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Undergraduate
Graduate
Industry Certification & License Prep
Emergency Management
Information Technology
Teaching and Learning
Colorado State University Global
Undergraduate
Graduate
Industry Certification & License Prep
Emergency Management
Information Technology
Teaching and Learning
Blog
Recently we discussed what cybersecurity is, and today we’ll look at whether or not you really need a degree in the field to launch a successful career in the industry.
In this post, we’ll cover the benefits of earning a degree, the skills you’ll need to succeed in the industry with or without a degree, the specific jobs you can get if you do choose to complete a degree, and why you should consider getting a degree online instead of in-person.
If you like working with computers, and you want to help organizations protect their digital infrastructure, data, and applications, then make sure to pay close attention to this post, because cybersecurity might be the perfect career for you.
After you’ve learned everything you need to know about launching a career in cybersecurity, fill out our information request form to receive additional details about our 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity.
If you’re ready to get started, submit your application today.
The field of cybersecurity is expected to grow significantly in the coming decade, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimating strong growth in cybersecurity positions like Information Security Analysts and Computer Network Architects.
And while you may be able to get an entry-level job in the cybersecurity industry without first completing a degree, the jobs you can get without a degree are likely to be more administrative, less interesting, and lower paying.
Failing to get a degree might also make it harder to advance in this competitive field, where degrees and certifications are often required for senior and management-level roles.
In fact, according to the BLS, a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, information technology or a related field is typically required for new cybersecurity professionals looking to break into the industry, and some management roles also require a master’s degree.
If you want to begin your career in cybersecurity and eventually move up the ladder into more senior-level positions, especially roles in management and leadership, then you’ll almost certainly need a degree.
The good news is that getting your degree is a great way to get the foundational knowledge and skills you’ll need to provide real value for an organization as a cybersecurity professional, and it’s one of the best ways to improve your marketability for cybersecurity jobs.
Why should you get a degree in cybersecurity? Because when organizations are hiring for cybersecurity roles, they are more likely to choose candidates who have a relevant degree on their resumes.
When beginning your career in cybersecurity it’s understandable to want to forgo getting a specialized bachelor’s degree and instead go straight into the workforce.
There’s really only one advantage to entering the cybersecurity field without a specialized degree in cybersecurity, which is that you may be able to save time and money by entering the workforce immediately.
However, choosing to start working in the cybersecurity industry without a degree also presents a variety of significant challenges, such as:
As the list above makes clear, when weighing the benefits and downsides of launching a career in the cybersecurity industry without first obtaining a specialized degree, there are a variety of reasons to consider getting your degree.
Simply put, choosing to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity is the best way to launch your career in this complex, challenging, and competitive field.
Cybersecurity professionals hold the very important job of protecting an organization’s systems, data, and digital infrastructure. As such, those in the industry will have to ensure they have the specific skills and abilities required to perform their job functions effectively.
Below are the critical hard and soft skills that are likely to help you succeed with a career in this challenging, competitive field:
Beginning your career in the cybersecurity industry is almost certainly easier after earning a bachelor’s degree, but there are also some entry-level jobs in the field that are available for those with less formal training.
Here are some of the more common jobs available to individuals who haven’t earned a bachelor’s degree yet:
Keep in mind that these positions could require a degree, and that even if they don’t, you may have an easier time getting hired after completing a relevant degree program.
Failing to complete a degree is likely to leave you with limited job options, including some of the most boring, monotonous, lowest-paying jobs in the field.
If you’re looking to do more interesting and higher-paying work, it’s likely that you’ll need to complete a relevant degree program in order to qualify for those more competitive roles.
Cybersecurity professionals who successfully earn a bachelor’s degree are capable of landing great roles paying excellent salaries.
In fact, according to BLS reports, some of the best jobs for cybersecurity graduates provide considerable compensation, including the following job titles:
Keep in mind that this is just a short list of the many potential positions you could pursue after completing a degree in cybersecurity.
In reality, there are hundreds of other excellent job titles available to people with the right academic credentials, and especially, those holding relevant and respected bachelor’s degrees.
Regardless of the specific role that you choose to pursue in the industry, the important thing to note is that the jobs available once you earn your degree in cybersecurity are likely to be much more interesting, higher-paying, and more fulfilling than the jobs available without having a degree.
Yes, you should consider studying online, as online programs tend to offer far more flexibility and freedom compared to on-campus programs.
In fact, CSU Global’s online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity program was designed specifically for people who need help juggling existing work or family responsibilities.
To make sure that our program is as easy as possible to work into a busy schedule, we offer:
If you’ve already got a relatively busy schedule, but you’re serious about developing the skills needed to become a cybersecurity professional, then your best bet will be to study online with us.
Our online cybersecurity program will prepare you for a successful, lifelong career in this challenging, but lucrative industry, no matter what niche you choose to specialize in.
All of our cybersecurity faculty have recent industry experience, while the program’s curriculum is aligned with professional certification exams that employers demand for cybersecurity professionals, including:
Completing our 100% online cybersecurity program will provide you with competence in the areas associated with the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) exam, preparing you to deliver great results from your first day in the office.
This program is also widely recognized as one of the best programs in the industry, as it currently holds several excellent rankings, including:
CSU Global itself also recently earned several important and prestigious rankings of its own, including:
Finally, to help save you time and money on the costs of your degree, we offer competitive tuition rates, a Tuition Guarantee that ensures your low tuition rate won’t increase from enrollment through graduation, and the opportunity to earn credits via our Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) program.
For additional details about our fully accredited, 100% online Bachelor’s Degree in Cybersecurity, please give us a call at 800-462-7845 or fill out our Information Request Form.
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