Loretto, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning, On-Campus
Key Summary
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Become a Cybersecurity Specialist with a Degree in Cybersecurity Administration from Saint Francis University
More data than ever before is stored, managed, and handled online. With cyber threats, data breaches, and online crime on the rise, the field of cybersecurity continues to grow. Join us to become part of the next generation of information security specialists dedicated to protecting vulnerable data from hacking and cyber-related threats in a variety of industries. We ensure that you are prepared for a career in any sector, and opportunities to sit for certification exams will jumpstart your career potential!
- $1.5 Million DiSepio Chair Endowment provides for CS-related equipment, research funds and scholarships
- Gain hands-on learning using industry-leading digital forensic software
- Sit for industry-recognized certification exams while pursuing your degree
Our program:
- offers practical experience through projects that use the latest industry-leading software, work-study programs, and internship opportunities;
- is aligned with national cybersecurity professional job performance standards and frameworks;
- provides students with the ability to sit for multiple, industry-recognized, certification exams while pursuing their degree.
The SFU Learning Experience
At Saint Francis University, you can combine your interests in computer science, information security, business, and leadership into a degree in Cybersecurity Administration.
As a student in our program, you will choose from 3 of the 6 tracks offered that best suit your interests. You will choose from:
- Blockchain Applications
- System Administration
- Digital Forensics
- Penetration Testing
Why study Cybersecurity Administration at SFU
Here are a few specific benefits of studying at Saint Francis:
Hands-on Learning Model: Each course is designed to focus on skill validation and includes lab exercises aligned with industry-required competencies and cybersecurity competitions. Through this hands-on learning model you’ll develop an understanding of the various specialties in the Cybersecurity discipline and be able to demonstrate critical thinking skills to resolve real-world problems.
Certification Opportunities: Our program provides opportunities to take multiple industry-recognized certification exams, such as AccessData Certified Examiner® certification.
Committed Resources: The $1.5 Million DiSepio Chair Endowment provides Computer Science and Cybersecurity students with up-to-date, high-tech equipment and research funds to engage in real projects. The Endowment also provides scholarships to Computer Science and Cybersecurity students.
State-of-the-Art Facilities: You’ll have access to the program’s dedicated programming classroom and the DiSepio Computer Science student lounge which facilitates student teams’ design and programming activities.
Industry-focused: Our program is aligned with national cybersecurity professional job performance standards and frameworks, as well as industry needs, and is mapped to federal and national standards, such as the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE).
Curriculum
In teaching students to protect the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information and information systems that support modern organizations and drive our society, students receive a comprehensive education in the fundamentals of information systems.
You will choose 9 credits from 3 of our 4 offered tracks (totaling 27 credits) in order to complete your degree:
- Blockchain Applications
- System Administration
- Digital Forensics
- Penetration Testing
Year 1
Fall
- CSA 101 Cybercrime and Electronic Evidence 3
- CPSC 121 Introduction to Computer Program I 4
- CPSC 140 Intro to Information Technology 3
- WRIT 102 Research Writing 3
- CORE 113 First Year Seminar 3
- CORE 103 Community Enrich. 0
Spring
- CSA 130 Cyber Security Foundations 3
- Free Free Elective 3
- MATH 130 Discrete Math 3
- LIT 104 Introduction to Literature 3
- CORE 104 Community Enrich. 0
- RLST 105 Franciscan Goals for Today 3
Year 2
Fall
- CSA 201 Digital Forensics I 4
- CSA 332 Information Networking and Security 3
- Free Free Elective 3
- PHIL 205 Introduction to Philosophy 3
- EPPS ECON/PLSC/PSY/SOC elective 3
Spring
- CSA Track 1.1 3
- EPPS ECON101/PLSC/PSYC101/SOC 3
- CSA Track 2.1 3
- RLST/PHIL RLST or PHIL elective 3
- CSA 336 Incident Response and Forensics 3
- Free Free Elective 3
Year 3
Fall
- CSA Track 1.2 3
- CSA Track 2.2 3
- HIST History Elective 3
- LANG Foreign Language Elective 3
- EXAM 301 Writing Competency Exam 0
- *** Diversity Requirement 3
Spring
- CSA Track 1.3 3
- CSA Track 2.3 3
- CSA Track 3.1 3
- EPPS ECON101/PLSC/PSYC101/SOC 3
- FNAR FNAR/ART/MUS/THTR 3
- Free Free Elective 3
Year 4
Fall
- CSA Track 3.2 3
- CORE 407 Senior Capstone 3
- Free Free Elective 3
- Free Free Elective 3
- Free Free Elective 3
Spring
- CSA Track 3.3 3
- Free Free Elective 3
- Free Free Elective 3
- Free Free Elective 3
- Free Free Elective 3
Tracks: Completion of 27 credits; three tracks required with 9 credits from each.
- Blockchain Applications Track: CSA 110; CSA 111; CSA 410
- Digital Forensics Track: CSA 202; CSA 301; CSA 401; CSA 402
- Penetration Testing Track: CSA 210; CSA 420; CSA 421
- System Administration Track: CPSC 322; CPSC 332; CPSC 345; CPSC 422
Blockchain Applications Track (9 credits)
- CSA 110: Blockchain Fundamentals
- CSA 111: Cryptocurrency
- CSA 410: Dark Web Analysis and Threat Detection
Digital Forensics Track (9 credits from)
- CSA 202: Digital Forensics II
- CSA 301: Complex Online Investigations
- CSA 401: MAC (Apple) Forensics
- CSA 402: Mobile Device Forensics
Penetration Testing Track (9 credits)
- CSA 210: Open Source Cyber Intelligence
- CSA 420: Ethical Hacking I
- CSA 421: Ethical Hacking II
System Administration Track (9 credits from)
- CPSC 322: Introduction to System Administration
- CPSC 332: Information Networking and Security
- CPSC 345: Database Management
- CPSC 422: System Administration
Program Outcome
As a graduate of our Cybersecurity Administration program, you will be able to:
- Use industry-recognized software and hardware to conduct digital forensic investigations that comply with the standard methodology and investigative process.
- Apply a foundational understanding of computer networks, operating systems, file systems, and devices as they relate to digital investigations.
- Understand and apply the legal, procedural, and ethical requirements related to the acquisition and analysis of digital evidence.
- Demonstrate communication, critical thinking, reasoning, and problem-solving skills to resolve real-world, Cybersecurity-related scenarios and issues independently or as part of a team.
- Excel in your chosen tracks, demonstrated by your success on certain certification examinations and on projects within their classes.
Career Opportunities
As cyber threats become increasingly common, the field of cybersecurity continues to grow at a rapid pace. In fact, the demand, according to cybersecurityventures.com, grew 350% between 2013 and 2021. Analysts with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics project 28% employment growth from 2016 to 2026 for information security analysts.
Our Cybersecurity Administration program will prepare you for careers in sectors such as:
- federal and state government agencies
- corporations
- banks and financial institutions
- information technology departments
- law enforcement
- healthcare facilities and
- hospitals