Be a Cyber Defender
Shield data. Stop hackers. Secure the future.
Your exhilarating cybersecurity career begins at Owens. Become a digital guardian, investigating cyber crimes and tracking cybercriminals and terrorists. Using state-of-the-art equipment and immersive lab simulations, you’ll master industry standards and best practices to solve real-world security challenges and develop policies that protect critical IT infrastructure from emerging threats.
Essential skills that make you a cybersecurity standout:
- Cyber-defense mindset: Analyze threats, solve complex problems and maintain composure under pressure
- Spot critical details: Identify vulnerabilities others might overlook without losing sight of the bigger picture, protecting systems before breaches occur
- Communicate and collaborate: Translate technical challenges into clear, actionable solutions for your teams
Small Classes. Expert Guidance.
At Owens, you have a team of dedicated, experienced professionals guiding you. In turn, your faculty will be supported by an Advisory Committee of local professionals.
Our instructors are experts who take pride in your success. Combined with our small class sizes, you’ll get one-on-one mentorship and precise technical feedback tailored to your goals.
Award Type
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Department
Department of Computer and Information Systems
Required Credit Hours
63-66
What to Expect
<$9,300
Annual net program costs with financial aid
$41K
Median salary 2 years after graduation
14:1
Student-instructor ratio for personalized mentorship and support
From Novice to Network Protector
You’ll advance from foundational concepts to sophisticated defense strategies. Master the security tools that safeguard enterprise information through comprehensive training in:
- Security Fundamentals: Understand cybersecurity principles, threat identification and vulnerability assessment—including attack prevention strategies
- Networking and Systems: Build expertise in networking technologies, operating system administration across Windows and Linux platforms, and database design
- Cyber Defense and Ethical Hacking: Deploy advanced defense strategies and ethical hacking techniques to identify and remediate security vulnerabilities
- Security Policies and Incident Response: Develop security frameworks, coordinate incident management, and create business continuity and disaster recovery plans
- Cloud and Mobile Security: Secure data and applications across cloud environments and mobile platforms
Throughout the program, courses in communication, public speaking and multicultural awareness strengthen your leadership and collaboration skills. You’ll complete your degree with a capstone experience—either leading a real-world IT project or applying your expertise through a cooperative work placement.
Set yourself apart with the Security Tech Certificate—a perk of this program.
Career Outcomes
In just two years, you’ll be prepared for mission-critical roles protecting confidential digital assets. With cybersecurity professionals in high demand, you can pursue careers as a cybersecurity analyst, information security specialist, SOC technician and more. You’ll serve on the front lines of cyber defense, working in digital forensics, incident response, threat detection and risk assessment.
By graduation, you’ll hold a marketable associate degree alongside multiple industry-recognized certifications. These credentials showcase your expertise and versatility to employers, giving you a clear competitive edge in the job market.
CompTIA:
- Tech+ (FC0-U71) and IC3: IT fundamentals
- Network+ (N10-009): Networking technologies
- Security+: Network security
- Linux+: Linux essentials
- PenTest+: Penetration testing and vulnerability assessments
- CySA+: Cyber defense
- Project+: IT project management
Microsoft and more:
- Core Microsoft AZ-800: Administrating Win Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure
- Microsoft MD-102: Endpoint Administrator
- MO-110: MS Word Associate
- MO-210: MS Excel Associate
- MO-310: MS PowerPoint Associate
- Cisco CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Association
Explore the employment data to understand trends in our area.
In Their Words
“Having the equipment to build, test, and learn on made Owens a great place to learn. I also credit the smaller class sizes with the opportunity to take a more in-depth dive to develop my skills through ‘testing and tinkering.’”
Dillion Gibbs, Electrical Engineering and Computer Technologies, STEM, ’22
Getting Started at Owens
Begin your high-quality education at an affordable price today!
Enrollment is easy—just fill out an online admissions application to get started. We’ll ask you to submit your transcripts for course placement and college credit.
Upon acceptance, schedule a meeting with your admissions advisor to register for classes. Next, attend an on-campus orientation and meet with your student financial services advisor to discuss ways to pay for college.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE). For more information concerning accreditation standards contact the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE), 310 W. Lake St., Suite 111, Elmhurst, IL 60126. phone: (630) 433-4514 web: atmae.org