What Makes a Cyber Security Degree from UTSA Online Worth It?

What Makes a Cyber Security Degree from UTSA Online Worth It?

Have you considered learning to defend the digital environments of today’s businesses and organizations to help them ensure their long-term success? This is a crucial undertaking, as cybercrime was predicted to cost $9.5 trillion worldwide in 2024. If you’re passionate about this cause, a degree in Cyber Security from UTSA Online can help you become an asset to any organization! But what makes a Cyber Security degree from UTSA Online worth it?

With our 100% online Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Cyber Security, you’ll learn from the same top-tier faculty as the in-person students in UTSA’s award-winning program. But you’ll get to do it all from the comfort of your own home. Or from the cafe down the street. Or from wherever you want. Whenever you want.

With UTSA Online, you’ll have assignments due each week, but you get to do your coursework on your own time. You’ll have the flexibility you need to balance your work, personal, and school responsibilities, whatever they are. How great is that?

You’ll engage with a blend of technical and theoretical coursework that isn’t found in every bachelor’s degree program. By enrolling in UTSA Online’s BBA in Cyber Security, you’ll have the unique opportunity to learn core business  concepts that are essential to the security practitioner, as well as hands-on technical skills.  

Through taking courses like “Network Security”, “Operating Systems Security, , “Information Assurance and Security, and “Intrusion Detection and Incident Response,” you can learn how to help defend and protect a business’s valuable assets from digital threats.  

Now, let’s explore what cyber security is. We’ll also go more in-depth into why UTSA Online’s program is a great option.

What is Cyber Security?

We all know that the internet has allowed us to connect with people around the world. But despite the immense benefits and convenience of the Internet, it’s also vulnerable to attacks . 

Data breaches, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and identity theft are just a few examples of cyber threats that harm businesses and people. The goals of a cyber attack are multifaceted. They range from making monetary profits to stealing information. Or disrupting access to essential resources in critical infrastructures in industries such as banking, travel, healthcare, and energy. For instance, a DDoS attack might overwhelm a website, preventing customers from accessing their bank accounts. Identity theft can lead to fraudulent transactions that ruin an individual’s personal finances. 

As a security professional, you can be part of a vital team that protects against these threats and keeps essential services running smoothly! You’ll learn how to protect computer systems, networks, and digital information from unauthorized access and potential damage. 

With a degree in Cyber Security, you can play a key role in protecting the services that are critical to all types of organizations and individuals.  Talk about rewarding!

Why UTSA Online is the Best Place To Get Your Cyber Security Degree

UTSA Online has plenty of benefits for you. For example, did you know you’ll pay one flat rate per credit hour? That’s it! There are no additional fees for on-campus amenities, and there’s no out-of-state tuition. No matter where you live. 

Although you won’t be on campus, you’ll still have access to a lot of amazing resources that are designed to help you succeed. Whether it’s complimentary software tools, library resources, or support services – like tutoring, student organizations, and career preparation – you’ll have an entire university behind you.

When you graduate, your degree will say “The University of Texas at San Antonio.” There will be no “online” designation. That’s because although your classes are 100% online, you’ll learn from the same faculty and have the same rigorous coursework as UTSA’s in-person students.  

Our faculty members are experts in areas such as incident response,  secure coding, digital forensics, industrial control systems, social engineering, and more. They’ve worked for organizations that you might want to work with, and can help guide you in advancing or changing your career. By working hard and learning from top-tier faculty, you can contribute to the fields of information technology and cyber security. When you graduate, you’ll be an impressive candidate when it comes to applying for cyber security jobs. 

1. Our Nationally Ranked Program

We’re proud to say we’re ranked highly in multiple categories by U.S. News and World Report in 2024. 

• #1 – (tied) – Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in San Antonio
• #1 – Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in the UT System
• #1 – Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans in the UT System
• #3 – Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans in Texas
• #57 – Best Online Bachelor’s Programs in the nation

We continue to work hard to provide you with a great education. We’re in the top 5 of the Best Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Cybersecurity of 2024, according to Forbes Advisor. By integrating business and technical courses, our degree allows you to understand security from an overall business standpoint. You’ll also get to specialize in unique areas like digital forensics, web application security, cyber law and policy, and more. Our goal is to facilitate success for students like you!

As an AACSB-accredited program, UTSA’s Carlos Alvarez College of Business is one of the best business schools in the world. We’ve passed rigorous standards that test program quality, so you can rest assured knowing you’re getting an excellent education with a Cyber Security degree from UTSA Online. 

Incorporating business courses into the Cyber Security curriculum also equips you with essential leadership skills. This blend of business and cyber education prepares you to tackle complex challenges from both technical and managerial perspectives.

2. Learn from Faculty Who Have a History in the Industry

There’s no better resource than having access to professionals who have real-world experience in the field instead of only academic knowledge. Who wouldn’t want to learn from their firsthand experience? At UTSA Online, you’ll have instructors who have actually worked in cyber security.

Meet two of our faculty members, Tom Ervin and Rita Mitra.

Thanks to their expertise in the field, your instructors will be able to:

• Teach you necessary foundational skills in a real-world context
• Share their experiences in a valuable way
• Help ensure you have marketable skills that are important to employers who are hiring cyber security professionals

UTSA is near several national security agencies and cyber intelligence center of operations. The Alamo City is considered the second-largest concentration of cyber security experts in the country, outside of the nation’s capital. 

Here are a few the Department of Defense (DoD) facilities and commands in San Antonio:

• National Security Agency (NSA) Texas
• Defense Health Agency (DHA) – San Antonio Market: Operates within Joint Base San Antonio to manage military medical facilities, including the integration of cybersecurity to protect health information systems.
• Lackland Air Force Base: Home to the 16th Air Force (Air Forces Cyber), which focuses on cyber operations, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and electronic warfare.
• Fort Sam Houston: Headquarters of U.S. Army North (Fifth Army), U.S. Army South, and the Brooke Army Medical Center, a premier military medical facility.
• Randolph Air Force Base: The location for Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and various other Air Force training and education operations.

Our program and faculty connect you with top agencies. The Alvarez College of Business’ career resources and the University Career Center also help you stand out during your search.

3. 100% Online – Designed To Fit Your Lifestyle

Our coursework is entirely online, allowing you to work at a pace that supports your lifestyle and provides convenient flexibility. Our Cyber Security classes, like all our programs, have no designated meeting times. You’ll have due dates each week, but you can work at your own pace and complete your coursework on your schedule.

We design our programs to support a work-life balance so you can get the education you want without disrupting your current lifestyle. Our program offers flexibility and support, allowing you to balance work, family, or other commitments while advancing your education..

4. You Can Pursue Many Cyber Security Career Options

Cyber security is always evolving, and you’ll get to stay at the cutting edge of technology throughout your career. Through our curriculum, you’ll gain the important critical thinking, analytical, and technical skills to do this in countless career paths.

Do you want to be a Cybercrime Analyst where the median salary is $101,019 per year? Or is your goal to be a Cybersecurity Manager whose median salary is $150,943 per year? You’ll have that option, as well! These are just a couple of the many career options you’ll get to choose from. 

Whatever your goal is, we want to help you achieve it. And don’t worry, we have faculty members and a Career Center to help you choose your path.

We’ll equip you with the skills you need to address the increasing complexity of the world of cyber security. You’ll be prepared to defend businesses and individuals against cybercrime and become a distinctive candidate in the career field.

5. Professional Networking Opportunities

UTSA is surrounded by national security organizations like the NSA Texas office, JBSA, and more. Because of this proximity, we have close relationships with many cyber security professionals in the field. Plus, over a dozen employers recruit UTSA Cyber Security students. H-E-B, USAA, and Valero are some of the largest non-governmental employers of UTSA graduates. We have alumni in some of the country’s most prominent cyber security organizations.

You’ll learn about cyber security while building relationships with professionals in the industry in our 100% online program. You’ll get to hear about their experiences so you can plan your own career path. 

With a strong alumni base and employer network, you’ll have countless opportunities to connect. Many of these like-minded people have taken the same journey as you. You’ll be in good company. 

6. Recognition from Both DHS and NSA Agencies

There is no better endorsement for a degree than from agencies who deal with cyber security at the highest levels. 

UTSA has been designated a Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) by the National Security Administration and the Department of Homeland Security in CAE-Education, CAE-Operations, and CAE-Research. We’re one of only 10 institutions in the United States to receive all three of these designations.

When you pursue a Cyber Security degree through UTSA’s 100% online program, you receive a quality of education that is considered among the best of the best.

7. ​​UTSA Online’s Cyber Security Academic Support Services 

As a UTSA Online student, you’ll have access to a number of free academic support programs. We want you to excel, so check out some of the services you’ll be able to use! 

• Tutorials On Demand are available for certain courses offered through the Carlos Alvarez College of Business.  
• Tutoring sessions are conveniently available with virtual options. Simply log in to your Canvas learning account to access TutorMe, a free online tutoring service. Here you can receive live academic support 24/7. 
• Utilize the chat option on the Student Academic Support page. All you need is your name and UTSA ID to conveniently contact the Tomás Rivera Center for Academic Excellence online.  

Looking for additional resources? See our post on Free Online Resources for Students. 

8. ​​Industry-Relevant Projects

With UTSA Online, you’ll get more than just lectures. You’ll get immersed into the world of cyber security and with an unmatched educational experience! 

Our curriculum incorporates hands-on projects so you’ll get to go beyond learning technical skills and theory. You’ll get to see how to apply them to cyber security challenges in the real world.

Our faculty members constantly review and update their course material to address current issues. This way, you’ll learn about emerging technologies and evolving practices in the industry. 

By the time you earn your degree, you’ll understand what it takes to succeed and you’ll be well-prepared to move into your career.

What Our Cyber Security Students Are Up to Now

Through the strength of our Cyber Security program, we graduate top talent and open the door to fulfilling career paths. Our Cyber Security students have enjoyed considerable success in the field. Their stories speak for themselves.

Olinda Cardenas ’23

Olinda Cardenas worked as a crime scene investigator for more than a decade before wanting a career switch. She learned about UTSA’s 100% online program and decided to transition to a new career without any background in computer science, coding, or cyber security. 

With the help and support of UTSA Online and her professors, Olinda said she felt ready to take the next step in her career. She successfully graduated from UTSA Online in May 2023 and now works with Ernst & Young’s Financial Services Organization, combating money laundering.

Angela Brown ‘20

Angela Brown is another excellent example of the power of our 100% online program. She has more than five years of experience in cyber security and more than 12 in the tech world. She loves blending technical skills with those she built in customer service and sales jobs.

Angela graduated from UTSA Online in 2020. She now works at TCM Security as an Offensive Security Engineer. 

What You Can Expect What You Can Expect

Olinda and Angela are only two examples of success stories. Many of our students have received job offers from renowned companies and agencies like:

• Accenture
• Air Force Office of Special Investigations.
• Ford Motor Company
• FireEye
• USAA
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• National Security Agency
• Valero

Our rigorous instruction is the same online as it is for in-person classes. You, too, will gain valuable skills so you can pursue a variety of roles. Here are a few examples of those careers: 

• Security Operations Analyst
• Network Security Analyst
• Digital Forensics and Incident Response Analyst 
• Chief Risk Officer
• Cyber Security Consultant
• Vulnerability Assessment Analyst

UTSA is one of the institutions setting the pace for Cyber Security programs in the country. We want to prepare you to succeed through flexible yet rigorous courses in our 100% online program. Become part of our constantly growing pool of successful cyber security professionals.