Cyber Security and Information Technology Specialist

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Cybersecurity and Information Technology Specialist program at ABCO Technology equips you with the expertise to protect critical systems, secure valuable data, and manage essential IT infrastructure. This comprehensive degree combines foundational IT knowledge with specialized cybersecurity skills. Graduate with a respected AAS degree, multiple industry certifications, and the practical skills employers are actively seeking.

The goal of the Associate of Applied Science in Cyber Security and Information Technology specialist degree program is to produce well-rounded cybersecurity engineering specialists or technicians prepared for entry-level careers in all industries that hire in areas of information technology and network security. The program combines theoretical knowledge with hands-on technical skills to equip students with the expertise needed to troubleshoot, maintain, and secure a wide range of network-attached computers, services, and devices used to manage the daily operations of a corporate network environment.

Student outcomes. Graduates of this program are expected to attain the following:

• An ability to apply knowledge, techniques, skills and modern tools of technology to solve well-defined cyber security problems appropriate to the discipline.
• An ability to design solutions for well-defined technical problems and assist with the design of systems, components, or processes appropriate to the discipline.
• An ability to apply written, oral, and graphical communication in well-defined technical and non-technical environments, and an ability to identify and use appropriate technical literature.
• An ability to design, develop and effectively manage cybersecurity for computer and network systems in an organization irrespective of the industry.
• An ability to function effectively as a member of a technical team.

• Industry-Aligned Curriculum: Developed in partnership with cybersecurity professionals to address real-world challenges and employer needs
• Certification-Focused: Prepare for multiple high-value IT and security certifications without additional costs
• Hands-On Experience: Extensive lab work in virtual environments that simulate real-world scenarios
• Flexible Learning Options: Choose between 100% online or on-campus formats with day, evening, and weekend schedules
• Career-Ready Training: Graduate with a polished portfolio of projects demonstrating your technical capabilities
• Comprehensive Support: Access to instructors, mentors, and career services throughout your educational journey and beyond
• No Prior Experience Required: Start from fundamentals and progress to advanced concepts, ideal for career changers

The Admissions process is a sequence of steps an applicant must complete in order to enroll at the school: complete an Application for Admissions (available from the ABCO Technology Admissions office or online), complete an interview with an Admissions representative, meet with the Financial Aid Office to review the program’s cost and any aid you may be eligible for, and review and sign an Enrollment Agreement with an Enrollment Official.

Applicants for programs offered entirely through distance education complete the same admissions process; however, each step is performed online by completing electronic forms and participating in teleconference sessions with representatives from the Admissions and Financial Aid offices. All classes are conducted in English.

Distance education. As of 2022, the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) have approved the institution for offering all programs online. Students can complete their training for the approved programs via 100% distance education. Courses delivered through distance education will be offered entirely online. Fully online courses include a combination of participating in live, online teleconference sessions with the course instructor and completing assignments.

This program is delivered in either a residential or a distance learning modality. When delivered in a residential modality, courses are delivered primarily at the campus. When delivered in a distance learning modality, all courses are delivered online. Students decide which modality to complete the program at the time of enrollment, contingent on program availability.

Classes are usually scheduled between 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; in certain circumstances, classes may be scheduled outside of these times. ABCO offers day, evening, and weekend schedules, and all classes are live, instructor-led sessions.

Start dates. New classes begin every 5 weeks. Upcoming course start dates in the 2026–2027 academic calendar are November 16, 2026; January 4, 2027; February 8, 2027; March 15, 2027; April 19, 2027; May 24, 2027; and June 28, 2027.

Program cost. Total charges for this program are $29,765, made up of:

• Registration fee: $125
• Tuition: $20,600
• Books: $4,230
• Supplies: $560
• Materials: $4,250
• STRF fee (state-imposed): $0

The published cost is $330.72 per quarter credit hour for the program’s 90 quarter credit hours. Program costs include all books and materials, and costs are locked when a student enrolls. All enrolled students must purchase the required books, supplies, and materials from ABCO Technology; their cost is included in the total charges stated on the enrollment agreement.

Federal financial aid. ABCO Technology is an eligible institution participating in federal financial aid programs, and financial aid is available to those who qualify: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, Federal PLUS loans and Federal Work-Study. The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); ABCO Technology’s FAFSA school code is 042426.

Other funding. All programs are approved by the Veterans Administration, and the veterans representative guides students toward veterans education benefits including the GI Bill®, VR&E (Chapter 31), Chapter 35 and Military Tuition Assistance. Students may also qualify through the Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA), the California Department of Rehabilitation (DOR), the Employment Development Department and other public and private agencies.

Interest-free payment plan. Qualified students may request an in-house tuition payment plan with 0% interest at the time of enrollment, spreading payments across the program. To qualify you must be employed, complete a financial assessment form, provide your most recent pay stub and pay the minimum registration fee of $125.

Federal student loan debt. As reported on the School Performance Fact Sheet: 2024: cohort default rate NA; 17% of students enrolled took out federal student loans to pay for this program; 12% of graduates took out federal student loans to pay for this program; average federal student loan debt of graduates who took out federal student loans at this institution $14,365. 2023: cohort default rate NA; 14%* of students enrolled took out federal student loans to pay for this program; 0% of graduates took out federal student loans to pay for this program; average federal student loan debt of graduates who took out federal student loans at this institution $0. (*Student enrolled and started the Degree Program but not graduated in 2023.) The Cohort Default Rate (CDR) shows the percentage of this school’s students who were more than 270 days (9 months) behind on their federal student loans within three years of when the first payment was due.

This AAS degree prepares you for diverse roles across various sectors including government, healthcare, finance, and technology.

• Cybersecurity Analyst
• Network Administrator
• Cybersecurity Professional
• Cybersecurity Engineer
• Systems Administrator
• Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
• Cisco Certified Network Administrator
• Network Engineer
• Penetration Tester
• Microsoft Cloud Administrator
• Cloud Security Technician

O*NET occupations. The catalog lists the following O*NET SOC occupations for this program:

• 15-1151.00 Computer User Support Specialists
• 15-1152.00 Computer Network Support Specialist
• 15-1212.00 Information Security Analysts
• 15-1121.00 Computer Systems Analysts
• 15-1199.02 Computer Systems Engineers/Architects
• 15-1142.00 Network and Computer Systems Administrators
• 49-2011.00 Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers

Industry certifications. Students are prepared to earn the following industry certifications as part of the program; exam preparation materials, including study guides and practice tests, are included with the program:

• CompTIA A+
• CompTIA Network+
• CompTIA Security+
• Cisco CCNA
• EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
• CompTIA CySA+ (Cybersecurity Analyst)
• Microsoft Azure Fundamentals
• Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC-1)

The school does not guarantee jobs.

Student outcomes (School Performance Fact Sheet). The School Performance Fact Sheet reports data for the two calendar years prior to reporting.

• On-time completion rate, 2024: 71% (17 on-time graduates of 24 students available for graduation); 2023: 0 students began the program.
• Job placement rate (% employed in the field), 2024: 86% (12 graduates employed in the field of 14 graduates available for employment); 2023: 0 students began the program.
• License examination passage rates: NA. Graduates of ABCO Technology DO NOT REQUIRE TO PASS STATE LICENSURE EXAMINATION. The manufacturers have chosen through the Certification process to dictate the skill set a candidate may need for employment in particular specialty.

You may obtain from institution a list of the employment positions determined to be in the field for which a student received education and training. A list of sources used to substantiate salary disclosure is available from school. “This fact sheet is filed with the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Regardless of any information you may have relating to completion rates, placement rates, starting salaries, or license exam passage rates, this fact sheet contains the information as calculated pursuant to state law.”

Career Services. ABCO Technology’s career services provide personalized support to help students transition into the workforce. Services include resume writing, interview coaching, and job search guidance tailored to each student’s IT career goals.

Job Placement and Training. ABCO Technology has a full-time job placement assistant on staff, along with a nationally certified school counselor to help with your tech job placement. Students also benefit from ABCO’s program advisory committee consisting of employers, members of ABCO’s faculty, representatives from California’s Department of Employment Development, and alumni who coach and provide guidance to students seeking employment.

Testing Services. ABCO Technology serves as an authorized Prometric and VUE testing center, providing students with convenient access to industry-recognized certification exams.

Campus. ABCO Technology maintains an educational facility comprising 4,800 square feet of classroom and laboratory space, with six classrooms and laboratories, a student lounge/break room, free parking on campus, and access to high-speed internet. A maximum of 15 students can be enrolled in an on-campus classroom, and a maximum of 20 students can be enrolled in an online class.

Graduates who do not have any outstanding financial obligations to the school are eligible to receive placement services at any point within a six (6) month period that begins on the graduate’s date of graduation. The school does not guarantee jobs.