SCI - Education
The Secure Computing Institute helps provide a range of educational efforts, including:
- NSF and DoD Scholarships for Service
- A selection of tracks, concentrations, and certificates offered through the Department of Computer Science
- A Cybersecurity Bootcamp offered through NC State Continuing and Lifelong Education (NCSCaLE)
Scholarship for Service @ NC State
CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS)
The CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program is administered and funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in cooperation with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Scholarship benefits include full tuition and fees, a cost-of-living stipend, and reimbursement for travel expenses and professional development. Students awarded a scholarship will incur a service obligation to the government upon graduation from N.C. State.
Scholarship recipients receive internship opportunities prior to graduation, professional development, and employment placement assistance. Upon graduation, recipients work in a position related to cybersecurity for a Federal, State, Local or Tribal government organization in the United States for a period equal to the length of the scholarship. Typically, students will be funded for two years.
The goal of the CyberCorps® program is to strengthen the workforce charged with safeguarding our government agencies from cyberattacks, and protecting the security and privacy of the public.
NC State students are eligible for SFS grants. For more information, see CyberCorps Scholarships for Service @ NC State
DoD Cyber Service Academy (CSA)
The Cyber Service Academy (CSA) program is administered and funded by the United States Department of Defense (DoD). It is designed to encourage the recruitment of the nation’s top cyber talent who have skills necessary to meet DoD’s cyber requirements and help secure our nation against threats of information systems and networks. This program provides scholarships to students in pursuit of a cyber-related degree at National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE). Students awarded a scholarship will incur a service obligation to the government upon graduation from N.C. State.
NC State students are eligible for CSA grants. For more information, see DoD Cyber Service Academy @ NC State
Computer Science Degrees and Certifications
Undergraduate Track in Security
The Department of Computer Science’s Undergraduate Track in Security teaches students the skills necessary to build, analyze, and reason about secure and private systems beyond the security coverage in the core curriculum. Topics include both an overview of computer and network security and a variety of more in-depth topics, including systems security, network security, software security, privacy, and cryptography.
Students wishing to complete the track must take:
- CSC 405 - Computer Security
- CSC 474 - Network Security
- One of the following:
- CSC 414 - Cryptography
- CSC 415 - Software Security
- CSC 495 - Privacy
Undergraduate Cybersecurity Concentration
The Department of Computer Science’s Cybersecurity Concentration is a formal degree designation for the Bachelors of Science (BS) in Computer Science. The concentration expands on the undergraduate track by increasing the number of required cybersecurity credits (from 9 to 21). It offers an enriched experience that includes additional courses that provide a breadth of bleeding edge content, as well as a capstone project. In addition to the classes in the Security Track, students in the Cybersecurity concentration take:
- CSC236 - Computer Organization and Assembly Language for Computer Scientists
- CSC297 - Three 1-credit sophomore-level introductory electives in cybersecurity
- CSC471 - Modern Topics in Security
- CSC472 - Advanced Security Projects
Adjunct Teaching Opportunties: These additional courses will be taught and mentored by industry and government practitioners. If you are interested in proposing a 1-credit sophomore-level introductory elective in cybersecurity, please fill out the following form: https://go.ncsu.edu/security-course-proposals.
Practicum Sponsorship Opportunities: “Advanced Security Project” (CSC472) practicum course is designed to provide concentration students with an opportunity to apply cybersecurity principles and basic computer science to solve a “real world” cybersecurity problem. If you are interested in sponsoring a practicum project, more information is available on our Cybersecurity Practicum page.
Master Track in Security
The Department of Computer Science’s Master Track in Security teaches students the skills necessary to build, analyze, and reason about secure and private systems. Topics include both an overview of computer and network security and a variety of more in-depth topics, including systems security, software security, privacy, and cryptography. The track can be customized to be more practice-oriented or theoretically-oriented based on the interests of the student.
To complete the track, students must take four security core courses must be taken as follows:
- CSC 574 - Computer and Network Security
- Any three courses from the following:
- CSC 514 - Foundations of Cryptography
- CSC 515 - Software Security
- CSC 533 - Privacy
- CSC 537 - Systems Attacks and Defenses
- CSC 705 - Operating Systems Security
- CSC 774 - Advanced Network Security
Students with interest in the Master Track in Security are encouraged to express their interest using the following form: https://go.ncsu.edu/csc-master-track-security.
Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity
The Department of Computer Science’s Graduate Certificate Program in Cybersecurity is an online/on-campus program primarily intended for individuals residing in the U.S. who wish to increase their knowledge and skills in cybersecurity. Whether for future career opportunities or in preparation for graduate studies, one can expect to gain in-depth knowledge in cybersecurity concepts, methods and tools. Applicants admitted to the certificate program can enroll part-time, completing one class per semester, or enroll full-time at 9 or 12 credit hours.
Cybersecurity Bootcamp
NC State Continuing and Lifelong Education (NCSCaLE) provides a non-credit, 10-month Cybersecurity Bootcamp designed kickstart a professional career in cybersecurity, covering a broad curriculum that begins with the basics and transitions to advanced capabilities. Students gain exposure to practical training, simulations of real-life cyber attacks, an extensive curriculum, networking opportunities, professional guidance, and career counseling on an ongoing basis.
Individuals interested in this program can find out more on the Cybersecurity Bootcamp information page.