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University of San Diego
Cyber Bootcamp

Get the Skills You Need to Fight Cybercrime

With the University of San Diego Cyber Bootcamp powered by Fullstack Academy, you’ll prepare to enter one of the world’s fastest-growing industries.


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Program at a Glance

12-26

Weeks

11/05

Apply By

11/12

Next Start Date

$3,000

Potential Scholarships

Why Learn Cybersecurity with University of San Diego?

As a cybersecurity professional, your primary objective is to defend digital assets—guarding an organization’s systems and sensitive information from online attacks. The cybersecurity field offers robust career and financial opportunities and plenty of available jobs.

With instances of cybercrime slated to grow and evolve, the need for adaptable, solution-focused professionals to fight it is greater than ever. If this sounds like you, consider a career in cybersecurity to maximize your earning potential, job satisfaction, and critical defense skills.

The Demand for Cyber Talent in California

There are many opportunities in California and remotely across the United States. According to research from cyberseek.org, in the San Diego area alone, there are currently over 10,000 open cybersecurity roles.

As of late 2022, there were more than 700,000 cyber jobs available in the U.S., according to CyberSeek, with nearly 30,000 of them designated for entry-level professionals.

Bootcamp Application & Start Dates

    Part-Time
    Cybersecurity Bootcamp
    Nov. 12, 2024 - May 15, 2025
    Tue / Thu
    4:00pm - 7:00pm PT
    Closing soon
    Apply by Nov. 05, 2024
    Apply
    Full-Time
    Cybersecurity Bootcamp
    Dec. 03, 2024 - Mar. 07, 2025
    Mon - Fri
    7:00am - 3:00pm PT
    Open
    Apply by Nov. 21, 2024
    Apply
    Part-Time
    Cybersecurity Bootcamp
    Dec. 10, 2024 - Jun. 12, 2025
    Tue / Thu
    6:00pm - 9:00pm PT
    Open
    Apply by Dec. 03, 2024
    Apply
    Part-Time Morning
    Cybersecurity Bootcamp
    Dec. 10, 2024 - Jun. 12, 2025
    Tue / Thu
    6:30am - 9:30am PT
    Open
    Apply by Dec. 03, 2024
    Apply

Fullstack Academy is one of the longest-running and most reputable bootcamps in the nation, with incredible student reviews, years of experience in education, and impressive graduate outcomes.

Now, it brings its expert-led live online learning approach to USD’s first cyber bootcamp to develop professionals to fight the global threat of cybercrime.

How the University of San Diego Cyber Bootcamp Works

The University of San Diego Cyber Bootcamp is designed for students to pursue high-quality tech education while continuing to balance work or other commitments. Our program provides you with the flexibility to fit career development into your life.

  • Part-time and full-time bootcamp programs are available.

  • Bootcamp classes include live online instruction taught by industry-experienced professionals, group projects with fellow students, and independent learning assignments.

  • Additional support is available from the instructional team each week during select weekday afternoons and evenings—and by appointment on Saturday mornings.

  • All classes are held Monday-Friday.

    • 7:00am-3:00pm PT

  • Select one class schedule and time from the options below when you apply.

    Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

    • 6:30am-9:30am PT

    • 4:00pm-7:00pm PT

    • 6:00pm-9:00pm PT

    Classes are held on Mondays and Wednesdays.
    • 4:00pm-7:00pm PT

In addition to classroom lessons, part-time students can anticipate spending 6-8 hours studying and working on outside assignments each week. Full-time students can expect to spend 12-15 hours each week on outside assignments.

Class time options vary by month and are subject to change. To see available class times for your cohort of choice, complete your application or schedule a call with a student advisor.

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University of San Diego Cybersecurity Tuition

We’re committed to making tech education more accessible, which is why we offer several payment options to help you invest in your bootcamp education.

  • For a limited time, you can save $3,000 with the Year-End Scholarship ($9,995 total tuition).

    Apply and enroll in an upcoming 2024 cohort by December 3, 2024 to receive the scholarship.

    A refundable deposit of $99, applied to your total tuition, is due at the time of enrollment. The deposit is refundable up until the end of the first week of classes.

  • Pay for your bootcamp tuition in affordable, predictable monthly installments.

  • You may be eligible to pay for bootcamp using local/state government benefits based on where you live.

    View Payment Options

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Cybersecurity Jobs and Salaries in California

In the field of cybersecurity, there are many career paths to follow based on your skills and experience. When you opt into comprehensive career coaching, you’ll receive the guidance you need to navigate the industry.

With professionals in high demand in California and beyond, the cybersecurity industry offers a multitude of career and financial opportunities once you enter the field. Companies across the nation are hiring for roles like IT Help Desk Specialist, Systems Support Specialist, Cybersecurity Analyst, and Solutions Architect.

RoleAverage Entry-Level Salary in San Diego*
IT Help Desk Specialist/Computer Support Specialist$53,834
Network/Systems Support Specialist$59,902
System Administrator/Network Administrator$70,142
Cybersecurity Analyst$82,326
Network Engineer/Solutions Architect$84,164

*San Diego Cybersecurity Salary Data via Glassdoor™

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Cybersecurity Curriculum

University of San Diego students learn cybersecurity fundamentals and the in-demand skills to fight cybercrime including:

  • Asset and inventory management like networking basics, Linux command line, and bash scripting;

  • Red Team (Offense) for fighting web vulnerabilities, penetration testing, OWASP Top 10, and social engineering;

  • Blue Team (Defense) for log analysis, security information and event management, digital forensics, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and incident response;

  • Generative AI techniques for cybersecurity using tools like ChatGPT and Bing AI through a free elective course;

  • And more!

To prepare students for real-life work scenarios and environments, students also take part in career simulations alongside their cybersecurity training. Students are also taught resume writing, salary negotiation, and other career preparation skills throughout the program to equip them for their job search after graduation. Plus, bootcamp students are prepared to take industry-recognized certification exams with additional studying.

    • Orientation
    • The security mindset
    • Confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA) triad
    • Threats, vulnerabilities, and risks
    • Virtualization

    • Linux Command Line

    • File systems

    • Users and groups

    • Bash scripting

    • Networking

    • Wireshark

    • Encoding and encryption

    • Open Systems Interconnection model (OSI model)

    • Firewalls

    • Variables, loops, and conditionals

    • String and list methods

    • Dictionaries

    • Regular expressions

    • Log parsing

    • Windows administration and management

    • Active directory

    • Group policy

    • Web vulnerabilities

    • Penetration testing

    • OWASP Top 10

    • Social engineering

    • Burp Suite

    • Cross-site Scripting

    • SQL injection

    • Metasploit

    • Logs/log analysis

    • Splunk and security information and event management (SIEMs)

    • Digital forensics

    • NIST Cybersecurity Framework

Classes are hands-on with the majority of students’ time spent learning how to monitor and secure systems, networks, and applications, as well as how to appropriately respond to cyber breaches. Along with the classroom sessions, students can attend a weekly lab where they can review key concepts, catch up on homework, and work alongside peers.

Cybersecurity Bootcamp Tools & Technologies

Kali Linux
Wireshark
Nmap logo
Metasploit logo and wordmark
Sql data base logo
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Earn Cybersecurity Certifications with University of San Diego

Preparation for the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) Security+ exam is built into the University of San Diego Cybersecurity Bootcamp curriculum. You will study and test for this industry-recognized certification during your bootcamp program. By earning your CompTIA Security+ certification, you’ll demonstrate your job readiness to potential employers.

CompTIA Security+ Certification

This entry-level certification validates:

  • Understanding of security principles and elements of effective security policies

  • Ability to analyze strategies of cybercriminals and determine development and deployment methods to mitigate vulnerabilities

  • Understanding of how security is enforced for wireless and remote access

  • Ability to establish disaster recovery, business continuity, and fault tolerance strategies

Cost of exam included?

Yes*

Monetary Value?

$2,499

*Students will receive a voucher for one CompTIA Security+ exam attempt.

Landing a Cybersecurity Job in California

USD students will gain valuable insight into how to build a successful career in cybersecurity from day one of the course. Throughout the bootcamp experience, students may access live workshops, office hours, and on-demand content to help build a job search toolkit—which includes an optimized resume and LinkedIn profile.

Following successful completion of the Career Success Program, students can choose to opt into additional coaching support and receive guidance for up to a year following graduation in:

  • Growing your professional network

  • Resume and LinkedIn profile optimization

  • Interview and assessment prep

  • Salary negotiation workshops

  • And much more!

Students also graduate from the program with a portfolio of work that demonstrates their ability to solve real business problems for real companies.

Fullstack Academy grads have landed jobs with some of the world's leading companies.

University of San Diego Tech Bootcamps are powered by Fullstack Academy. The companies listed above have hired Fullstack Academy graduates.

Who Should Attend the Cyber Bootcamp

The University of San Diego Cybersecurity Bootcamp powered by Fullstack Academy is specifically designed for beginners. There’s no experience required to apply, be accepted, or succeed.

Successful bootcamp students have backgrounds in:

Successful bootcamp students have backgrounds in:

Teaching

Finance

Retail

Customer service

Graphic design

Admin

Biology

And more

Apply today and join others just like you on the first steps to a life-changing career.

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FAQs

  • The cyber curriculum is broken down into these areas:

    1. Cybersecurity Fundamentals (confidentiality, integrity, and availability Triad, virtualization, and how to identify threats, vulnerabilities, and risks)

    2. Asset and Inventory Management (Computing and networking basics, Linux command line, and bash scripting)

    3. Network Systems (Networking, Wireshark, encoding and encryption, Open Systems Interconnection/OSI model, and firewalls)

    4. Programming with Python (Variables, loops and conditionals, string and list methods, dictionaries, regular expressions, and log parsing)

    5. System Administration (Windows administration and management, active directory, and group policy)

    6. Red Team - Offense (Web vulnerabilities, penetration testing, OWASP Top 10, social engineering, Burp Suite, Cross-site scripting, SQL injection, and Metasploit)

    7. Blue Team - Defense (Logs/log analysis, Splunk, security information and event management, digital forensics, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and incident response).

    Students also participate in career simulations throughout the program and interactive labs, as well as build the cybersecurity knowledge needed to take the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification exam.

    For a syllabus on your program of interest, click here and fill out the form.

  • Many of our part-time students are working full time while taking the program. Keep in mind that there are 10 hours in class and 15-20 hours worth of out-of-class homework per week.

  • You do need to provide your own computer for the bootcamp. It can be a laptop or desktop as long as it meets minimum tech specifications. We highly recommend Apple computers for our program, however, it is possible to use Windows with some modifications. You must have at least MacOS 10.15 or newer or Windows 10. Because the bootcamp is live-online, you are required to have a webcam and microphone in order to participate in class.

  • Yes, the University of San Diego Cyber Bootcamp is beginner-friendly. It’s specifically designed for professionals who have no previous experience in cybersecurity. While some background knowledge is helpful, the only expectation is that students have general computer literacy skills in basics like efficiently using the internet/cloud and Windows.

  • There's no preparation required to succeed in the course.

  • Students can prepare to take the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification exam with training provided in bootcamp and additional studying. The price of the exam is not included in tuition.

  • Your time with our career success team will include everything from workshops to one-on-one office hours to phone chats before big interviews. Alumni will also have access to a job board and have the opportunity to be connected with companies and organizations in our Employer Partner Network who are actively seeking qualified candidates.

Ready to Start Learning?

Once you’re ready to start your tech journey, here are the steps you can expect in the admissions process.

Cyber image 2
  1. Fill out our online application form
  2. Take our nontechnical assessment
    • No cyber experience required
    • Covers logical reasoning
    • Sent to you immediately upon submission of application
  3. Receive an entrance decision
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