Which are the Best Cybersecurity Certificate Programs in the US?

The cybersecurity industry is booming and organizations across all sectors are now looking to hire skilled cybersecurity professionals. In this case, having a cybersecurity certificate to validate your cybersecurity skills and knowledge right after graduation can help tremendously to kickstart your career and find a cybersecurity job easily.

However, with so many online cybersecurity certifications available online, it might be confusing to find the right one that can help you grow in your career. Looking at the increased demand for cybersecurity professionals, many universities in the US have started offering certificates in this field for undergraduates.

Here in this article, we will discuss some of the top cybersecurity certificate programs to help you make better decisions.

1.    Central Michigan University

Central Michigan University offers cybersecurity certificates both in online and offline modes. Through its rolling admission process, students can register for this program at any time of the year. However, they need to complete 15 credit hours to successfully earn this certificate. The university offers part-time classes for approximately one year and also includes various kinds of cybersecurity workshops, expert discussion panels, and other practical exercises to equip you with cybersecurity concepts in depth.

2.    Champlain College

Champlain College is a reputed institute established in 1878 and offers a complete online cybersecurity certificate program allowing students to complete it at their own pace and time from across the globe. The course covers the fundamentals of cybersecurity including oprating systems, python, digital forensics, wireless networking, etc. You must have at least 18 credit hours to complete the certification.

3.    DeVry University

This is mostly an online educator but have campuses across the US and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. The certificate program from DeVry University consists of 14 courses and has a total of 40 credit hours through which you can master the foundational cybersecurity knowledge along with specialization in ethical hacking and infrastructure security.

4.    SUNY Westchester Community College

SUNY Westchester Community College located in New York is accredited to Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. The cybersecurity certification course from this college can be completed within 1 year and includes 27 credit hours of coursework. Through this program, students can learn how to administrate servers, perform network security, learn the basics of penetration testing, computer forensics, and working of various operating systems.

5.    University of Arizona

This reputed institute in US also offers undergraduate cybersecurity certificate. Since the University of Arizona is accredited with WASC Senior College and University Commission, as well as recognized across the globe, you can be assured about its certification program. The certificate program from this university requires 18 credits and, in this course, you can learn about cyberoperations, active cyber defense, and various kinds of cyber threat intelligence.

6.    Stanford University

Well, recognition or accreditation doesn’t matter if you have a certificate from the Stanford University. Stanford University offers an advanced cybersecurity certificate program that is available completely online and at student’s own pace and time. In this course, you will get familiar with how to exploit and protect web applications, and make your foundation strong in information security. You need to be able to give at least 10-12 hours a week to complete this course efficiently.

7.    University of California – Los Angeles

This university also offers online certificate program in cybersecurity and consists of 4 courses namely fundamentals of cybersecurity, security management, information system security, and infrastructure security. Though it is an online program, students can complete it in the campus if they prefer and enhance their cybersecurity skills.

8.    Certified Cybersecurity General Practitioner (CCGP™)

CCGP™ is offered by the premium cybersecurity certification institute USCSI®. It is accredited with the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, and offers variety of cybersecurity certification programs for cybersecurity professionals at all level in their cybersecurity career.

This particular CCGP™ program is designed for graduate students and young professionals looking to switch to this domain. This is a completely online self-paced learning program and can be completed within 4-25 weeks requiring 8-10 hours a week of commitment.

Through this course, students can master the fundamental concepts of cybersecurity upon which they can build a strong career in cybersecurity.

This certification program also offers complete study materials in the form of lecture videos, personalized eBooks, case studies, practice codes, etc. to help you prepare for the exam. Upon completion of the certification, you will also earn a digital sharable badge to highlight your achievement and cybersecurity skills in the LinkedIn and other professional profiles.

Conclusion

After completing a degree or diploma course in computer science, IT, or mathematics, you can start your career in cybersecurity and these certification programs will help you a lot in validating all your cybersecurity related knowledge and skills. Apart from validation, the certification also offers an edge over the competitors, help you negotiate higher salaries, and opens door for exciting job opportunities in this field. So, register now and start your cybersecurity journey.