The Best Online Doctorates in Cybersecurity

Spotlighting Online Cybersecurity Terminal Degree Programs

Many of the topics covered in cybersecurity doctoral degree programs are a good fit for online learning formats, so most coursework can be completed remotely. Classes can be either synchronous or asynchronous.

Each college or university builds its degree programs around the strengths of its faculty members and access to resources. So, all cybersecurity PhD and doctoral degree programs are unique in some way. The highlights below will give you a look at variations among programs and what to expect in terms of tuition and coursework.

Answering FAQs about Online Cybersecurity Doctoral Degrees

Are online cybersecurity doctoral degree programs accredited?

Regional or national accreditation is crucial for ensuring that a cybersecurity doctoral degree program meets certain educational standards and that graduates’ credentials can help them advance their careers. In many cases, schools that offer career-focused programs such as vocational or trade schools possess national accreditation.

Schools with regional accreditation tend to offer a wide range of academically focused programs, from associate to doctoral degree programs. Regionally accredited schools tend to be more expensive but are widely considered to be more prestigious than nationally accredited schools.

Specific to cybersecurity, programs that earned a CAE-C designation met rigorous requirements developed by the National Security Agency (NSA).

How long does it take to earn an online cybersecurity doctoral degree?

The duration of doctoral degree programs varies by school. Typically, students should plan to take two to three years to complete coursework plus an additional three to five years to conduct research and write a dissertation. However, this timeline can be greatly affected by the availability of courses in the department, whether students are enrolled part-time or full-time, and how long it takes to conduct research for a dissertation.

Additionally, most cybersecurity degree programs require students to pass qualifying exams.

Do fully online cybersecurity doctoral degree programs exist?

Yes; many schools offer online cybersecurity doctoral degrees with minimal or no on-campus obligations.

Will I get accepted into an online cybersecurity PhD or doctoral degree program?

Admission requirements for the best online cybersecurity PhD and doctoral degree programs vary widely among schools. However, most programs require applicants to hold a master’s degree in a STEM field. Some programs offer a combined master’s and doctoral degree, so they accept students with only a bachelor’s degree.

Typically, applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and submit GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay or statement of research. Some schools might also request documentation of previous research projects, such as a research portfolio or a list of published articles.

How can I pay for an online cybersecurity PhD or doctoral degree?

Earning an online cybersecurity PhD or doctoral degree requires a commitment of both time and money. Students should start by applying for financial aid and inquiring about support like scholarships or grants from their school or department.

Another option is to seek scholarships from private organizations or foundations. While researching potential schools and programs, students should look at the cost of each program and weigh it against their other options to find the most affordable one.

Specializations for Cybersecurity Doctoral Degree Programs

Depending on a school’s strengths, faculty, and available concentration areas, a doctoral degree in cybersecurity might go by a different name. However, the title of the degree is not the only possible difference. Below, we’ll highlight unique characteristics of a few popular cybersecurity degree programs, including a traditional online cybersecurity degree program, a computer science degree program with a focus in security, and a graduate degree program that emphasizes information assurance.

Doctor of Computer Science – Cybersecurity and Information Assurance

While the name of this degree emphasizes computer science, it’s designed to prepare graduates to meet the toughest cybersecurity challenges. Colorado Technical University’s Doctor of Computer Science – Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree program puts students ahead of cybercriminals. It covers management of enterprise systems and tools like CORBA, J2EE, XML, RDF, OWL, and UML.

Students gain leadership skills, so they’ll be equipped to take charge of day-to-day operations and management in a crisis. The emphasis on information assurance includes building strategic security plans for enterprise systems and ensuring that a system’s security aligns with the organization’s business goals.

PhD in Computer Science – Security Focus

Computer science degrees with a security focus offer a multidisciplinary approach to cybersecurity. Most PhD programs in this field use a curriculum that combines coursework from cybersecurity, homeland security, and security management.

Additionally, computer science doctoral degree programs typically adhere to the training standards of the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Central Security Service (CSS). So, computer science departments can keep up with cutting-edge technology, the latest innovations and research findings, and the most recent NSA-endorsed practices.

The University of North Dakota offers a PhD in Computer Science degree program that includes classes in Application Layer Security and Vulnerability Assessment.

PhD in Cybersecurity

A standard online cybersecurity PhD program, such as the Doctor of Philosophy in Cybersecurity (PhD-CY) degree program at National University, prepares graduates for various high-level cybersecurity roles and offers flexibility so they can develop an area of specialization.

Standard cybersecurity degree programs are challenging. Students can develop essential skills for a cybersecurity career while focusing on an area of the field that interests them the most, particularly during the research and dissertation stages.

Common Courses in Online Cybersecurity Doctoral Degree Programs

The curriculum for an online cybersecurity doctoral degree program will be unique to a specific area of concentration. However, many programs include some standard courses. Below, we’ll provide a quick overview of what the first few semesters in this type of program might look like.

Advanced Computer Security

In this course, students explore advanced topics in computer security such as authorization techniques, security models, architecture and security, cryptography, and network security protocols. This course typically requires a prerequisite class in basic computer security that covers common security risks that computer systems and databases experience on a daily basis.

Cybersecurity Accreditation and Certification

In this course, students learn the processes and standards that are required by federally mandated cybersecurity laws and international standards. Faculty members help students examine the Federal Information Security Management Act and teach them to prepare compliance reports.

In most cases, students need to complete a prerequisite course that covers computer databases, networks, security concepts, and hardware.

Law and Ethics for Cybersecurity Professionals

As cybersecurity professionals, graduates need to abide by established compliance procedures, ethics, policies, and laws. This class helps them explore domestic and international laws that affect the way many employees carry out their work each day. Students learn to examine policy documents and discuss ethical issues and legal principles.

Monitoring and Security Testing

Computer science and cybersecurity professionals often develop, examine, and test practices for stopping online attacks. This course can be especially helpful for students who are interested in cybersecurity management at large companies where they’ll handle online attacks on a daily basis.

This course can provide an excellent foundation for students who want to research cyber threats and develop programs or techniques to stop them.

Natural Language Processing

Natural language processing – often referred to as NLP or computer linguistics – is an essential topic for cybersecurity students. This course focuses on statistical learning algorithms and the ways in which computer systems read and communicate in human- and computer-based languages. The class also delves into the Python programming language, interfaces and databases, conversational agents, and real-world text data.

Career Growth for Graduates with Cybersecurity Doctoral Degrees

After earning a cybersecurity doctoral degree, graduates might be interested in employment with a college or university as an adjunct, part-time, or full-time faculty member. Additionally, both public and private organizations employ cybersecurity specialists as information security managers, security consultants, and information security executives.

Other areas to explore include banking and finance, insurance, information technology, health care, government, and global technology firms.

Information Security Analyst

In this role, cybersecurity specialists oversee maintaining a high standard of protection and security protocols throughout an organization. In most cases, graduates work as part of a team to identify and prevent issues in both software and hardware that can affect an organization’s daily processes.

Graduates need strong communication and leadership skills for this role, as they’ll likely manage personnel and delegate responsibilities to other employees.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated a growth rate of 33% in this field between 2023 and 2033. The median annual salary for this role was over $120,000 in 2023. Both a PhD and a doctoral degree can prepare students for this position.

Cybersecurity Consultant

As a cybersecurity consultant, graduates work in a variety of areas in the field. They might be asked to help companies identify weaknesses in their computer systems and networks to prevent intruders from gaining access to private information.

Cybersecurity consultants must possess strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills, plus a solid understanding of cybersecurity ethics, laws, and policies. A lot of variety is available in this role, plus the potential for travel and a six-figure salary. Both a PhD and a doctoral degree can prepare students for this position.

Professor of Computer Science or Cybersecurity

As a professor, graduates can teach introductory courses for new computer science and cybersecurity students. As they gain experience, graduates can teach highly specialized courses to advanced learners who are pursuing a master’s degree or a doctoral degree. Thye can also serve on a dissertation committee and help shape PhD students’ research.

Graduates in this role need strong written and verbal communication skills and a high level of comfort with public speaking. Computer science professors at post-secondary schools earned a mean annual salary of $106,380 in 2023, according to the BLS. Graduates who enter the higher education field typically hold PhDs rather than doctoral degrees.

Top-Rated Online Cybersecurity Doctoral Degrees

Working professionals usually look for flexible study options, asynchronous coursework, and affordable tuition. We ranked schools that are accredited by the U.S. Department of Education and provide strong academic and career support.

We assessed factors like the number of online programs offered, the percentage of online students, tuition costs, and availability of financial aid. Additionally, we considered student retention rates, student-to-faculty ratios, and graduation rates.

Based on these criteria, the schools listed below stand out for their cybersecurity doctoral degree programs. So, they’re a great place to start a search for a program.