Cyber Security Engineer – Nellis AFB

The Cyber Security Engineer (CSE) program is for students ready to level up their cybersecurity knowledge after completing CSS or after a few years of on-the-job experience. Students learn the ins and outs of building and implementing secure networks to protect an organization against malicious cyber attacks, with a heavy focus on security architecture implementation and design, plus testing, monitoring and remediating systems and networks.

Students will understand VLSM, IPv6, OSPF and EIGRP protocols, learn to use access lists with NAT and DHCP, and learn to apply security mitigation strategies and controls in an enterprise environment. The website lists up to six certifications: Cisco CCNA, CompTIA CySA+, CompTIA SecurityX, EC-Council CEH, CertNexus CFR and Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate. All eligible students may receive at least one certification exam voucher upon request for each exam at no cost.

CSE goes beyond the IT and security fundamentals of the school's earlier programs: students engineer IT security infrastructure, dive deep into security routing protocol concepts, and learn to regulate data coming in and out of a network using access controls at an enterprise level. CSS graduates may transfer credit for courses already completed, which may reduce both the length and cost of CSE, and students with relevant experience or comparable certifications may also benefit from transfer credits.

Students must meet with a member of the Admissions Team to be considered for acceptance, and MyComputerCareer determines acceptance into any program. Proof of high school completion or equivalent is required, issued by a school recognized by a governmental agency regulating education where the diploma was issued, and a copy is kept in the student's file. The minimum age for enrollment is 17; applicants under 18 need a parent or guardian's signature on the enrollment agreement as well as their own. The Nellis AFB campus is located on a DoD installation, so students must have access to Nellis AFB to attend.

Prerequisites. Applicants must be a graduate of the ITSA, CWP or CSS program, or have three years of IT industry work experience, or two years of IT industry work with at least an associate degree, or proof of an active Security+ certification. An updated resume is required to show work experience, and military work experience in computer technology counts.

CSE is 720 clock hours (45 academic quarter credit hours) delivered fully online (Interactive Distance Learning), with an enrollment term of 30 or 42 weeks. Students attend a few days or nights per week; the CSS and CSE schedule is 6:30pm to 11:30pm two times a week plus a two-hour learning lab. Each course is typically 5-7 weeks at 17-24 hours per week, and courses can be taken in any order.

Program cost. Tuition for CSE is $22,048. The total program cost of $26,305 also includes CEH curriculum ($1,072), curriculum ($2,435), CFR curriculum ($650) and a registration fee ($100), which are non-refundable once the student starts. Credit for courses already completed may reduce both the length and cost of the program.

Federal aid. Being nationally accredited by ACCET allows MyComputerCareer to offer federal financial aid programs under Title IV, including Federal Pell Grants and Federal Student Loans, to those who qualify.

Other funding. The school accepts GI Bill and other VA education benefits, Vocational Rehabilitation, DoD SkillBridge and Military Tuition Assistance, and offers payment plans. Scholarships and grants are available, including the Scarlett Sunshine Scholarship, a full-tuition award for veterans or members of veteran families (applications open November 1 to December 31). Financial Aid Specialists help each student build a financial plan.

The program is designed for individuals seeking a career as an IT professional in the complex computing environment of medium to large organizations. Example occupations include Cisco network engineers, information system security specialists, network engineers, systems administrators, threat and vulnerability analysts and security analysts. IT professionals holding these credentials and appropriate industry experience may qualify for high-level server and systems administration positions in mid-sized and large organizations.

Lifetime Career Services. MyComputerCareer provides lifetime career services to students and graduates of its vocational programs, including resume and cover letter preparation, interview preparation, job referrals, career counseling, application assistance and refresher courses. The Career Services team networks with employers across the country to assist students in their job search. The school cannot by law guarantee a job; background checks are a standard part of many employers' hiring processes.

Live, instructor-led classes. All classes are live and instructor-led, with video and offline self-study components. Online classes are live and interactive: students have real-time access to the lead instructor during class, plus mentoring instructors who provide personalized tutoring and support during and outside class hours. Most training uses interactive labs and software simulations to solve real-world problems.

Support while you study. Students have access to lead instructors, mentoring instructors for personalized tutoring, Student Success Coordinators, technical support for online students, study resources and practice labs, peer study groups and the Career Services team.

Equipment. Whether taking classes online or on campus, students need a laptop with a webcam and microphone and a reliable high-speed internet connection. Courses do not require textbooks; all course materials are available electronically.

Attendance and graduation. Students must complete 80% of the scheduled clock hours in each course. To graduate, a student must complete all credit hours in the program with a cumulative grade of 70% or higher (2.0 GPA), within 143% of the published program length. Graduates receive a Certificate of Completion or Diploma, based on the program.