Cybersecurity Analyst AAS-T

Program Details Page Cybersecurity Analyst AAS-T

Here is a general overview of what your classes will look like following each quarter. Please contact your adviser for more information regarding the courses. To see which materials are needed for your courses, click this bookstore link (Links to an external site.) and enter the course information.

General Overview

When can I start? Fall (September), Winter (January), or Spring (April)

length of the program icon How long is the program? 6 quarters (22 to 24 months) with 92 total credits 

When do classes meet? Mondays - Thursdays, times vary between early mornings to evenings. Hybrid and online options are available.

Are summer classes required? Yes. You will not be able to complete this degree without enrolling in one summer quarter.

The Cybersecurity Analyst program at Renton Technical College is for new students and those looking for a career change to develop skills required for entry-level cybersecurity roles. Specializing in network infrastructure and security, the cyber analyst understands cyberattacks, malware, and cybercriminal behavior, and actively seeks to anticipate and prevent these attacks. While enrolled students’ progress through fundamental IT security classes and prepare for industry certifications such as Microsoft’s Modern Desktop Administrator Associate, CompTIA Security +, and CCNA.

To earn an Associate of Applied Science-Transfer Degree (AAS-T), you must complete 72 technical credits and 20 additional credits of General Education, with specific requirements in English and mathematics.

What does a cybersecurity analyst (information security expert) do?

What is the average salary?

Most analysts have a bachelor's degree. This allows them to earn at least $84,710 annually Links to an external site. in the Seattle-Bellevue-Tacoma area. 

Who can I contact with questions?

 (Links to an external site.)

Overall Materials Needed:

  1. Functioning, recent Windows laptop or computer, not an Apple or Chromebook (you must be able to install software)
  2. Webcam
  3. Headset with microphone
  4. Working internet connection
  5. Textbooks, hardware, and software ($1,050) - you can download a possible supply list here Download  you can download a possible supply list here
  6. Certification exam fees ($690)

Minimum grades or GPA to graduate

You must earn a grade of 2.0 or higher in each required class to graduate with a Cybersecurity Analyst AAS-T degree.

Materials Warning

Some materials on this page are listed as TBD, which means that the materials have yet to be determined. Please consult your instructor on what textbooks or materials are required for the class. If you rent a textbook, make sure you return it by the deadline. If you purchase a textbook, you can sell it back to the RTC bookstore -- but make sure that you won't need the book again for classes in the future!

Key Course Icons (learn more)

expensive materials green means the class has expensive materials lots of assignments red means the class has lots of assignments technical vocabulary purple means the class has a lot of technical vocabulary complex content orange means the class has complex content fast pace blue means the class moves at a fast pace key quarter gold means that this is the most challenging quarter in the whole program

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Fall

Quarter 1

 [Fall] Quarter 1 Course Information
 
Description: This quarter introduces you to computer networking and computer science. You also complete two general education classes for your transfer degree.
Learn more about math placement
to plan your pathway. What are your ENGL&101 placement options?
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
COL 101 College Success NO 2
IT 101 Fundamentals of Computing YES 5
ENGL& 101 English Composition (required for AAS-T degree) varies by class 5
MATH& 107 Math in Society
or other transfer mathematics class
varies by class 5

Quarter 2 key quarter

[Winter] Quarter 2 Course Information
 
Description: You complete your first CNT Cisco networking class and learn about switches, subnetting, routers, and connectivity. In your CYA classes, you will study Active Directory, device management, malicious software (malware), and prevention of cyberattacks.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CNT 140 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in IT 101.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 140 Routing and Switching I expensive materials YES 5
CYA 110 Cybersecurity Fundamentals YES 5
CYA 111 Introduction to Cybersecurity YES 5

Quarter 3

[Spring] Quarter 3 Course Information
 
Description: In your second CNT Cisco class, you build on your knowledge of routing and switching in wireless networks (WLANs) with security and basic configurations. Your CYA classes teach you how to deploy Microsoft Windows securely and how to create and save files in Linux.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CNT 150 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CNT 140, and you cannot take CYA 140 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CYA 110.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 150 Routing and Switching II lots of assignmentscomplex contentfast pace same as 140 5
CYA 140 Cybersecurity Fundamentals II YES 5
CYA 141 Linux Fundamentals for Cybersecurity YES 5

Quarter 4

[Summer] Quarter 4 Course Information
 
Description: Learn how to protect all of the devices that connect to the internet using Packet Tracer, and build your skills in network scripting in BASH and PowerShell. You also complete your fourth and final general education class - recommendations are included below, but you can choose any social science class.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 180 Introduction to Programming TBD 5
CYA 205
or CYA 299
Securing the Internet of Things
or Cybersecurity Internship
YES 5
PSYC& 100 General Psychology
or other General Education Social Science class
varies by section 5

Quarter 5

[Fall] Quarter 5 Course Information
 
Description: Take your third and fourth CNT Cisco courses focused on large physical and virtual networks, and start to learn the concepts needed for the CompTIA Security + industry certification exam.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CNT 259 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CNT 150. You cannot take CNT 254 or CYA 220 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CYA 140 or CNT 160.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 254 Network Infrastructure lots of assignmentscomplex contentfast pace YES 5
CNT 259 Secure Enterprise Networks NO 5
CYA 220 Security + YES 5

Quarter 6

[Winter] Quarter 6 Course Information
 
Description: In your final quarter, you will continue studying Security + content and complete practice cybersecurity labs. Full stack development introduces you to JavaScript, PHP, SQL, and other programming tools.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CYA 260 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CYA 220. You cannot take CYA 210 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CNT 254

It's time to apply for graduation!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CYA 260 Intrusion Detection and Incident Handling YES 5
CYA 210 Security, Compliance, and Identity YES 5
CYA 250 Full Stack Development for Cybersecurity TBD 5

Grand Total Estimate: $13,986

Continue your education! Look at the tab called "Bachelor Degrees in Cybersecurity" for more information.

Winter

Quarter 1

 [Winter] Quarter 1 Course Information
 
Description: This quarter introduces you to computer networking and computer science. You also complete two general education classes for your transfer degree.
Learn more about math placement
to plan your pathway. What are your ENGL&101 placement options?
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
COL 101 College Success NO 2
IT 101 Fundamentals of Computing YES 5
ENGL& 101 English Composition (required for AAS-T degree) varies by class 5
MATH& 107 Math in Society
or other transfer mathematics class
varies by class 5

Quarter 2

[Spring] Quarter 2 Course Information
 
Description: You complete your first CNT Cisco networking class and learn about switches, subnetting, routers, and connectivity. In your CYA classes, you will study Active Directory, device management, malicious software (malware), and prevention of cyberattacks.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CNT 140 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in IT 101.

Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 140 Routing and Switching I expensive materials YES 5
CYA 110 Cybersecurity Fundamentals YES 5
CYA 111 Introduction to Cybersecurity YES 5

Quarter 3

[Summer] Quarter 3 Course Information
 
Description: Learn how to protect all of the devices that connect to the internet using Packet Tracer, and build your skills in network scripting in BASH and PowerShell. You also complete your fourth and final general education class - recommendations are included below, but you can choose any social science class.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 180 Introduction to Programming TBD 5
CYA 205
or CYA 299
Securing the Internet of Things
or Cybersecurity Internship
YES 5
PSYC& 100 General Psychology
or other General Education Social Science class
varies by section 5

Quarter 4

[Fall] Quarter 4 Course Information
 
Description: In your second CNT Cisco class, you build on your knowledge of routing and switching in wireless networks (WLANs) with security and basic configurations. Your CYA classes teach you how to deploy Microsoft Windows securely and how to create and save files in Linux.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CNT 150 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CNT 140, and you cannot take CYA 140 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CYA 110

Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 150 Routing and Switching II lots of assignmentscomplex contentfast pace same as 140 5
CYA 140 Cybersecurity Fundamentals II YES 5
CYA 141 Linux Fundamentals for Cybersecurity YES 5

Quarter 5

[Winter] Quarter 5 Course Information
 
Description: Take your third and fourth CNT Cisco courses focused on large physical and virtual networks, and start to learn the concepts needed for the CompTIA Security + industry certification exam.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CNT 259 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CNT 150. You cannot take CNT 254 or CYA 220 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CYA 140 or CNT 160.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 254 Network Infrastructure lots of assignmentscomplex contentfast pace YES 5
CNT 259 Secure Enterprise Networks NO 5
CYA 220 Security + YES 5

Quarter 6

[Spring] Quarter 6 Course Information
 
Description: In your final quarter, you will continue studying Security + content and complete practice cybersecurity labs. Full stack development introduces you to JavaScript, PHP, SQL, and other programming tools.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CYA 260 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CYA 220. You cannot take CYA 210 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CNT 254. 
It's time to apply for graduation!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CYA 260 Intrusion Detection and Incident Handling YES 5
CYA 210 Security, Compliance, and Identity YES 5
CYA 250 Full Stack Development for Cybersecurity YES 5

Grand Total Estimate: $13,986

Continue your education! Look at the tab called "Bachelor Degrees in Cybersecurity" for more information.

Spring

Quarter 1

 [Spring] Quarter 1 Course Information
 
Description: This quarter introduces you to computer networking and computer science. You also complete two general education classes for your transfer degree.
Learn more about math placement
to plan your pathway. What are your ENGL&101 placement options?
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
COL 101 College Success NO 2
IT 101 Fundamentals of Computing YES 5
ENGL& 101 English Composition (required for AAS-T degree) varies by class 5
MATH& 107 Math in Society
or other transfer mathematics class
varies by class 5

Quarter 2

[Summer] Quarter 2 Course Information
 
Description: Learn how to protect all of the devices that connect to the internet using Packet Tracer, and build your skills in network scripting in BASH and PowerShell. You also complete your fourth and final general education class - recommendations are included below, but you can choose any social science class.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 180 Introduction to Programming TBD 5
CYA 205
or CYA 299
Securing the Internet of Things
or Cybersecurity Internship
YES 5
PSYC& 100 General Psychology
or other General Education Social Science class
varies by section 5

Quarter 3

[Fall] Quarter 3 Course Information
 
Description: You complete your first CNT Cisco networking class and learn about switches, subnetting, routers, and connectivity. In your CYA classes, you will study Active Directory, device management, malicious software (malware), and prevention of cyberattacks.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CNT 140 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in IT 101.
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 140 Routing and Switching I expensive materials YES 5
CYA 110 Cybersecurity Fundamentals YES 5
CYA 111 Introduction to Cybersecurity YES 5

Quarter 4

[Winter] Quarter 4 Course Information
 
Description: In your second CNT Cisco class, you build on your knowledge of routing and switching in wireless networks (WLANs) with security and basic configurations. Your CYA classes teach you how to deploy Microsoft Windows securely and how to create and save files in Linux.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CNT 150 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CNT 140, and you cannot take CYA 140 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CYA 110

Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 150 Routing and Switching II lots of assignmentscomplex contentfast pace same as 140 5
CYA 140 Cybersecurity Fundamentals II YES 5
CYA 141 Linux Fundamentals for Cybersecurity YES 5

Quarter 5

[Spring] Quarter 5 Course Information
 
Description: Take your third and fourth CNT Cisco courses focused on large physical and virtual networks, and start to learn the concepts needed for the CompTIA Security + industry certification exam.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CNT 259 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CNT 150. You cannot take CNT 254 or CYA 220 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CYA 140 or CNT 160.

Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CNT 254 Network Infrastructure lots of assignmentscomplex contentfast pace YES 5
CNT 259 Secure Enterprise Networks NO 5
CYA 220 Security + YES 5

Quarter 6

[Fall] Quarter 6 Course Information
 
Description: In your final quarter, you will continue studying Security + content and complete practice cybersecurity labs. Full stack development introduces you to JavaScript, PHP, SQL, and other programming tools.

Prerequisite notes: You cannot take CYA 260 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CYA 220. You cannot take CYA 210 until you earn a 2.0 or higher in CNT 254. 
It's time to apply for graduation!
Course ID
Course Name
Materials
Credits
CYA 260 Intrusion Detection and Incident Handling YES 5
CYA 210 Security, Compliance, and Identity YES 5
CYA 250 Full Stack Development for Cybersecurity YES 5

Grand Total Estimate: $13,986

Continue your education! Look at the tab called "Bachelor Degrees in Cybersecurity" for more information.

Bachelor Degrees in Cybersecurity

To move ahead in a cybersecurity career, you probably will need a four-year bachelor degree.

Here are several Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) programs offered at community and technical colleges in Washington. One of these might be the perfect choice for continuing your education!

You also have the choice of several bachelor degrees from Western Governors University (WGU): Links to an external site.

  • Accelerated IT Bachelor's and Master's (BS in IT + MS in IT Management) 
  • BS Cloud Computing
  • BS Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
  • BS Information Technology
  • BS Network Engineering and Security
  • BS Network Engineering and Security Cisco Track

Not quite the career path you want to take? Let's go back to the Program Map!

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