Cybersecurity
With the increasingly complex and challenging cyberattacks facing our nation, there is a growing national and local demand for cybersecurity specialists. In fact, there are more positions open than currently qualified candidates. As reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 31% from 2019 to 2029, with the median annual salary at $99,730 per year. At Arapahoe Community College, you'll learn the skills you need to get a job after graduation or continue your education at a 4-year institution with our easily transferred credits.
ACC is a proud member of the Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Community (CAE-C), which is a sponsored by the National Security Agency (NSA). As a CAE-C institution, ACC is accredited and has met rigorous requirements outlined by the NSA. We are committed to producing high-quality cybersecurity professionals to safeguard the US national infrastructure. ACC faculty and students are given the opportunity to network and present research findings to the cybersecurity community at the annual CAE-C Symposium.
Why Choose ACC's Cybersecurity Program?
ACC’s Cybersecurity Associate of Applied Science (AAS) program will help you become a qualified professional with expertise in information assurance, IT security, digital forensics, risk management, and security architecture. Upon successful completion of the program, you'll also be prepared for industry certifications required by many positions: CompTIA A+, Network+, Linux+, Security+, and CySA+, and the ISC2 Systems Security Certified Practitioner. You may also be prepared for the Certified Ethical Hacker industry certification. Secure your future with an AAS in Cybersecurity and enjoy a rewarding career in a dynamic, well-paying field.
Degree Transfer Options
Through ACC’s partnership with CSU Pueblo, you can earn both your Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Cybersecurity and your BS in Computer Information Systems (Cybersecurity Emphasis) at the Sturm Collaboration Campus at Castle Rock! As an ACC student, you can begin CSU-Pueblo courses as early as your 2nd semester in the Cybersecurity AAS program!
ACC’s partnership with Norwich University, the nation’s oldest private military college and the birthplace of ROTC, allows the student to complete the AAS Cybersecurity (ACC pathway) to fully transfer to the BS Cybersecurity concentration in Forensics. This degree is fully online with a satellite campus in downtown Denver.
CIP 111003 (4ACY)
In response to the national and local unmet demand for Cybersecurity Specialists and the increasingly complex and challenging cyber-attacks facing our nation, this cybersecurity program will produce qualified professionals with expertise in information assurance, cybersecurity, and network forensics disciplines. Upon successful completion of the program and depending on organizational employability requirements, students from this program will be prepared for a number of jobs that require the following industry certifications: CompTia A+; Network+; Linux+; Security+, CYSA+, Server+; Cloud+.
Admission Requirements
Program Requirements
OR CIS 315 - CSU Course *
OR CIS 401 - CSU Course *
OR CIS 462 - CSU Course *
OR CIS 461 - CSU Course
- * These courses are required courses for students who intend to transfer to CSU to earn a baccalaureate degree in Computer Information Systems – Cybersecurity Concentration. For this option students need to meet with a Computer Network Technology Advisor to choose the correct sequence of classes. Please call 303.660.3166 for more information.
- ** CompTia Exam vouchers for Network+ and Security+ are included in the course fees and are expected to be taken when the course has completed.
Graduation Requirements
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
- As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.
ACC academic plans will help guide you through your chosen program. The academic plan will provide you with important information, like which semesters courses are offered if there are any prerequisites or co-requisites for courses, program outcomes, course sequence recommendations, notes for the program, graduation requirements, and other important information. These are updated annually, so we recommend downloading a copy of yours to keep on track to graduation.