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If you’d like to learn more about the IT-Cybersecurity Specialist program, we’d love to talk with you. We’re here to answer any questions and guide you through our application process step-by-step. Send us your contact information, and we’ll help you get started right away!
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Program Transfers
Estimated Program Cost
Financial Aid
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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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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2023-2024 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.
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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
Spring 2024
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is January 15, 2024
Fall 2024
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2024
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.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your IT-Cybersecurity Specialist career.
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Transfer Opportunities
UW System Schools
The terms of the Leadership & Org Studies agreement are limited to students who complete an associates of applied science degree and are admitted to the Organizational Studies emphasis of the Leadership and Organizational Studies at UW O. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.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 SpecialistWisconsin 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
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2020 2021 2022 Number of Program Graduates 22 21 25 Number of Surveys Sent 22 21 25 Number of Surveys Returned 14 17 22 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 11 17 20 Percent Available for Employment 78.60% 100.00% 90.90% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 14.30% 0.00% 9.10% Available for Employment
2020 2021 2022 Graduates Employed 10 17 18 Percent of Graduates Employed 90.90% 100.00% 90.00% Employed in Related Occupation 8 16 16 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 80.00% 94.10% 88.90% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 2 1 2 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 20.00% 5.90% 11.10% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Seeking Employment 1 0 2 Percent Seeking Employment 9.10% 0.00% 10.00% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.3 3.5 3.3 Number of Satisfaction Responses 14 17 22 Very Satisfied (4) 4 10 11 Percent Very Satisfied 28.60% 58.80% 50.00% Satisfied (3) 10 6 8 Percent Satisfied 71.40% 35.30% 36.40% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 2 Percent Unsatisfied 0.00% 0.00% 9.10% Very Unsatisfed (1) 0 1 1 Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.00% 5.90% 4.50% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Number of Primary Reason Responses 14 17 22 Preparation for Getting a Job 6 11 9 Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 42.90% 64.70% 40.90% Career Change 5 4 9 Percent Career Change 35.70% 23.50% 40.90% Improvement of Existing Skills 0 1 1 Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 0.00% 5.90% 4.50% Preparation for Further Education 3 0 1 Percent Preparation for Further Education 21.40% 0.00% 4.50% Personal Interest 0 1 2 Percent Personal Interest 0.00% 5.90% 9.10% Other 0 0 0 Percent Other 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% When Employment was Obtained
2020 2021 2022 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 10 17 18 Before Enrollment 0 2 3 Percent Before Enrollment 0.00% 11.80% 16.70% While Attending the College 5 7 8 Percent While Attending the College 50.00% 41.20% 44.40% After Training at the College 5 8 7 Percent After Training at the College 50.00% 47.10% 38.90% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2020 2021 2022 Number of Employment Location Responses 10 15 16 In College District 9 14 14 Percent In College District 90.00% 93.30% 87.50% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Outside of Wisconsin 0 1 2 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.00% 6.70% 12.50% Employer Location Unknown 1 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 10.00% 0.00% 0.00% Salary Trend 2020 2021 2022 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 7 16 16 Average Monthly Wage $3,744 $4,735 $4,938 Average Hourly Wage $21.77 $27.53 $28.71 Average Work Hours per Week 42 40.6 40.8 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 Title City* State** Positions Amtelco Help Desk Specialist McFarland Charter Communications TECH Program Associate Clifton Larson Allen Service Desk Analyst Middleton Dept of Employee Trust Funds Security Analyst Pac-12 Networks IT Support Specialist San Francisco CA Payment Service Network Junior System Administrator Prairie Ridge Health IT Site Support Columbus Rhodes Bake-N-Serv IT Specialist South Jordan UT Silgan Containers Helpdesk Support Specialist Oconomowoc Summit Credit Union Information Security Technician Summit Credit Union Information Security Technician Cottage Grove TDS Software Developer II UW Credit Union Desktop Support Analyst II Vogel Bros IT Specialist WiscNet Platform Technician Support WiscNet Junior 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