This article discusses Michigan cybersecurity schools as well as other training and certification choices.
Michigan is not the most populous state in the union, but its reputation as the birthplace of the automobile in America has prevented it from being fully rural at the same time. Many of Michigan’s cities are hubs for digital innovation and cybersecurity growth, and its population centres are buzzing zones of trade and development.
In reality, in terms of cybersecurity jobs, science, and education, Michigan is a national leader. The state promotes its cybersecurity capabilities as a significant source of revenue and prestige.
As a result, it’s one of the best states to look at for cybersecurity professionals seeking educational or jobs opportunities.
Cybersecurity in Michigan
As the value of cybersecurity grows across the world, Michigan is increasingly increasing its share of the high-tech market. Since the early 2000s, Michigan has continued to hire an increasing number of high-tech employees who need a bachelor’s degree.
It’s no surprise that Michigan leads the nation in automotive cybersecurity research and development as a traditional hub of automotive development.
Michigan is an outstanding state for cybersecurity professionals searching for long-term jobs because it is a pioneer in cybersecurity research and development.
Since cars are becoming more automated, particularly with the impending arrival of self-driving vehicles, the automotive industry will need adequate cybersecurity. As a result, cybersecurity has become more important than physical car manufacturing in recent decades.
Michigan has also established itself as a cybersecurity-focused state, owing to its high concentration of universities that offer cybersecurity-related degrees or certificates. This, coupled with the state’s low cost of living, has resulted in a high concentration of cybersecurity employees working in the state, while several job openings remain unfilled.
Cybersecurity Education in Michigan
All of the education required to become a cybersecurity professional can be obtained via Michigan’s university system. A variety of certificates and doctoral degrees are also available in Michigan through a variety of colleges. Students have a variety of educational choices available to them, allowing them to pursue different paths to success depending on their budget or need for distance education.
Michigan Cyber Range Network
The Michigan Cyber Range network was established in 2012 with the goal of teaching cybersecurity certification courses and enhancing the state’s cybersecurity educational network. It is based in Ann Arbor, but has physical locations at many of the universities mentioned below.
In essence, the Cyber Range network assists cybersecurity students in honing their skills by simulating cyber-attacks or incursions on real servers. It’s only one of the many ways Michigan is leading the way in cybersecurity education and innovation.
Ferris State University, Northern Michigan University, Eastern Michigan University, and Battle Creek are all part of the Cyber Range Network.
ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE
There are a total of nine schools in Michigan that offer associate degrees in cybersecurity. These are typically Associate in Applied Science degrees with cybersecurity specialisations or concentration, which require students to take several focused classes on the subject.
CYBERSECURITY ASSOCIATE’S PROGRAMS IN MICHIGAN
| School | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Ferris State University | Big Rapids | Associate in Applied Science in Information Security and Intelligence |
| Grand Rapids Community College | Grand Rapids | Associates of Arts in Information Security |
| Grand Rapids Community College | Grand Rapids | Associates of Arts in Network Administration |
| Henry Ford Community College | Dearborn | Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems – Cybersecurity |
| Jackson Community College | Jackson | Associate in Applied Science – Cyber Security |
| Macomb Community College | Warren | Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology – Network Security |
| Monroe County Community College | Monroe | Computer Information Systems – Cybersecurity and Information Assurance |
| Washtenaw Community College | Ann Arbor | Cybersecurity (APCSCY) |
| Wayne County Community College District | Detroit | Associate in Applied Science in Computer Information Systems: Cybersecurity |
BACHELOR’S DEGREE
In Michigan, there are 20 schools that offer bachelor’s degrees in cybersecurity, though the degrees may be titled differently, such as information technology and security. Ferris State University, Davenport University, and Baker College are three schools from which students can receive their degree online.
Students will complete curricula focused on all facets of cybersecurity, regardless of where they receive their degree, with some schools providing unique courses for automotive protection given the Michigan job market’s stigma against this form of career.
Since much of Michigan’s cybersecurity workforce is focused on automotive defence, many degrees that emphasise digital forensics over traditional cybersecurity are accessible. This will allow professionals to provide appropriate assistance to police investigators in the case of missing vehicles or other issues.
Six of the schools that give cybersecurity degrees are CAE-rated, which means they’ve been accredited by the National Security Agency’s National Center of Academic Excellence. The National Security Agency (NSA), one of the most prestigious employers of cybersecurity professionals, is known to recruit straight out of some of these colleges.
A school’s curriculum must meet the following criteria in order to be accredited by the CAE:
- Cyber defence research and experience was emphasised.
- Encourage more people to learn about cybersecurity.
- Have a track record of developing cybersecurity experts
Simply put, any CAE-rated school is a top-notch institution that will be an excellent fit for any cybersecurity student.
Cyberecurity Bachelor’s Programs in Michigan
Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Michigan
Although all of the cybersecurity online bachelor’s degree programmes are worthwhile, Ferris State University’s programme stands out because it is a 5-year bachelor’s and master’s hybrid programme. This will help you to finish your education in less time than you would with other programmes. The ability to complete it online is a nice bonus.
Cybersecurity Online Bachelor’s Programs in Michigan
| School | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Baker College | Allen Park | Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and Security – Concentration in Information Assurance |
| Davenport University | Grand Rapids | BS in Cyber Defense |
| Ferris State University | Big Rapids | Information Security and Intelligence – 5 Year BS and MS |
CERTIFICATIONS
The state of Michigan has four schools that offer different cybersecurity qualifications, but the exact choices differ from university to university.
Two of these licences, undergraduate and graduate certificates in cybersecurity, are available online through Central Michigan University. These help students to gain some experience in this field when pursuing a different degree.
The remaining certificates are available on the campuses of the colleges that sell them. These certificates are identical to the ones mentioned above, and they certify a person’s proficiency in the field of cybersecurity. If your key degree is in a related field like computer science or programming, this is sometimes enough to get a job in the cybersecurity field.
CYBERSECURITY CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS IN MICHIGAN
| School | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant | Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity |
| Central Michigan University | Mount Pleasant | Undergraduate Certificate in Cybersecurity |
| Ferris State University | Big Rapids | Certificate in Cybersecurity |
| Ferris State University | Big Rapids | Certificate in Cybersecurity: Ethical Hacking |
| Oakland Community College | Bloomfield Hills | Certificate in Computer Information Systems – Cyber Security |
| Wayne CCCD | Detroit | Certificate in Computer Information Systems: Cybersecurity |
| Washtenaw Community College | Ann Arbor | Principles of Cybersecurity (CTCYS) |
MASTER’S DEGREE
Six master’s degrees in cybersecurity are available in Michigan, with Davenport University and the University of Detroit Mercy offering two of them online. Masters of Science in Cybersecurity or Masters of Science in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity are the two terms used to describe these degrees.
In any case, these degrees are a perfect way for professionals to advance their careers and lead cybersecurity teams. They also provide management or decision-making courses in their curricula, demonstrating an emphasis on problem-solving and creativity rather than simply completing cybersecurity tasks delegated by a superior.
Those with master’s degrees in cybersecurity would be better trained and equipped to create their own cybersecurity applications or innovate for their employers. With a master’s degree rather than a bachelor’s, it will be easier to find a cybersecurity job in Michigan, given its emphasis and draw for cybersecurity professionals across the country.
CAEs have been assigned to three of the colleges.
Cybersecurity Master’s Programs in Michigan
| School | City | Program Website |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Technological University | Houghton | Master of Science in Cybersecurity |
| Oakland University | Rochester Hills | Master of Science in Cyber Security |
| University of Detroit Mercy | Detroit | 5 Year BS/MS in Cyber Security and Intelligence Studies |
| University of Detroit Mercy | Detroit | Master of Science in Information Assurance (MS-IA) |
| Davenport University | Grand Rapids | Master of Science in Information Assurance and Cyber Security |
Cybersecurity Jobs in Michigan
With such a focus on cybersecurity research and development, it’s no surprise that Michigan has a large number of cybersecurity job openings: according to the BLS, there are 8760 cybersecurity job openings in the state. This includes their currently working cybersecurity workforce of 17,967, showing that, despite their current concentration, the automotive and high-tech industries in Michigan are still looking to expand their workforces.
In reality, they currently have a very limited supply of cybersecurity staff. With a supply/demand ratio of 2.1, this is close to the national average for cybersecurity employees, but still well below the overall supply/demand ratio for all employment.
To put it another way:
- The ratio in Michigan is 2.1.
- The cybersecurity ratio in the United States is 2.0.
- The general jobs ratio in the United States is 4.6.
Basically, there are a lot of cybersecurity job vacancies right now, and employers are looking for qualified candidates.
In terms of exact title or wage, the cybersecurity positions available can vary greatly. Cybersecurity engineer, cybersecurity researcher, and cybersecurity consultant are all less managerial positions that aren’t normally active in leadership or study.
However, there are other roles available, such as network engineers, developers, or cybersecurity managers, which come with more duties and pay.
This wide variety of potential job opportunities is good news for any aspiring cybersecurity professional, as it means that someone with any level of expertise can enter the market, with plenty of space to develop as skills and experience are gained.
The average salary for cybersecurity professionals in Michigan is $93,850 a year, regardless of their exact role. The hourly rate is approximately $45 per hour. This means that, as compared to national employment rates, most cybersecurity jobs in Michigan will pay well.
Michigan and Cybersecurity
While car manufacturing and Michigan are inextricably linked, the relationship has evolved over time. When digital elements become more prevalent in cars, so does the state’s automotive industry and job market. Currently, Michigan has a sizable community of cybersecurity professionals working on research and development to decide the market’s potential route.
With more job opportunities on the way and plenty of space for expansion, the state will almost certainly experience a major economic boom in the cybersecurity sector in the near future.
Other advantages, such as the abundance of natural beauty and low cost of living, make this a desirable state for any young adult seeking a job.
