Cybersecurity: AAS

Cybersecurity: AAS

Associate in Applied Science | 60 credit hours minimum

Area of Interest: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

Program Website

Academic Advising

Program Description:

The Associate in Applied Science in Cybersecurity provides the foundation courses to prepare IT students to apply for entry level information assurance/security technician/practitioners positions that support planning, implementing, upgrading, and monitoring security measures for the protection of computer networks and information systems. Students, through in-depth theory and extensive hands-on activities, will develop skills to ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure, and will develop skills to respond to computer security breaches and viruses. This program includes instruction in computer architecture, programming, and systems analysis; networking; cryptography; security system design; applicable law and regulations; risk assessment and policy analysis; contingency planning; user access issues; investigation techniques; and troubleshooting.

Pre-employment background screening is required for any candidate seeking employment in the cybersecurity field.

To be successful, persons interested in the program should possess a strong foundation in computer hardware/software troubleshooting skills, equivalent to the CompTIA A+ certification.

Locations.  This program is offered at Forest Park by taking a mixture of face-to-face and online courses. 

Related Programs.  The Computer and Information Technology Department offers a certificate in the following area:

Cybersecurity, Certificate of Proficiency

Cost of Attendance.  For more information on cost of attendance visit MoSCORES

Program Career and Salary Information.  Pursuant to Missouri HB 1606 (2018), information regarding the number of credit hours, program length, employment rate, wage data, and graduates employed in careers related to their program of study at St. Louis Community College can be found at the following URL: https://scorecard.mo.gov/scorecard/. Search using School / Program “St. Louis Community College” and choose the degree or credential type of interest. 

The following limitations to the data apply: Information provided is based on the most recent cohorts available. Typically, most recent cohorts for wage and completion data are six years prior to the current academic year. Time to complete a program of study varies depending on the number of credit hours students earn per semester.

Interested in this program? Start the enrollment process by visiting the Apply to STLCC page.   

At the completion of the program, students are expected to:

  1. design cybersecurity solutions with current industry standards.
  2. communicate as a team to design and develop cybersecurity technologies.
  3. use cybersecurity methodologies to develop a business continuity plan.
  4. use current digital forensics tools.
  5. employ methodologies for data validation and subsequent responses consistent with secure coding principles.
  6. use permissions to control and secure access to files.
  7. employ operating system logging services for auditing purposes.
  8. explain how to secure data as it is traveling across the network.
  9. use networking tools.
  10. explain effective business continuity plans.

Missouri Civics Examination.  Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.

General Education
ENG 101College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100)3
ENG 102College Composition II (MOTR ENGL 200)3
or ENG 103 Report Writing (MOTR ENGL 110)
MTH 180Introductory Statistics (MOTR MATH 110) (or MTH 180S)3
XXX xxxSocial & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement3
COM 103Small Group Communication (MOTR COMM 125)3
or COM 112 Argumentation and Debate (MOTR COMM 220)
or COM 201 Interpersonal Communication (MOTR COMM 120)
or PSY 200 General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100)
or PHL 102 Introduction to Logic (MOTR PHIL 101)
Program Requirements
IT 100Introduction to Cybersecurity1
IS 153C# Programming I4
or IS 187 Java Programming I
or IS 166 C# and Java Programming I
IS 165Computer Applications-Microsoft Project1
IS 225Database Management4
IS 280Python3
IS 229Unix/Linux I3
IS 237Fundamentals of Information Assurance/Security - CompTIA Security+3
IT 234Principles of Incident Response and Disaster Recovery3
IT 101Cisco Networking Academy I: Introduction to Networks5
IT 120Enterprise Security Management3
IT 121Secure E-Commerce3
IS 264Unix/Linux II3
IT 212Ethical Hacking3
IT 214Systems Security Engineering3
IT 216Digital Forensics3
Total Credit Hours60

Full-Time Academic Plan 

Missouri Civics Examination.  Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2024, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements.  Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.

New PlanGrids
First Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
IS 153 C# Programming I
or Java Programming I
or C# and Java Programming I
4Reading Proficiency
IS 229 Unix/Linux I3Reading Proficiency
IT 100 Introduction to Cybersecurity1Reading Proficiency
XXX xxxSocial & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement3  
IS 165 Computer Applications-Microsoft Project1Reading ProficiencyOffered Online Only
Credit Hours12
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
IS 237 Fundamentals of Information Assurance/Security - CompTIA Security+3IT 102 or IS 229 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
IT 101 Cisco Networking Academy I: Introduction to Networks5Reading Proficiency
IS 280 Python3Reading Proficiency
IS 264 Unix/Linux II3IS 229 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered in Fall and Spring
Credit Hours14
Summer Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ENG 101 College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100)3Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079
COM 103 Small Group Communication (MOTR COMM 125)
or Argumentation and Debate (MOTR COMM 220)
or Interpersonal Communication (MOTR COMM 120)
or General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100)
or Introduction to Logic (MOTR PHIL 101)
3Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours6
Second Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
IT 212 Ethical Hacking3IS 229 and IS 237 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading ProficiencyOffered in Fall Only
IT 214 Systems Security Engineering3IS 237 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered in Fall Only
MTH 180 Introductory Statistics (MOTR MATH 110) (or MTH 180S)3Satisfactory scores on placement test, and Reading Proficiency
ENG 102 College Composition II (MOTR ENGL 200)
or Report Writing (MOTR ENGL 110)
3ENG 101 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
IT 234 Principles of Incident Response and Disaster Recovery3IS 237 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered in Fall only
Credit Hours15
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
IS 225 Database Management4Reading Proficiency
IT 216 Digital Forensics3IS 229 and IS 237 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered in Spring Only
IT 120 Enterprise Security Management3IS 237 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered in Spring only
IT 121 Secure E-Commerce3IS 229 and IS 237, both with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered in Spring only
Credit Hours13
Total Credit Hours60

*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.

**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.

*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice.  Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor. 

Part-Time Academic Plan 

Missouri Civics Examination.  Students entering college for the very first time in fall 2019 and who intend to complete an associate’s degree must successfully complete a civics examination. Information on who is eligible for a waiver can be found on the STLCC website.

PLEASE NOTE:  If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2024, you may need to view an archived catalog for your correct program requirements.  Please speak with an advisor or the program coordinator for more information.

New PlanGrids
First Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
IS 153 C# Programming I
or Java Programming I
or C# and Java Programming I
4Reading Proficiency
IS 229 Unix/Linux I3Reading Proficiency
IT 100 Introduction to Cybersecurity1Reading Proficiency
IS 165 Computer Applications-Microsoft Project1Reading ProficiencyOffered Online Only
Credit Hours9
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
IS 237 Fundamentals of Information Assurance/Security - CompTIA Security+3IT 102 or IS 229 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
IT 101 Cisco Networking Academy I: Introduction to Networks5Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours8
Summer Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
ENG 101 College Composition I (MOTR ENGL 100)3Placement score or ENG 030 or ENG 070 with a grade of "C" or better or recommendation of department and Reading Proficiency or concurrent enrollment in RDG 079
COM 103 Small Group Communication (MOTR COMM 125)
or Argumentation and Debate (MOTR COMM 220)
or Interpersonal Communication (MOTR COMM 120)
or General Psychology (MOTR PSYC 100)
or Introduction to Logic (MOTR PHIL 101)
3Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours6
Second Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
IT 212 Ethical Hacking3IS 229 and IS 237 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading ProficiencyOffered in Fall only
IT 214 Systems Security Engineering3IS 237 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered in Fall only
IT 234 Principles of Incident Response and Disaster Recovery3IS 237 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered in Fall only
Credit Hours9
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
IT 216 Digital Forensics3IS 229 and IS 237 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered in Spring only
IT 120 Enterprise Security Management3IS 237 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered in Spring only
IT 121 Secure E-Commerce3IS 229 and IS 237, both with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered in Spring only
Credit Hours9
Summer Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
MTH 180 Introductory Statistics (MOTR MATH 110)3Satisfactory scores on placement test, and Reading Proficiency
XXX xxxSocial & Behavioral Sciences: Civics Requirement3  
Credit Hours6
Third Year
Fall Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
IS 280 Python3Reading Proficiency
IS 264 Unix/Linux II3IS 229 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading ProficiencyOffered in Fall and Spring
ENG 102 College Composition II (MOTR ENGL 200)
or Report Writing (MOTR ENGL 110)
3ENG 101 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours9
Spring Credit Hours Prerequisites Milestones/Notes
IS 225 Database Management4Reading Proficiency
Credit Hours4
Total Credit Hours60

*Click on the hyperlinked course number to view additional information about the course.

**Students completing a course that has been assigned a MOTR number may transfer that course to any public institution in Missouri. Those who complete CORE 42 requirements will have that verification on their transcript.

*** It is your responsibility to verify that the courses listed above will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice.  Maximize your transfer credits/classes by meeting with an academic advisor.