Information Assurance & Cyber Security

Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)
group of students with laptops

About this program

As technology advances to new levels, online security is more important than ever before. With a degree in Information Assurance & Cyber Security, you’ll learn how to safeguard sensitive data and prevent critical attacks. From IT essentials like programming, databases, and networking to threat prevention, assessment, and testing, this industry-driven curriculum pulls it all together to create the diverse skillset that future employers want most.

Next steps...

You're on your way to becoming a tomorrow maker.

90%

Placement Rate

4

Specialized Computer Labs

17

Average Class Size

Careers

  • Information security analyst
  • Information security manager/administrator
  • System security engineer/architect
  • IT security consultant
  • Security incident responder/investigator
  • IT auditor
  • Penetration tester
  • Cybersecurity analyst
Courses

At Penn College, we believe your educational experience should go beyond specialized skills. Real-world ready means taking a broader approach that builds communication skills, inspires collaboration, and encourages exploration of arts, history, and science.

​​Specialization requires in-depth knowledge and high-level proficiency. Students learn and apply major-specific concepts, skills, and methods.

  • Introduction to Programming (CIT160)
  • Networking I (EET145)
  • Principles of Management (MGT115)
  • Programming II (CIT260)
  • Networking II (EET247)
  • Introduction to UNIX/Linux (CIT240)
  • Introduction to Database (CIT180)
  • Directed Information Assurance & Cyber Security Elective (BCS)
  • Fundamentals of Information Security (CIT230)
  • Secure Database Development (CIT281)
  • System Analysis I (CIT246)
  • Fundamentals of Cryptography (CIT335)
  • Network Defense (IAS312)
  • Information Security Tools for Code & Data Analysis (IAS211)
  • Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing (IAS311)
  • Information Security Policy (IAS411)
  • Legal Issues in Information Security Management (LAS350)
  • Management of Organizational Behavior (MGT410)
  • IAS Awareness, Training & Education (IAS412)
  • Contingency Planning (IAS413)
  • Secure System Accreditation & Certification (IAS461)
  • IAS Seminar I (IAS492A)
  • Risk Analyst Capstone (IAS466)
  • Information Security Forensics & Incident Response (CIT430)
  • Advanced Topics in Information Assurance & Security (IAS490)
  • IAS Seminar II (IAS492B)

​Perspectives are points of view, offering a variety of ways of understanding, interacting, and influencing the world. Students identify, explain, and utilize the approaches used by academics and professionals to study, analyze, or understand problems, and offer solutions.

  • Science Elective (SCI)
  • Science Elective with lab (SCL)
  • Core Social Science Perspective (SSP)
  • Core Historical Perspective (HIP)
  • Core Arts Perspective (ARP)

​​Foundations are the practical, intellectual, and social skills: communication, collaboration, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative thinking, and technological literacy that are crucial to every student at every stage of education and at every stage of life.

  • Information, Technology & Society (CSC124)
  • English Composition I (ENL111)
  • Calculus I (MTH240)
  • English Composition II (ENL121) or
  • Technical & Professional Communication (ENL201)
  • Fundamentals of Speech (SPC101)
  • Statistics for STEM Fields with Computer Applications (MTH161)
View Goals & Course List

What's the difference between Information Technology and Computer Science?

Computer science is more theoretical, with increased math requirements. Many tend to focus on programming or cutting-edge computing, like artificial intelligence and augmented reality.

IT is focused on supporting the user. It is more people-focused, making the tools of computing accessible to fit the needs of people and organizations, as well as creating computing tools and systems to meet the user's needs.

Virtual Tour

Information Technology

Get a glimpse inside the labs where future IT professionals learn how to install, configure, and maintain computing systems. Meet Dr. Sandra Gorka, Associate Professor of Computer Science. And check out everything from gaming and simulation spaces to the hands-on labs decided to cyber security, networking, database management, and Linux systems.

IT Labs
Facilities

IT Labs

Apply theory to the real thing in our specialized IT labs. Here, you’ll have access to both physical and virtual labs designed for networking, IT security, operating systems, and gaming. Apply the principles of ethical hacking, intrusion detection, and digital forensics in both physical and virtual environments. Labs also allow students to create 3D models, investigate hypervisors, build networks from bare metal to full production, and simulate a host of applications and network configurations.

Maker Profiles
Women In STEM
Featured Video

Women In STEM

What does it take to succeed in a STEM career? Curiosity. Critical thinking. A can-do spirit. And an educational experience that meets your passion head-on. Here, you’ll meet a community of innovators. Future pioneers who are learning by doing. Breathing new life into old concepts. Testing theories. And breaking barriers. Because the more you explore, the more you grow. And the bigger difference you can make.

Tour Schedule

Seeing is believing.

Think Penn College might be a good fit for you? Make plans to visit and discover what hands-on learning is all about.

Mar 1

Undergraduate Open House

Saturday, March 19 AM - 3 PM

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Apr 6

Undergraduate Open House

Sunday, April 69 AM - 3 PM

Register

More tour dates are on the way.

But let's customize a tour for you now. Call, chat, or email for options.

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Admissions Office

Internship

Your knowledge in practice

Internships are key for career preparation. Apply your knowledge to the workplace and learn about the industry first-hand.

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Related Programs

Follow your passion

Student Life

Lead and put your skills to the test

Information Security Association (ISA)

Information Security Association (ISA)

ISA is a security club that encompasses all IT majors. It stresses the importance of security through networking, programming, security, and even average computer users.

Learn more
Student Organizations at Penn College

Student Organizations at Penn College

Your college experience is about more than the classroom. Join one of 65+ clubs and organizations, or create your own.

Get Involved
Penn College News
Penn College IT prof presents at international conference
11.19.2024

Penn College IT prof presents at international conference

During a recent international conference, a Pennsylvania College of Technology faculty member presented his research findings focusing on technology use among people with disabilities. Stephen R. Cheskiewicz, associate professor of computer information technology, shared the results of his study, “The Great Need for a Dedicated Special Needs Social Media Platform,” at the 17th annual International Conference on Education, Research and Innovation in Seville, Spain.

Read Article
Penn College hosts students/teachers for Cyber Challenge Day
11.05.2024

Penn College hosts students/teachers for Cyber Challenge Day

More than 100 middle and high school students and teachers from throughout the state learned valuable lessons during the recent Cyber Challenge Day at Pennsylvania College of Technology. Part of the GenCyber program, an initiative supported by the National Security Agency and the National Science Foundation, the informative event rotated students through four interactive workshops, covering basic cyber skills. Students spent a portion of each session testing their knowledge.

Read Article
IT professor presents at national conference
10.21.2024

IT professor presents at national conference

A Pennsylvania College of Technology information technology professor addressed a recent national conference for IT educators. Sandra Gorka, professor of computer information technology, presented at SIGITE 2024, the Association for Computing Machinery’s 25th annual conference on information technology education.

Read Article
Gain global experience
Study Abroad

Gain global experience

See the world via Williamsport. Take your education abroad and get hands-on experience learning about your industry on a global scale.

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Our Leadership

Faculty Story

Jacob Miller and Sandra Gorka, both computer science professors, were featured in the Washington Post for their efforts in extending cybersecurity education to high school students.

Read Their Story

More Information
  • This program was developed to meet the curricular recommendations for the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance/Cyber Defense (IA/CD) Education, a joint effort of the NSA and DHS.
  • Operates on an A,B,C,F grading scale for all major courses.

Students must complete all required major courses in the Information Assurance and Cyber Security major (those with the alpha-designators CIT, EET, BCS, LAS, and MTH) with a grade of "C" or higher.  Additionally, any course approved for use as the IAS elective must also be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.

Students seeking entrance through transfer should strive to take courses at their respective institutions that provide competency in the following areas; programming, two semesters minimum (same language); database; networking, two semesters minimum; UNIX and/or Linux; and calculus for engineering or math majors.  Students planning to transfer from another college and wanting specific course advice should consult with the IT faculty at Penn College.

View general transfer information

Alternative Credit refers to academic credits earned through means other than traditional college course completion, including: credit by exam, articulation, proof of competency gained in high school, work/life experience, and advanced placement.

Visit the Alternative Credit Options page for requirements and procedures and for information on credit through Advanced Placement.

Special Considerations: Many jobs in information security will require background checks and/or security clearances. Ethical behavior is necessary if a student expects to succeed in this field. Additionally, due to the rigorous math requirements of this program, prospective students should consider applying early and remediating needed classes (such as Algebra or Pre-Calculus) prior to entering your first semester at Penn College.

A laptop/notebook computer is required for enrollment in major courses. Laptop specifications

Uniforms and tools are available for purchase through The College Store and Penn State Computer Store .

  • Mr. James R Ankers, CISSP, CISA, IT Specialist (INFOSEC), United States Navy
  • Mr. Daniel J Clarke, '07, Senior Solutions Architect, Arraya Solutions
  • Dr. Todd W Griffith, Chief Technology Officer, Discovery Machine Corporation
  • Mr. Brandon J Howe, '01, Sr. IT Analyst, Anadarko Petroleum Corp.
  • Dr. Karl M Kapp, Assistant Director, Institute for Interactive Technologies, Bloomsburg University
  • Dr. Krish Pillai, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Lycoming College
  • Mr. Mark J Watson, '85, Administrative Director, Corporate Information Technology, Susquehanna Health
Contact

Admissions Office

  • Career Fair Connections

    Career Fair Connections

    Penn College graduates are in high demand. Employer participation at the Career Fair is proof. Attracting 400+ organizations, this popular event is hosted twice per year and introduces students to all types of businesses from startups to Fortune 500 companies. 

    Learn More About Career Fair

The future needs you

If you put more into today, could you get more out of tomorrow? If you create your future at Pennsylvania College of Technology, the answer is yes.

With open and rolling admission, applying is easy.

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