There are over a dozen different cybersecurity degree programs available at Ohio universities. There are a number of online programs (that may or may not have campus locations in Ohio) that you may consider that are also accepting applicants from the state of Ohio.

Here is a list of Ohio cybersecurity degrees that are from NSA CAE Designated Institutions:

Air Force Institute of Technology
Cedarville University
Clark State Community College

Click to jump to the full list of Ohio cybersecurity schools.

NSA CAE Designated Institutions for Cyber Security in Ohio

The National Security Agency (NSA) endorses cybersecurity programs in higher education by designating them as one of the National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE). With the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), many of these institutions will fall under Cyber Defense, either setting an education (CAE CDE) or research (CAE-R) standard. There is a separate designation for two-year degrees, which are generally reserved for community or specialized school. A handful of colleges have been designated as a CAE in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO).

A few programs at Cedarville University and the University of Cincinnati in Ohio have programs that are designated within the CAE-CO category. Seven additional schools have received accreditation in cyber defense. There are four community colleges that offer an abbreviated two-year program, and many of the big universities like Ohio State and the University of Cincinnati offer full undergraduate and graduate programs. There are a number of places to receive cybersecurity education, with a handful of online opportunities for more flexibility to study and succeed.

Online Cyber Security Programs in Ohio

Through the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services, the University of Cincinnati has an online Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with a focus in Cybersecurity. This can also be earned as a certification called Foundations of Cybersecurity.

Courses that students will take in the curriculum include Fundamentals of Information Technology, System Administration, and Criminal Procedure. For the certification itself, students will need to complete the program within two years from enrollment date and graduate with at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA. The entire curriculum in cybersecurity is available throughout the year.

Master's in Cyber Security Degrees in Ohio

Due to the complicated nature of information technology and network security, it is recommended that those who are looking to get into engineering or managerial roles should consider a Master's program. This provides the education needed to advance along in a specific career, or make the switch into cybersecurity for those working in a different segment of the IT sector. In order to gain entry into a Master's program, students will typically need to have an undergraduate degree with a 3.0 cumulative GPA, prior coursework in computer science and mathematics, and they will need to submit official transcripts, an updated resume, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement declaring why they are pursuing this degree.

Wright State University offers a Master of Science in Cyber Security through their Computer Science and Engineering department. This advanced degree provides an education in computer science theory and will prepare graduates for various hardware and software solutions within cybersecurity with the school's Virtual Cyber Security Lab. The program can be completed online and requires 30 credit hours. Students can select between a culminating project or thesis report to finish the program. Regardless of choice, the following core courses are needed: Security Attacks and Defenses, Cyber Network Security, Host Computer Security, and Information Security.

Getting Started Working in Cyber Security in Ohio

Gaining an education within the cybersecurity sector is easy and flexible in the state of Ohio. There are a handful of programs at various levels and most associates and Bachelor’s degree will not require any prior work experience and little to no computer science classwork. JP Morgan Chase, CDW, and Accenture are some popular companies to work for in the cybersecurity industry.

• Undergraduate Degrees:

  At Columbus State Community College, the Associate of Applied Sciences has a Cybersecurity Major option for students that are looking to break into entry-level work opportunities or to be more prepared for programs at larger universities. They can also use this program to prepare themselves for certification exams. Six semesters will be needed to complete the program, and the equates to two years when adding a few classes during the summer term. There are subject requirements within arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and natural and physical sciences. Course examples include Linux Essentials, Statistical Concepts for Businesses, and Computer Forensics and Incident Response.

  Ohio State University has a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science and Engineering with various concentrations available, one of them being in Information and Computation Assurance. This provides a general education experience within the complicated topics of computer science and computer engineering, giving students background knowledge, and they pick a path to go down. For this specific concentration, there are required courses of Computer Networking and Internet Technologies, and Information Security, and an option between Information Security Projects and Network Security.

• Masters and Continuing Education:

  There are a few schools that have been accredited in cyber operations, and one of those is a Master of Science in Computer Engineering and a Graduate Certificate of Proficiency in Cyber Operations at the University of Cincinnati. In addition to Wright State University, the Air Force Institute of Technology is also accredited in cyber defense. There are Master and Doctoral degrees, with the former lasting approximately 18 months and start times are available in August. The following Master’s degrees are offered: Master of Computer Science, Master of Electrical Engineering, and cybersecurity concentrations within the Master of Computer Engineering and the Master of Science in Computer Operations.

• Cyber Security Employment Options:

  Entry-level and mid-level opportunities in cybersecurity are available in abundance in some of Ohio’s biggest cities. An information security analyst at JP Morgan Chase will have duties such as reviewing business processes and determining what the right software and hardware solutions should be for network security, work with others to implement these security features and make sure that all workers are able to follow company policies, and to find and eliminate any intrusion efforts and other unauthorized access. At least a Bachelor’s degree is recommended for this position.

Ohio Cyber Security Careers

Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati are three of the major cities in the state, and they have the most offerings for cybersecurity careers. According to CompTIA, Ohio is one of the top 10 states in terms of employing tech jobs and adding more opportunities in America. Systems and cybersecurity analysts account for around 34,000 positions statewide, and IT services have seen a 2.2 percent year-over-year growth.

Top Cyber Security and Tech Employers and Organizations in Ohio

One of the most employed cities for cybersecurity careers in Ohio is Columbus, and JPMorgan Chase has numerous positions available, such as information security associates, incident operations analyst, and threat intelligence engineer. The latter job puts the worker on the corporate technology team and will be strategizing and developing how to protect company and client data. Skills needed to success in this position include knowledge in computer programming languages like Java and Python, being able to pay close attention to detail, and be able to create IT projects on a specific budget.