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91%
Work Local
91% of our recent graduates work in Wisconsin.
100%
Student Satisfaction
100% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
$54k
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $53,676.

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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

$11,126.77

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

    image of a IT professional viewing activity on a computer monitor
    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
    10-157-135
    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

    Spring 2025

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

    Fall 2025

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

    apply for admission

    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

    Students will be required to meet UW Stout general education and major requirements. Up to 72 may transfer. Courses that have been completed with a D or better may be acceptable to meet program requirements unless UW Stout major requires a higher grade.
    This agreement establishes a cooperative relationship between the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater (UW-W) and Madison College studentsin the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Cybersecurity-Cyber Operations Emphasis, in or after the fall 2022 term
    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

    Wisconsin Private Schools

    Students witn an AA, AS or AAS are Advanced Core. Advanced Core requires students to have earned at least 60 credits. Students transferring prior to completion or with less than 60 credits are standard core and credits are evaluated course by course.
    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.
    Completion of an A.A.S. Degree at Madison College after 2015, and meeting admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a B.B.A degree in Technical Sales at MSOE.
    Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership

    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.
    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.
    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 Madison College graduates with an AA, AS, or AAS. Madison College graduates will have junior standing at Franklin University and may transfer up to 94 additional credits 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

      202120222023
      Number of Program Graduates212517
      Number of Surveys Sent212517
      Number of Surveys Returned172210
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment17208
      Percent Available for Employment100.0%90.9%80.0%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market0.0%9.1%20.0%
      Available for Employment

      202120222023
      Graduates Employed17185
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.0%90.0%62.5%
      Employed in Related Occupation16164
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation94.1%88.9%80.0%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation121
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation5.9%11.1%20.0%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Seeking Employment023
      Percent Seeking Employment0.0%10.0%37.5%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202120222023
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.53.33.2
      Number of Satisfaction Responses172210
      Very Satisfied (4)10112
      Percent Very Satisfied58.8%50.0%20.0%
      Satisfied (3)688
      Percent Satisfied35.3%36.4%80.0%
      Unsatisfied (2)020
      Percent Unsatisfied0.0%9.1%0.0%
      Very Unsatisfied (1)
      Percent Very Unsatisfied5.9%4.5%0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202120222023
      Number of Primary Reason Responses172210
      Preparation for Getting a Job
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job
      Career Change
      Percent Career Change
      Improvement of Existing Skills
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills
      Preparation for Further Education
      Percent Preparation for Further Education
      Personal Interest
      Percent Personal Interest
      Other
      Percent Other0.0%0.0%0.0%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202120222023
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses17185
      Before Enrollment231
      Percent Before Enrollment11.8%16.7%20.0%
      While Attending the College784
      Percent While Attending the College41.2%44.4%80.0%
      After Training at the College870
      Percent After Training at the College47.1%38.9%0.0%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202120222023
      Number of Employment Location Responses17185
      In College District14145
      Percent In College District82.4%77.8%100.0%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District220
      Percent of In Wisconsin11.8%11.1%0.0%
      Outside of Wisconsin120
      Percent Outside Wisconsin5.9%11.1%0.0%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202120222023
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count16164
      Average Monthly Wage$4,735$4,938$4,473
      Average Hourly Wage$27.53$28.71$26.01
      Average Work Hours per Week40.640.840.3
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count
      Average Hourly Wage
      Average Work Hours per Week
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Aberdean Consulting LLCDoctor Data
      Badgerland Computers and NetworkingSystem & Networking technicianWatertown
      Reinhart Boerner Van Dueren SCService Desk Analyst
      Sentry InsuranceInformation Security Analyst

      * - 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

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Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!
School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Madison Truax Campus
Main Building, C2433

1701 Wright Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

schoolofstem@madisoncollege.edu
608.246.6990

Hours

  • Monday – Thursday: 8 am - 4:30 pm
  • Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm (Phone and email only.)