MSU Denver’s Graduate STEMpath Certificate of Cybersecurity is an interdisciplinary program that combines the knowledge of cyber laws/policies, advanced computer science and information systems solutions for individuals not seeking a Master of Science in Cybersecurity (CYBM) but want to teach cybersecurity classes to K-12 level students. MSU Denver offers this certificate to current teachers with an existing baccalaureate degree who teach in a K-12 system. Neither the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) nor any graduate placement test are not required for this certificate.
For students enrolled in this certificate, the cost for tuition will be the same as the CYBM program. Students with similar courses in their prior experience may request that courses be transferred to meet part of the certificate requirements.
This is a 24-credit hour certificate.
Admission to the Graduate STEMpath Certificate of Cybersecurity
To be considered for admission to the Graduate STEMpath Certificate of Cybersecurity candidates must:
- Submit a graduate application and application fee
- Be a current K-12 schoolteacher that has been approved by their school district or their representative - paperwork for this requirement must be submitted
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Submit official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 is required.
Application Deadline
The Graduate STEMpath Certificate of Cybersecurity is Fall-start only, please refer to the graduate certificates website for the application deadline.
Credit for Prior Learning or Life Experience
The Graduate STEMpath Certificate of Cybersecurity allows for up to 9 credit hours of prior learning experience in the following areas:
- Career literacy and workforce readiness for the fields of Computer Science, Information Technology, and Cybersecurity with an emphasis on equity and accessibility in the classroom
- Training to implement a culture of innovation through strategic thinking
- Training in information science
Testing Out Policy
The Graduate STEMpath Certificate of Cybersecurity does provide an option to test out of 9 credit hours of coursework at the graduate level if they have experience, knowledge, and skills in the above three areas.
For this certificate, students can test out or receive prior learning credit for a total of 9 credit hours. They cannot combine these paths.
These certificate courses are not transferable to the Master of Science in Cybersecurity program.
Readmission Policy
Students who seek readmission and are in good standing should contact the Cybersecurity Program Manager at cybersecurityprograms@msudenver.edu.
Degree Completion
Graduate Course Registration Eligibility
Only students who are formally accepted into the Graduate STEMpath Certificate of Cybersecurity Certificate program can register for any Graduate STEMpath Certificate of Cybersecurity Certificate courses.
GPA Requirements
Students in the Graduate STEMpath Certificate of Cybersecurity must complete the certificate with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. No grade lower than a “C” will count toward the certificate. Students receiving a “D” or below will be required to repeat the course.
Duplicative Coursework
The Graduate STEMpath Certificate of Cybersecurity does not allow any course to count toward either the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity or the Master of Science in Cybersecurity.
Grades and Notations
The Graduate STEMpath Certificate of Cybersecurity does not grant plus and minus grades. Students should refer to the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the Graduate Catalog for a listing of all grades and notations including incomplete and withdrawals.
Students who have an incomplete notation should contact the Cybersecurity Program Manager at cybersecurityprograms@msudenver.edu.
