Applied Computing

Cybersecurity Bachelor's Degree

Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting systems, networks, and programs from digital attacks. In our increasingly interconnected world, cybersecurity has become a paramount concern for organizations and individuals alike.

Cybersecurity covers many aspects of the modern digital landscape, such as security measures to deliver data protection, information security, application security, network security, cloud security, endpoint device security, and the protection of people—staff, clients, customers, and public users of IT services. 

Michigan Tech's bachelor's degree in cybersecurity will prepare you to identify vulnerabilities, implement preventive measures, detect intrusions, and respond effectively to cyber attacks. Frequent interactions with faculty members, combined with a personal approach to teaching, provide you with meaningful mentorship and guidance. Put your skills to the test as you travel to compete in national collegiate cybersecurity competitions. You'll graduate ready to tackle the cybersecurity challenges of tomorrow thanks to Michigan Tech's designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) and Cyber Research (CAE-R) by the National Security Agency.

What Will I Study?

Tech's comprehensive curriculum covers a broad range of cybersecurity topics, ensuring that graduates
possess the knowledge and skills demanded by employers in the ever-evolving cybersecurity
landscape. You'll take classes in a wide range of topics, including:

  • Network Security
  • Data Protection
  • Cryptography
  • Risk Management
  • Ethical Hacking
  • Digital Forensics
  • Secure Software Development

Many courses provide hands-on labs and practical experiences that mirror real-world scenarios, enabling you to apply theoretical knowledge in practice by actively engaging with industry-standard tools and technologies. At Tech, you'll gain practical skills and experience that employers value.

See our cybersecurity degree requirements and flowcharts for more course information.

Choose Your Concentration

Focus your passion by choosing a concentration in a specific area of cybersecurity: software security or system and network security.

Software Security

Perfect for students who enjoy coding and want to develop secure and trusted software systems. You'll enhance your cybersecurity degree by learning to systematically design, develop, deploy, and test trusted software and applications as you find and fix common software and application vulnerabilities, preventing attackers from exploiting them.

System and Network Security

If you prefer hands-on learning and want to secure IT systems and infrastructure, this is the concentration for you. By implementing security processes, technologies, and best practices, you'll specialize your cybersecurity degree to learn to manage and secure computer systems, networks, and IT infrastructure, and protect them from unauthorized access, attacks, misuse, or damage.

  • #2
    best cybersecurity schools in Michigan
  • 6th
    out of 576 teams (MTU RedTeam)

A Great Job with a Great Salary

Information security analysts have a mean entry-level salary of $63,458 (Payscale) with a mean annual wage of $127,730 (BLS) and the top 10 percent making $186,420 (BLS). Nationally, employment of information security analysts is projected to have 33% growth from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.

See additional computing salary information.

Cybersecurity Careers

Michigan Tech grads contribute to the cybersecurity efforts of companies across many different industry sectors in positions like these:

  • Cybersecurity Response Specialist
  • Cybersecurity Engineer
  • Cyber Threat Analyst
  • Security Operations Specialist
  • Information Analyst
  • Security Policy Analyst/Manager
  • Security Architect, Programmer, or Engineer
  • Forensics Analyst Investigator
  • Ethical Hacker/Penetration Analyst
  • IT Auditor
  • Application Security Specialist
  • Network Security Analyst
  • Information Assurance Engineer

Co-ops and Internships

Cybersecurity students at Michigan Tech have direct access to highly competitive co-op and internship opportunities. Your access to these work experiences will give you foundational industry experience in both technical and nontechnical areas in the field. When you graduate, you'll have a portfolio of on-the-job skills that set you apart. Cybersecurity students have recently completed internships and co-ops at the following companies:

  • National Security Agency
  • Federal Bureau of Investigation
  • Los Alamos National Laboratory
  • Tesla
  • Target 
  • Ford Motor Company
  • General Motors  

Enterprise Program

Michigan Tech Enterprises are student-run business teams embracing rich experiences in engineering design, team building, project management, and end-to-end original product development. Learn more about computing enterprise programs.

The best part of Computing[MTU] is the community. Everyone I've met is helpful and welcoming and I don't feel out of place at all, even though I switched majors mid-semester.

Cooper Rellis, Cybersecurity Student
Cooper Rellis
Cybersecurity Major

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about pursuing a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity at Michigan's flagship technological university.

RedTeam—It's a Tech Thing

Third place among 100 teams, 96% accuracy, 5th of 119 teams, 6th of 576 teams. Facing competitors from colleges across the nation, the MTU RedTeam student organization consistently ranks among the top college and high school teams in bi-annual National Cyber League competitions and many other industry-sponsored events. And facing industry professionals and college students, in September 2021 the RedTeam captured 1st place in an Open Source Intelligence Capture the Flag contest hosted at the GrrCON Cyber Security Summit and Hacker Conference. 

The MTU RedTeam, a registered Michigan Tech student organization, works to promote a security-driven mindset among students, and provide a community and resource for those wishing to learn more about information security. The student organization also co-hosts capture the flag and hackathon competitions on campus, including the annual Winter Wonderhack.

Watch My Michigan Tech: Stu Kernstock video
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"I feel like I've made a ton of friends here that I otherwise might not have at a larger state school. And the location, I mean, it's beautiful up here."Stu Kernstock '22 BS Cybersecurity

MTU engineering

Tomorrow won’t wait. Neither will we.

Computing is for everyone, everywhere. Artificial intelligence, robotics, data science, and other forms of digital connectivity are ingrained in nearly every aspect of life. Cybersecurity has never been more important. These transformational technologies require intrepid problem solvers, bold leaders, and fearless visionaries. You can be one of them.

Founded in 2019, we’re one of the first colleges in the nation and one of the few institutions of its kind to focus solely on computing. Digital transformation has morphed every discipline into a computing discipline, reinventing industries like manufacturing, criminal justice, marketing, and health care. The College of Computing is making sure that employers have the computing talent they need to thrive—and that our students are equipped for fulfilling careers now and for tomorrows to come.

The world needs Computing[MTU]. The world needs you.

Supercharge your future.

Study, do research, and build a future-forward career at a flagship R1 public research university powered by STEM. Get the theoretical knowledge and practical experience you need to succeed in a high-tech world.

Our students work alongside faculty on meaningful research, like helping to detect Alzheimer’s disease earlier and making machine learning more user-friendly. They connect at the intersection of engineering and computing in our mechatronics playground. They teach middle school kids coding and cybersecurity basics, assist older generations with digital literacy essentials, and help each other persist through academic and life challenges through SAM, our unique peer mentoring program. Computing Huskies also partner with national entities like the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency as well as local businesses to analyze security and safeguard sensitive data. And, from robotics to Red Teaming, Huskies train, run, and win national competitions.

Whether competing in Esports, joining an Enterprise team, or working with a group of Huskies to build a robot in three days is your jam, you’ll find opportunities to connect with what clicks. And when it’s time to blow off steam, the Keweenaw Peninsula’s trails, forests, and Lake Superior beaches await, along with Michigan Tech’s Mont Ripley Ski Hill.

When it comes to preparing for life after graduation, our Career Fair offers more than a one-day event—it’s a series of workshops and meetups that leads to coops, internships, and full-time, well-paying positions. If you want to be ready for what tomorrow needs, your future starts now, in the Michigan Tech College of Computing.

Undergraduate Majors—Applied Computing

Not sure which major is the right fit? Explore Michigan Tech majors and minors.

Watch Cybersecurity Awareness video
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Anticipation, Detection, Mitigation

Cybersecurity is more important than ever. Go beyond and provide the security tomorrow needs.

I really enjoy the instructors in the College of Computing. They are really passionate in what they do, always willing to help you outside of the classroom, and they regularly forward internship and work opportunities to students.

Thad Sander, Cybersecurity Student
Thad Sander
Cybersecurity Major