University of San Diego
Cyber Bootcamp
Get the Skills You Need to Fight Cybercrime
Through the University of San Diego Cyber Bootcamp powered by Fullstack Academy, you’ll gain the tools to land a job in one of the world’s fastest-growing industries—all in 12 weeks full-time or 26 weeks part-time.
Interested? Learn more:
Program at a Glance
Why Learn Cybersecurity
The Demand for Cyber Talent in California
Bootcamp Application & Start Dates
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 combine live online instruction taught by industry-experienced professionals with independent learning assignments.
All classes are held Monday-Friday.
7:00am-3:00pm PT
Select one class schedule and time from the options below when you apply.
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday Classes
6:30am-9:30am PT
3:30pm-6:30pm PT
5:30pm-8:30pm PT
Saturday and Sunday Classes
6:30am-11:00am 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.
Tuition
There are many ways to pay for your bootcamp experience, including self-pay, employer-pay, local/state government assistance, scholarships, and personal loans. Learn more about payment options.
University of San Diego Tech Bootcamps is committed to making tech education more accessible, so we’re reducing the enrollment deposit to $99* (normally $1,000) for a limited time. Get started on your journey before the deposit increases!
Enrollment Deposit - $1,000 $99*
Tuition During Program - $13,396
Total Tuition - $13,495
*Offer eligibility: Upon admittance into the program, pay the $99 refundable deposit in full prior to the enrollment date.
$500 Community Scholarship
For University of San Diego alumni, current students, and employees.
$1,000 Military Scholarship**
For active-duty service members and military veterans.
**Valid ID required.
In the field of cybersecurity, there are many career paths to follow based on your skills and experience. Our Career Success Team is there to assist you throughout your career journey.
With cybersecurity professionals in high demand, the cybersecurity industry offers a multitude of career and financial opportunities after you enter the field. Companies across the nation are hiring for roles like IT Help Desk Specialist, Systems Support Specialist, and Cybersecurity Analyst.
| Role | Average Entry-Level Salary in San Diego |
|---|---|
| IT Help Desk Specialist/Computer Support Specialist | $40,500 |
| Network/Systems Support Specialist | $51,500 |
| System Administrator/Network Administrator | $63,900 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $78,000 |
| Network Engineer/Solutions Architect | $81,700 |
*San Diego Cybersecurity Salary Data via Lightcast™ . 2022 | |
What You Will Learn
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;
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.
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.
The USD Cyber Bootcamp can also help you prepare for industry-recognized certifications. With bootcamp preparation and additional studying, you’ll be equipped to take the exam for the:
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Certification: This certification helps organizations identify talent with critical knowledge related to implementing cloud initiatives and validates cloud fluency and foundational AWS knowledge.
The price of the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification exam is not included in the program tuition.
Cybersecurity Certifications
Bootcamp can help you prepare for industry-recognized training and certifications from Amazon Web Services (AWS) and the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). These training units and certifications are optional but highly recommended for career success, as they help demonstrate your job readiness to potential employers.
Through our curriculum, you’ll have the opportunity to earn the following certification during bootcamp:
CompTIA Security+ Certification
This 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, students will receive a voucher for one CompTIA Security+ exam.
Monetary Value?
$2,891
With bootcamp preparation and additional studying, you’ll be equipped to take the exams for the:
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Certification*
This certification validates:
Understanding of cloud fluency and foundational AWS knowledge
AWS Certified Security - Specialty Certification*
This certification validates:
Ability to create and implement security solutions in the AWS Cloud
Understanding of specialized data classifications and AWS data protection mechanisms; data-encryption methods and secure internet protocols and AWS mechanisms to implement them
*Additional study will vary based on the individual's background and experience.
The bootcamp will also help prepare you for the following certification course:
AWS Security Essentials
This fundamental course:
Serves as a step towards certification
Will help build your competence, confidence, and credibility as a cybersecurity professional
Cost of course included?
Yes, students will receive a voucher for the AWS Security Essentials course.
Monetary Value
$700
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 bootcamps are specifically designed for beginners. There’s no experience required to apply, be accepted, or succeed. Apply today and join others just like you on the first steps to a life-changing career.
Teaching
Finance
Retail
Customer service
Graphic design
Admin
Biology
And more
If this sounds like you, apply today and join others just like you on the first steps to a life-changing career.
FAQs
The cyber curriculum is broken down into these areas:
Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Asset and Inventory Management
Network Systems
Programming with Python
System Administration
Red Team - Offense
Blue Team - Defense
Students also participate in career simulations throughout the program and interactive labs. With bootcamp preparation and additional studying, students will also be equipped to take exams for multiple industry-recognized certifications.
For the Cybersecurity Bootcamp syllabus, click here and fill out the form.
Yes, the University of San Diego Cyber Bootcamp is beginner-friendly. It’s specifically designed for professionals without 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, but we recommend familiarizing yourself with the industry and working through Cybersecurity 101.
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 that are actively seeking qualified candidates.
You do need to provide your own computer for the bootcamp. It can be a laptop or desktop as long as it meets the minimum machine specifications of your chosen program. Because the bootcamp is live online, you are required to have a webcam and microphone to participate in class.
Ensuring you have a computer that meets the requirements for your course is an essential part of setting yourself up for success in our bootcamps.
For full computer requirements for each of our program offerings, visit our Online Learning page.
Many of our part-time students continue working full-time while completing their bootcamp. Each week, students can expect to spend 9 hours in class and another 6-8 hours studying and completing assignments outside of class.
Full-time students should not continue working due to the immersive nature of our programs. By focusing solely on their training, they’re set up to thrive in our accelerated 12-week program.
No, University of San Diego Tech Bootcamps are not for credit and cannot be applied toward a degree or certificate program. Rather, they’re offered through {university-dept-name} and facilitated by Fullstack Academy instructors and staff to provide in-demand tech skills training for current or prospective tech professionals.
No, part-time bootcamp students cannot mix and match class dates or times. You must select one of the established schedule options for your cohort of choice during the application process.
Ready to Start Learning?
Once you’re ready to start your tech journey, here are the steps you can expect in the admissions process.
