Knowing that you want to study cybersecurity can be a huge advantage. You can carefully compare programs to ensure you choose one that can help you achieve your career goals.
But with so many schools to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? Identifying the best colleges for cybersecurity isn’t as tall of a task as it seems. In fact, there are a number of elements the best cybersecurity programs tend to have in common.
But with so many schools to choose from, how do you know which one is right for you? Identifying the best colleges for cybersecurity isn’t as tall of a task as it seems. In fact, there are a number of elements the best cybersecurity programs tend to have in common.
7 elements the best colleges for cybersecurity have in common
Keep in mind that there might be other considerations that are more about your personal preferences — class size, course content, etc. — but when comparing cybersecurity programs, look for these benefits first.
1. Recognition for academic quality
Almost every cybersecurity program strives to provide students with a high-quality education, but few achieve recognition as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE). Managed by the National Cryptologic School at the National Security Agency (NSA), the CAE-CDE program was initially created as a way to address the lack of qualified cybersecurity professionals.
“What they did is started a program where they could put forth a number of key elements of information that they felt cybersecurity professionals needed and then looked for universities that were teaching those elements to a significant level,” explains Douglas Rausch, program director for Bellevue University’s cybersecurity program.
It’s also worth considering whether faculty have received any awards that indicate how effective they are in educating future cybersecurity professionals. Rausch, for example, has been recognized for excellence as an instructor. He was named College Tech Educator of the Year in 2019 by AIM Institute, a nonprofit organization that promotes technology to empower people and communities.
2. An ever-evolving curriculum
Rausch notes how important it is to educate more professionals in this field. “We are so short of cybersecurity professionals in this country,” Rausch says. “We need a lot of skilled workers out there.”
Filling the void is especially challenging when you consider how rapidly technology is advancing. The best cybersecurity colleges are well aware of this, which is why they constantly adjust their curriculums to ensure students are learning the most relevant information. For instance, Bellevue University continuously updates the coursework based on input from professionals working in the field.
3. Faculty with extensive cybersecurity experience
Who better to teach cybersecurity students than experienced professionals? Faculty who’ve worked in the field are able to offer firsthand insight and guidance you won’t receive from instructors who are solely academics. Just consider Rausch’s resume. He’s been providing communications systems and cybersecurity guidance for the defense and commercial sectors for decades, including 25 years working as a cyber operations officer for the U.S. Air Force.
“I spent my days basically making sure the United States was defended against cyberattacks from other countries,” Rausch explains.
4. Hands-on experience
As a cybersecurity professional, you need to be proficient in an array of technical skills — including programming, conducting audits, and applying incident response plans — and be able to leverage them to achieve business objectives. For this reason, gaining practical experience as a student is critical. Look into what types of hands-on training is offered in the cybersecurity programs you’re considering. Bellevue University students have the opportunity to practice what they’ve learned in a virtual environment using a variety of both open-source and commercial tools.
“I want to show the application,” Rausch says, reflecting on his teaching philosophy. “Rather than just book knowledge, here’s how you’re really going to use this in the real world.”
You might even want to look into what opportunities schools provide to gain experience outside of the regular curriculum. Are there clubs or student organizations that allow you to practice applying what you’ve learned? Some schools participate in capture-the-flag competitions such as the ones hosted by the National Cyber League.
5. Cutting-edge facilities
To ensure students are comfortable working with current and emerging technologies, the best cybersecurity programs strive to offer a learning environment equipped with the latest advances. What elements should you look for when comparing the facilities at different schools? Consider what’s available to Bellevue University’s technology majors:
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Video walls that can be configured into multiple different displays
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Dual-monitor, thin client workstations that provide direct access to Bellevue University’s virtual lab environments
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Collaboration spaces with interactive smart whiteboards and the ability to project mobile device screens
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Multiple data centers supporting multiple target networks for cybersecurity testing
6. Flexible learning options
Not every student wants — or is able — to attend classes in person. The best colleges for cybersecurity recognize that it’s important to offer a variety of program formats to accommodate the needs of every learner. That includes fully online as well as traditional, on-campus courses, but there are some more unique program formats that you also might want to consider.
Students at Bellevue University can choose to progress through their programs as part of an accelerated cohort regardless of whether they’re pursuing a bachelor’s in cybersecurity or a master’s in cybersecurity. This format allows you to progress through your courses two at a time alongside a highly collaborative group of peers. And because there are just a few short breaks, you can earn your degree faster than with a traditional program.
7. An abundance of support
Cybersecurity programs are rigorous by design — challenging yourself helps prepare you for your future career. But that doesn’t mean you should struggle alone when you run into an obstacle. Look into what types of resources different schools offer to support students. A few examples you might want to consider include tutoring, academic advising, and writing services.
Also keep in mind that student support extends beyond structured programs at some schools. At institutions like Bellevue University, enrollment coaches, advisors, fellow students, and professors all contribute to a welcoming culture that prioritizes student success. That’s something Rausch sees as central to his position.
“I see my role as a catalyst to their education,” Rausch explains. “A catalyst to making them professionals and giving them an opportunity to have that next step in their life.”
Narrow your list of cybersecurity programs
With these quality indicators in mind, identifying the best colleges for cybersecurity will likely prove easier. Once you’ve identified a number of options, you can start to think about which of those schools is right for you.
The next step is to think about what else could benefit your college experience. For instance, Bellevue University has a generous transfer policy that could help you to obtain a degree faster, as well as a dedicated academic advisor to support you throughout your education.
To learn more about how you could obtain a bachelor’s degree to begin working toward a cybersecurity career, visit our Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program page. If you’ve already obtained a bachelor’s degree in any subject, visit our Master of Science in Cybersecurity program page.
