The Best Online Associate in Network Security Programs

Established in 1881, Dakota State University offers many of its career-focused programs online, including an associate of science in network and security administration. The 61-credit cybersecurity degree combines general education, computer networking, and security administration courses.

Classes include information security management, routing and switching, operating environments, and networking. Some courses include labs for practical learning. Students may complete labs on campus or online. Learners can also take advantage of network defense competitions, research opportunities, and technology-focused student groups.

Graduates can pursue a bachelor's degree or enter the workforce. Potential jobs for graduates include systems administrator, penetration tester, and data communications analyst.

The fully online program uses an asynchronous format with both part- and full-time enrollment options. The university offers rolling admissions. Candidates must submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. If applicable, they should also submit college transcripts and AP or CLEP scores.

Minnesota West Community and Technical College offers diploma, certificate, and degree programs in about 60 academic disciplines. The public college focuses on experiential learning and career preparation. Prospective cybersecurity professionals at MWCTC can pursue an online associate of applied science in information security and assurance.

The 60-credit, fully online program includes technology and general education courses. Classes cover topics like computer forensics, ethical hacking, data security awareness, and information technology customer service. MWCTC maintains transfer agreements with several major universities that allow graduates to seamlessly transfer into bachelor's programs.

Online degree candidates receive asynchronous instruction from the same faculty who teach on campus. Prospective students may enroll in a free introduction to online learning course to learn more about distance education at the college. MWCTC also offers an online orientation to help new learners get started. Candidates need a high school diploma or GED. New students take an assessment exam to determine appropriate course placements.

University of Maine at Fort Kent offers a unique, multicultural campus at the intersection of Maine, New Brunswick, and Quebec. The school offers students one-on-one support from faculty and some of the most affordable tuition rates in the United States. Students can choose from several fully online programs, including an associate of science in information security.

The cybersecurity associate degree includes 29 general education credits and 31 information security credits. The information security portion of the curriculum includes courses in network security, cyberdefense, and operations systems security. Learners also take 7-8 credits of information security electives. Graduates can pursue cybersecurity jobs or transfer into a bachelor's program, including UMFK's bachelor's in cybersecurity and information security.

Online learners have access to the Blake Library, e-books, and video tutorials. UMFK offers rolling admissions and free applications. Applicants need a minimum 2.0 GPA.

Minnesota State College Southeast offers a 15-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio and boasts a 94% job placement rate for graduates. Students can choose from more than 20 online associate degrees, including a cybersecurity associate degree.

The associate of applied science in information and cybersecurity examines topics like information security, computer forensics, and criminal justice. The curriculum includes 15 general education credits and 45 major credits. Major courses include criminal law and procedures, security threats and countermeasures, electronic device forensics, and website and applications security.

The fully online program administers courses through D2L Brightspace. Online learners enjoy access to helpful resources and services, such as online tutoring, academic advising, and technology support. MSC Southeast holds transfer agreements with Concordia University St. Paul that allow graduates to seamlessly transfer into bachelor's programs in areas like computer science, criminal justice, and information technology. Applicants must submit ACCUPLACER scores and transcripts.

Northern Wyoming Community College District offers online programs in eight academic disciplines, including a fully online cybersecurity associate degree. The associate of applied science in cybersecurity includes practical learning opportunities working with industry-standard software.

Students take courses like secure user endpoint and server systems, network defense and countermeasures, computer forensics, and hardening network infrastructure. Learners can also earn optional cybersecurity credentials, like CompTIA Security+, Cisco CCNA Security, and Microsoft Technology Associate Security Fundamentals. Learners culminate the degree with a capstone course or internship.

Graduates can assess network vulnerabilities, implement cybersecurity plans, and use cryptology to increase information security. The 61-credit curriculum takes about two years of full-time study to complete. Applicants must submit transcripts.

Laramie County Community College awards about 780 certificates, degrees, and diplomas each year. The school offers comprehensive services and state-of-the-art classrooms on its 271-acre main campus. LCCC also offers 21 online programs, including an associate of applied science in cybersecurity.

This 63-credit cybersecurity associate degree includes classes on malware analysis, network attack principles, incident response, and network defense principles. The program takes two years of full-time study to complete. Before enrolling, students can optionally earn LCCC's cybersecurity professional credit diploma, which seamlessly transfers into the associate degree.

The fully online program uses asynchronous courses, helping students balance their studies with personal and professional obligations. Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent. Candidates typically learn of their admission status within three days of submitting the application.

Hinds Community College educates more than 32,000 students annually and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio of 17-to-1. Hinds offers over 70 career-focused programs, including an associate of applied science in information systems technology with a cybersecurity concentration. The fully online curriculum includes career certificate, technical certificate, and general education sections.

Career certificate courses include fundamentals of data communication, web and programming concepts, database and SQL concepts, and principles of information security. The technical certificate portion includes courses in network security fundamentals, wireless security and privacy, and network defense and countermeasures.

Hinds designed the program for learners who want to enter the workforce immediately after graduation rather than transfer to a bachelor's program. Hinds offers an open admissions policy, admitting all students with a high school diploma or GED. Applicants do not need to pay an application fee.

Lake Superior College offers more than 90 diploma, certificate, and degree programs. Learners can choose between career-focused programs and programs that transfer to four-year universities. LSC is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

The school's online associate of applied science in network administration and cybersecurity comprises 72 credits. Students take courses in security fundamentals, intrusion detection and prevention systems fundamentals, forensic and incident response, and ethical hacking and systems defense.

This fully online program prepares graduates to earn the EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker credential. Graduates can work as network engineers, network managers, and systems administrators. Students can access career services, an online library, transfer services, and the LearningExpress Library™. Career services help students craft compelling cover letters, prepare for interviews, and discover job opportunities.

Candidates can apply to LSC up to one year before their desired start date. Applicants must submit academic transcripts.

MidAmerican Nazarene University is a private, Christian institution that offers small class sizes and several online programs. The school offers a fully online associate of applied science in cybersecurity that comprises four parts: core I curriculum, core II curriculum, business and quantitative courses, and cybersecurity concentration courses.

The core I curriculum comprises 18 credits of information systems management courses, while the core II curriculum expands on core I knowledge with courses in web interface design, introduction to computer programming, and networking fundamentals.

The business and quantitative section covers business and accounting fundamentals. Finally, the cybersecurity section covers cyberforensics; hacker techniques, protections, and incident responses; and telecommunications and network security.

Because MNU is in the heart of Silicon Prairie, graduates often find jobs at top companies like Garmin, Sprint, and Nokia. Applicants need a high school diploma or equivalent. Candidates with fewer than 24 transfer credits also need a minimum score of 17 on the English section of the ACT and 19 on the math portion.

Established in 1985, Palo Alto College offers nine fully online degrees, including an associate of applied science in information security and assurance. The cybersecurity degree requires 60 credits and includes courses in incident response and handling, computer system forensics, implementing and supporting servers, and Linux installation and configuration.

Students culminate the degree with an internship, gaining practical experience in the field. The National Security Agency approves several of the program's courses. The Southern Regional Education Board's Electronic Campuses allow PAC to deliver online programs to students in 16 participating states.

Prospective students submit applications through ApplyTexas. PAC typically takes five business days to process applications. Once admitted, learners must submit transcripts, financial aid applications, and placement test scores. Students must enroll in the school's online management system and complete two college readiness modules before enrolling in classes.