range of organizations, including government agencies, financial institutions, healthcare organizations, and tech companies. Employers such as the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, and large corporations like Google or Microsoft seek cybersecurity experts to protect sensitive data and prevent cyberattacks. Additionally, roles are available in sectors like energy, education, and retail, where cybersecurity is critical to safeguarding information systems and ensuring compliance with regulations.

A Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity from SNU prepares graduates for various high-demand roles in the tech and security sectors. These include positions such as information security analyst, network security engineer, and ethical hacker. Graduates can also pursue roles like cybersecurity consultant or risk manager, where they are responsible for designing and implementing security measures to protect organizations from cyber threats. The program's focus on ethical hacking, network defense, and risk management equips students for both private sector jobs and roles in government agencies.

Graduates with a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity can expect an average salary that ranges between $70,000 and $100,000, depending on job roles and experience. Positions such as Cybersecurity Analyst and Network Engineer are particularly common, with cybersecurity analysts earning a median salary of around $91,000, and network engineers earning similar figures. Senior roles like Cybersecurity Engineers can offer even higher salaries, reaching up to $127,000 annually​.

SNU uses state-of-the-art labs and simulation to teach cybersecurity skills needed to perform key cybersecurity functions on the job. In addition, all of the faculty are industry professionals with years and decades of experience.

You will learn many new skills and gain the knowledge you need to add value from day one. There are also several key certifications you should consider obtaining and the curriculum prepares you to take the certification exams.

This program costs $499 per credit hour, with 39 hours totaling $19,461.

Networking opportunities exist online, and while job placement is not currently offered, there are multiple opportunities for in-person networking at SNU career fairs, the annual Women in Leadership Symposium, and SNU's monthly Business and Leadership Network.

Pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity at SNU offers hands-on, real-world experience in network defense, ethical hacking, and risk management. The program integrates Christian values and ethical principles, helping students not only excel technically but also lead with integrity in the field. With flexible online learning options, students can balance education with personal commitments while preparing for a high-demand career in sectors like finance, healthcare, and government, where cybersecurity skills are essential. SNU’s commitment to small class and cohort sizes ensures personalized attention and mentorship.

Credit hours: 3
Following the Network+ Exam objectives, this course will introduce basic networking concepts, including DNS, DHCP, VLANs, wireless, cloud technologies, and the OSI model. 

Credit hours: 3
This course will introduce the main concepts within Windows Server administration and Active Directory domains. It focuses on user administration within Active Directory, file sharing and permissions, DHCP, DNS, and Group Policy especially regarding the relationship between these and Information Security.

Credit hours: 3
This course examines adult life experiences as a foundation for experiential learning. By reflecting on the concepts of adult development theories and an individual’s personal life experiences, the course will explore how those factors influence and help individuals to interpret life situations and circumstances in terms of relationships, personal decision making and future applications.

Credit hours: 3
This course discusses the Linux command line interface and basic scripting within the BASH shell. Students will learn to configure the OS and manage files, permissions, and how to manipulate data using the CLI.

Credit hours: 3
This course will cover the integration of industry recognized cybersecurity frameworks (RMF, NIST CSF) into a network policy and analyze prior real-world network breaches (Target, Equifax, Sony, etc.) to see where policy and practice failed.

Credit hours: 3
Using the objectives included in the CompTIA Security+ exam, the class examines network and computer security defense mechanisms, and offers practical tools, tips, and techniques to counter attackers. This includes many hands-on projects to assist in the learning.

Credit hours: 3
This course will teach the use of Palo Alto Firewalls focusing on their role in monitoring and mitigating network intrusions. Students will learn to configure a firewall and analyze its purpose and use within a network.

Credit hours: 3
This course reflects the mission statement and the goals of Southern Nazarene University. It is committed to fostering increased awareness of the Bible which is foundational to understanding Western culture and history. The three major western faiths‐Judaism, Christianity, and Islam‐are rooted within the Holy Scriptures. The course content and format are not designated to intimidate, indoctrinate, or to evangelize. The course is designed to set the Bible in its historical and literary context. The Biblical heritage will then provide the student with rich resources to creatively understand his/her faith in the contemporary world.

Credit hours: 3
This class introduces the skills and strategies needed to test a network environment and reveal vulnerabilities. This will take a Red Team approach to discover and exploit vulnerabilities, elevate access, and establish persistence of presence.

Credit hours: 3 This course provides an in-depth evaluation of the global laws, governing institutions, regulations,
standards, and best practices through the use of ethical frameworks and biblical principles.
Students gain culturally based knowledge and skills required to develop, implement, and evaluate
processes and procedures intended to protect the organization from unethical actions and legal
violations on a global scale.

Credit hours: 3
In this course, students will be taught how to work with data and equipment during a network incident and how to collect forensic data from machines and the network to aid in an investigation.

Credit hours: 3
In this class, students will build a network detection system using virtual machines to learn how to place and monitor sensors. It will emphasize the placement of sensors, the collection and analysis of data, and mitigation of attacks using the concept of the Cyber Kill Chain. It will also cover Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) and its application in network detection and defense.

Credit hours: 3The role and responsibilities of Information Management and Technology have increased and
expanded considerably in recent years. This course provides an evaluation of the roles, leadership
responsibilities, and day-to-day operations of the IT department and how it interacts,
communicates across cultures, and supports the organization in meeting the mission and goals in
an efficient and secure manner.