AY25 Academic Catalog/Handbook

Cybersecurity Fundamentals Technical Certificate of Credit

The Cybersecurity Fundamentals Technical Certificate program is a complementary certificate program for the Information Security and Criminal Justice students. This certificate program is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of Cybersecurity; allowing the student to further pursue coursework to prepare for a career in the Cybersecurity field.

Students can enter the Cybersecurity Fundamentals certificate program any semester. A full-time student can complete this program in 2 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 18 semester credit hours.

Offered at the Following Campuses/Delivery Mode:

  • North Campus (Sandersville)
  • South Campus (Dublin)

Employment Outlook

Career Traits/Requirements

Individuals wanting to enroll in the Cybersecurity Fundamentals certificate program must be able to demonstrate good judgment, problem solving and analytical skills.

Employment Opportunities

Graduates are prepared for employment opportunities as entry-level Computer Forensics technicians.

Program Costs

Tuition & Fees: $2,762.00

Books & Supplies: $710.00

(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)

HOPE Career Grant: The HOPE Career Grant, formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant, is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with one of 12 industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them. To qualify, an OFTC student must be fully admitted to the college, enrolled in one of the approved programs and receiving the HOPE Grant for the same term. The amount of the HOPE Career Grant award is a fixed amount for each term of enrollment:

  • 9 or more credit hours – $500/semester
  • 3-8 credit hours – $250/semester
  • 1-2 credit hours – $125/semester
  • Commercial Truck Driving – $1,000 one time award

High School students in dual enrollment and joint enrollment are NOT eligible.

Admission Requirements

OFTC may accept a student’s official entrance score on the following validated assessment instruments if the scores meet the required minimums:

  • COMPASS/ASSET,
  • SAT,
  • ACT,
  • PSAT,
  • PACT,
  • Accuplacer/Accuplacer Next Generation/Companion,
  • HOPE GPA after completion of 10th grade of 2.6 or higher, or High School GPA of 2.6 (for occupational programs), or 2.0 for Workforce Entry Level programs, or GED.

The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy.

Curriculum

Occupational Courses

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
CIST 1001Computer Concepts

4

90

CIST 1122Hardware Installation and Maintenance

4

105

CIST 1601Information Security Fundamentals

3

60

CIST 1602Security Policies and Procedures

3

45

Choose one of the following:
Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
CIST 1401Computer Networking Fundamentals

4

90

CIST 2451Cisco Network Fundamentals

4

90

Program Pathway

Semester 1

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
CIST 1001Computer Concepts

4

90

CIST 1122Hardware Installation and Maintenance

4

105

CIST 1601Information Security Fundamentals

3

60

Semester 2

Course NameCourse TitleCreditsContact
CIST 1401Computer Networking Fundamentals

4

90

CIST 1602Security Policies and Procedures

3

45

CIST 2451Cisco Network Fundamentals

4

90