• Earn your certificate in as little as 12 months
• Interact with other online learners across the globe
• Increase your earning potential and career opportunities
• Learn from faculty with distinguished academic credentials, industry experience and a strong commitment to applied research

Overview

The graduate certificate in Network and Information Security is designed for advanced computer professionals who wish to strengthen their knowledge and skills in the fast changing field of Information Security as well as students majoring in disciplines other than Computer Engineering and Computer Science.

As networking technology continues to rapidly advance, so do new and sophisticated threats and attacks to the nation's information infrastructure. This certificate will prepare you to respond to these challenges, training you to monitor and identify cyber criminals. This certificate is best for:

1) Advanced computer professionals who wish to strengthen their knowledge and skills in the fast changing field of network and information security

2) Someone with an undergraduate degree in a discipline other than computer engineering or computer science who wishes to gain knowledge and skills in network and information security

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Curriculum

The curriculum for the Network and Information Security certificate program requires the completion of a total of 12 credits of coursework, consisting of four 3-credit courses. The courses are:

Required:

• CECS 566 Information Security
• CECS 564 Introduction to Cryptology

Two electives from the following:

• CECS 617 Mobile Computing
• CECS 694 Special topic on Computer Forensics
• CECS 632 Data Mining
• CECS 694 Special topic on Network Security
• CECS 694 Special topic on Information Assurance

For a complete list of course requirements, see the department's website. Course descriptions can be found in the online schedule of courses.

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Admission

The following is required for admission to the Network and Information Security certificate program:

• Application for admission
• $60 non-refundable application fee (can pay online as part of the application)
• Official transcript certifying at least a bachelor's degree
• Completion of required prerequisites or documentation demonstrating sufficient knowledge (see paragraph below)

You will need to have sufficient background to be successful in the courses required for the certificate. Therefore, applicants should have completed the required course prerequisites, or have equivalent knowledge from courses taken at other universities, or from work experience. Specifically, you should have taken courses equivalent to CECS 311, CECS 420, and CECS 310 courses. Work experience in the industry can be used as substitute if it provides experience in operating systems, networking and legal and ethical issues.

Documentation demonstrating background knowledge sufficient to satisfy course prerequisites is required. This may include transcripts of the courses taken, course catalog description and documentation from work regarding the experience in the particular areas as outlined above.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all foreign students from countries in which English is not the native language. Applicants holding a baccalaureate or advanced degree from an accredited college or university in the United States are exempt from the TOEFL requirement.

Credentials should be mailed to:

Graduate Admissions
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY 40292

Applications received at least six weeks prior to the beginning of a term will be given priority. Please refer to the academic calendar to view the beginning of each term.

If you live outside of the United States and intend to complete an online academic program from your home country, be sure to view special requirements for international students.

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