Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Associate Degree Program Overview

The Associate of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance program, taught in conjunction with Western Governors University, is designed for Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who are interested in becoming better enlisted leaders in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. This program helps you accomplish this by developing your skills in cybersecurity policy, software assurance, network defense, and programming including scripting.

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

In addition to the Naval Studies Certificate, you will also earn a Professional Certificate in Network and Cyber Defense Foundations, which is a six-course program in the Cybersecurity concentration area. This provides you with a professionally-relevant certificate that helps set you apart as an enlisted leader in information security, network security, web development, scripting, programming, and digital forensics. Completion of these courses also includes six CompTIA certificates (A+, Network+, Security+, CySA+, Secure Infrastructure Specialist, and Security Analytics Professional). 

Finally, you will 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 the USNCC will not pay for your courses beyond the associate degree program in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance, 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.

Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Associate Degree Partner Institution

The Associate of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance is completed through Western Governors University, who is the degree grantor for this program. Western Governors University 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 ability to provide a competency-based education program.
 
Western Governors University is a 100% online school founded by the governors of 19 states. It is a competency-based education program, which means the school measures skills and learning through mastery of the material instead of time in the classroom. The average active duty student at WGU completes a course in 37 days. WGU has been ranked the #1 Military Friendly online school for 2022-2023, and the school is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and is designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense by the National Security Agency.

Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Associate Degree Program Description

In addition to the Naval Studies Certificate and general education requirements, the Associate of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance offers courses that develops your knowledge and expertise as an enlisted leader in the following way:

This cybersecurity program is rigorous and offers a comprehensive coverage of fundamental technical and non-technical concepts, including cybersecurity policy, software assurance, network defense, and programming including scripting. The curriculum prepares learners to identify key business assets, associated threats and vulnerabilities, identify security controls and defense tools, methods, and components. Students are required to demonstrate the conceptual and practical aspects of cybersecurity. Additionally, successful students will receive six CompTIA certifications as part of the curriculum. Providing these  certifications to students as part of the curriculum makes this program unique.

Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Associate Degree Outcomes

1) The graduate will be able to evaluate security of a given system design according to defined security goals.

2) The graduate will be able to mitigate security concerns related to network, cellular, and wireless technologies.

3) The graduate will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of an organization’s cyber operations to protect and preserve data.

4) The graduate will be able to conduct digital forensics as part of an incident response plan.

5) The graduate applies core information technology skills in IT systems, operating systems, networking, security, scripting and programming, and web development to support organizational functions.

Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Associate Degree Program Requirements

To be eligible for this program, you must meet the following criteria:
  • Active duty enlisted Sailor, Marine, Coast Guardsman or Coast Guard Reservist
  • High school diploma or equivalent

Cybersecurity and Information Assurance 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
D339 Technical Communications 3 Credits
D269 Composition: Writing With a Strategy 3 Credits
Additional Required Courses
D316 IT Foundations 4 Credits
D317 IT Applications 4 Credits
D325 Networks 4 Credits
D329 Network and Security — Applications 4 Credits
D340 Cyber Defense and Countermeasures 4 Credits
Network and Cyber Defense Foundations Certificate
D322 Introduction to IT 4 Credits
D430 Fundamentals of Information Security 3 Credits
D276 Web Development Foundations 3 Credits
D315 Network and Security — Foundations 3 Credits
D431 Digital Forensics in Cybersecurity 4 Credits
D278 Scripting and Programming — Foundations 3 Credits
Total: 61 Credits

Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Associate Degree Math Intensity

Low

Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Associate Degree Learning Environment

All of the courses for the Associate of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance are offered online and asynchronously, both via the USNCC for the Naval Studies Certificate and through Western Governors University for the rest of the degree program. Additionally, the WGU uses a competency-based education model, which means you progress through the course as soon as you've proven you've mastered the material by passing an assessment. 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. 

Cybersecurity and Information Assurance 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 Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance 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 Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance focuses on cybersecurity policy, software assurance, network defense, and programming including scripting.
Coast Guard
IT The Associate of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance focuses on cybersecurity policy, software assurance, network defense, and programming including scripting.

Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Associate Degree Education Pathways

The Associate of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance transfers seamlessly into a Bachelor's of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance at Western Governors University. In addition to the CompTIA certificates earned in the AS degree, the following certificates are built into the four-year degree:
  • CompTia
    • Project+
    • PenTest+
    • Network Vulnerability Assessment Professional
    • Network Security Professional
    • IT Operations Specialist
  • AXELOS
    • ITIL Foundation Certification
  • Certified Cloud Security Professional – Associate of (ISC)2 designation
  • Systems Security Certified Practitioner – Associate of (ISC)2 designation

Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Associate Degree Career Opportunities

In addition to improving your capabilities as an enlisted leader in the core career fields listed above, the Associate of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance 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:
  • Information Technology
  • Cybersecurity and Cyber Defense
  • Cyber Forensics

Contact Information

To find out more about this program and how to apply, contact our enrollment office through out USNCC Support Form.


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