Cybersecurity Degrees in Arizona- This resource covers all of Arizona’s cybersecurity-related educational and professional possibilities. A look at specific cybersecurity degree possibilities in the state, as well as how local and regional economic developments may effect employment options, is included in the following material.
The majority of people associate Arizona with desert golf courses and retirement homes. However, Arizona’s economy has been one of the fastest-growing in the country for several years. Education, healthcare, and construction are leading the way in terms of job creation and personal income. And this fast-paced expansion, which is substantially above the national average, is anticipated to continue in the coming years.
The top employers in Arizona’s economy in 2019 were, in order of size, trade, transportation, and utilities; education and healthcare services; professional and business services; and government, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
While all businesses are now vulnerable to cyber attacks, healthcare, commercial services, and government are among the most visible targets. As a result, these businesses are also among the most active users of cybersecurity services. It also explains why Arizona has over 20,000 cybersecurity professionals on staff.
Arizona is currently not one of the most active providers of cybersecurity-related educational programmes. The state government, on the other hand, has made cybersecurity a top priority for the future and is taking steps to ensure that Arizona is one of the top providers of cybersecurity talent.
There are a lot of good options for cybersecurity experts who want to continue their education. To remain a leader, though, Arizona’s colleges and universities will need to expand their degree and credential programmes. This is likely to happen during the next several years.
Growing Importance of Cybersecurity in Arizona
Arizona’s governor signed an executive order in 2018 to establish the Arizona Cybersecurity Team, or ACT. The team, which includes specialists from the state, local, and federal governments, as well as the commercial sector and higher institutions, has a three-pronged approach.
First and foremost, ACT is responsible for defending Arizonans from cyber-attacks. Second, the group will try to recruit top cybersecurity experts to Arizona. Finally, ACT will encourage educators to develop degree and certification programmes that will result in a continuous supply of elite talent.
While the state government may have been a little late to the game than other states, it appears to be just as committed to making Arizona a desirable location for cybersecurity businesses and specialists.
Cybersecurity Degrees in Arizona
To date, Arizona colleges and universities have built a reasonably robust collection of degree programmes for students and professionals interested in cybersecurity. All degrees are offered, particularly for state residents who can attend on-campus forms. And students who live in the state will find a fast expanding job market with an insufficient number of competent applicants for open positions. However, considering the current scale of the state’s cybersecurity community and the goal of becoming an information security leader, more possibilities might be expected.
Because the Arizona Cybersecurity Team has only been in place for a little over a year, any influence it will have is yet to be seen. If successful, ACT should encourage Arizona’s educational institutions to act quickly to expand the number of cybersecurity degrees and certifications available.
ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE
Cybersecurity was once thought to be a backroom job by hooded 20-something hackers. This isn’t the case anymore. The industry has evolved into a far more complex profession in recent years.
Most information security employment paths now require a bachelor’s degree. However, there are still plenty of entry-level job positions that require an associate’s degree, thanks to a shortage of qualified experts. An associate’s degree might be a suitable first step for those who don’t have the time or means to complete a full four-year degree programme. It’s a good idea to pursue a bachelor’s degree after landing an entry-level job and gaining some experience. Coursework from an associate’s degree can normally be applied to bachelor’s degree requirements to speed up the process of earning a second degree.
Campus-based associate’s degrees in Arizona
There are now four options for earning an associate’s degree in cybersecurity at Arizona community colleges. Puma Community College offers two of these choices. All four degree programmes are available on campus, and there are no online choices for associate’s degrees offered by Arizona educational institutions at this time. The four current degree tracks are shown in the table below.
| School | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Cochise College | Douglas | Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity |
| Estrella Mountain Community College | Avondale | AAS in IT and Power Systems Security |
| Northland Pioneer College | Holbrook | AAS in Cybersecurity |
| Pima Community College | Tucson | Associate of Applied Science in Computer Programmer / Analyst – Cyber Operations Programming Concentration |
| Pima Community College | Tucson | Associate of Applied Science in Computer Systems Administration / Networking – Cyber Security Focus |
BACHELOR’S DEGREE
Most cybersecurity employment choices now demand a bachelor’s degree as a baseline prerequisite. Of course, a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity is ideal, but other majors can be just as appealing to companies. Certain cybersecurity occupations can also benefit from a solid foundation in computer science, information technology, or any of the typical STEM courses of study. If you prefer a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, there are a growing number of choices available, both on campus and online.
Campus-based bachelor’s degrees in Arizona
On-campus bachelor’s degree alternatives are currently available at five Arizona higher education institutions. The University of Advancing Technology, in Tempe, Arizona, offers three of these programmes. See the table below for a complete list of campus-based possibilities.
| School | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Tempe | B.S.E. in Computer Systems Engineering – Cybersecurity |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University | Prescott | Bachelor of Science in Cyber Intelligence and Security |
| University of Advancing Technology | Tempe | Bachelor of Science in Technology Forensics |
| University of Advancing Technology | Tempe | Bachelors of Science in Network Security Degree |
| University of Advancing Technology | Tempe | Bachelor of Science in Technonlogy Forensics Degree |
| University of Arizona | Sierra Vista | Bachelor of Applied Science with an emphasis in Cyber Operations |
Online bachelor’s degrees in Arizona
At the moment, Arizona colleges and universities offer two bachelor’s degree options in cybersecurity. The University of Advancing Technology offers an online network security BS degree programme. A BAS degree in cyber operations is available from the University of Arizona.
MASTER’S DEGREE
Cybersecurity professionals who want to advance their careers and work in senior and management-level information security jobs should devote the time and resources necessary to earn a master’s degree in cybersecurity. A master’s degree is often required for top information security positions, such as chief information security officer. A master’s degree is also required for those choosing a different professional route, such as academia, research, or cybersecurity consultancy.
Campus-Based Master’s Degrees in Arizona
As shown in the chart below, Arizona colleges and institutions now offer four master’s degree programmes in cybersecurity in on-campus presentations. Three of these alternatives are supplied by state institutions (two by Arizona State University and one by the University of Arizona), suggesting that the state government’s effort to make Arizona a cybersecurity leader is gaining traction.
Online master’s degrees in Arizona
Of the three online master’s degree programs in cybersecurity available from Arizona institutions, two are offered by the University of Arizona. See below for more information and links.
