Cybersecurity: CP
Certificate of Proficiency | 45 credit hours minimum
Area of Interest: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)
Program Description:
The Cybersecurity Certificate of Proficiency 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.
Employers prefer cybersecurity workers who have a college degree. The Cybersecurity Certificate of Proficiency is recommended for those that already possess an AAS or higher college degree in any area and wish to obtain the cybersecurity skills. The Cybersecurity AAS is recommended for those who do not yet possess a college degree. Persons interested in the program should possess a strong foundation in computer hardware/software troubleshooting skills, equivalent to the CompTIA A+ certification.
Pre-employment background screening is required for any candidate seeking employment in the cybersecurity field.
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 an associate in the following area:
Cybersecurity, Associate in Applied Science
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:
- design cybersecurity solutions with current industry standards.
- communicate as a team to design and develop cybersecurity technologies.
- use cybersecurity methodologies to develop a business continuity plan.
- use current digital forensics tools.
- employ methodologies for data validation and subsequent responses consistent with secure coding principles.
- use permissions to control and secure access to files.
- employ operating system logging services for auditing purposes.
- explain how to secure data as it is traveling across the network.
- use networking tools.
- 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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Program Requirements | ||
| IT 100 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 1 |
| IS 153 | C# Programming I | 4 |
| or IS 187 | Java Programming I | |
| or IS 166 | C# and Java Programming I | |
| IS 165 | Computer Applications-Microsoft Project | 1 |
| IS 225 | Database Management | 4 |
| IS 280 | Python | 3 |
| IS 229 | Unix/Linux I | 3 |
| IS 237 | Fundamentals of Information Assurance/Security - CompTIA Security+ | 3 |
| IT 234 | Principles of Incident Response and Disaster Recovery | 3 |
| IT 101 | Cisco Networking Academy I: Introduction to Networks | 5 |
| IT 120 | Enterprise Security Management | 3 |
| IT 121 | Secure E-Commerce | 3 |
| IS 264 | Unix/Linux II | 3 |
| IT 212 | Ethical Hacking | 3 |
| IT 214 | Systems Security Engineering | 3 |
| IT 216 | Digital Forensics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 45 | |
Academic Plan
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2025, 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.
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| IS 153 | C# Programming I or Java Programming I or C# and Java Programming I | 4 | Reading Proficiency | |
| IS 229 | Unix/Linux I | 3 | Reading Proficiency | Critical Course |
| IT 100 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 1 | Reading Proficiency | Exploratory Course |
| IS 165 | Computer Applications-Microsoft Project | 1 | Reading Proficiency | Offered Online Only |
| IS 280 | Python | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| IS 237 | Fundamentals of Information Assurance/Security - CompTIA Security+ | 3 | IT 102 or IS 229 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Gateway Course |
| IT 101 | Cisco Networking Academy I: Introduction to Networks | 5 | Reading Proficiency | |
| IS 225 | Database Management | 4 | Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |||
| Second Year | ||||
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| IS 264 | Unix/Linux II | 3 | IS 229 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered in Fall and Spring |
| IT 212 | Ethical Hacking | 3 | IS 229 and IS 237 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Offered in Fall only |
| IT 214 | Systems Security Engineering | 3 | IS 237 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered in Fall only |
| IT 234 | Principles of Incident Response and Disaster Recovery | 3 | IS 237 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered in Fall only |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| IT 216 | Digital Forensics | 3 | IS 229 and IS 237 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered in Spring only |
| IT 120 | Enterprise Security Management | 3 | IS 237 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered in Spring only |
| IT 121 | Secure E-Commerce | 3 | IS 229 and IS 237, both with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered in Spring only |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 45 | |||
Critical Courses: Critical courses are most important to a student's declared major and most strongly predict later success in the major. A critical course requires a minimal grade to progress to higher-level courses.
Exploratory Courses: Exploratory courses are first-semester courses that introduce the program and career field.
Gateway Courses: Gateway courses are courses in many career pathways that must be completed before progression in higher-level courses. These may be the same as critical and/or exploratory courses.
*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
PLEASE NOTE: If you originally enrolled at STLCC prior to Fall 2025, 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.
| First Year | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| IS 153 | C# Programming I or Java Programming I or C# and Java Programming I | 4 | Reading Proficiency | |
| IS 229 | Unix/Linux I | 3 | Reading Proficiency | Gateway Course, Critical Course |
| IT 100 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 1 | Reading Proficiency | Exploratory Course |
| IS 165 | Computer Applications-Microsoft Project | 1 | Reading Proficiency | Offered Online Only |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| IS 237 | Fundamentals of Information Assurance/Security - CompTIA Security+ | 3 | IT 102 or IS 229 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Critical Course |
| IT 101 | Cisco Networking Academy I: Introduction to Networks | 5 | Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 8 | |||
| Second Year | ||||
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| IS 264 | Unix/Linux II | 3 | IS 229 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered in Fall and Spring |
| IT 212 | Ethical Hacking | 3 | IS 229 and IS 237 with minimum grades of "C", and Reading Proficiency | Offered in Fall Only |
| IT 214 | Systems Security Engineering | 3 | IS 237 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered in Fall Only |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |||
| Spring | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| IT 216 | Digital Forensics | 3 | IS 229 and IS 237 with minimum grades of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered in Spring Only |
| IT 120 | Enterprise Security Management | 3 | IS 237 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered in Spring Only |
| IT 121 | Secure E-Commerce | 3 | IS 229 and IS 237, both with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered in Spring Only |
| Credit Hours | 9 | |||
| Third Year | ||||
| Fall | Credit Hours | Prerequisites | Milestones/Notes | |
| IT 234 | Principles of Incident Response and Disaster Recovery | 3 | IS 237 with a minimum grade of "C" and Reading Proficiency | Offered in Fall Only |
| IS 280 | Python | 3 | Reading Proficiency | |
| IS 225 | Database Management | 4 | Reading Proficiency | |
| Credit Hours | 10 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 45 | |||
Critical Courses: Critical courses are most important to a student's declared major and most strongly predict later success in the major. A critical course requires a minimal grade to progress to higher-level courses.
Exploratory Courses: Exploratory courses are first-semester courses that introduce the program and career field.
Gateway Courses: Gateway courses are courses in many career pathways that must be completed before progression in higher-level courses. These may be the same as critical and/or exploratory courses.
*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.