Applied Science Degree in Cybersecurity (BAS)

Program Description

Mason’s Bachelor of Applied Science Degree (BAS) is a unique program created specifically for students who have earned an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree. Designed with the adult-learner in mind, but open to students of all ages, the BAS degree offers a flexible learning experience for students.

Offered in collaboration with Volgenau School of Engineering, this concentration is only available to students graduating from Northern Virginia Community College, Lord Fairfax Community Colleges, Tidewater Community College, or Germanna Community College with an AAS in Cyber Security or an AAS in Information Systems Technology with a Cyber Security Career Studies Certificate.

What it costs

The cost for this program is $546.50 per credit hour for VA state residents or $1,523.50 per credit hour for Non-VA residents. See the Cost tab below for a breakdown of tuition and fees. All of Mason’s tuition rates and fees can be found on our Student Accounts site.

Application Deadline

BAS accepts transfer applications only. For application information and deadlines, please see our Admissions site.

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DETAILS COURSES COST CAREERS CONTACT READY TO APPLY?

Who should apply?

Cybersecurity Ventures predicts there will be 3.5 million cybersecurity job openings by 2021. Are you up to the challenge?

If you have an AAS in Cyber Security from Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA), Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC), Tidewater Community College (TCC), or Germanna Community College, the BAS in Cyber Security can get you there.

We’ll build on the skills you gained in your AAS degree to help you complete a Bachelor’s degree and start a cyber security career with the requisite skills designed to hit-the-ground-running.

Why choose George Mason?

Offered in collaboration with Mason’s Volgenau School of Engineering (VSE), this concentration is designed to allow students to complete a Bachelor’s degree while developing the requisite skills to launch a successful career.
Mason’s BAS program builds upon the foundations taught at VCCS partner schools, many of which were recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance 2-Year Education by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and National Security Agency (NSA).
BAS students develop tangible skills that are recognized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) as vital to the cybersecurity field.
The BAS with a concentration in Cybersecurity is offered fully online with courses that can be completed from anywhere.

Program requirements may change; please refer to the Mason Course Catalog for the most up-to-date requirements.

Requirements: 120-126 credits total

Transfer credits from AAS degree
9 credits core courses
24 credits concentration courses
40 credits Mason Core courses
45 credits upper-level courses
Minimum of 15 credits elective courses

Some of the AAS transfer credits may count towards your Mason Core and upper-level course credits. Please contact your program advisor for more information. Sufficient courses are offered to complete the entire degree online. Most online courses are delivered asynchronously and offerings vary by semester.

Core Requirements (9 credits)

BAS 300 Building Professional Competencies | 3 credits
BAS 490 Introduction to Research Methods | 3 credits
BAS 491 Applied Sciences Capstone | 3 credits

Concentration Requirements (24 credits)

In order to enroll in some concentration courses, you must first complete any pre-requisite course requirements. Pre-requisites that are not used to fulfill core or concentration requirements may fulfill remaining credits as electives. See the course catalog for required pre-requisites or your program advisor for more information.

IT 104 Introduction to Computing | 3 credits
IT 105 IT Architecture Fundamentals | 3 credits
IT 223 Information Security Fundamentals | 3 credits
IT 304 IT in the Global Economy | 3 credits
IT 343 IT Project Management | 3 credits
IT 357 Computer Crime, Forensics, and Auditing | 3 credits
IT 429 Security Accreditation of Information Systems | 3 credits
IT 462 Information Security Principles | 3 credits

Technical Focus (minimum 15 credits)

Select 15 credit hours of required IT, MBUS, or MIS coursework from the approved list in the Catalog. Courses not listed there may be selected in consultation with the advisor. Not all Technical Focus courses listed are offered online. Students pursuing CYBS online should meet with their advisor to select courses that are offered online.

Electives may fulfill remaining credit requirements. All BAS students are required to complete a minimum of 120 credit hours of coursework, including 40 general education (Mason Core) credits and at least 45 credits of upper-level courses. The requirement to complete at least 63-66 credits at Mason may lead to more than 120 credit hours. Students will work with their advisor to determine how to fulfill their outstanding credit hours to ensure they have met all major and university requirements.

Tuition (2021-2022)

TUITION CLASSIFICATION	COST PER CREDIT HOUR
Virginia Resident	$408.15
Non-Virginia Resident	$1,415.00
Mandatory Student fee	$150.25
Total Cost Per Credit for Virginia Residents	$558.40
Total Cost Per Credit for Non-Virginia Residents	$1565.25
Undergraduate New Student fee	$350.00 for new students, $275 for transfer students (non-refundable, one-time fee charged to all students)

Please Note: In addition to the tuition and fees described above, various course and lab fees may be assessed depending on the course(s) in which the student is enrolled. Please refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees.

Financial Aid

For information on loans, scholarships, and other types of financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Career Descriptions

With a critical shortage of cybersecurity analysts and technicians, especially for jobs within the Federal Government, now is the opportune time to join the cybersecurity field. Mason’s strategic location in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area ensures that students will benefit from an engaging and relevant curriculum, providing the foundation necessary to be a professional in the field. Specific positions that graduates of this program may obtain include:

Cybersecurity analysts and technicians
Computer systems analysts
Information security analysts

As a Mason student, you may contact University Career Services for more career information and counseling.

USEFUL RESOURCES
Program Coordinator	Krystal Dains Academic Program Coordinator Information Sciences and Technology Phone: (703) 993-2799 Email: bas@gmu.edu
Program Website	http://bas.gmu.edu/

Prerequisites

Earned an AAS in Cyber Security or an AAS in Information Systems Technology, with a Cyber Security Career Studies Certificate, from Northern Virginia Community College, Lord Fairfax Community College, or Tidewater Community College.
Have completed the following courses at the community college with grades of A, B, or C in each course:
- ITN 106
- ITN 170 or ITN 171
- ITN 200
- ITN 261
- ITN 262
- ITN 263
- 2 from: (ITN 267, ITN 276, ITN 277, ITN 295)
- ITP 100
- ITP elective
A competitive cumulative grade point average.
Completion of English Composition with a grade of C or better before application to Mason
- Course must be equivalent to ENGH 101.
- VCCS Course: ENG 111
Completion of Math equivalent to Mason Core Math with a grade of C or better before application to Mason.
- Course must be equivalent to MATH 106, 108, 110, 111, 113, 125 or STAT 250
- VCCS courses that satisfy this requirement include: MATH 154, 261, 181, 182, 245, 273, and 286.
Meet the University English Language Proficiency requirement

Application Materials

Undergraduate application
Transcripts for all post-secondary education
$60 non-refundable application fee

Applied Science, Cybersecurity Concentration (BAS)