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San Diego City College

Cyber Defense and Analysis

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CyberDefense

Program Information

On January 23rd, 2023 the California Community Colleges Board of Governors affirmed approval of San Diego City College’s Baccalaureate Degree Program (BDP) in Cyber Defense and Analysis, helping to further train the state’s workforce and giving more Californians an opportunity to earn a four-year degree from a community college. The program expansion (AB 927) will benefit California by awarding more advanced degrees in high-demand workforce industries and putting Californians on a path toward employment in their field of study and in industries of greatest need for the state’s economy.

"The bachelor's degree program in Cyber Defense and Analysis will provide a pipeline that not only leads to an above-livable wage career in an industry that is clearly in demand, but will also help diversify the cyber security workforce by allowing more women, military veterans, and people of color to find good jobs." said City College President Ricky Shabazz. "Social justice and educational equity are at the core of our mission at San Diego City College, and the bachelor's degree program in Cyber Defense and Analysis aligns perfectly with that mission."

The Cyber Defense and Analysis (CyDA) program develops advanced skills to interpret business needs, proactively defend computer networks, identify and analyze threats, and maintain cybersecurity resilience. The baccalaureate curriculum prepares students for careers in cyber-workforce operations. 

*Limitation on Enrollment: Must be admitted into the Cyber Defense and Analysis program.

Description and Goals

The Bachelor of Science in Cyber Defense and Analysis follows the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Cybersecurity Workforce Framework and the Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF) with the common goal of developing critical knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform real-time defensive cyber operations. Program emphasis is on architectural, analytical, and strategic application of advanced techniques and technologies to actively monitor and defend core operational and emerging technology, network hardware and systems, and supply chain and critical infrastructure. Additionally, students explore the ethical and societal impacts of the development and use of cyber technology.

This pathway includes preparation for multiple industry-recognized certifications geared toward preparing students to be job-ready for a successful career in cyber workforce roles that impact an organization’s ability to analytically assess and respond to modern cybersecurity threats while managing risk and maintaining business continuity.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion the student will be able to:

  • Design, assess, and adapt security solutions by applying integrated cyber defense operations best practices and methodologies.
  • Formulate and apply cryptographic techniques to data in computer and communication environments.
  • Classify, construct, and assess cyber incident response processes that conform to accepted professional standards.
  • Analyze and consider policy, legal, and compliance aspects of cyber defense topics.
  • Demonstrate critical-thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills to identify and resolve complex cyber security problems.
  • Consider the ethical and societal impacts of the development and use of cyber defense technology.

Career Options

Careers in the cybersecurity workforce or information security field include: cyber defense analyst, information security consultant, security administrator, security analyst, security engineer, security auditor, incident responder, penetration tester, vulnerability assessor, support technician, systems administrator, network administrator, and network specialist.

Course Catalog

Click here for course description from Catalog

Bachelor of Science - Cyber Defense and Analysis

(Related: Associate of Science - Cybersecurity)

Minimum Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees

All baccalaureate degrees offered by a California Community College must meet the minimum requirements outlined in this section. These requirements are designed to ensure the baccalaureate degrees are equivalent or superior to other baccalaureate degrees offered by other community colleges or universities throughout the United States. Each degree program must include the following:

  1. A combination of lower division and upper division coursework totaling a minimum of 120 semester or 180 quarter units that are applicable to a baccalaureate degree as defined within these guidelines.
  2. Completion of the CSU General Education Breadth or Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum pattern.
  3. Completion of a minimum of 24 semester or 36 quarter units of upper division courses, including a minimum of six semester or nine quarter units of upper division general education.
  4. An identified major that includes a minimum of 18 semester or 27 quarter units of lower division courses and 18 semester or 27 quarter units of upper division courses.

Program Prerequisites

Applicants must have successfully completed the program prerequisites and lower division general education requirements, each with a grade of "C" or better:

  1. San Diego City College's Associate Degree in Cybersecurity, or equivalent, satisfies the program prerequisites required for the Cyber Defense and Analysis Baccalaureate Degree.
  2. Credit for prior learning or experience working in a cyber defense field may be accepted for course credit upon approval of the program director.
  3. General education requirements must meet one of the following general education options: the California State University General Education (CSUGE) Breadth pattern or the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) pattern listed on pages ###-### of the college catalog.

General Education Information

  • The IGETC pattern is accepted by all CSU campuses and most UC campuses and majors. It is also accepted by some private/ independent or out of state universities.
  • The CSU GE pattern is accepted by all CSU campuses and some private/independent or out of state universities. It is not accepted by the UC system.
  • It is strongly recommended that students consult with a counselor to determine which general education option is most appropriate for their individual educational goals.

Course Catalog

Click here for course description from Catalog

**Course List and Descriptions Coming Soon

Estimated Cost of Enrollment (CA Residents)

 

Required Units

Cost Per Unit

Estimated Total

CSUGE or IGETC

*36

$46

$1,656

AS - Cybersecurity

*32

$46

$1,472

BS – Cyber Defense and Analysis

*54

$130

$7,020

Full Program

*122

 

$10,148

 

*Some students may need additional units to meet general education, associate degree, and/or baccalaureate degree requirements. Please check with a counselor to determine the appropriate education plan.

For a full estimate of the total cost of attendance for residents and non-residents - including enrollment, books and supplies, food, housing, and transportation - visit the Financial Aid Office.

Need help paying for college? Everyone, no matter your financial situation, should fill out a FAFSA to determine what types of financial aid you may be eligible for.

Next application period: Coming Fall 2023

Admission/Selection Criteria

Admission to a community college hosting the baccalaureate degree program does not guarantee admission into the program. Students who wish to declare a major in the baccalaureate degree program may need to meet minimum criteria in order to be admitted into the program. Admission into the program may be selective due to availability of practicum sites, limitations in the number of students who can be accommodated in the program and/or other limitations. Students admitted to the baccalaureate degree program must be able to meet the essential elements of the courses and programs.

San Diego City College uses a multicriteria screening process to evaluate applicants for admission. This process may include, but shall not necessarily be limited to, all of the following:

  1. Academic degrees or diplomas, or relevant certificates, held by an applicant.
  2. Grade-point average in relevant coursework.
  3. Any relevant work or volunteer experience.
  4. Professional licensing and/or state/national certification.
  5. Life experiences or special circumstances of an applicant, including, but not necessarily limited to, the following experiences or circumstances: disability, low family income, first generation of family to attend college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, extenuating circumstances, refugee, or veteran status.
  6. Proficiency or advanced level coursework in languages other than English.

Community colleges approved to offer a baccalaureate degree program shall grant priority enrollment and admission to military veterans, foster youth, students in the Community College Extended Opportunity Programs and Services program, students eligible for Disabled Student Programs and Services, and students who are California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids recipients consistent with Education Code Sections 66025.8, 66025.9, 66025.91 and 66025.92.

Admissions Pathways for New Applicants

There are three pathways into the Cyber Defense and Analysis bachelor's degree program depending on your past college credit completion. View all three pathways to find the one that is best for you.

*Limitation on Enrollment: Student must be admitted into the Cyber Defense and Analysis program.

Track 1 - Entering as a Freshman (1st Year)

The first pathway is designed for students enrolling in the Cybersecurity associate degree program, who are interested in continuing to earn a bachelor’s degree in Cyber Defense and Analysis. Students in this track will enter as freshmen.

In the spring semester of the first-year, students will have the opportunity to apply to the baccalaureate program as a pre-major.

In addition to the required courses for the major, students pursuing this track must complete the following requirements to complete the bachelor's degree program:

  • CSU or IGETC General Education Pattern
  • Transfer level Math Course (Math 119 or equivilent)
  • Transfer level English Composition Course

In order to proceed into the baccalaureate program, students must complete the Cybersecurity associate degree program from San Diego City College.

Track 2 - Entering as a Sophomore (2nd Year)

The second pathway is designed for students with previous AS/BS degrees in fields other than Cybersecurity. This track allows students to complete the major prerequisites (non-GE) in one year.

Applicants must have completed the following requirements prior to applying to this track:

  • CSU or IGETC General Education Pattern
  • Transfer level Math Course (Math 119 or equivilent)
  • Transfer level English Composition Course
    OR
    Completion of previous college degree (AA/AS/BA/BS)

In order to proceed into the baccalaureate program, students must complete the Cybersecurity associate degree program from San Diego City College.

Track 3 - Entering as a Junior (3rd Year)

The third pathway is designed for students who have completed a two-year program in Cybersecurity, who are interested in pursuing a bachelor's degree in Cyber Defense and Analysis. Students in this track will enter directly as juniors.

Students pursuing this track must complete the following requirements prior to earning a bachelor's degree (if they have not already been completed):

  • CSU or IGETC General Education Pattern
  • Transfer level Math Course (Math 119 or equivalent)
  • Transfer level English Composition Course

In order to proceed into the baccalaureate program, students must possess a Cybersecurity associate degree from San Diego City College, or an equivilent associate degree from another college or university.