University at Albany, State University of New York

How this program compares

Benchmark this program against our national recognition pages and use the key guides below to evaluate ROI, admissions difficulty, and outcomes.

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 3.0 preferred; SAT/ACT scores are optional but recommended for competitive applicants.

About This Program

A comprehensive undergraduate program exploring the legal, policy, and technical aspects of cyber defense to protect organizational privacy and infrastructure.

Career Outcomes

Launch Cybersecurity Analyst career in Cybersecurity AI with digital forensics focus

• 1. Cybersecurity Analyst
• 2. Penetration Tester
• 3. Incident Response Specialist
• 4. Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst

What You'll Learn

• Identify and mitigate cyber threats using firewalls, IDS/IPS, and secure network design.
• Perform penetration testing and ethical hacking to assess vulnerabilities.
• Conduct digital forensics investigations including evidence acquisition and chain of custody.
• Implement cryptography, encryption, and access controls for data protection.

Curriculum Highlights

The curriculum covers cybercrime behavior, ethical hacking, digital forensics, and human elements of security, emphasizing quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Top Employers

Top employers include Microsoft, Cisco, IBM, and government agencies like NSA and FBI.

Admissions

High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 3.0 preferred; SAT/ACT scores are optional but recommended for competitive applicants.

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: 2–3
• Resume: Optional
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required

Academic Requirements

• Degree Required: High School Diploma
• GRE/GMAT: Not Required
• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international students (TOEFL 80+ / IELTS 6.5+)