Navigating the Digital Frontier: A Guide to HBCU Cybersecurity Programs

In an era defined by ever-increasing cyber threats, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals has never been higher. According to a 2022 cybersecurity study from Cobalt, 83% of cybersecurity teams struggle with staffing shortages and other effects of the cyber talent gap. Cybersecurity leaders have weighed in on how to solve the cybersecurity talent shortage, with strategies ranging from revisiting hiring practices to training new talent in the field. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have emerged as vital institutions in bridging this gap, providing high-quality, affordable education and cultivating a diverse talent pool in computer science and cybersecurity. This article highlights the exceptional cybersecurity programs offered at HBCUs, exploring their unique strengths, resources, and contributions to the field.

The Rising Need for Cybersecurity Professionals and the Role of HBCUs

Cybersecurity ranks among the world's top industries in terms of job opportunity. In 2021, Cybersecurity Ventures reported a 350% increase in the number of vacant cybersecurity jobs between 2013-2021. Public, private and government agencies all cite information security as a business priority. These trends boost the appeal of studying cybersecurity at an HBCU.

HBCUs emerged in the 19th century. Most schools now recognized as HBCUs opened between 1865-1900, after the passage of the Thirteenth Amendment. The eldest institution, Cheyney University, began in Pennsylvania in 1837. Lincoln University, founded in 1854, is noted as the first Black institution to actually grant degrees. The South had refused to admit Black people to established white schools. As the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) notes, HBCUs play a key role in making higher education accessible to Black students, who were historically excluded from predominantly white institutions.

Why Choose an HBCU for Cybersecurity Education?

HBCU cybersecurity programs offer multiple unique benefits for learners who study at historically Black institutions.

Increased Investment: In 2015, the Obama administration invested $25 million in HBCU cybersecurity programs. The money provided facility development funding to 13 leading HBCUs.
A Culture of Innovation: A growing number of HBCUs began offering new cybersecurity and other STEM programs during the 2010s. HBCUs with established programs in these fields invested in lab improvements and other campus resources. This work has helped build a strong culture of tech innovation at HBCUs.
Alumni Support: HBCU graduates gain access to one of the largest, strongest, and most extensive alumni networks in the United States.
HBCUs offer excellent alumni networks, supporting the success of learners transitioning into their careers. Emerging research suggests that Black students who attend HBCUs may also enjoy health benefits in older age. A 2020 Ohio State University study compared metabolic syndrome rates in college-educated Black students who attended HBCUs. Further data published by the Brookings Institution in 2021 found that such benefits may extend to numerous other areas.

Top HBCU Cybersecurity Programs

Here are some of the top-ranked HBCUs offering exceptional computer science and cybersecurity programs:

1. North Carolina A&T State University - Greensboro, North Carolina

America’s largest HBCU also offers some of the best computer science degrees. As our top-ranked public HBCU for computer science, NC A&T also offers the most affordable programs at this level of instruction. NC A&T features numerous innovative research centers and dedicated programs for CS students, including:

Cyber Identity and Biometrics Lab (CIB), which promotes advanced research on biometrics, cybersecurity, machine learning, and data science
Gaming and Cyber-Secure Smart Lab where students learn game development including cutting-edge AR and VR platforms
Center for Trustworthy AI that focuses on the safety, security, reliability, and inclusivity of emerging AI technologies.

NCAT offers the following programs:

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Cybersecurity Certificate Program
Master of Computer Science
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science

2. Spelman College - Atlanta, Georgia

With a focus on providing quality education for women of African descent, Spelman’s computer science degrees feature industry-relevant coursework in Python programming, database management, software engineering, cybersecurity, and more. Its innovative G-STEM program prepares African-American women to enter the global STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) workforce upon graduation.

3. Morehouse College - Atlanta, Georgia

Renowned for its unparalleled contribution to the education and development of Black men, Morehouse College offers some of our favorite undergraduate computer science programs at any HBCU. Students in the Computer Science Bachelor's program learn marketable skills in programming, software development, algorithm design, and advanced mathematics. At the same time, Morehouse’s deep liberal arts catalog empowers students to align their CS education with their goals and interests.

4. Florida A&M University - Tallahassee, Florida

FAMU is the premier computer science HBCU for aspiring electrical and computer engineers. Its FAMU-FSU College of Engineering - a collaborative endeavor with Florida State University - enhances computer science students' academic and research opportunities while fostering a valuable interdisciplinary approach to solving complex technological challenges.

5. Howard University - Washington, D.C.

Howard University offers respected undergraduate and graduate computer science degrees featuring coursework in hot domains like software development, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and data science. Housed within their College of Engineering and Architecture, Howard University’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science prepares students to assume leadership roles in the tech industry after graduation. In addition, students can explore different research areas such as cybersecurity, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and many more. Howard collaborates with Google through its Tech Exchange program, where comp-sci students get career-focused training from Googlers and HBCU professors, fully-funded trips to Google's headquarters, personalized mentorship sessions with Google staff, networking opportunities with fellow HBCU/HSI students, and personalized career support. The department offers the following degrees relating to computer science:

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Master of Science in Computer Science
Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Science

6. Bowie State University

Bowie State University’s Department of Computer Science strives to be a “model of creativity and technical leadership for computer and information technology.” For those interested in Cybersecurity, the institution has the Center for Cyber Security and Emerging Technologies, a facility created through an initiative with The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. The facility provides training, education, and research opportunities for students and faculty. An undergraduate and two graduate degrees (M.S. and Ph.D.) are offered in Computer Science.

7. Norfolk State University

Norfolk State University’s online Cybersecurity degree program is a recognized leader in the industry. Norfolk State University’s master’s in cybersecurity degree provides many more technical elements than other programs. As a graduate student in our Cybersecurity degree program, you’ll learn from experienced faculty who all have technical Ph.D. degrees and connections to organizations such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Security Agency (NSA). You’ll work with a faculty research advisor for your capstone project to conduct original research on your preferred cybersecurity topic. This helps to connect concepts learned while gaining practical experience writing a research proposal, conducting research, developing solutions and communicating key learnings. Work with the tools and systems used by professional intelligence organizations, such as Nmap, Nessus and others, for network scanning and cracking passwords. Our multi-million dollar Cybersecurity Complex offers big data analytics computing capabilities for research, state-of-the-art classrooms and one of Virginia’s most progressive simulation labs. The program also welcomes those with nontechnical degrees who are willing to work hard and provide them with a skillset to compete in the cyber job market.

Our master’s degree in Cybersecurity consists of 10 foundational courses, plus a two-semester capstone class, covering a wide variety of topics related to cybersecurity. Classes are offered in the fall and spring semesters - most students do not take courses during the summer.

When you get your online Cybersecurity degree from NSU, you develop the competencies to be successful in a variety of settings. Students are trained not only in how to defend against cybercriminals but also in how to use digital forensics to identify hackers and mitigate the likelihood of successful attacks. Some of our graduates have backgrounds in education, health care or criminal justice and use their degrees to defend their organizations against cybercrimes. Others look for new opportunities outside their current organization.

Read also: Top HBCU Bands

Degree Programs Related to M.S.

B.S.
B.S.
M.S.
M.S.

Norfolk State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Norfolk State University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.

Cybersecurity Courses at Norfolk State University:

Computer and Network Security: This course is designed for IT professionals to learn computer and network security theories and practices that can be used to significantly reduce the security vulnerability of computers on internal networks or the Internet. The course assumes some familiarity with various operating systems and computer networks.
Management of Information Security: This course is designed to prepare students to become Security Systems Administrators and Managers who are responsible for the design, planning and management of security installations in business and Government Institutions. Topics include Management of Information Security, security planning, security protection (technical and procedural) best practices, risk management, Operations Security (OPSEC), legal issues and certification and accreditation.
Operating Systems Security: This course introduces students to Operating Systems with the special emphasis on the security of these systems. Students will be introduced to the foundations of Operating Systems, the vulnerabilities of Operating Systems, the threats from attackers and the potential harm that can be caused by these attackers. Defense of these systems as well as the risk mitigation will be covered.
Digital Forensics: The topics covered in this course include fundamentals of digital forensics, forensic duplication and analysis, network surveillance, intrusion detection and response, incident response, anti-forensics techniques, anonymity and pseudonymity, cyber law, computer security policies and guidelines, court report writing and presentation, and case studies. The course will include lecture and demonstrations, but is designed around a virtual lab environment and scenario that provides for robust and realistic hands-on experiences in dealing with a range of cybersecurity topic areas.
Human Aspects of Cyber Security: This course surveys the human aspects of cyber security. Topics include ethics, privacy, usability security, cyber crime and the social, psychological and cultural aspects of cyber crime.
Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing: This course is designed for students pursuing a graduate degree in cyber security with particular interest in working as a white hat hacker. Students will be trained theoretically and practically in understanding vulnerabilities in network architectures, operating systems, database management systems and web servers. They will learn how exploits are designed by an adversary attacker to penetrate into vulnerable systems. Students will also learn how the hacker can move into a hacked system and remove her/his footprints. The course will expose students to a host of tools used for network scanning, finger printing and password cracking. These tools include Nmap, Nessus and Backtrack among others.
Database Security: This course focuses on the theory and practice of implementing secure database systems.
Healthcare Information Security: This course is designed for students seeking to learn more about the field of healthcare information security. It covers the fundamentals of computer and network security theories and practices that can be used to significantly reduce the security-related vulnerabilities of healthcare information on internal networks or the Internet. An in-depth view of healthcare information is provided by examining healthcare regulatory requirements and the functions of a healthcare organization, including its medical business operations, hardware, software, networking, and security.
Advanced Topics in Cybersecurity: This course covers state-of-the art advances, emerging trends, and threats in cybersecurity.
Cybersecurity Capstone I: This course prepares graduate students for their capstone experience in the Cybersecurity MS degree program.
Cybersecurity Capstone II: This course is the capstone experience for graduate students in the Cybersecurity MS degree program. Capstone II provides students the opportunity to carry out in-depth research on a specific topic in cybersecurity.

Admission Considerations for HBCU Cybersecurity Programs

Learners can study cybersecurity at both the undergraduate and graduate levels at HBCUs. The top HBCU cybersecurity schools feature demanding curricula that equip students with vital, industry-standard skill sets. Many HBCU cybertraining programs embrace interactive teaching strategies that focus on hands-on learning. Many HBCUs maintain partnerships with major employers and tech organizations including Google, NASA, Lockheed Martin, and SpaceX.

Cybersecurity bachelor's programs develop the skills for protecting digital resources from cyberattacks and unauthorized use. Most programs require little to no previous technical experience. Like most bachelor's degrees, cybersecurity programs demand about four academic years of full-time study. Some schools offer cybersecurity as a concentration in general computer science programs. Candidates should always research the accreditation status of any school under their consideration. Credits earned at accredited institutions readily transfer.

Each HBCU sets its own admissions guidelines and policies. Depending on the school, applicants may also need to submit ACT or SAT test scores and other supplementary materials. Examples include letters of recommendation and personal essays.

Master's programs in cybersecurity often feature one of two objectives. First, they build advanced skills in targeted areas of professional cybersecurity. At the master's level, cybersecurity programs cover 10-12 courses (30-36 credits) and take 1-2 years to complete. Course content focuses on advanced topics and is not meant for newcomers to the field. Programs may conclude with a major research project, field learning experience, or capstone.

Master's programs in cybersecurity often require a bachelor's degree in a related field. General examples include computer science and computer engineering. As with other programs, HBCUs set their own admissions criteria. It is standard practice for them to request academic transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities. GPA cutoffs and standardized test scores may also apply. Many different HBCUs offer quality cybersecurity programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Accreditation can also help guide your program search. Many reputable programs do not necessarily hold specialized accreditation.

Students from any background are welcome to apply for our M.S. Cybersecurity degree program - in fact, about half of our students do not have prior experience in computer science. You’ll need to submit the NSU online application along with supplemental materials, including official undergraduate transcripts. The GRE is not required. You will receive an admissions decision within six to eight weeks after we have received all your application materials. Applications completed from 16 November through 15 April are considered for the subsequent Fall semester; and those completed from 16 April through 15 November are considered for the subsequent Spring semester.

Career Outlook and Salary Expectations

Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand. Bureau of Labor Statistics, and offer an average annual salary over $100,000. Many of our graduates have multiple job offers prior to graduation. An individual degree in computer science with less than a year of experience can expect a starting salary range between $54k to $139k, according to Payscale.

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