Certificate in Computer Security (CCS)

[6 courses + capstone project]

Explore topics like cryptography, secure programming, security protocols, firewalls, intrusion detection, and social engineering. Continue on with in-depth material on advanced crypto and protocols, honeypots, wireless network security, and attacker techniques, and LDAP complemented with hands-on lab exercises. Computer Forensics investigates the computer science and law enforcement issues surrounding computers and networks that have been used in a crime or are attacked by criminals. Software developers, system administrators, IT and R&D managers, business professionals with sufficient background, and legal professionals will gain a broad set of technologies unique to the problem of securing computing platforms.

Entrance Requirements

1. A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline from an accredited educational institution with an overall grade-point-average (GPA) of at least 2.7 (applicants with a GPA less than 2.7 will be considered for provisional admission with their professional experience factored into the decision)
2. At least two years of software development experience

1. At least four years of software development experience for applicants who do not have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent.
2. An overall grade-point-average (GPA) of at least 2.7 for all completed post-secondary education (Applicants with a GPA less than 2.7 will be considered for provisional admission with their professional experience factored into the decision.)

NOTE: Applicants admitted without a bachelor’s degree may not continue in or transfer to a GPS master’s program.

Required items to be submitted with application:
(International students: please see International Student Admission Procedures.)

$30 Application fee
1. Completed GPS application form
2. Official transcript(s) from ALL universities/colleges attended bearing an institutional seal and sent directly to the Graduate Programs in Software (GPS) office by the issuing institution (even if the course work appears as transfer work on another school transcript).
3. Admission essay giving your reasons for wanting to enter this program. Essays can be one to two pages.
4. Detailed resume which includes all work experience, job description, and programming languages used.
5. A list of computing-related courses not appearing on transcripts.

Note: The GRE or GMAT is not required for the GPS programs.

Certificate completion criteria
To complete the Certificate in Computer Security students must finish the six required SEIS courses with a GPA of 2.7 or better. Students with a bachelor’s degree will be able to use the Certificate in Computer Security as a base to continue in the Master of Science or Master of Software Systems (MSS) degree. Please note: Students who are in a Graduate Programs in Software master's track cannot transfer into this certificate program midstream; however, a student may complete this certificate after completing a master’s degree.

Required Courses

The following six courses and a capstone project are required for this certificate. 

SEIS 640  Operating Systems Design
SEIS 645  Computer & Network Communication
SEIS 650  Legal Issues in Technology
SEIS 720  Computer Security
SEIS 721  Advanced Computer Security
SEIS 722  Computer Forensics

• Capstone project will be administered in the Advanced Computer Security course. This project will examine a specific computer security event or issue from multiple facets.
  
• Courses completed from previous GPS master's degrees achieved (MS, MSS, or MSDD) cannot be used for the Certificate in Computer Security.
  
• SEIS 778 Internship/Seminar may be taken, but course will not count toward the 18 credits required for completion of the certificate.
  
• Any substitutions must be approved by the GPS Director.