Become a
Digital Defender

University of Minnesota Cybersecurity Boot Camp | Learn Cybersecurity in 24 Weeks

  • Global Network: Gain access to a network of 250+ employers looking to hire.
  • CompTIA Partnership: Get a head start on certification test prep.
  • Student Success: Stay on track with personalized academic support.
  • Career Support: Access free professional resources throughout your career.

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Next Start Date:

December 9, 2024

Time to Complete:

24 Weeks, part-time

Live Online Classes:

9 hours per week

Student at laptop

The Support You Need to Transform Your Career

Cybersecurity is one of the most in-demand global fields today. We’re committed to equipping you with the fundamental skills you need to make an impact while providing unparalleled support and resources before, during, and after your boot camp.

  • Learn to solve common algorithms used in technical interviews, get exclusive insight into industry hiring practices, and build the skills and experience to ace the technical interview.
  • Benefit from student support available 24/7, 365 days a year.
  • Connect with engaged instructors, teaching assistants, and peers for academic support.
  • Access additional academic services in select boot camps.

Join the Front Lines of Digital Defense

The economic impact of cyber crime is growing: In 2020, the average cost to businesses affected by a data breach in the United States was $8.64 million, up 32% from 2015, and nearly double the global average.1

You can help protect organizations and populations — and change your entire career trajectory. As the world grows more connected and automated (and therefore, more vulnerable), the demand for cybersecurity specialists is on the rise. Information security is one of the fastest-growing fields,2 and No. 6 on Glassdoor’s Top 50 Jobs in America.3

1Statista.com
2Bureau of Labor Statistics
3Glassdoor

A woman crouches in front of a server, inspecting its components carefully.

Top Employers Hire Our

Boot Camp Learners

Our boot camp learners go on to work for some of the world’s top companies, including over 62% of the Fortune 100.

Male at laptop

Further Your Career

Our Career Engagement Network will help you apply the tools and knowledge you have learned to advance your career. We will help you optimize your resume and LinkedIn profile, prepare for interviews, and build your portfolio. You’ll also have access to free career resources throughout your professional life.

CompTIA logo

A Proud CompTIA Partner

We know how important certification is for our students; that’s why we chose CompTIA as a partner to provide you with a complimentary CertMaster test prep tool and an exam voucher to take the CompTIA certification exam of your choice: Security+, Network+, Linux+, Server+, or Cloud+.

While the boot camp itself does not provide test preparation, a portion of the final module is dedicated to helping you learn and leverage the CertMaster Test Prep Tool for the Security+ exam to get you started.

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Innovative Curriculum. In-Demand Skills.

In 24 weeks, University of Minnesota Cybersecurity Boot Camp will prepare you with the technical skills you need to protect digital environments. Through an immersive hands-on curriculum, you will not only learn fundamental cybersecurity methods, but also put them into action through practical exercises.


The curriculum is delivered through live, online classes and high-quality coursework. Our instructors are fully vetted by the university and offer 1-on-1 virtual guidance to learners throughout the program.

Learn to think like a cybersecurity professional by assessing threats and mitigating risks. Understand the differences between Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) concepts, and their importance in cybersecurity.

What you will learn:

  • CIA triad
  • Threat detection
  • Mitigating risks
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Machine learning

Gain hands-on experience working with the command line and bash commands that are prominent in IT roles. You will configure and audit servers, as well as harden and secure them from malicious attacks.

What you will learn:

  • Linux server configuration
  • Logging
  • Kerberos
  • Windows server configuration
  • Bash scripting and programming
  • Tar, cron, and cron jobs
  • Active directory

Dive into network configuration, design, protocols, and data communication. Study cryptography, network security, and web development as it relates to cybersecurity.

What you will learn:

  • Network architecture, operations, and security
  • Wireless security
  • Wireshark and traffic analysis
  • Cryptography and encryption
  • Email security
  • Port scanning

Gain a thorough understanding of web applications, databases, and the vulnerabilities and hardening associated with them. Dive into penetration testing using tools like Metasploit to attack and compromise networks and servers.

What you will learn:

  • Burp suite
  • Webshells
  • Penetration testing execution standard
  • Zenmap
  • Pivoting networks
  • XSS vulnerabilities and payloads
  • SQL injection
  • Searchsploit and metasploit
  • File inclusion and command injection vulnerabilities

Dive into SIEMs and network security monitoring, practice the Incident Response framework to respond to different breaches and attacks, and learn digital forensic how to recover deleted data as part of preparing evidence for a legal case.

What you will learn:

  • Splunk
  • Forensics
  • Monitoring and logging
  • Data extraction and recovery
  • Incident response

Learn how security controls impact an organization and its employees. Focus on certification prep for the Security+ and conclude the program with a final group project presented in a mock cyber conference event.

What you will learn:

  • Governance
  • Compliance
  • Business continuity planning
  • Disaster recovery
  • Certifications
  • CompTIA Security +
  • Research and technical demonstration

Now You’re Ready

By the time you’ve completed the boot camp, you will have mastered in-demand skills, built an
impressive portfolio of projects using real-world data sets, and earned a Cybersecurity Certificate
from the University of Minnesota College of Continuing and Professional Studies in Saint Paul.

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Learn on Your Schedule

This is a part-time program designed for working professionals like you who want to learn
cybersecurity to advance careers, enhance skills for a current role, or change career paths.

Time to complete24 weeks
Live classes9 hrs/week
Homework & projects 20+ hrs/week
Class timeClasses are held three weekdays
from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Invest in Your Career With the Right Financial Options

Cybersecurity boot camp fee: $11,245

Pay in Full Discount:

Pay in full at the time of enrollment and receive $1,000 off your total fee.

Interest-Free Payment Plan:

Pay an initial deposit and split the rest of your tuition into monthly installments with no interest.

Alumni Scholarship:

University alumni are eligible for a $500 scholarship.

Americorps:

The program is eligible to use your AmeriCorps award.

Workforce Funding:

Workforce development assistance may be available through federal, state, and local offices.

Employer Funding:

Use available educational benefits or tuition sponsorship from your employer.

edX Boot Camps does not receive any commissions or payments for referrals or successful loan applications. The lender’s loan approval criteria will apply and you should consider the terms and conditions of any loan carefully. We are not credit advisors. We make no representations about whether you will be given a loan or whether a loan will be suitable for you. We are not responsible for representations made to you by any credit provider.

What Boot Camp Graduates

Are Saying

  • “I chose to attend because I wanted to change careers. Doing the boot camp allowed me to demonstrate that I was familiar with cybersecurity concepts and tools. I gained valuable hands-on experience that I could show future employers. Career Services helped me build my network and improve my resume and online presence. I was able to get a job as a security analyst shortly after graduating.”

    Brianna F.

  • “This boot camp has impacted me tremendously for the better. I can’t thank everyone enough. It was such a great experience that blew away my expectations. I still can’t believe how incredibly nice the instructor and TAs were. As well as my peers in the class. I will never forget this boot camp. I am so thankful I could have been a part of it. My career and life has changed for the better.”

    Ugonna O.

  • “I had a great experience with the class. The instructor, as well as the TAs, did an incredible job not only teaching, but also adapting to the sudden and complete transition to online learning. I chose to attend this program because I knew that I wanted to work in cybersecurity and this would be a great way to get my foot in the door and start learning the necessary skills required to do so. Thanks to this class I now have a full-time Security Analyst position and am continuing to learn and hone my craft every day.”

    Matt K.

A Powerful Educational Partnership

About The University of
Minnesota College of Continuing
and Professional Studies

Established in 1913, the College of Continuing and Professional Studies is one of the most diverse of the University of Minnesota’s 18 colleges and schools. The college’s purpose is to inspire and serve an expanding population of learners in all stages of life. Each year, the College serves thousands of learners working toward individualized or applied degrees and certificates, accessing University courses, or participating in boot camps, short courses, and events.

This program is offered through the University of Minnesota College of Continuing and Professional Studies, in partnership with edX.

About edX

edX, part of 2U Inc., works with respected universities and organizations to deliver innovative, skills-based training to a community of over 45 million learners around the world to support them at every stage of their lives and careers. edX delivers boot camps through an immersive learning experience with expert services and valuable resources. As of 2021, graduates have been hired by 6,700+ companies, including more than 62% of the Fortune 100.

The Next Cybersecurity Boot Camp Starts December 9, 2024. Reserve Your Spot Today!

It only takes a minute to request information and be put in touch with a member of the admissions team who can answer questions and get your application started.

REQUEST INFORMATION TO GET STARTED