Types of IT Jobs
STEM | 10min Read
There are lots of advantages to taking a single course. Whether you want to grow in your current career, prepare yourself for a new one or get one step closer to a college degree, an individual course is a great way to get started.
Not only is a single course low-commitment, but it’s a fast way to gain skills and college credits and explore what it’s like to take courses at SNHU.
SNHU courses focus on real-world, career-focused skills that you can use immediately in the workplace or to help prepare you to advance in the field.
Course credits may be transferred to a degree program at SNHU or another university, depending on your university’s transfer policy.
SNHU’s online Cybersecurity Foundations course can help you build essential skills, whether you're upskilling or kickstarting your degree. As cyber threats continue to grow, this course covers fundamental concepts, common threats and defense strategies, while also examining the legal and human factors that impact security. And since the course is part of both our associate and bachelor’s degree programs in cybersecurity, it can help bring you one step closer to reaching your educational and professional goals.
No matter how much technology and threats evolve, the foundations of cybersecurity remain the same. CYB-200 will help students build the foundational skills needed for success on a cybersecurity team.
Brendan Carey, Adjunct Faculty
In this 8-week course, you'll explore cybersecurity principles, legal and human factors, and common threats while learning to apply security strategies to real-world problems. Through projects, quizzes, readings and discussions, you'll engage with authentic cybersecurity tasks.
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Upcoming term starts: June 30, 2025 | September 1, 2025
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At լƵ, you'll have access to a powerful network of more than 400,000 students, alumni and staff that can help support you long after graduation. Our instructors offer relevant, real-world expertise to help you understand and navigate the field. Plus, with our growing, nationwide alumni network, you'll have the potential to tap into a number of internship and career opportunities.
Recently, SNHU has been nationally recognized for leading the way toward more innovative, affordable and achievable education:
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Component Type | PC (Windows OS) |
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Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Microsoft. |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
SNHU Purchase Programs | |
Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Component Type | Apple (Mac OS) |
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Operating System | Currently supported operating system from Apple. |
Memory (RAM) | 8GB or higher |
Hard Drive | 100GB or higher |
Antivirus Software | Required for campus students. Strongly recommended for online students. |
SNHU Purchase Programs | |
Internet/ Bandwidth | 5 Mbps Download, 1 Mbps Upload and less than 100ms Latency |
Additional Information:
As I started looking into schools, I found out quickly that SNHU was one of the pioneers of online education. It was an easy choice when it came down to choosing which school to go to.
Justin Smith ’24
լƵ courses can help lighten the course load required by your degree program at SNHU or another university.
Credits you earn can transfer to SNHU degree programs, or to another university, depending on their transfer policy.
For moving up the ladder or changing fields entirely, new skills can help make you more marketable.
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SNHU is accredited by the regional accreditor the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). The university also carries specialized accreditations for some programs.
Tuition rates for SNHU's online courses are among the lowest in the nation.
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Please note: Books and materials are not included in the above costs. Federal Financial Aid is not available, but you can use employer tuition benefits or tuition reimbursement if available to you. Contact your employer benefits manager to see if you have funds available, or talk to our admission team to learn about payment options.
As a required course for both an Associate of Science in Cybersecurity and a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, CYB-200 - Cybersecurity Foundations is a great class for anyone interested in the field. This online cybersecurity course will help you gain familiarity with foundational cybersecurity concepts and terms. It will also teach you the difference between adversarial and environmental threats and how to analyze a security practitioner's response. Furthermore, you'll explore legal and human factors and examine how they influence the development of organizational security strategies.
An Associate of Science in Cybersecurity and a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity require other classes beyond CYB-200 - Cybersecurity Foundations, including CYB-260 - Legal and Human Factors of Cybersecurity, CYB-300 - System and Communication Security, and CYB-320 - Incident Response and Investigation.
In completing the full program requirements, you'll be prepared to compete in an exciting, challenging and increasingly in-demand field.
A cybersecurity degree can be a valuable investment, especially with the growing demand for professionals in the field. These programs cover key areas like network security, risk management and ethical hacking, preparing graduates for careers in industries such as finance, healthcare and retail.
While a degree alone may not guarantee a job, it can improve earning potential and job stability. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, cybersecurity professionals earn competitive salaries, with roles like information security analyst seeing significant growth.1 Whether you pursue an associate, bachelor’s or master’s degree, a strong educational background can open doors to a variety of career paths and leadership opportunities in this ever-evolving field.
Of course. We offer online associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees in cybersecurity. That means you'll get the flexibility of learning on your time – all while getting the experience you need to take the next step of your career.
“Our classes are 100% online, but the program is packed with hands-on labs to help you learn how to use industry-standard tools and techniques," said Jonathan Kamyck, associate dean of cybersecurity at SNHU. "Some courses even include the main concepts on certification exams, helping you prepare for additional credentials while you earn your degree.”
A degree in cybersecurity is the first step to a rewarding technology career and can prepare you for jobs with strong salaries and career growth potential.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual wage for information security analysts was $120,360 in 2023, with the highest 10 percent earning more than $182,370.1
Demand for skilled cybersecurity workers is also expected to continue. The BLS predicts employment of information security analysts jobs will grow 33% by 2033 – much faster than the national average job growth for all occupations.1
CYB-200 - Cybersecurity Foundations is an 8-week course that serves as a generous introduction to the field. Students pursuing their bachelor's degree online at լƵ typically take 1 to 2 courses per 8-week term, which means you have the option to be enrolled in 2 classes focused on cybersecurity at the same time.
Lead by instructors with real-world expertise, these online cybersecurity courses are specifically designed to help you learn specific skills to help prove to your employers you have what it takes to make it in cybersecurity. And with no set class times and 24/7 online access to coursework, you have the flexibility to learn when and where you want. After just 2 short months, you'll have the knowledge — and college credits — to show for all your hard work.
Getting started in cybersecurity does require a strong understanding of mathematics, as well as some knowledge of basic IT principles and tools.
But if you’re new to the information technology world, a cybersecurity online bachelor’s degree program can help provide much of this foundational knowledge and experience. You’ll study the fundamentals of programming concepts, learn common scripting language and gain an introduction to computer programs with hands-on activities designed for beginners.
And while mathematics and coding are key to cybersecurity careers, soft skills like communication, critical thinking and problem-solving can be just as valuable.
"A lot of what you do in IT is building relationships," said SNHU adjunct instructor Gary Asp, a senior security and compliance analyst. "Good communication is 80% listening and 20% talking. That helps build those good relationships because the people that you're communicating with feel heard, which opens the pathways for good collaboration. And you absolutely need collaboration for good IT security."
We may be a bit biased, but we think SNHU is a great place to learn cybersecurity. We offer an Associate of Science in Cybersecurity, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity and Master of Science in Cybersecurity. This provides you with the opportunity to select whichever degree level suits your career goals best.
SNHU is also a good choice, because:
The fields of information technology and cybersecurity are inextricably connected. In fact, cybersecurity is offered as a specialized concentration under our Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. Students in this program learn the technical abilities and practice skills to have any organization innovate IT practices, products and processes. However, they also delve into the basics of defending networks and information systems against cyber attacks.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, many employers prefer information security analyst candidates with a bachelor's degree in computer science, information technology or a related field.1 However, some may also consider those with industry certifications and practical experience.1
Starting a career in cybersecurity career involves several key elements:
1Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, on the internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm (viewed March 5, 2025). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.
2CyberSeek, Cybersecurity Career Pathway, on the internet at https://www.cyberseek.org/pathway.html (viewed March 5, 2025)