Cybersecurity
Certificate, undergraduate
Lead in cyber defense
In today’s digital landscape, effective protection of systems requires more than just technical know-how — it demands a comprehensive understanding of both technology and human factors. This program equips you to apply best practices across all components of a system, including hardware, software, networking, user behavior and environmental controls.
You’ll learn to assess vulnerabilities, strengthen defense strategies and safeguard operations against potential risks and threats, ensuring resilience. Grounded in ethical and legal frameworks, the curriculum also prepares you to navigate complex professional decisions with integrity and informed judgment.
Overview
Related Topics
Stronger systems with smarter security
Degree fit
Customize your degree, enhance your career prospects and gain a competitive edge for promotion and new job opportunities.
This certificate will be a good fit if you:
- Are pursuing a degree in computer science, engineering or a related STEM field and want to specialize in cybersecurity
- Work in IT or tech and want to build formal cybersecurity credentials
- Want to strengthen your resume for roles in network defense, ethical hacking or system security
- Plan to apply for a cybersecurity-focused bachelor’s program or a scholarship program like CyberCorps: SFS
- Are in a non-STEM field (like business, policy or law) and want to add cybersecurity knowledge to support your career
Career outcomes
Current job openings
1,957 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Information Technology Project Managers
$116,707 - Network and Computer Systems Administrators
$100,154 - Computer Network Architects
$140,211 - Security Management Specialists
$85,722 - Clinical Data Managers
$139,643
* Career data provided by Lightcast.
Financial aid and scholarship opportunities
Financial aid
U of I’s certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid or scholarships on their own. However, students enrolled in a bachelor's or associate degree program may apply their financial aid and scholarships toward a certificate if they are pursuing both simultaneously.
For more information or to explore funding options, contact the Financial Aid Office at finaid@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-6312.
Clubs and involvement opportunities
Hands-on learning
All U of I College of Engineering students, especially undergraduates, participate in hands-on activities through:
- Nationally-ranked Senior Capstone Design Program — Emphasizing the design process and the creation of a thoughtfully engineered, tested and validated outcome or prototype. Interdisciplinary teams showcase their work at our annual Engineering Design EXPO.
- Cooperative Education Program (Co-op) – Get paid up to $20,000 alternating semesters of academic study with paid full-time employment in your field.
- Pursue your passions and build skills industry are looking for - Improving an ever-changing world requires the knowledge of a highly skilled engineering community. The University of Idaho College of Engineering Professional Skills Academy develops graduates with expert technical and professional skills who are ready to lead a competitive workplace.
- Idaho’s only Grand Challenge Scholars Program - Preparing undergraduates to solve the biggest challenges facing society in the 21st century.
- Research and funding opportunities - Grow your confidence in a laboratory setting, gain experience with research proposal development and project management, and collaborate extensively with peers and faculty in research projects that make an impact.
- Internships and Summer programs – Vandal engineers spend their summers in paid internship, fellowship and research mentorship programs. Explore opportunities with leading industry, national research centers and more.
Clubs and organizations
Our college offers 20+ clubs and organizations tied to international and national engineering organizations, including national competition teams.
Clubs related to your major include:
- Cyber Defense Club
- CyberForce Competition Team
- Humanitarian Engineering Corps (HEC)
- Polymorphic Games Studio
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
- Robotics Club
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
- Tau Beta Pi - Engineering Honor Society (TBP)
Application information
Admission criteria for undergraduate certificates are the same as those for U of I undergraduate degree programs. View our admission requirements at admission requirements at our Admissions website to learn more.
Undergraduate certificate application process:
Students interested in adding a certificate to their bachelor’s or associate degree program should speak with their academic advisor or faculty member.
Students interested in earning an undergraduate certificate as a standalone program should contact the Admissions Office at 208-885-6326 for information on how to apply.