Cybersecurity FAQ's

FAQ

Western's BS in Cybersecurity is currently offered at our Bellingham, Poulsbo, and Kirkland locations.

 

Cybersecurity Program Advisor: Laura Ghan – 360-650-2863, Laura.Ghan@wwu.edu

While not a guarantee of acceptance into the program, students must:

  1. Complete an AAS-T, AAS, AAT, or ATA in the following degree programs with the corresponding Washington State Community College partnerships:
  • Bates Technical College: AAS or AAS-T in Cybersecurity
  • Bellingham Technical College: AAS-T Computer Networking Articulation to WWU Cybersecurity B.S.
  • Cascadia College: AAS-T in IT Infrastructure Operations
  • Clark College: AAT in Network Technologies
  • Edmonds College: ATA in Cyber Defense and Digital Forensics or ATA in Network Technology and Administration
  • Green River College: AAS-T in Cybersecurity and Networking
  • Highline College: AAS in Network Security or AAS in Cybersecurity Operations
  • Lake Washington Institute of Technology: AAS-T in Computer Security and Network Technology
  • North Seattle College: AAS in Network & Server Administration
  • Olympic College: AAS-T in Information Technology-Security
  • Peninsula College:  AAS-T in Cybersecurity and Computer Forensics
  • Pierce College: AAS in Network Engineering and Cybersecurity 
  • Renton Technical College: AAS-T in Cloud Network Technology or AAS-T in Cybersecurity Analyst
  • South Puget Sound Community College: AAS in Cybersecurity and Network Administration
  • Whatcom Community College: AAS-T in Cybersecurity
  1. Achieve a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5
  2. Complete CSCI 141, CSCI 145, and MATH 124, or recognized equivalents

No, we do not offer the first 2 years of cybersecurity curriculum at Western.  You must first obtain the cybersecurity-specific Associate's Degree from one of our partner colleges.

While other similar degrees such as an AAS in Computer Science, Information Technology or Computer Information Systems may have courses in common with our partner colleges’ Associates degree programs, the specific approved Associates Degree must be earned in order to be eligible to transfer into Western’s Bachelor of Science Cybersecurity degree program.

For additional information on how to proceed, contact:

Cybersecurity Program Advisor: Laura Ghan – 360-650-2863, Laura.Ghan@wwu.edu

 

The Western program is targeted to enroll a cohort of new students each Fall quarter. Applications for a fall start open in October of the previous year and are due by March 1st.  Late applications will be considered on a space-available basis.

Starting winter, spring or summer quarter is also possible and sometimes preferable.  Contact a Cybersecurity Program Advisor to discuss your specific situation.

You will need to apply for both Admission to Western and to the Cybersecurity Program as outlined on the Application Process page.

Applicants will be notified via email of the Cybersecurity Program admissions decision. The majority of decisions are made within six weeks after the application deadline.

Yes, students in the Cybersecurity program are eligible for financial aid. We strongly encourage all applicants to submit a FAFSA application: studentaid.gov.  Western’s priority application deadline is January 31.  For additional questions about financial aid, please visit the financial aid website, call 360-650-3470, or email financialaid@wwu.edu.

A much larger range of jobs will be open to you if you earn a Bachelor's degree. 87% of cybersecurity job openings require a Bachelor's degree, with Network Administrators averaging $95,360/year and InfoSec Analysts averaging $120,360/year.

*Sources: NSF Cybersecurity Workforce Supply and Demand Report, U.S. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Western accepts international students at our Bellingham and Poulsbo locations.  We are not able to accept international students at our Kirkland location.