Cybersecurity Certificate

Secure Your Future

Jumpstart your tech career with Hawkeye Community College's Cybersecurity Certificate! Learn to defend against network attacks, master security basics, and program for network success.

Apply at Hawkeye Today

Cybersecurity Certificate At a Glance

Degree
Certificate
Length of Study
9 months
Course Format
Online
Classes Meets
Daytime
Program Start
Fall

See all Cybersecurity options at Hawkeye

Your Cybersecurity Career

Many business sectors have a growing need for cybersecurity professionals including:

  • IT managed services providers
  • banking, credit, and finance
  • healthcare and medical
  • energy and utilities
  • government
  • manufacturing
  • education
  • retail and food service
98%

Of Companies Use Cloud Services

3.4M

Global Shortfall in Cybersecurity Pros

29.3B

Internet-Connected Devices

560K

New Malware Detected Daily

Program Overview

Learn how to create and keep up with top-quality networks. You'll find out how to keep your network safe from hackers, protect your data, and fix things if an attack happens. You'll also get to work with different computer systems and learn how to make sure your network stays up and your information stays private and accurate.

In information technology, industry certifications are a must. Hawkeye is recognized as a Cisco Regional Academy and a VMware IT Academy. You may receive the CompTIA A+ Net+ and Security+, Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA), and VMware certifications.

This program qualifies for the Future Ready Iowa Last-Dollar Scholarship and will pay up to 100% of your tuition.

You must apply for, be awarded, and meet the ongoing eligibility requirements for the Last-Dollar Scholarship.

Program Admission Requirements

To enroll this program, you’ll need to meet the minimum score requirements.

  ALEKS ACCUPLACER Next Generation ACCUPLACER Classic COMPASS ACT GPA
Math 14 255 Arithmetic
246 Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics (QAS)
63 Arithmetic
56 Elementary Algebra
39 Pre-Algebra 16  
Literacy   239 Reading or
240 Writing
58 Reading or
64 Sentence Skills
69 Reading or
41 Writing
16 Reading or
16 English
2.25

You can take the ALEKS Placement Assessment online. If you prefer, you can take the ACCUPLACER Next Generation or ACT at Hawkeye. While ACCUPLACER Classic and COMPASS aren’t offered anymore, you can still use your scores from those tests if you took them before for program admission.

If you don’t meet the minimum score requirements, you can take success courses instead. Talk to your academic advisor to help you find the right courses to get started.

If you meet the assessment score requirements, you can be accepted into the program.

If you don't meet these requirements, you’ll be accepted into a Pre-Program. As a pre-program student, you’ll start by taking general education and prerequisite classes. Your academic advisor will help you make a plan to meet the program requirements. After finishing your pre-program courses, contact Admissions to let them know.

Program Contacts

Admissions

Main Campus
Hawkeye Center 134
319-296-4000
Email Admissions

Regular Hours — Spring 2025

Monday – Friday 8 AM – 4:30 PM

Academic Advisor

Last Names A–L

Brittany Warren
Main Campus
Hawkeye Center 208
319-296-4014 ext.1086
Email Brittany Warren

Last Names M–Z

Honey Lynn
Main Campus
Hawkeye Center 208
319-296-4014 ext.1083
Email Honey Lynn

Faculty Advisor

Barry Griffiths
319-296-4287
Email Barry Griffiths