M.S. in Computer Information Systems
The M.S. in Computer Information Systems at NEC is a 36-credit program that can typical...
B.S. in Cybersecurity
Henniker, New Hampshire
INTAKE: Jan, Aug & Oct
Program Overview
The B.S. in Cybersecurity at New England College is a four-year, 120-credit undergraduate program available in on-campus, online, and hybrid formats. Its core objective is to equip students with the expertise needed to identify, prevent, and help organizations recover from cyberattacks. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of an organization's security needs, enabling students to develop effective strategies and policies. Students can choose between a technical track, focusing on programming, databases, and network defense, or a management track, centered on cybersecurity planning, risk analysis, and fraud prevention. The program's practical orientation includes simulated cyber attack resolution and opportunities to earn industry certifications, enhancing graduates' marketability.
Curriculum: The 120-credit B.S. in Cybersecurity curriculum at NEC is structured with a 20-credit Cybersecurity Core, 20 credits for either a Technical or Management track, 4 credits in Professional Training, 42 credits for the Liberal Arts & Sciences Core, and 34 general electives. Core cybersecurity courses include "Cybersecurity Foundations," "Cybersecurity Principles," "IT System Components," "Policy, Legal, Ethics and Compliance," and "Basic Networking." The Technical Track includes courses like "Basic Scripting and Programming," "Basic Cryptography," "Operating Systems Concepts," "Databases," and "Network Defense." The Management Track covers "Cybersecurity Planning and Management," "Security Program Management," "Security Risk Analysis," "Data Administration," and "Fraud Prevention and Management." The Professional Training component allows students to gain valuable industry certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Network+.
Research Focus: The B.S. in Cybersecurity at New England College has a strong applied and practical research focus, aimed at developing students' abilities to analyze, evaluate, and maintain cyber systems in the face of evolving threats. While a traditional thesis may not be explicitly required, the curriculum emphasizes "real-world cybersecurity challenges" and "threat mitigation strategies." Students gain hands-on training in "resolving simulated cyber attacks" and "troubleshooting, maintaining, and updating an enterprise-level information security system." The program encourages critical thinking and problem-solving through "industry case studies" and "team projects focused on ethics and technology." Faculty members often have professional experience and research interests in areas like digital privacy, identity theft, and the implementation of distance-learning programs, bringing current industry challenges and research into the classroom.
Industry Engagement: New England College's B.S. in Cybersecurity program demonstrates significant industry engagement through its practical curriculum and faculty expertise. The program aligns with the National Security Agency (NSA) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense (CAE IA/CD) model, ensuring its relevance to industry standards. Students receive "hands-on training while resolving simulated cyber attacks" and explore "industry case studies," providing direct exposure to real-world cybersecurity challenges. The curriculum also prepares students to earn valuable industry certifications through CompTIA, which are highly recognized by employers. Furthermore, faculty members are often "highly experienced instructors" with professional backgrounds in security and computer-related industries, providing mentorship and insights into best practices in the evolving field.
Global Perspective: The B.S. in Cybersecurity at New England College incorporates a global perspective, recognizing the increasingly interconnected and vulnerable digital landscape. While the specific curriculum details a course on "Policy, Legal, Ethics and Compliance," which often includes national and international regulations, the nature of cybersecurity inherently demands a global understanding due to the transnational nature of cyber threats. The program's goal to train professionals to "anticipate and prevent cyber threats to keep digital assets safe" applies universally. The broader Liberal Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum at NEC also includes a "Global Perspectives" course, fostering an understanding of diverse cultures and global interdependencies. This prepares graduates to address cybersecurity challenges in a world where cyberattacks originate from and impact entities across national borders.
Location
Henniker, New Hampshire
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 40178
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for undergraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 65% or above in their previous academic qualifications.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.0 or 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 80 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 65 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 105.
New England College (NEC) is supporting talented international students by offering a range of merit-based scholarships designed to make quality education more accessible and affordable. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, leadership, and other achievements, helping to reduce the financial burden of studying in the United States.
Merit-Based Scholarships: All international applicants to NEC are automatically considered for merit scholarships during the admission process. Awards vary based on the student’s academic record, test scores, extracurricular involvement, and leadership qualities.
Presidential Scholarship: One of the most prestigious awards, the Presidential Scholarship, is granted to exceptional international students with outstanding academic credentials.
Athletic Scholarships: NEC offers athletic scholarships to international students who demonstrate exceptional skill and commitment in NCAA Division III sports. These scholarships are awarded based on athletic performance, team needs, and coach recommendations, providing support while balancing academics and athletics.
Specialized Program Scholarships: Certain academic departments at NEC may offer scholarships targeting high-achieving students pursuing degrees in fields such as Business, Cybersecurity, Education, Creative Writing, and Health Sciences. These targeted awards help attract top talent and support focused areas of study.
Graduates of New England College's B.S. in Cybersecurity are highly sought after in a rapidly expanding job market. Their comprehensive training in threat mitigation, network security, ethical considerations, and compliance, combined with practical experience in simulated environments, positions them as valuable assets to any organization.
Cybersecurity Analyst: Monitors security systems, analyzes threats, investigates security breaches, and implements solutions to protect an organization's networks and data.
Network Security Engineer: Designs, implements, and maintains secure network infrastructures, including firewalls, VPNs, and intrusion detection systems, to prevent unauthorized access.
Information Security Analyst: Plans and carries out security measures to protect an organization's computer networks and systems, often focusing on risk assessment and policy development.
Digital Forensics Specialist: Investigates cybercrimes and data breaches, collecting and analyzing digital evidence to identify perpetrators and understand the scope of an attack.
Vulnerability Analyst/Penetration Tester: Identifies and assesses security weaknesses in systems, applications, and networks, often by simulating cyberattacks (ethical hacking) to pinpoint vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.
Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst: Works in a security operations center, monitoring for security incidents, responding to alerts, and actively defending against cyber threats in real-time.
Cybersecurity Consultant: Provides expert advice to organizations on their security posture, develops tailored security strategies, and assists with compliance and risk management.
IT Security Manager: Oversees a team of security professionals, develops and implements security policies, and manages the overall security infrastructure of an organization.
Compliance Officer (Cybersecurity): Ensures that an organization adheres to relevant cybersecurity laws, regulations, and industry standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS).
Systems Administrator (with Security Focus): Manages, maintains, and secures computer systems and servers, implementing security patches, access controls, and data backup procedures to protect information assets.
