When you earn a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity degree (pending SACSCOC approval) from North Greenville University, you’ll become prepared to start a career in the cybersecurity field — one of the highest demand fields today. You won’t just learn facts about polymorphic trojans and walk through source code; you’ll develop much-needed technical leadership skills and learn from top professionals about living out your Christian faith as you serve on the front lines of the fight against cybercrime and cyberterrorism!
- 4 Years it usually takes to complete this degree
- 120 Credit hours required
- 1 Program accreditation – North Greenville University’s programs are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
- 5 Industry certifications – During your coursework, you’ll have the opportunity to earn industry certifications recognized by employers, including A+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), CompTIA Advanced Security Practitioner (CASP+), Network+, and Security+.
- 2 Exams you’ll prepare for – At NGU, you’ll also begin earning experience needed to sit for the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and Project Management Professional (PMP) exams.
- 1 Required internship – Gain real-world experience and build connections with potential employers with an internship during your senior year.
- $99,730 Median pay for information security analysts, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
- 32% Projected information security analyst occupation growth from 2018-2028
- Artificial Intelligence Security Analyst
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Computer Network Architect
- Computer Support Specialist
- Computer Systems Manager
- Counterespionage Analyst
- Cryptanalyst
- Cryptographer
- Cyber Intelligence Specialist
- Cybersecurity Administrator
- Cybersecurity Attorney
- Ethical Hacker
- Forensic Computer Analyst
- Governance Compliance and Risk (GRC) Manager
- Information Security Analyst
- Information Security Engineer
- Information Technology (IT) Security Consultant
- Management Analyst
- Penetration Tester
- Security Architect
- Security Auditor
- Security Systems Administrator
- Software Programmer
YEAR 1
| First Semester |
| COLL 1100 First Year Experience (1 hours) or HNRS 1210 Honors Seminar (2 hours) |
| COMM 2300 Oral Communication (3 hours) |
| CSCI 1305 Introduction to Information Technology (3 hours) |
| CYBR 1310 Introduction to Cybersecurity** (3 hours) |
| ENGL 1310 English Composition and Rhetoric (3 hours) |
| MATH 1330 Probability & Statistics (3 hours) |
| Chapel* (.5 hours) |
| Cultural Events* (.5 hours) |
| Second Semester |
| CJUS 1300 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 hours) |
| CYBR 1312 Database Fundamentals (3 hours) |
| ENGL 1320 English Composition & Literature (3 hours) |
| HIST XXXX History course (3 hours) |
| MATH 2320 Programming and Problem-Solving in Engineering Using MATLAB (3 hours) |
| Chapel* (.5 hours) |
| Cultural Events* (.5 hours) |
Year 2
| First Semester |
| BIOL XXXX Biological science course (4 hours) |
| CHST 1310 Old Testament Survey (3 hours) |
| CYBR 2310 Research and Communication for the Cyberprofessional (3 hours) |
| CYBR 2311 Network Fundamentals** (3 hours) |
| HIST XXXX History course (3 hours) |
| PHED 1200 Concepts of Physical Fitness and Wellness (2 hours) |
| Chapel* (.5 hours) |
| Cultural Events* (.5 hours) |
| Second Semester |
| CHST 1320 New Testament Survey (3 hours) |
| CYBR 2312 Scripting Fundamentals (3 hours) |
| CYBR 2314 Computer Operating Systems (3 hours) |
| CYBR 2315 Principles of Project Management** (3 hours) |
| Social science course (3 hours) |
| Chapel* (.5 hours) |
| Cultural Events* (.5 hours) |
YEAR 3
| First Semester |
| CYBR 3310 Linux Fundamentals** (3 hours) |
| CYBR 3312 Ethics for the Cyberprofessional (3 hours) |
| CYBR XXXX Concentration course (3 hours) |
| Open elective (3 hours) |
| Physical science course (4 hours) |
| Chapel* (.5 hours) |
| Second Semester |
| CYBR 33XX Cybercrime (3 hours) |
| CYBR XXXX Concentration course (3 hours) |
| CYBR XXXX Concentration course (3 hours) |
| Open elective (3 hours) |
| Open elective (3 hours) |
| Chapel* (.5 hours) |
Year 4
| First Semester |
| CYBR 4310 Internship (3 hours) |
| CYBR XXXX Concentration course (3 hours) |
| Fine arts course (3 hours) |
| Open elective (3 hours) |
| Chapel* (.5 hours) |
| Second Semester |
| CYBR 4320 Senior Project (3 hours) |
| CYBR XXXX Concentration course (3 hours) |
| Open elective (3 hours) |
| Open elective (3 hours) |
| Chapel* (.5 hours) |
*In addition to the courses for their major, every student at NGU is required to register and earn credit for Chapel for each semester of full-time enrollment and Cultural Events for the first four semesters of full-time enrollment. These special offerings support NGU’s mission of educating the whole person — both intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually.
**These courses are either closely aligned with or designed to prepare you to pass a specific certification exam.
Real-World Experience
Before you graduate, you’ll get the opportunity to participate in an internship. Gaining real-world experience in the cybersecurity field through this internship will become an excellent resume-builder and provide you with opportunities to network with potential employers before graduation.
Technical Communication Training
Based on feedback from industry partners, writing and presentation skills are highly valuable to employers. As a cybersecurity student at NGU, you’ll take a course on research and writing for cyber professionals. Writing and presentation skills are built into many other courses, as well, so you’ll gain skills employers want.
Professional Certifications
Employers want new employees to have industry-recognized professional certifications. As a student at NGU, you’ll be required to earn at least one certification. Because many cybersecurity classes at NGU are aligned with professional certification exams, motivated students will have the opportunity to earn several certifications before graduating.
NSA-Aligned Curriculum
The National Security Agency (NSA) Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense publishes the national gold standard for cybersecurity education. Your curriculum in NGU’s cybersecurity program will be aligned with these standards to prepare you for the field.
Policy/Planning Concentration
The policy/planning concentration prepares you to work on legal, privacy, and public policy challenges of cybersecurity. You’ll expand your knowledge of legal concerns, privacy implications, and international issues related to cybersecurity laws and policies.
Choose any of the following five courses:
- CJUS 3340 Terrorism (3 hours)
- CYBR 2317 Cyber Defense (3 hours)
- CYBR 3335 Security Risk Management (3 hours)
- CYBR 4340 Mobile Forensics (3 hours)
- CYBR 4341 Contingency Planning & Disaster Recovery (3 hours)
- CYBR 4342 Cyber Law & Policy (3 hours)
- PLSC 3360 Public Policy (3 hours)
Technical Concentration
The technical concentration provides you with an opportunity to gain real-world problem-solving skills through hands-on labs. You’ll deepen your skills through a series of advanced courses that prepare you to take on the toughest technical challenges.
Choose any of the following five courses:
- CYBR 2316 Introduction to Programming (3 hours)
- CYBR 3311 Network Switching and Routing (3 hours)
- CYBR 3320 Systems Security (3 hours)
- CYBR 3389 Windows Server Installation** (3 hours)
- CYBR 3420 Network Security (3 hours)
- CYBR 4325 Systems Analysis & Design (3 hours)
- CYBR 4330 Ethical Hacking & Systems Defense** (3 hours)
**These courses are either closely aligned with or designed to prepare you to pass a specific certification exam.
Deborah Batson M.Ed.
Instructor of Computer Science
Deborah Batson serves as an instructor for the computer science program at NGU. She is a recognized Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP), a recognition awarded to capable experts demonstrating proven proficiency in technical training and Microsoft Office programs. She is a member of Microsoft Partners in Learning for Educators and a participant in Microsoft Teaching with Technology. With a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Master of Education degree, Batson has over 20 years of corporate training and teaching experience. She possesses an understanding of the value of technology literacy and the benefits it brings to education and business. Mrs. Batson has delivered training seminars for school districts in South Carolina, as well as multiple corporations across the Southeastern United States. She and her husband attend Clearview Baptist Church and are parents to Scotty, Stacie, Sandi, and Sara.
Phone: 864-977-2188
Email: deborah.batson@ngu.edu
Location: Crain 231
Brad Hamlett, M.Sc.
Cybersecurity Program Director
Assistant Professor of Cybersecurity and Computer Science
Brad Hamlett is the cybersecurity program director and assistant professor for cybersecurity and computer science at North Greenville University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University and a Master of Science in Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland. Prior to teaching at NGU, Hamlett worked as a senior intelligence analyst and senior information technology specialist for the U.S. Army and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. He holds numerous industry certifications in information technology and project management. Hamlett is passionate about sharing how the gospel has transformed his life and how Christianity offers the best social framework for human flourishing.
Phone: 864-977-7021
Email: Brad.Hamlett@ngu.edu
Location: Crain Building
Tim Van Den Meiracker, M.S.
Instructor of Computer Science
Tim van den Meiracker serves as an instructor of computer science at NGU. He earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from USC-Spartanburg in 1986. He completed his master’s in computer science at Clemson University in 2006. His research areas involve language and compiler design. Van den Meiracker worked 20 years in various software development areas prior to his position here at NGU, where he has served since 2005.
Phone: 864-977-7133
Email: tim.vandenmeiracker@ngu.edu
Location: Crain 232
Mark Roeder, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Political Science
Dr. Mark Roeder serves as an associate professor of political science at NGU. He received his bachelor’s degree from Cedarville University, his master’s in international affairs from the University of Drayton, and a master’s and doctorate from the University of Cincinnati. Roeder has worked in a number of local, state, and national campaigns. Before coming to NGU in 2008, Roeder taught at Patrick Henry College and the University of Cincinnati. He is an avid music-lover, sports fan, and car guy.
Phone: 864-663-0065
Email: mark.roeder@ngu.edu
Location: White Hall 111
Joshua Styles, J.D.
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Dr. Joshua Styles serves as instructor in the Christian studies program at NGU and also teaches courses in criminal justice and legal studies. Styles graduated from NGU with a bachelor’s degree in Christian studies and earned his master’s in Christian ethics from Southeastern Seminary. After graduating from Southeastern, Styles worked for the Raleigh Police Department before earning his Juris Doctor from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition to spending time with his family, Styles enjoys watching college sports and playing Spikeball, Settlers of Catan, and other strategy board games.
Phone: 864-663-0278
Email: joshua.styles@ngu.edu
Location: White Hall 114
Christopher Zapalski, LL.M., D.B.A., J.D.
Chair of the Department of Accounting
Associate Professor of Accounting
Christopher serves as the Academic Chair of the Accounting Department here at North Greenville University. Christopher has obtained the post-doctorate Master of Laws and a graduate certificate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, as well as the following graduate degrees: Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Law, Master of Business Administration, Master of Accounting, Master of Science (Criminal Justice), Master of Public Administration, Master of Information Systems Management, and Master of Human Resource Management. For professional activities, Christopher is a practicing accountant and attorney and has been admitted to the bar in Florida, The District of Columbia, the U.S. Tax Court, as well as other federal jurisdictions. When Christopher is not teaching or grading work, he enjoys spending time with his daughter Tabitha, and wife Laura. During his leisure time, he is either training horses or traveling in the family boat or motorhome. At North Greenville, his calling is to create an Accounting environment that is encouraging and comforting and one that urges students to recognize that God owns it all, and to live lives worthy of God, who has called you into His kingdom and glory (1 Thessalonians 2:12 (NIV)).
Phone: 864-663-0179
Email: christopher.zapalski@ngu.edu
Office Location: Neves 203