Is A Cybersecurity Degree Required?

This is one of the articles in our Cybersecurity Degree series, which will take a look at whether cybersecurity degrees are required for cybersecurity positions. Check out the other articles to read whether a masters or PhD degree is recommended or required, which certs pair best with a cybersecurity degree, and when is best to go back to school for a cybersecurity program.

With all of the jobs in cybersecurity, and the majority of the jobs in cybersecurity requiring a college degree, many would be tempted to get a degree in cybersecurity. But before getting a degree in cybersecurity, it is important to understand if and when it is worth considering getting a degree in cybersecurity.

To address this topic, we will be looking at whether cybersecurity jobs require college degrees, statistics regarding job openings, and then look at how many college degrees one has. Knowing how many degrees one has can help understand whether someone looking for their first degree and is interested in cybersecurity should get their degree in cybersecurity. However, the issue becomes more complex for those looking for their 2nd or 3rd degrees.

Do Jobs Require A College Degree?

Yes, most cybersecurity positions beyond the entry levels require at least an undergraduate degree of some sort.

Do Jobs Require A Cybersecurity Degree?

No, entry positions do not require a cybersecurity degree. Rather, a degree in IT or another field and certifications such as the Security+ go a long way in helping a candidate get their first Cybersecurity Job.

Yes, some advanced cybersecurity do require a Masters degree, which will be useful, and will be discussed later, but having a cybersecurity degree isnt required.

Other Ways To Land A CyberSecurity Position

Just because you lack a cybersecurity undergraduate degree, it doesnt mean that your work experience doesnt make up for the lack of a degree. Nor does it mean you cant get some cybersecurity certifications. Most people who {job experience, many types of cybersecurity jobs more than just a degree such as coding and system admin, and can make up for it with certs}

How Many Degrees You Have?

If you are considering going to school for your first degree and are considering cybersecurity, then you should get the degree as it is definitely will provide a job after school! You don’t need a cybersecurity degree to get a job in cybersecurity.

If you are looking to go back to school to get a 2nd, 3rd, or 4th degree, then consider getting a Masters or PhD, as these degrees would be shorter to obtain then a traditional undergraduate degree. A Masters degree can take 1.5 to 2 years to obtain, compared to a 4 year traditional undergraduate degree. Moreover, these degrees provide a great transition from a noncybersecurity professional in a vairety of cybersecurity topics that would not be typically covered by a single certification.

Statistics

Number Of Job Openings Compared To Cybersecurity Degrees Awarded

It is worth noting that one does not strictly need a college degree in cybersecurity to work in cybersecurity. With so many unfilled jobs and so many openings, there is no way that enough undergraduate degrees are being earned to even fill these jobs. For example, according to educationdata.org, there are 2 million undergraduate bachelors degrees earned each year. This would require 2 years of entire college graduating classes just to provide enough qualified undergraduate degrees for cybersecurity positions.

However, with only a fraction of the 2 million degrees awarded each year, this means that there are more available positions each year that go unfilled than those who graduate with cybersecurity degrees. Therefore, from a statistical perspective, it isn’t necessarily worth getting a cybersecurity degree to work in cybersecurity degree. If cybersecurity degrees were used as a requirement to hire cybersecurity positions, there would be even fewer cybersecurity professionals working today.

Knowing when to get your masters, PhD, or undergraduate degree in cybersecurity is important if you already have a e. But hopefully, you got an understanding that you don’t need a cybersecurity degree to get a position in cybersecurity.

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