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88%
Employed
88% of our recent graduates got a job in the industry.
86%
Student Satisfaction
86% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
$59k
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $59,256.

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IT-Cybersecurity Specialist
Program Number: 101512
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Information Technology
Delivery Method:
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
64 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
transfer icon Program Transfers
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$10,497.86

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    The IT-Cybersecurity Specialist associate degree program at Madison College provides comprehensive instruction in computing systems and networks that have an important impact on data confidentiality, integrity and availability. Emphasis is placed on vigilant security awareness throughout the curriculum.

    The IT-Cybersecurity Specialist program introduces the student to computer network threats and the appropriate incident response, to include defenses, countermeasures and computer forensics. Students are exposed to scenarios reflecting the legal and ethical issues associated with information security. Extensive hands-on labs build practical experience in configuring a variety of network operating systems, firewalls, virtual private networks (VPN), packet filters and intrusion detection systems (IDS) to maximize information security in the network.

    Program Details

    Students in the IT-Cybersecurity Specialist program can attend full or part time.

    IT-Cybersecurity Specialist classes are offered at our Madison Truax campus.

    **note that if starting in Spring term, it may take five semesters to complete program. Courses core to the IT-Cybersecurity Specialist program will only be offered during the daytime for students accepted in the Spring term.

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    Careers

    After completing the IT-Cybersecurity Specialist program at Madison Area Technical College, you may find employment as:

    • Cybersecurity Professional
    • Network Security Specialist

    Resources

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    Get practical hands-on experience
  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    First Semester
    10-150-104
    3 credits
    10-151-102
    1 credit
    10-154-184
    3 credits
    10-154-190
    3 credits
    10-156-105
    1 credit
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    10-809-199
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-151-106
    3 credits
    10-151-114
    3 credits
    10-152-109
    3 credits
    10-154-171
    3 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    Third Semester
    10-107-175
    1 credit
    10-151-137
    3 credits
    10-151-164
    3 credits
    10-157-101
    3 credits
    10-804-144
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-151-142
    3 credits
    10-151-168
    3 credits
    10-151-197
    3 credits
    10-809-197
    3 credits
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!

    International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.

    Application Dates

    Fall 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is August 31, 2024

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is January 15, 2025

    Admission Requirements

    All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

    1. Admission Application

    The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.

    2. Education Completion
    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

    • High school transcript (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) showing:
      • Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
      • At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
        • The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
        • Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum

    All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.

    Additional Notes

    • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
    • Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.

    After Acceptance

    Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College. 

    Questions?

    Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

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    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your IT-Cybersecurity Specialist career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Transfer Opportunities

    UW System Schools

    Courses that have been completed with a "D" or better may be acceptable to meet program requirements unless UW Stout major requires a higher acceptable grade. The maximum number of transferable credits is 72. Students will be required to meet UW S general education and major requirements.
    This articulation agreement establishes a cooperative relationship between the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-W) and Madison College effective for students starting the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)- Computer Science-Applied Computing Emphasis, in or after the fall 2022 term. Students transferring under the guidelines of this articulation agreement must successfully complete the Associate of Applied Science-Information Technology degree program in one of the following areas: Cybersecurity Specialist, Web Software Developer, Cloud DevOps Specialist, Network Specialist, or Systems Administration Specialist

    Wisconsin Private Schools

    A student who completes an associate of arts, associate of science or associates of applied science is considered part of the ‘advanced core‘. The Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 64 credits of transfer. If students transfer prior to completion or with less than 64 credits they will be considered part of the standard core and credits will be evaluated on a course by course basis.
    Students will be granted admission to a bachelors degree program upon completion of an approved transfer program at Madison College. Students must have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater while at Madison College. Regardless of the number of credits transferred students must complete at least 25% of their baccalaureate degree credits at Herzing University University.
    Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.
    Any Madison College student who has successfully completed an associate degree in applied science after 2015, and meets admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Technical Sales at MSOE by successfully completing the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Business Administration program. --- In particular, any Madison College student who successfully completes all technical courses and general education courses in their AAS program with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; successfully completes all other specified courses, as defined in this transfer agreement, with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; and meets the MSOE admission requirements for transfer students into the BBA Program at MSOE, minimum 2.75/4.0 cumulative GPA from the last regionally accredited school will be admitted into the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Bachelor of Business Administration program at MSOE.
    Students who complete the IT Network Security Specialist program can transfer up to 62 credits toward the Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership offered through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies.

    Out-of-State Schools

    Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement. This applies to students who are pursuing a bachelors of arts, bachelors of science or bachelors of fine arts at Bellevue University.
    Per the agreement, students must complete the associates of arts, associates of science or associates of applied science with an overall GPA of a 2.0 prior to transferring. Articulation agreement is for students who graduate from appropriate program and wish to pursue one of the following degrees at Capella: Bachelor of Science in Business specializations, Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, Bachelor of Science in Public Safety specializations, Bachelor of Science in Nursing (must hold a valid RN license) and Bachelor of Science in Psychology.
    Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.
    Franklin University will guarantee acceptance of all Madison College graduates with an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science or Associate of Applied Science. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer additional credits (up to a maximum of 94) toward their baccalaureate degree.
  • Career Outcomes

    After completing the IT-Cybersecurity Specialist program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:

    • Cybersecurity Defense Analysis (CDA) – Analyze events for purpose of mitigating threats.
    • Cybersecurity Defense Infrastructure Support (INF) – Manage life cycle and defend infrastructure hardware and software.
    • Incident Response (CIR) – Respond to incidents within the network environment.
    • Vulnerability Assessment and Management (VAM) – Measure effectiveness of defense-in-depth architecture against known vulnerabilities.
    • Systems Analysis (ANA) – Be responsible for implementation of system security.
    • Dynamic Applications Security Testing (DAST) – Skilled in modern application security concepts and testing.
    • Network Penetration Testing (NPT) – Skills related to security testing of all network
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202020212022
      Number of Program Graduates222125
      Number of Surveys Sent222125
      Number of Surveys Returned141722
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment111720
      Percent Available for Employment78.60%100.00%90.90%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market14.30%0.00%9.10%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed101718
      Percent of Graduates Employed90.90%100.00%90.00%
      Employed in Related Occupation81616
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation80.00%94.10%88.90%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation212
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation20.00%5.90%11.10%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment102
      Percent Seeking Employment9.10%0.00%10.00%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.33.53.3
      Number of Satisfaction Responses141722
      Very Satisfied (4)41011
      Percent Very Satisfied28.60%58.80%50.00%
      Satisfied (3)1068
      Percent Satisfied71.40%35.30%36.40%
      Unsatisfied (2)002
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%9.10%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)011
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.00%5.90%4.50%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses141722
      Preparation for Getting a Job6119
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job42.90%64.70%40.90%
      Career Change549
      Percent Career Change35.70%23.50%40.90%
      Improvement of Existing Skills011
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills0.00%5.90%4.50%
      Preparation for Further Education301
      Percent Preparation for Further Education21.40%0.00%4.50%
      Personal Interest012
      Percent Personal Interest0.00%5.90%9.10%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses101718
      Before Enrollment023
      Percent Before Enrollment0.00%11.80%16.70%
      While Attending the College578
      Percent While Attending the College50.00%41.20%44.40%
      After Training at the College587
      Percent After Training at the College50.00%47.10%38.90%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses101516
      In College District91414
      Percent In College District90.00%93.30%87.50%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin012
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.00%6.70%12.50%
      Employer Location Unknown100
      Percent Location Unknown10.00%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count71616
      Average Monthly Wage$3,744$4,735$4,938
      Average Hourly Wage$21.77$27.53$28.71
      Average Work Hours per Week4240.640.8
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count
      Average Hourly Wage
      Average Work Hours per Week
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      AmtelcoHelp Desk SpecialistMcFarland
      Charter CommunicationsTECH Program Associate
      Clifton Larson AllenService Desk AnalystMiddleton
      Dept of Employee Trust FundsSecurity Analyst
      Pac-12 NetworksIT Support SpecialistSan FranciscoCA
      Payment Service NetworkJunior System Administrator
      Prairie Ridge HealthIT Site SupportColumbus
      Rhodes Bake-N-ServIT SpecialistSouth JordanUT
      Silgan ContainersHelpdesk Support SpecialistOconomowoc
      Summit Credit UnionInformation Security Technician
      Summit Credit UnionInformation Security TechnicianCottage Grove
      TDSSoftware Developer II
      UW Credit UnionDesktop Support Analyst II
      Vogel BrosIT Specialist
      WiscNetPlatform Technician Support
      WiscNetJunior Platform Engineer

      * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

      ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

      *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

Ready to get started?
Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!
Contact the School of Technologies and Trades

Madison Truax Campus
Main Building, A2105

1701 Wright Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

tandt@madisoncollege.edu
608.246.6800

Hours

Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm (phone or email only)