The Cybersecurity and Networking program at SUNY Adirondack is designed to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce in roles such as networking assistants or cybersecurity professionals, while also offering a foundation for transfer to traditional or online bachelor’s programs. The curriculum emphasizes the importance of networking as a core component of cybersecurity, providing students with a strong base in hardware, cabling, network infrastructure, and security fundamentals. Understanding how networks operate is critical for identifying vulnerabilities, managing secure configurations, and responding effectively to threats. Courses also cover threat analysis, security planning, and defensive strategies that protect systems, data, and services across modern IT environments.
Hands-on learning is supported through the Cisco Networking Academy, which prepares students to pursue industry-recognized certifications such as Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT), Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA), and CCNA Security. Advanced students may pursue Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNP) coursework, while additional content draws from CompTIA Security+ and EC-Council’s Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) certifications. By combining networking expertise with focused cybersecurity training, students graduate with the versatile skill set needed to build, defend, and maintain secure networks in today’s interconnected world.
Freshman Seminar Requirement
Freshman Experience
Choose one:
| HRD 100 | College Learning: Theory and Practice | 2 |
| HRD 100A | College Life Seminar | 2 |
| HRD 110 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1-2 |
General Education Requirements
Introduction to College Writing
| ENG 101 | Introduction to College Writing | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Writing II
Choose one:
| ENG 102 | Academic Writing | 3 |
| ENG 103 | Writing in and about the Sciences | 3 |
| ENG 104 | Writing for Business and the Professions | 3 |
| ENG 105 | Writing in and about the Social Sciences | 3 |
| ENG 106 | Writing in and about the Performing and Visual Arts | 3 |
| ENG 107 | Language, Structure and Style | 3 |
| ENG 108 | Writing in and about Literature | 3 |
| ENG 109 | Elements of Creative Writing | 3 |
| ENG 110 | Elements of Technical Writing | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
SUNY Gen Ed Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning)
| SUNY Gen Ed Mathematics | 3-4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Algebra based mathematics required
SUNY GEN ED Natural Lab Science (and Scientific Reasoning)
| SUNY Gen Ed Natural Sciences Lab Science | 3-4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 4 |
SUNY GEN ED Diversity: Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice
SUNY GEN ED Humanities, The Arts, US History and Civic Engagement, World History and Global Awareness, Social Sciences or Other World Languages
Choose one:
Program Core Requirements
Program Core
| CIS 102 | Introduction to Linux | 1 |
| CIS 120 | PC Hardware Fundamentals | 3 |
| CIS 131 | Introduction to Networking | 3 |
| CIS 133 | Network Fundamentals (CCNA1) | 4 |
| CIS 134 | Routing Protocols and Concepts (CCNA2) | 4 |
| CIS 139 | Enterprise Networking (CCNA3) | 4 |
| CIS 150 | Topics in Computing | 3 |
| CIS 235 | Network Security II (CCNA CyberOps)) | 4 |
| CIS 237 | Database Management Systems | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 29 |
CIS 133: Fall only - Prereq and Coreq Required
CIS 134: Spring only - Prereq Required
CIS 139: Fall only - Prereq Required
CIS 235: Fall only - Prereq Required
CIS 237: Spring only - Prereq Required
Network Security I or IT Security Essentials
Choose one:
| CIS 135 | Network Security I | 3 |
| CIS 136 | IT Security Essentials | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
CIS 135: Spring only - Prereq Required
CIS136: Fall only – Prereq required
Introduction to Programming in a Windows Environment or Introduction to Programming
Choose one:
| CIS 140 | Introduction to Programming in a Windows Environment | 3 |
| CIS 143 | Introduction to Programming | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Server Administration or Server Side Scripting
Choose one:
| CIS 151 | Server Side Scripting | 3 |
| CIS 232 | Server Administration | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
CIS151: Fall Only – Prereq Required
CIS 232: Spring Only - Prereq Required
Ethical Hacking and Defense or IT Internship
Choose one:
| CIS 245 | Ethical Hacking and Defense | 3 |
| CIS 278 | IT Internship | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Recommended Sequence
First Semester
1-2 credits in HRD 100, HRD 100A or HRD 110
3 credits in ENG 101
1 credit in CIS 102
3 credits in CIS 131
4 credits in CIS 133
3 credits in SUNY GEN ED Mathematics (and Quantitative Reasoning) - (See Note 1)
1) STEM based mathematics are required. SUNY Plattsburgh Computer Security baccalaureate degree requires MAT 129.
Second Semester
4 credits in CIS 134
3 credits in CIS 135 (Spring only) or CIS 136 (Fall Only)
3 credits in CIS 140 (Fall Only) or CIS 143
3 credits in SUNY Gen Ed Liberal Arts and Sciences Elective
3 credits in CIS 151 (Fall Only) or CIS 232 (Spring Only)
Third Semester
3 credits in ENG 102, ENG 103, ENG 104, ENG 105, ENG 106, ENG 107, ENG 108, ENG 109 or ENG 110
3 credits in CIS 237
4 credits in CIS 235
4 credits in CIS 139
3-4 credits in Gen Ed Natural Lab Science (and Scientific Reasoning)
Fourth Semester
3 credits in SUNY Gen Ed Diversity: Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice
3 credits in CIS 246 or CIS 278
3 credits in CIS 120
3 credits in CIS 150
3 credits in SUNY Gen Ed Humanities, The Arts, US History and Civic Engagement, World History and Global Awareness, Social Sciences or World Languages
Notes
- STEM based mathematics are required. SUNY Plattsburgh Computer Security Baccalaureate degree requires MAT 129.