How to Get into the Cybersecurity Field

Is a Degree Required to Get a Job in Cybersecurity?

While not all cybersecurity jobs require an advanced degree, most will require a bachelor’s degree and/or certifications. To move beyond entry level and see continued career growth in the field, however, it’s smart to consider a master’s degree.

How Can You Switch Careers to Cybersecurity?

The first step for anyone looking to step into cyber and information security is to become educated on the field. Understanding the different roles, specializations, and uses of cybersecurity can help you determine what kind of job you seek—and therefore what kind of education you need.

In addition to enrolling in the right degree or program, it’s smart to assess what transferable skills you may have. Whether or not you have direct cybersecurity experience, chances are you’ve picked up key skills on the job or in the classroom.

If you are looking to transition into cyber or information security from a related field like Information Technology, you can leverage your technical experience and understanding of terminology and basic concepts to help you succeed. Your ability to learn and address complex problems and analyze critically will come in handy! 

If you have no computer science or IT background and are looking to break into the cybersecurity space, reflect on other skills you may have honed, such as collaboration, effective communication, problem solving, or ethical decision-making—all of these will be assets to you as a cybersecurity professional. As you start your journey, be sure to have an understanding of any prerequisites that your graduate program (or potential job) may have. 

How Long Does it Take to Get a Cybersecurity Degree?

If you attend full time, you can complete a Cyber and Information Security M.S. in as little as one year. Part-time students typically take two years to complete a program. If you are working full time, a part-time or fully-online program with flexibility may be the best option for you. 

What Are the Prerequisites for a Master’s in Cybersecurity?

Prerequisites for a master’s in cybersecurity can vary, though most graduate programs will require a bachelor’s degree and some undergraduate-level coursework in programming, computer science, networking, and math.

The Cyber and Information Security M.S. program at St. John’s University is a 30-credit program. If you have no undergraduate computer science background, you can earn the base-level knowledge of programming and networking needed through certifications or bootcamps. St. John’s offers conditional admission for those who need prerequisites and offers two prerequisite courses in programming and networking. 

The program format includes

• Core courses (12 credits)
• Specialization (nine credits)
• Elective course (three credits)
• Option of either capstone with additional elective (six credits) or thesis (six credits)

You can complete this program on campus, in person; through a hybrid model; and fully online.

Will a Master’s in Cybersecurity Benefit My Career?

Currently, there are only enough professionals to fill three-quarters of cybersecurity job openings in the United States. This means there is a high demand for new, educated, and trained candidates. 

$96,000 is the average base salary for those with an M.S. in cybersecurity, according to Payscale (2024) 

Hear from cybersecurity professionals on the impact of a cybersecurity degree:

“The M.S. in Cyber and Information Security program is led by industry experts who taught me to think critically and provided me with the tools I need to further my career. This has helped me advance at Nassau BOCES, where I currently serve as an Information Technology Specialist at the Nassau BOCES Security Operations Center, protecting the 56 school districts of Nassau County.” —Marc A. Zirillo ’18CPS, ’22MS

“The Cyber and Information Security program in The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies challenged my analytical mind and provided me with the right toolset to be successful in today’s cyber field and leverage for advancement in information technology management.” —Joel Ndimkora ’12C, ’22CCPS