Computer Studies Associate Degree Program Overview

The Associate of Arts in General Studies with Computer Studies Specialization, taught in conjunction with University of Maryland Global Campus, is designed for Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who are interested in the cybersecurity field. This program helps you accomplish this by developing introductory skills in programming, problem solving, or algorithm design, and then take a variety of courses that are applicable to a bachelor’s degree in a computing-related field.

Every associate degree program offered by USNCC includes the five-course Naval Studies Certificate which provides a naval-relevant foundation to your lifelong educational journey. This is what sets USNCC associate degree programs apart from other degree programs available to you.

In addition to the Naval Studies Certificate, you will also earn a professional certificate in Computer Networking, which is a six-course program within the Associates of Arts in General Studies with Concentration in Computer Studies. This provides you with a professionally-relevant certificate that helps set you apart as a network administrator for business and government institutions with hands-on training in state-of-the-art computer technology.

You will also complete the general education requirements that round out your critical thinking and communication skills and ensure your degree is transferable to a four-year degree program. This program ensures you have an established pathway to a bachelor’s degree with little to no loss in credit. While USNCC will not pay for your courses beyond the associate degree program, it will have provided you a quality foundation in your educational journey, which you can use your tuition assistance benefits, GI Bill, or other funding opportunities to continue.

Initially, USNCC will move forward with offering a program with a focus in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity. In the future, you will have the option to take a broad range of courses across the computer field, or you can choose to focus on an area specific to Computer Networks and Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Management and Policy, or Software Development and Security.

Computer Studies Associate Degree Partner Institution

The Associate of Arts in General Studies with Computer Studies Specialization is completed through University of Maryland Global Campus, who is the degree grantor for this program. University of Maryland Global Campus was selected for this program because of their military friendliness, quality education program, expertise in the field, established pathway to a four-year degree program with little to no loss of credit, and accomplished record in online and distance education for adult learners.

University of Maryland Global Campus was founded more than 70 years ago to serve working adults and service members. UMGC is an online state university that offers online academic programs in fast-growing and in-demand fields.

Computer Studies Associate Degree Program Description

In addition to the Naval Studies Certificate and general education requirements, the Associate of Arts in General Studies with Computer Studies Specialization incorporates core and program-specific competencies within the general associate’s curriculum to gain a breadth of applicable knowledge. The Computer Studies Specialization uses an innovative and multi-disciplinary approach to prepare students to become leaders in the protection of data. Drawing from fields such as management, law, science, business, technology, and psychology — students learn the most current knowledge and skills for protecting critical cyber infrastructure and assets as well as build expertise in areas such as IT, information systems, computer science and software development.

Computer Studies Associate Degree Outcomes

Identify, research, and discuss current and emerging cybersecurity issues which impact an organization’s operations.
Explain how an enterprise risk management program is used to identify, assess, manage, and control risks to information and other digital assets.
Interpret, analyze, and effectively communicate information about cybersecurity threats, vulnerabilities, and mitigations.
Identify and describe common cybersecurity management processes.
Develop procedures which implement cybersecurity management processes.
Select and evaluate technology-based solutions which support cybersecurity management processes for enterprise IT operations.
Explain the importance of laws, regulations, and policies for cybersecurity management and governance at the federal, state, local, and international levels.
Discuss and evaluate the benefits and risks of technologies used to implement digital government initiatives.
Select and evaluate appropriate security architectures, security controls, and other risk management activities to protect government programs and initiatives from cyber attacks, cyber crimes, and other forms and sources of cyber threats.
Evaluate the benefits and risks of government led, policy-based efforts to improve cybersecurity.
Evaluate and select policy-based solutions to support information security governance requirements.
Develop and implement security plans which include procedures and processes to supporting the security policy requirements.
Communicate policies, procedures, and processes to organizational stakeholders through a security education, training, and awareness program.
Perform risk and vulnerability assessments for planned and installed information systems.

Computer Studies Associate Degree Program Requirements

To be eligible for this program, you must meet the following criteria:

Active duty enlisted Sailor, Marine, or Coast Guardsman or Coast Guard Reservist
High school diploma or equivalent

Computer Studies Associate Degree Program Plan

Naval Studies Certificate
NAV101	Naval Ethics and Leadership	3 Credits
NAV102	Modern Naval History	3 Credits
NAV103	Naval Force Design	3 Credits
NAV104	Civilian/Military Relations, Organization and American Government	3 Credits
NAV105	Introduction to the Geopolitical Environment	3 Credits
General Education Requirements
LIBS150	Introduction to Research	1 Credit
PACE111T	Program & Career Exploration in Technology	3 Credits
WRTG111	Academic Writing I	3 Credits
WRTG112	Academic Writing II	3 Credits
IFSM201	Concepts and Applications of Information Technology	3 Credits
MATH105	Topics for Mathematical Literacy	3 Credits
BIOL103	Intro to Biology	4 Credits
NUTR100	Elements of Nutrition	3 Credits
Concentration Courses
SPCH100	Intro to Speech	3 Credits
CAPL398A	Career Planning Management	1 Credit
Computer Networking Certificate
CMIT202	Fundamentals of Computer Troubleshooting	3 Credits
CMIT265	Fundamentals of Networking	3 Credits
CMIT320	Network Security	3 Credits
CMIT326	Cloud Technologies	3 Credits
CMIT351	Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials	3 Credits
CMIT321	Ethical Hacking	3 Credits

Total: 60 Credits

Computer Studies Associate Degree Math Intensity

Low

Computer Studies Associate Degree Learning Environment

All of the courses for the Associates of Arts in General Studies with Computer Studies Specialization are offered online and asynchronously, both via the USNCC for the Naval Studies Certificate and through UMGC for the rest of the degree program. This means that, as long as you have access to the internet, you are able to take these courses on your schedule, wherever you are in the world. Whether you are stationed on a ship in Norfolk, conducting field exercises in Okinawa, patrolling in a cutter the coasts of Alaska, or providing security or logistical support out of Bahrain, you are able to use your off-duty hours to further your education through the USNCC. Since these courses are offered asynchronously, this means you will not be required to log on to specific meetings at specific times throughout the week. You will be assigned due dates for your assignments; as long as you can post by those deadlines, you will meet attendance requirements.

Computer Studies Associate Degree Ideal Rating/MOS Candidates

While there is no requirement at this time to be a part of any rating or MOS community, this program was designed primarily with the following community in mind:

Navy
CTN IT ITS	The Associate of Arts in General Studies with Computer Studies Specialization focuses on cybersecurity policy, software assurance, network defense, and programming including scripting.
Marine Corps
0631 0633 0699 0671 0673 0679 0681 0691 0699 1711 1721 1799	The Associate of Arts in General Studies with Computer Studies Specialization focuses on cybersecurity policy, software assurance, network defense, and programming including scripting.
Coast Guard
IT	The Associate of Arts in General Studies with Computer Studies Specialization focuses on cybersecurity policy, software assurance, network defense, and programming including scripting.

Computer Studies Associate Degree Education Pathways

Students can identify an optional focus area in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Management and Policy, or Software Development and Security. Each of these focus areas correlates to a pathway toward a UMGC Bachelor of Science degree.

Computer Networks and Cybersecurity

The computer networks and cybersecurity focus area introduces students to the operational procedures and technologies to design, implement, administer, secure, and troubleshoot corporate networks while applying cybersecurity principles operationally.

Computer Studies Associate Degree Career Opportunities

In addition to improving your capabilities as an enlisted leader in the core career fields listed above, the Associates of Arts in General Studies with Computer Studies Specialization also sets you up for success in the following career fields after you finish your service in the military, whether it is after four years or 34 years:

Computer Networks and Cybersecurity Focus Area
This program is designed to help you prepare for a career in network management, network security, systems administration, or cybersecurity threat analysis and management, whether you're new to the IT field or looking to move up to middle management.