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School of Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM)

Information Assurance

Online Graduate Certificate in Information Assurance

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$0 Application Fee
$0 Transfer Credit Evaluation

0 Entrance Exams
No GRE/GMAT Required

About This Program

With the graduate certificate in information assurance from American Public University (APU), you’ll gain an advanced understanding of the theory and technical skills for threat detection and securing vital, sensitive information assets for organizational and government agency networks.

APU’s online information assurance courses enable you to deepen your knowledge of network security solutions, tiered security assessments, specific solutions for specialized needs, continuous monitoring, and activity analysis. You’ll also learn:

  • Best practices in threat detection, warnings, and attacks
  • Proper security awareness training and support
  • Cryptography
  • Infrastructure security engineering

This certificate is ideal for improving your knowledge of information assurance without committing to a degree program.

NOTE: Completion of this program does not award any professional certifications, but may be helpful in preparing to earn such certifications.

What You Will Do

  1. Develop familiarity with the components of an information assurance and certification plan
  2. Evaluate security governance objectives and risk management objectives
  3. Learn about the phases, processes, standards, levels, and process areas of the INFOSEC Assessment Capability Maturity Model (IA-CMM)
  4. Understand how to assess and conduct a complete threat, vulnerability, impact, and risk assessment and how to blend risk mitigation strategies based on data analysis
  5. Understand the processes and products of INFOSEC assessment methods (IAM), and how to create information security management measurements by analyzing incident management and response data

Program at a Glance

Number of Credits
18
Transfer up to 9 credits1
Cost Per Credit
$455 | $250*
$386.75** | $409.50***
*with Preferred Military Rate
**with Veteran Grant
***with APUS Opportunity Grant
Courses Start Monthly
Online
and vary from 8 to 16 weeks

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Program Requirements Printable Catalog Version

Must take all courses for this section.

Course ID: 3870

|
This course is a study of computer networks and the evolution of modern communication systems. It examines the various layers of the basic reference models such as the five-layer IP model or the seven-layer OSI model, by scale, connection method, network architecture, or topology. This course also includes an in-depth analysis of transmission protocols, communications systems, and networks. Prior knowledge of networks and networking is recommended.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3871

|
Telecommunications networks are a critical component of the global economic and social infrastructures. Securing critical infrastructure is an established priority within Information Security Management. This course examines the field of secure telecommunications networks, including emerging threats, system vulnerability, network evolution, and network defense mechanisms.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3873

|
The course analyzes computer and systems security measures by examining a model for information assurance; it also examines the components of a comprehensive Information Assurance plan. Topics included are: asset identification, human factors, compliance with regulations, personnel security, risk assessment and ethical considerations, IA policy, as well as computer and network security tools.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 4103

|
This course is an advanced study of the principles, practices, procedures, and methodologies to assure the protection and availability of vital digital information systems assets. It examines information assurance, incident management and response, and security standards; and it appraises the convergence between information security, information systems security, and information warfare. This course appraises organizational, legal, technical, and ethical issues related to securing vital digital assets. Topics include: the role of the corporate security officer, corporate cybercrime, electronic commerce, cryptography, and international standards, policies, and security acts. (Prerequisite: ISSC660)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session

Course ID: 4098

|
This course examines the phases, processes, standards, the levels, and the process areas of the INFOSEC Assessment Capability Maturity Model (IA-CMM). The IA-CMM minimizes false indications of quality and maturity by relating the IA-CMM process areas to the INFOSEC Assessment Methodology (IAM). This course appraises the principles and methodologies of the IA-CMM; and applies it to develop an organizational ratings profile to provide a measure of maturity. The ratings profile is used to develop strategies to mature the organizational processes. (Prerequisite: ISSC660)
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Course ID: 3874

|
Information Security includes an evaluation of the techniques, policies and strategies to ensure that data stored in an organization's computers cannot be accessed or processed without the consent of the organization. Also included, is an analysis of Information Security & Risk Management, Access Control, Physical Security, Security Architecture & Design, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery Planning, Telecommunications & Network Security, Application Security, Operations Security, Law, Compliance & Investigations. This course also reviews the building blocks of information systems and cryptography is provided to reinforce the scope of security management.
Registration Dates Course Dates Session Weeks
07/29/24 - 01/03/25 01/06/25 - 03/02/25 Winter 2025 Session B 8 Week session
08/26/24 - 01/31/25 02/03/25 - 03/30/25 Winter 2025 Session I 8 Week session
09/30/24 - 02/28/25 03/03/25 - 04/27/25 Winter 2025 Session D 8 Week session
10/28/24 - 04/04/25 04/07/25 - 06/01/25 Spring 2025 Session B 8 Week session
11/28/24 - 05/02/25 05/05/25 - 06/29/25 Spring 2025 Session I 8 Week session
12/30/24 - 05/30/25 06/02/25 - 07/27/25 Spring 2025 Session D 8 Week session

Courses Start Monthly

Next Courses Start Jan 6
Register by Jan 3
Apply Now Request Info

Admission Requirements

All APU master's degree and graduate certificate programs require a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution whose accreditation is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

For this program, you must provide an official transcript of your previously completed bachelor's or master's degree and have ONE of the following:

  • Associate or bachelor's degree in information technology or a related field (ex: computer science, information systems, database development, etc.)
  • 2 years of work experience in the specific sub-field for this degree
  • Completion of one of our undergraduate IT certificates
  • Completion of 6 credits in IT-related courses
  • Completion of an IT-related minor or concentration during your undergraduate program
  • Certifications in at least one of the below:
    1. CompTIA Security+® (2010 to present recommended)
    2. CompTIA Network+® (2010 to present recommended)
    3. CompTIA A+® (2010 to present recommended)
    4. CompTIA Project+® (2010 to present recommended)
    5. CompTIA CySA+® (2010 to present recommended)
    6. CISSP® certification (valid up until the expiration date)
    7. SSCP®
    8. EC-Council Ethical Hacking
    9. Cisco CCNA® Security
    10. A valid and current Project Management Professional certification from the Project Management Institute

CompTIA Security+®, CompTIA Network+®, CompTIA A+®, CompTIA Project+®, and CompTIA CySA+® are all registered trademarks of the Computer Technology Industry Association, Inc.

CISSP® and SSCP® are registered trademarks of International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium, Inc.

CCNA® is a registered trademark of Cisco Technology, Inc. 

IMPORTANT NOTES

  • If the IT-specific requirements are not noted in the official bachelor's or master's transcript, you must provide official copies of your undergraduate transcripts that show the appropriate coursework.
  • The verification of the 2-years work experience needs to be sent to the university via formal resume/CV.
  • Preadmission courses must have been completed within the last 7 years and at the undergraduate level must be graded C or better; B or better at the graduate level.

Please read all graduate admission requirements before applying to this program and be prepared to submit the required documentation.

An APU admissions coach will contact you via email or phone to assist you with the enrollment process, review your documentation, and to notify you when you have been admitted into the program and may register for courses.

Materials Cost

Technology fee: $85 per course 

Need Help?

Selecting the right program to meet your educational goals is a key step in ensuring a successful outcome. If you are unsure of which program to choose, or need more information, please contact an APU admissions coach at 877-755-2787 or [email protected].

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Consumer Information

Disclosures

Maryland Residents learn more about costs, completion rates, median debt, and more.

 

1The University reserves the right to accept or deny credits according to policies outlined on our University website. Please see the University's transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.

*Cost Per Credit Hour

The Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate and master's-level courses. This rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents.

See all military student benefits.

Cost of Attendance

Learn more about American Public University's cost components and full cost of attendance.