Applied Science, Cybersecurity Concentration (BAS)

Who should apply?

This degree completion program is designed for students who hold an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in cyber security.

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)” to Offered in collaboration with Mason’s College of Engineering & Computing (CEC).
• 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 481: Cloud Security | 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.

Please refer to the Students Accounts Office website for more information on tuition and fees.

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.

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.

Program contact: bas@gmu.edu

Program website: https://bas.gmu.edu/bas/bascybersecurity/

Department/College contact/website: https://bas.gmu.edu/

• Conferred Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Cyber Security.
  • All students are required to complete the BAS Admissions Agreement during the application process. You will be presented with this document in the online application: BAS Admissions Agreement
  • Importantly, students are required to have their AAS degree completed before their first day of classes at Mason. Students cannot co-enroll at Mason and the community college to complete their AAS requirements while beginning Mason courses. If AAS course completion is delayed, students must un-enroll from Mason, return to the community college to complete the AAS coursework, and then re-apply to Mason for a future term
• A competitive cumulative grade point average.
• Completion of English Composition with a grade of C or better before application to Mason
  • Recommended, but not required: A course equivalent to ENGH 101.
    • VCCS Preferred Course: ENG 112
• Recommended, but not required: 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.

NOTE: If English is not your native language, the Admission Committee will require demonstrated English language proficiency before application to Mason. Proficiency may be satisfied by proficiency exams or by completing VCCS ENG 111 and 112 with grades of C or better. Several VCCS AAS degrees do not require ENG 112 (ex: Cybersecurity). Consult with your advisor early in your program to meet the English requirement before application to Mason.

Application Materials

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