Cybersecurity Analyst Certificate: Launch a Security Career in 24 Weeks

Earn a competency-based cybersecurity certificate while preparing for three industry certifications, all in 24 weeks. Hands-on Splunk SIEM, a real-world SOC project, and AI-integrated threat detection, for IT professionals ready to advance.

  • 3 Industry Certifications
  • 25 Transferable Credits
  • 24 Weeks, Full-Time
  • Hands-On SOC Project

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Why Choose NLU for Cybersecurity?

Three Certifications
CompTIA Security+, Splunk Core, and Splunk SOAR

Exam prep included; passing not required to finish.

$70,000+
Entry-level SOC analyst pay (BLS, 2024)

Entry SOC roles start around $70,000 to $85,000, rising to a $124,910 median with experience, with 29 percent job growth.

Build a Real SOC
A portfolio Security Operations Center project

Aligned with the MITRE ATT&CK framework.

25 College Credits
Transferable toward an NLU bachelor's degree

A stepping stone, not a dead-end credential.

AI-Integrated
Use generative AI in threat detection

Train for the AI-augmented SOC of today.

Get Started Today

Program at a Glance

How long?
24 Weeks
Full-time cohort model
How many certs?
3 Certifications
CompTIA Security+, Splunk Core, Splunk SOAR
What credit?
25 Credits
Transferable to an NLU bachelor's
What salary?
$70,000+
Entry-level SOC analyst pay; $124,910 median with experience (BLS)

What You'll Learn

  • Respond to security incidents like a professional
  • Monitor threats in real time with Splunk SIEM
  • Remediate vulnerabilities and harden networks
  • Automate response with Splunk SOAR
  • Integrate generative AI into security workflows
  • Build an interview-ready SOC portfolio project

Full Course List

Foundations
Networking, cryptography, and access control.
Security+
The industry-standard security certification.
SIEM
Ingesting and analyzing security event logs.
Detection
Investigating threats with NIST and MITRE frameworks.
Automation
Orchestrating and automating security response.
Hardening
Reducing attack surface and securing infrastructure.
AI
Using AI for threat analysis and automation.
Capstone
Build and present a Security Operations Center.

Next start: September 21, 2026 — seats filling fast.

Admissions Requirements

  • At least one year in IT support, help desk, or a related role
  • A baseline skills assessment
  • Two short self-study prerequisite courses before the program
  • Online application at go.nl.edu with a resume and brief statement
  • A high school diploma or GED
Request Info
3 Certs, 1 Program

CompTIA Security+, Splunk Core User, and Splunk SOAR User, with exam prep built in.

A Portfolio That Gets Interviews

A real SOC project with runbooks, dashboards, and an executive briefing, aligned to MITRE ATT&CK.

Credits That Count

25 quarter hours transfer toward an NLU bachelor's, shortening your degree timeline.

Where Will This Certificate Take You?

$70,000+
Entry-level SOC analyst pay (BLS, 2024); $124,910 median as you advance
SOC Analyst
Security Systems Administrator
Incident Response Analyst
Security Analyst (Compliance)
Vulnerability Analyst
Pathway to a Cybersecurity Degree

The certificate prepares IT professionals to step into security operations roles, SOC analyst, security systems administrator, and, with experience, incident response and compliance analyst, in one of the country’s most acute workforce shortage areas.

Information security analysts earn a median of $124,910, with employment projected to grow 29 percent through 2034, much faster than average (BLS, May 2024). Entry-level SOC roles typically start at $70,000 to $85,000, and the 25 transferable credits keep a bachelor’s within reach.

Get Started Now

How to Apply in 3 Simple Steps

  1. Check Eligibility

    Confirm at least one year of IT experience and readiness for a full-time, 24-week cohort. Submit the form above to start.

  2. Apply and Complete Prerequisites

    Submit your application at go.nl.edu with a resume and short statement, then complete two short self-study prerequisite courses.

  3. Start With Your Cohort

    Join orientation, meet your career coach and cohort, and begin classes. Next cohort start: September 21, 2026.

Get Started

Take the First Step

No commitment required. An NLU advisor will reach out within one business day to map your path into cybersecurity.

Take the First Step
  • 3 Industry Certifications
  • 25 Transferable Credits
  • 24 Weeks, Full-Time
  • Hands-On SOC Project

*Salary and growth: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts (SOC 15-1212), May 2024 (median $124,910; 29% growth, 2024-2034).

**Program structure, certifications, and credits: National Louis University Accelerate U Cybersecurity Analyst Certificate (nl.edu/accelerateu) and SmartCatalog.