Ready to learn more?
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!
Estimated Program Cost
Financial Aid
-
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.
Follow us on Facebook!
Careers
After completing the IT-Cybersecurity Specialist program at Madison Area Technical College, you may find employment as:
- Cybersecurity Professional
- Network Security Specialist
Resources
-
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 SemesterSecond SemesterThird SemesterFourth Semester -
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.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your IT-Cybersecurity Specialist career.
-
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 termUniversity 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 termWisconsin 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 LeadershipOut-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
2021 2022 2023 Number of Program Graduates 21 25 17 Number of Surveys Sent 21 25 17 Number of Surveys Returned 17 22 10 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 17 20 8 Percent Available for Employment 100.0% 90.9% 80.0% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 0.0% 9.1% 20.0% Available for Employment
2021 2022 2023 Graduates Employed 17 18 5 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 90.0% 62.5% Employed in Related Occupation 16 16 4 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 94.1% 88.9% 80.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 1 2 1 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 5.9% 11.1% 20.0% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 0 2 3 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 10.0% 37.5% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2021 2022 2023 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.5 3.3 3.2 Number of Satisfaction Responses 17 22 10 Very Satisfied (4) 10 11 2 Percent Very Satisfied 58.8% 50.0% 20.0% Satisfied (3) 6 8 8 Percent Satisfied 35.3% 36.4% 80.0% Unsatisfied (2) 0 2 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 9.1% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 5.9% 4.5% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2021 2022 2023 Number of Primary Reason Responses 17 22 10 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 Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2021 2022 2023 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 17 18 5 Before Enrollment 2 3 1 Percent Before Enrollment 11.8% 16.7% 20.0% While Attending the College 7 8 4 Percent While Attending the College 41.2% 44.4% 80.0% After Training at the College 8 7 0 Percent After Training at the College 47.1% 38.9% 0.0% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2021 2022 2023 Number of Employment Location Responses 17 18 5 In College District 14 14 5 Percent In College District 82.4% 77.8% 100.0% In Wisconsin, Not in District 2 2 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 11.8% 11.1% 0.0% Outside of Wisconsin 1 2 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 5.9% 11.1% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Salary Trend 2021 2022 2023 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 16 16 4 Average Monthly Wage $4,735 $4,938 $4,473 Average Hourly Wage $27.53 $28.71 $26.01 Average Work Hours per Week 40.6 40.8 40.3 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 Title City* State** Positions Aberdean Consulting LLC Doctor Data Badgerland Computers and Networking System & Networking technician Watertown Reinhart Boerner Van Dueren SC Service Desk Analyst Sentry Insurance Information 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