Florida

Florida Cyber Security Education Degrees & Requirements

Associate’s Degree

An associate degree is typically earned at a community college. The core requirement for admissions to a community college in Florida is to hold a high school diploma or a General Education Diploma (GED). According to Florida state education statutes, if you were home-schooled and did not obtain a GED, you will need to have a parent/legal guardian attest in writing that you completed the required curriculum for the completion of high school. State law allows each college's Board of Trustees to adopt additional requirements, so be sure to check with the community college of your choice to find out if there are additional things you need to provide to become a student.

An associate degree can provide you quick access to entry-level positions and/or serve as a stepping stone to your bachelor's degree in the field.

Courses at the associate degree level might include:

Programming

Writing HTML Code

Introduction to Information Technology

Bachelor’s Degree

In most cases, you will earn a bachelor's degree at a four-year university, though there are some community colleges that serve as satellite campuses to universities, thereby allowing students to earn a bachelor's at a community college location.

Admissions to bachelor's degree programs typically require transcripts. If you are starting as a freshman, the university will want your high school transcripts – if transferring from a community college, those are the transcripts you will provide. Home-schooled students will need a letter from a parent or legal guardian confirming the fact that they successfully completed all state required levels in all core subjects.

Examples of classes you might take for a bachelor's program include:

Introduction to Computer Systems

Introduction to Cyber Security

Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity

Network Security

Master’s Degree

A master's degree in cyber security puts you ahead of the pack, career wise, whether you attain it prior to beginning that first cyber security job or you go back to school and get it years after breaking into the field. The courses required for a master’s degree build on the knowledge you receive during your undergraduate work. In many schools, to be admitted to a master's degree cyber security program you must have a bachelor's degree in computer science, computer engineering, or an information technology focus. Your grade point average during undergraduate studies is often examined when you apply to a master's program. At least one Florida university requires you to carry a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in every undergraduate course if you wish to enter the master's degree program in cyber security. In addition, you might be required to have completed a year of calculus as well as a year of post calculus work.

Examples of coursework for a master's degree include:

Social, Economic, and Policy Aspects of Cyber Security

Practical Applied Security

Principles of Data Mining Introduction

Smart Grid Cyber Security and Intelligent Electronic Devices Design

Certifications in Florida

Completing a certification program in Florida for cyber security can provide a foundation to begin working or interning in the field while you pursue degrees. They are also a good way to dip your toes into cyber security to be sure that it is the degree you wish to pursue.

In most cases, a certification program will take one year to complete and you will be required to finish 12-18 class hours of coursework. You will choose between a bachelor's level certificate or a master's level certificate depending on where you are on your educational path. Certificate programs will focus on one specific industry concentration.

Examples of possible certificates include:

Cyber Law

Homeland Security Management

Information Assurance

Healthcare Security

Cyber Security Policy and Privacy

Advanced Engineering

Why is Accreditation Important?

It is important in Florida to select colleges/universities that are accredited for several reasons. Accredited schools have met stringent sets of standards when it comes to curriculum and achievements needed to pass their courses. In addition, those standards are aligned regionally and statewide. The Florida university system allows you to transfer credits from one school to another if both schools are accredited because it confirms that your knowledge and skill sets will be similar when coming from the old school into the new one. In addition, many employers in the cyber security industry will only hire those who graduated from an accredited school. Schools in Florida receive regional accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges.

The National Security Agency (NSA) is a government agency that sets the gold standard for academic excellence by assigning schools the title of Center of Academic Excellence (CAE). Schools participating in the CAE program underscore the organization's desire to protect the nation by promoting the highest education opportunities possible for future cyber security professionals.

The programs are deeply immersed in various cyber defense concentrations and students are held to a significantly high academic standard.

Computer Science & IT Programs in Florida

Florida International University

The Florida International University, ranked by the Florida Board of Governors as the second-best college in Florida, offers a wide variety of computer-based bachelor's degree programs. With approximately 10 degrees to choose from in computer-based industries, you’re sure to find one that dovetails with your career goals. The university also offers a master’s degree program as well as a PhD program.

Programs Offered:

Computer and Information Sciences - Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctoral Degrees

Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance - Master’s Degree

Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst – Master’s Degree

Information Technology - Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees

Tuition Cost

In-District: $6,556

In-State: $6,546

Out-of-State: $18,954

Average Net Price: $9,180

College Retention Rate: 90% (Full-time Students); 87% (Part-time Students)

Nova Southeastern University

Nova Southeastern University offers strong programs in the areas of computer science. Whether you want to get a bachelor's degree, master's degree, or go all the way for a PhD, you can do so here. Established in 1964, it currently has eight campuses that are located in Florida and Puerto Rico. The school offers both online and classroom courses, allowing you to design an educational schedule that fits your lifestyle and obligations.

Programs Offered:

Computer and Information Sciences – Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral Degrees & Postgraduate Certificate

Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance – Master’s, Doctoral Degrees & Postgraduate Certificates

Computer Science – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctoral Degrees

Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration – Postgraduate Certificate

Information Science/Studies – Master’s & Doctoral Degrees

Information Technology – Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees

Tuition Cost

In-State: $30,900

Average Net Price: $25,867

College Retention Rate: 79% (Full-time Students); 50% (Part-time Students)

University of South Florida – Main Campus

The University of South Florida is known worldwide as a public research university. Established in 1956, this large university offers an array of cyber security programs for its students. In 2018, more than 41,000 students were enrolled at USF's main campus in Tampa, Florida. You can obtain your bachelor's degree, master’s or PhD, in computer science with a cyber security concentration from this university.

Programs Offered:

Computer and Information Sciences – Bachelor’s Degree

Computer Science – Master’s Degree

Computer Systems Analysis/Analyst – Master’s Degree

Information Science/Studies – Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees

Information Technology – Bachelor’s & Master’s Degrees

Tuition Cost

In-State: $6,410

Out-of-State: $17,324

Average Net Price: $10,460

College Retention Rate: 91% (Full-time Students); 72% (Part-time Students)

St Leo University

With 13 campuses in Florida, St. Leo University is easily accessible to most Florida residents. If you would prefer to reside elsewhere but still attend, the university also offers online coursework. The school year consists of 8-week academic terms, with six different start dates each school year. Internet courses, video conferences, or in classroom settings are all a possibility.

When it is time for a master’s degree in cyber security from Saint Leo you will choose either the online or the traditional, on campus option. Traditional program takes two years of a structured curriculum sequence for six consecutive semesters. The online program is adjusted to provide you the same classes but allows you to begin the sequence in any semester and move forward.

Programs Offered:

Computer and Information Sciences – Associate & Bachelor’s Degrees

Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance – Bachelor’s, Master’s Degrees & Postgraduate Certificate

Computer Science – Bachelor’s Degree

Information Technology – Associate & Bachelor’s Degrees

Tuition Cost

In-State: $23,020

Average Net Price: $20,036

College Retention Rate: 72%

University of Florida

The University of Florida is home to the Florida Institute of Cyber Security Research, which offers a certificate program in cyber security. There are both online and classroom programs to obtain a bachelor's degree in computer science. The computer science bachelor's degree takes one of two paths. You can choose the degree that has a heavy engineering component (CSE) or the path that combines computer science with liberal arts curriculum (CSE).

Programs Offered:

Computer and Information Sciences – Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctoral Degrees

Computer System Analysis/Analyst – Master’s Degree

Informatics – Doctoral Degree

Tuition Cost

In-State: $6,381

Out-of-State: $28,659

Average Net Price: $11,313

College Retention Rate: 91% (Full-time Students); 81%(Part-time Students)

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University is in Boca Raton but also has satellite campuses in five cities. While it is well known for its oceanography programs, this university also boasts a strong computer sciences area. As with other universities in the Florida state, FAU offers a full bachelor's degree program both online and in the traditional classroom setting.

Programs Offered:

Computer and Information Sciences – Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctoral Degrees, Undergraduate & Postgraduate Certificates

Computer and Information Systems Security/Information Assurance – Undergraduate Certificate

Information Science/Studies – Undergraduate Certificate

Information Technology – Master’s Degree

Tuition Cost

In-State: $4,831

Out-of-State: $17,276

Average Net Price: $9,486

College Retention Rate: 82% (Full-time Students); 78% (Part-time Students)

Scholarships:

CyberCorps National Science Foundation Scholarship for Service

Amount: $7,500

Deadline: Open Enrollment

Link: https://apply.scholarsapply.org/barrygoldwater/

This scholarship will provide up to the listed amount each year for your sophomore, junior and senior year. Funds can be used for room and board, tuition, books, and fees.

CyberCorps National Science Foundation Scholarship for Service Program

Amount: $22,500 (Undergraduates); $34,000 (Graduates)

Deadline: Open Enrollment

Link: http://fics.institute.ufl.edu/nsf-cybercorps-sfs/

If you are awarded this scholarship, your entire tuition will be paid for. There are also stipends available for books, fees, room and board.

SWISS (Scholarships for Women Studying Information Security)

Amount: Up to $10,000

Deadline: February 1

Link: https://cra.org/cra-wp/scholarships-and-awards/scholarships/swsis/

If you are a woman interested in pursuing a bachelor's or master’s degree in information security, this scholarship can help pay for your education.

John M. & Mary A. Shanley Memorial Scholarship

Amount: $20,000

Deadline: February 24

Link: http://floridacommunity.com/scholarships/

Computer science is listed among the required degrees being sought to get this scholarship. You must have graduated from high school in either Charlotte, Hendry, or Lee County Florida.

Department of Defense Scholarship Program

Amount: $25,000 (Undergraduates); $30,000 (Graduate Students)

Deadline: February 18

Link: https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/departments/information/programs/graduate-programs/ms-in-intelligence-studies/dodcysp.aspx

To apply for this scholarship, you must be a junior or senior undergraduate. You must also agree to work for one year for the Department of Defense if you receive this scholarship. It will pay for tuition, fees, books, and provide stipends for living expenses.

Florida's known for its shorelines as well as amusement parks, not its technology innovations. That could quickly transform, with the state government making an active press to recruit, inform and also preserve cyber protection professionals. In simply the past few years, loads of qualification along with level selections have actually turned up in the state.

That's not to say it does not research other locations of information safety and safety and security in 2016 FICS researchers introduced they had really established a functional remedy to ransomware. Since cyber safety and security is a fairly new scholastic method, it's even more difficult to find programs of any type of kind compared to, claim, conventional Computer technology degrees. If you're looking online, your options lower much more.

Associate levels are created for students without any know-how of the topic. For cyber safety especially, that implies introductory training programs in networking, programming as well as computer system equipment prior to advancing to points like databases in addition to network protection. If that's what you're seeking yet want it purely on the internet kind, there's quite much only one place to discover it in Florida: St.

A lot of companies intend to see potential customers with bachelor's degrees, as well as also there are a couple of techniques of making one. If you have in fact already got an associate level but it's not in safety, you can focus on it. Cyber protection bachelor's degree programs acquire applications from computer technology majors routinely, in addition to many having mechanisms ready for enrollees without a tech background to rise to speed up.

Whereas online affiliate as well as bachelor's degree choices are thin for Florida cyber security students, there are numerous range ed master's programs. Which is as it should be, since that's when the most chance for specialization within the area takes place. You can situate the vanilla selections at personal establishments, such as Saint Leo University.

If it's a company path for you, Florida Institute of Technology has an MBA in Cybersecurity. It concerns assessing and decreasing the risks of defense violations in a company setup, and also doesn't need shows recognizing. Those brand-new to the location will certainly find it fascinating, yet the cyber safety sections of the curriculum would absolutely be repetitive for any type of individual holding a certification or level in the self-constraint.

There are two basic groups of trainees that might do this: Those without a degree along with those that currently have a baccalaureate. Additionally, as a result of their short durations, on-line accreditations appropriate for experts that can devote to doing coursework after their nine-to-fives. Florida has choices for almost any kind of kind of choice or need.

The largest player in online cybersecurity certificates, nonetheless, is College of West Florida, simply given that it has one of the most programs. Essentials along with graduates alike can register in an Info Safety and Security Monitoring accreditation program, along with the school provides basics and an Intelligence Assessment certification option to learn exactly how to assess computer system information in a guideline enforcement configuration.

The scholarship board prefers to disperse awards to experts and/or students from ethnic minorities. Richard along with Eileen Cooper Scholarship: There are 2 basic certifications for this honor. The preliminary is to have proven economic requirements. If you read this, you more than likely certify. The second is to be learning a computer or technology field, as well as additionally the institution's IT Defense program most absolutely satisfies that requirement.

You will not uncover discussions below, just a lot of hands-on exploits. InfoSecWorld: Component conference, part presentation, InfoSecWorld is the place to check out and see trials of the most as much as date applications along with going to expert-led workshops. The Florida Center for Cybersecurity goes to the facility of labor force development. The state legislature produced it in 2014 with the goal of making the Sunlight State the across the country leader in cyber security.

While Florida does not have the recognized modern technology industries of peers like Minnesota, California as well as likewise Texas, the state's federal government is taking actions to make Florida a future leader in the field. The Florida Facility for Cyber Safety, established by the Board of Governors in 2014, innovates cyber safety and also safety and security opportunities through education, innovative research, and also area outreach.

If you're looking for an online course in cyber security, you should start by choosing the right school. You don't need to get caught up in choosing the best program because your state requires schools to offer certain courses, so make sure you know what they are before you pay to learn them.

The first thing you need to do when choosing an online course in cyber security is to look at the program's accreditation. The Accrediting Commission of Cyber Security Education (ACCE) is the official accrediting body for the Cyber Security Management degree in Florida.

If you're looking at any other online courses in cyber security, look at the credentials of the schools offering those courses, too. If a school is accredited and holds the ACCE seal, it will be much more likely to help you get your degree online than one that's not.

You should also look into the career options that online courses in cyber security management offer. There are many jobs that you can get from working towards your degree online. Look for an online school that offers a range of different career choices, such as information security analyst, information security engineer, system security manager, system administrator, and so on.

If you want a job that offers a good amount of flexibility, you may want to consider a career as a consultant. A consultant can work for different companies for a short period of time or can work as a consultant full-time.

You need computer skills to get started in the field. So look into the coursework of an online school. It's important to get into a program with an instructor that can teach you what you need to know.

As you look for an online course, consider how easy it is to get an education through this method. Most online schools offer flexible schedules. This means you'll have a good time while taking the class online and you won't have to worry about a classroom environment.

If you're looking for an online course in cyber security, you need to choose a program that has the proper accreditation. and certification. You can learn a lot from the programs offered by online schools and you won't need to worry about going to a classroom to learn.

You can find out the school's credentials through research. You can do this online or you can speak to someone at the school. Most schools are willing to answer questions about their online programs.

If you want to find a course that will help you get your career choices going, you need to consider an accelerated path. Look into the career options that are available through online schools and see if the program offers accelerated program programs.

An accelerated program will give you the opportunity to get into a program quicker than others, but it doesn't necessarily mean that the career choices are easier. For the best results, you'll probably need to complete a course that's a bit more advanced than what you'd take otherwise.

You may be able to find a lot more career options through online schools in the district of Florida than you might have thought. Look into the career opportunities available online. Once you've found what you want to do, you can start by looking into a program that offers an online college degree program.

Getting your career choices going is simple, affordable and easy to do online. Don't forget to look for the right school to go to. With the right school and the right program, you'll be able to get your degree through an accredited online school in Florida.

Resources

Florida Cyber Alliance

http://www.floridacyberalliance.org/get_involved

The Florida Cyber Alliance is a large networking association. It's goal is to promote education of cyber security issues. Part of career growth is belonging to networking groups and this one has chapters throughout the state.

Florida Association of Counties

http://www.fl-counties.com/cyber-security

This organization provides its members with volunteer opportunities throughout the state, which at the same time will help you build a network of industry contacts.

Information System Security Association (Central Florida Chapter)

https://www.cybersecurity-professionals.com/professional-bodies/professional-bodies/85-information-systems-security-association-issa-central-florida-chapter

This international, non-profit, membership group will give you access to peer contact, message forums, articles, and conference information. It can connect you to many valuable resources to help you start your career and move it forward.

Tampa Bay Cyber Security Professionals Networking Group

https://www.meetup.com/Tampa-Cybersecurity-Professionals-Networking/

If you are in the Tampa Bay area this group will put you in touch with others working in the area. This can be a valuable resource if you are seeking a job in cyber security. Word of mouth can help you find out who is hiring and perhaps give you the edge through a professional recommendation by one of the group members.