Best Online IT Security Degrees

Overview

American Public University kicks off our list of the top online bachelors degrees in Information Systems Security for a number of reasons: its affordability (it has one of the cheapest tuitions at $270 per credit), its respectable return on investment (graduates report early career earnings as high as $59,000 annually), and its respected status as a military-affiliated school. American Public University is an online educational system that encompasses two separate schools: American Military University and American Public University.

Features

Offered through American Military University, the online Bachelor of Science in Information Systems Security is a 4-year program that draws together the elements of network engineering, educational theory, and information security to give you exposure to the field on all levelsfrom networks to open source systems to security policy. Because of AMUs strong roots in military, you can be assured that this 122-credit-hour curriculum is designed by the leaders in the industry. You can go a number of different directions with this degreeit offers eight different concentrationsbut the core courses in information systems security include:

Notables

Out of the over 88,000 students at American Public University, over 50 percent of them are either active military personnel or past military. Fittingly, then, APU goes the extra mile to welcome them in; many enable GI benefits and military financial aid for their schooling. Its understood to be the top provider of higher education to US military.

Overview

Drexel University, a private research university based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is known for housing one of the oldest and most extensive cooperative education programs (co-op) in the country, which combines real-world work with academic instruction. Drexel is also one of the first universities to offer online degree programs since launching the program initially in 1996. Now, over ten years later, Drexel University Online has broadened its curriculum to offer over 100 fully accredited masters, bachelors and certificate programs.

Features

At Drexel University, youll get the chance to earn an online Bachelors degree in Computing and Security Technology, which will equip you to jump into a role in government, non-profit, or corporate business and technology. The curriculum branches into two concentrations: Computing Security or Computing Technology. The 188-credit-hour curriculum weaves together a foundation of Information Science courses and then specializes in other systems. The security concentration includes some of the following classes:

Notables

Ranked among the top 100 national universities this year by US News World Report (its listed at number 96), Drexel University enjoys a strong research base throughout its number of academic schools and colleges. In fact, this kind of high research activity earned Drexel University a number 14 spot in a list of Most Innovative Schools.

Overview

The University of Illinois Springfield, one of three schools in the larger University of Illinois system, is a public institution that enrolls around 5,400 students each year. Its online program, one of the oldest in the country, got off the ground in 1999. The online program has won numerous awards (it ranks 11th according to the US Guide to Online Schools) and delivers over 40 different degrees entirely online.

Features

The Computer Science department at the University of Illinois Springfield delivers an online Bachelors degree in Information Systems Security. Recognized as a certified National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education, this degree program is acknowledged by the NSA as well as the Department of Homeland Security. Throughout the 120 credit hours, youll get the chance to dip your toes in both securing systems and assessing systems for potential gaps. Some of the classes you can expect to take are:

Notables

When it comes to notoriety in the region, the University of Illinois Springfield is in good standing. For example, it was recently named the 63rd Best Regional University in the Midwest, by US News World Report, and it also earned a number 8 spot on a list of Top Public Schools in the Midwest. The Computer Science department brings in the highest number of undergraduate students at the University of Illinois Springfield.

Overview

Kennesaw State University is a public research university that is located just outside of Atlanta, Georgia. Known as one of the top fifty largest universities in the United States, Kennesaw state enrolls close to 34,500 students each year in five branch campuses throughout Georgia. Kennesaw State offers over 70 online degrees to its students using Brightspace, a highly reputable learning management system.

Features

The Coles College of Business houses Kennesaw Universitys online Bachelors degree in Information Security Assurance. Kennesaw gives students the option to fit in the degree either as a major or a minor, but both tracks combine foundational business courses with basic information technology courses. If an online degree wasnt flexible enough, Kennesaw also plots out a 2-year degree completion plan. Some of the highlight information security courses in this program include:

Notables

The Computer Science and Information Systems department at Kennesaw State University has the unique distinction of overseeing the electronic voting machines in Georgias local and state elections. As a school, US News World Report ranked it 31st in its list of Best Universities in the South Region. Kennesaw State also takes good care of its military personnel and veterans. In 2014, it was named 30th in the nation for Best Colleges for Veterans.

Overview

Founded by Jerry Falwell as Lynchburg Baptist College, Liberty University is now the largest evangelical Christian university in the world. With its main campus located in Virginia, Liberty University Online delivers degree programs to students from all over the world. Established in 2009, LU Online enrolls close to 100,000 students annually.

Features

At Liberty University, youll earn a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems with a focus in Information Assurance. In addition to quality instruction in networking systems, digital forsenics, and data management, you can bolster your hireability by earning further certifications in areas like JAVA and Cisco. Liberty requires that all students take classes in Christianity as a general education requirement. However, some of the information security courses included in the degree are:

Notables

Along with Liberty Universitys extensive online learning network, the school is known for its political conservatism. Young Americas Foundation regularly lists the school in the top 10 most conservative colleges in the nation. When it comes to online rankings, US News World Report gave Liberty University a 79th ranking among other online bachelors programs in the nation.

Overview

A small, private university located just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Robert Morris University (RMU) found its inception in 1921. RMU typically caters to students from the larger Pittsburgh area, although its online platform broadens the scope of its demographics. RMU Online features degrees in nursing and health care, education, criminal justice, engineering, and information technology.

Features

The Bachelor of Science in Cyber Forensics Info Security at Robert Morris University is a fully online program that uses a building blocks model to Information Security. The degree starts you off by laying a foundation in basic programming, giving you the option of learning Java, C++, Visual C#, and others. Then you branch into specialized networking classes, like Advanced Cobol Programming and Advanced M Cache Programming. From there, youll top off your 123-credit-hour program by taking 18 credits in Information Security. Some of those include:

Notables

Even though Robert Morris Universitys enrollment is just around 5,000 students, its online capabilities have made a big impression in the world of rankings. In US News World Reports Best Online Universities of 2017, RMU ranked in the top 10 percent in the nation. Within the state of Pennsylvania, Educemic named it the 3rd Top Pennsylvania Online School.

Overview

The University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) is a public university that is part of the seven-school University of Maine system. In total, the system is home to over 34,000 students, though UMA enrolls just 6,000 students throughout its three core campuses: Augusta, Bangor, and the online platform. UMA also offers online services to US National Guard troops in Afghanistan.

Features

The Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems at University of Maine at Augusta is delivered 100 percent online, with concentration areas in data science, software development, web design, networking, and information systems security. The information systems security concentration features ten core classes with content that spans security management, law, and implementation. Some of the highlight courses youll get to take are:

Notables

The University of Maine at Augusta is maybe a small fish in a large pond, but it remains a strong contender among other online bachelors programs. For five years in a row, it has landed a spot in US News World Reports list of Best Online Bachelors Programs, including 2017, where it ranked 48th in the nation.

Overview

Established in 1965 as a way to educate former military personnel after their service, Colorado Technical University (CTU) is a for-profit university that serves close to 21,000 students at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-graduate level. The headquarters for the school is based in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado, but the university is primarily an online educator, with over 90 percent of its students earn their degrees via distance learning.

Features

Network security is the top priority in Colorado Technical Universitys Bachelor of Science in Cyber Security degree, which focuses specifically on computer systems security. This program helps you find your niche in virtually any area of interesthealthcare, banking, government. All systems need to be secure! In addition to the core curriculum, CTU also offers certification in Security+ and Network+, both widely recognized credentials that will serve you well in the field. Beyond that, the 186-credit-hour program features a number of unique information security classes:

Notables

Since Colorado Technical University focuses so much of its energy toward online learning, its no surprise that it performs well in all of its online academic areasbusiness, engineering, health sciences, security studies, and information systems/technology. It landed in the top 100 online bachelors programs (81st in the nation) according to US News World Report, and it consistently is recognized as a Best for Vets school by Military Times.

Overview

A multi-campus university that is based in Parkville, Missouri, Park University is a private institution with a long history, dating back to 1875. Its 40 campuses are spread out across the United States, and enroll close to 23,000 students annually, many of whom are associated with the US military. Park University is widely known as a military-friendly school, and has been consistently lauded by Military Times.

Features

Park University takes a breadth over depth approach to their Bachelor of Science in Information and Computer Science degree, which is oftentimes a wise way to design your undergraduate course load. You can choose to specialize in one of five concentration areas: Computer Science, Data Management, Information Technology, Software Development, and Networking and Security. Overall the degree requires 120 credit hours, though you can expect to take around 45 credits related to the major. Within the Networking and Security concentration, youll get the chance to immerse yourself in some of the following courses:

Notables

For its status as a private institution, Park University has stand-out tuition rates that rank both nationwide and in its region (the online bachelors degree costs $399 per credit). For example, Park University is the number 1 most affordable private university in the Midwest, and the 7th most affordable private school in the United States. Quality education for a good price!

Overview

Offered 100 percent online, with a headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah, Western Governors University (WGU) is a private, nonprofit university that reaches over 78,000 students per year. Unique to WGUs program, students take classes through a competency-based learning modelthe first of its kind in higher educationwhich means the students move through their degree by mastering certain academic milestones. WGU offers degrees through in four areas: business, information technology, education, and the health professions.

Features

Western Governors University features a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a focus in Security. The curriculum blends together a smattering of general education credits alongside the core major requirements. In addition to a degree that is specifically created for information systems security, you can receive training in eight different IT certifications (all included in your tuition). Among them are CompTIA Security+, CCNA Security+, and CompTIA Network+. A sampling of your core curriculum includes:

Notables

Western Governors University is innovative and unique in so many ways; for one, it stands out for its competency-based teaching model, but WGU is also known for its affordable tuition rates (the online bachelors program costs just $240 per credit). WGU shines the brightest through its secondary education programs, which have been ranked #1 in the country among both online and traditional schools.