Secure and dependable computing systems
Certificate, graduate
Detect and defend
This graduate certificate provides students with a comprehensive understanding of network security required to protect modern infrastructure. You’ll study policy and mechanisms, malicious code, intrusion detection and prevention, incident response and cryptographic techniques that strengthen privacy and integrity. Coursework also builds your ability to assess vulnerabilities, anticipate adversarial behavior and provide stronger security assurance across complex systems.
Through hands-on programming assignments, you will explore the tradeoffs between risk, cost and societal issues while building real-world skills. The secure and dependable computing systems graduate certificate also delves into advanced topics in the design and analysis of network, database and operating system security, applying current research in mandatory and discretionary security policies as well as core principles of digital forensics.
Overview
Related Topics
Gain advanced security skills
Application information
Applicants for the Secure and dependable computing systems graduate certificate must meet the following admission requirements:
- Education level: Bachelor's
- GPA: 3.0
- GRE: No
- TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo: 79/6.5/115 (for applicants whose education was completed in countries where English is not an official language)
- Number of references: No references required
- Other requirements: No
Program availability
- Semester intake: Summer, Fall, Spring
- Not eligible for international students who require F-1 or J-1 visa status
- Deadlines: General application deadlines
For more information, check the Graduate Certificate page.
Contact information
Computer Science contact: Hasan Jamil; jamil@uidaho.edu
Graduate Admissions contact: graduateadmissions@uidaho.edu, 208-885-4001
Tuition and fees
Students pursuing a graduate certificate as a standalone program are not eligible for financial aid. However, students enrolled in a separate U of I graduate degree program may apply their financial aid or graduate funding toward a graduate certificate if they are pursuing both simultaneously.
For more information or to explore funding options, visit Financial Aid.
Recognized STEM Program
This program is recognized as a STEM program by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and may be eligible for the 24-month STEM optional practical training extension for international students.
Degree fit
This program could be a good fit if you:
- Have a background in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering or a related technical field.
- Want to deepen your expertise in cybersecurity, fault‑tolerant systems or secure software design.
- Work in (or aspire to work in) industries like critical infrastructure, networking or cyber‑physical systems where dependable computing is essential.
- Are looking to strengthen your skills for advanced study, career advancement or specialized roles in system security and reliability.
Clubs and organizations
Our college offers more than 20 clubs and organizations tied to international and national engineering organizations, including national competition teams:
- Cyber Defense Club
- CyberForce Competition Team
- Graduate and Professional Student Association (GPSA)
- Humanitarian Engineering Corps (HEC)
- Polymorphic Games Studio
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
- Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
- Society of Women Engineers (SWE)
Career outcomes
Current job openings
1,977 in ID, WA, OR, MT and HIPotential careers and mid-career salaries
- Web Developers
$97,992 - Software QA Analysts and Testers
$118,759 - Software Developers
$155,795 - Computer Programmers
$133,316 - Web and Digital Interface Designers
$113,458
* Career data provided by Lightcast.