Securing the Future Together: Cultivating the Cybersecurity Leaders of Tomorrow
Redefining Justice in the Digital Age
In a world where crime has gone virtual, today’s criminal justice professionals need more than a badge and a notebook—they need a firewall, a forensics toolkit, and a working knowledge of cyber threats.
At Davis & Elkins College, our Criminology major with a concentration in Cybersecurity fuses the ethical foundations of criminal justice with cutting-edge digital defense skills. You’ll gain hands-on experience in cyber forensics, network security, and ethical hacking, while exploring the evolving legal and societal frameworks surrounding cybercrime. Whether you’re driven by a sense of justice, a fascination with technology, or a desire to protect digital systems and human rights alike, this program prepares you to lead—and defend—the future.
The Cybersecurity Concentration is being offered as a hybrid course (online/in-person)
Offered as a hybrid degree through the Lower Cost Models for Independent Colleges Consortium (LCMC), the program combines the flexibility of online learning with the mentorship and community of Davis & Elkins College’s on-campus experience. Students benefit from a curriculum developed with input from industry leaders, ensuring real-world relevance.
Students sign up for these hybrid courses as they would other D&E courses. The courses are offered online and may have different starting and/or ending dates from the regular D&E academic calendar. D&E faculty members are available for support and guidance throughout the course. Class sizes are intentionally small, so early registration is important to reserve space in the classes. Tuition is incorporated into the regular course load.
Why Study Cybersecurity at D&E?
🔧 Hands-On Experience
Get access to industry tools like Wireshark, Metasploit, Snort, LastPass, and 1Password. Participate in live simulations and capstone projects that prepare you for real-world threats.
🎓 Faculty Experts
Learn from experienced professionals who’ve worked in government, law enforcement, and cybersecurity industries. Benefit from their mentorship and connections.
🤝 Interdisciplinary Advantage
Blend criminology, ethics, business, and computer science. You’ll graduate with broad, flexible skills applicable in law, tech, and beyond.
📈 Job-Ready from Day One
With resume-ready skills and training aligned to industry certifications, you’ll be ready to step into high-demand roles immediately after graduation.
What You’ll Learn
In the Criminology major with a Cybersecurity concentration at Davis & Elkins College, you’ll build a powerful combination of technical skills, ethical foundations, and investigative expertise that prepare you for today’s most critical challenges in digital security and justice.
You’ll learn how to:
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Understand the Foundations of Cybersecurity
Grasp key concepts, terminology, and principles that define the cybersecurity landscape. -
Navigate Cyber Law and Digital Ethics
Explore legal frameworks and ethical responsibilities surrounding cybercrime and data privacy. -
Protect Systems and Networks
Analyze and secure digital infrastructure against cyber threats using tools like Wireshark, Snort, and Metasploit. -
Conduct Digital Investigations
Master the process of collecting, preserving, and analyzing digital evidence in cybercrime cases. -
Think Like a Hacker—Act Ethically
Learn ethical hacking techniques to identify vulnerabilities and build stronger defenses through hands-on simulations. -
Apply Criminology in the Cyber Realm
Connect traditional criminal justice theories with modern threats, from ransomware to digital espionage. -
Prepare for Industry Certifications
Gain foundational knowledge aligned with CEH, CISSP, and CCFE certification exams to boost your credentials.
By the time you graduate, you’ll be equipped with resume-ready skills, a deep understanding of ethical and legal frameworks, and the technical acumen to make an immediate impact in cybersecurity and digital justice fields.
Career Outcomes: Multiply Your Future
Graduates of this program are equipped to pursue diverse roles in one of the fastest-growing job markets in the world:
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Cybersecurity Analyst – Protect systems by detecting and responding to threats.
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Ethical Hacker / Penetration Tester – Simulate cyberattacks to expose system flaws before criminals do.
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Forensic Computer Analyst – Help solve digital crimes through data recovery and evidence analysis.
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Security Software Developer – Design next-gen tools that stop threats before they start.
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Incident Responder – Act fast to neutralize threats and restore system integrity.
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Security Architect – Design full-scale secure networks and infrastructures.
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Information Security Consultant – Advise organizations on best practices and compliance.
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Cryptographer – Design encryption systems (requires advanced study).
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Security Compliance Analyst – Ensure companies meet legal and regulatory standards.
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SOC Analyst – Monitor network activity in real-time as part of a security operations center.
💰 Fast Facts:
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$68K average starting salary
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$102K+ median salary with experience
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0% unemployment rate in cybersecurity fields
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3.5M+ cybersecurity jobs currently unfilled globally
Certifications & Industry Preparation
Our curriculum prepares you to pursue top cybersecurity certifications—each enhancing your credibility and employability:
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
Show the world you can think like a hacker—for good. We integrate CEH-aligned content and offer guidance for exam prep.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
Although professional experience is required for full certification, our program lays the academic groundwork to pursue this gold-standard credential.
Certified Computer Forensics Examiner (CCFE)
Get hands-on practice in digital investigation techniques that mirror the CCFE certification process.
Secure Your Future
Whether you’re a tech tinkerer, a justice seeker, or a strategist planning your next career move, the Criminology Major with a Cybersecurity Concentration at Davis & Elkins College gives you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to lead in one of the most vital fields of the 21st century.
D&E is proud to collaborate with RIZE, an online academic service, to offer this program; there is a fee associated with certain classes to complete the Cybersecurity concentration.
Program Director
