Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Cybersecurity

Badge for FASTEST ONLINE DOCTORATE CYBERSECURITY

By Dr. James Barham
Reviewed By Dr. Jed Macosko

Published: Aug 2, 2023
Updated: Oct 7, 2024

Key Takeaways

The fastest online PhD in cyber security degrees can be completed in 3-4 years, while a traditional PhD program can take 6-10 years.
Graduates of an online cyber security program have numerous career advancement opportunities working for government agencies, private companies, nonprofit organizations, and think tanks, among others.
To determine which online PhD in cyber security program is right for you, make sure that it is accredited, has credentialed faculty, strong student support services, and a research focus area related to your interests.

Table of Contents

Fastest Online Doctorate in Cyber Security Degree Programs in 2025

University of North Texas
Nova Southeastern University
National University
Marymount University
+2
Capella University
New Jersey City University
–2
University of the Cumberlands
+1
Colorado Technical University
–1
Capitol Technology University
Dakota State University

2025 Ranking Update

Our Influence Ranking Engine™ leverages machine learning to track the real-world influence of colleges and universities over time. Below you’ll see which schools gained or lost ground for the 2025 school year.

The top 3 positions in our ranking of the fastest online doctorate degrees in cybersecurity remain unchanged between 2024 and 2025. Marymount University moved up 2 positions to the number 4 spot.

The University of North Texas has imporoved its cybersecurity program by securing a designation as a National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense from the NSA, emphasizing its commitment to producing leaders in cybersecurity research and practice. The school has also updated their coursework in cutting-edge areas such as post-quantum cryptography and secure cloud collaboration.

Marymount offers a D.Sc. in Cybersecurity program that emphasizes applied research and real-world cybersecurity challenges, offering courses that blend technical skills with insights into policy, ethics, and leadership. The school also holds the prestigious designation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, and offers scholarships through the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service, incentivizing government service upon graduation.

Programs that offer accelerated online cybersecurity doctorates offer working professionals the excellent opportunity to earn a terminal degree in a shorter time than it would take to complete a traditional doctorate degree. The rigorous coursework, advanced research skills requirements, and hands-on learning experiences prepare students for leadership roles in the competitive cybersecurity industry.

However, with the accelerated pace comes challenges that prospective students must plan for. Full-time enrollment is the norm. However, even with the accelerated degree course load, it’s possible to maintain employment and meet personal commitments with the right time management skills.

Cost can also be a huge factor when determining whether or not to pursue earning an online doctorate in cybersecurity. However, the cost can be made reasonable with financial aid.

There are many factors to keep in mind when deciding to go to graduate school and what you will study. Check out our article on the pros and cons of graduate school.

software developers working on a cyber defense plan for a company

Choosing the Best Doctorate in Cybersecurity Online Program for You

Be sure to consider these factors when choosing from online programs in cybersecurity at the post-graduate level:

Look for regional and programmatic accreditation.
Consider the program’s structure, degree requirements, and schedule, as well as its time-to-completion and academic rigor.
Ask about the credentials of faculty members and their research record and interests.
Check the research focus areas and determine if they are aligned with your intended research interests.
Consider the student support services and resources for online students.
Determine if the total cost of attendance and financial aid options are within your reach.

In case of doubt, coordinate with the program coordinators and/or the admissions counselors.

cyber security doctorate student working on a computer

Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Cybersecurity Programs

Accreditation of the Fastest Online PhD in Cybersecurity Doctorate Degrees

Colleges and universities that offer accelerated online programs in cybersecurity must have national or regional accreditation from accreditation bodies authorized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The best online cybersecurity programs also have programmatic accreditation, particularly from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), and recognition from the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Admissions Requirements for Online PhD in Cybersecurity Programs

On-campus and online programs offering doctorates in cybersecurity degrees usually have the same admissions requirements and criteria. Applicants are evaluated based on holistic criteria, including their academic performance and potential, professional work experiences, and potential contribution to the cybersecurity field.

While admission requirements and criteria vary between online programs, here are the requirements that you can expect from a PhD in cyber security online program:

A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in cybersecurity, information technology, or computer science, among other technical fields, is a must. Some programs, however, accept academic degrees from other fields but require students to demonstrate aptitude in certain areas and complete prerequisite courses.
Official transcripts with minimum cumulative GPA requirement
Relevant professional work experience for a minimum number of years
Professional resume or curriculum vitae
Letters of recommendation
Statement of purpose or intent
GRE/GMAT scores

Online application and non-refundable application fee are also the norm.

Curriculum and Courses in Online Cybersecurity Degree Programs

There can be significant differences among online programs in cybersecurity, not only in the program of study, but also in the courses and their descriptions, requirements for graduation, and learning outcomes. The most common courses include:

Advanced Topics in Cybersecurity
Technology and Innovation Management
Cybersecurity Governance and Compliance
Cryptography and Data Protection
Network and Systems Security
Cyber Threat Intelligence and Analysis
Cybersecurity Risk Management
Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing
Cybersecurity Research Methods
Cybersecurity Policy and Law
Emerging Technologies and Cybersecurity

Students will develop their cybersecurity skills through a combination of didactic online courses, dissertation activities, and even internships, practicum, or graduate assistantships.

Every online program also uses a learning management system (LMS), such as Canvas, Moodle, or Blackboard, which allow students and faculty members to upload and download learning materials and resources, submit assignments and projects, and engage in interactions. Most online programs adopt a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning methods, too.

Key Point: Aside from the coursework in cybersecurity-related topics, online cybersecurity programs also require students to complete dissertation coursework and submit an approved dissertation. The dissertation, the culminating requirement of any PhD program, is a scholarly paper that accounts for the entirety of your research work and adds to the existing body of knowledge in cybersecurity.

software engineers working for a cyber security company

Time-to-completion and Considerations in Accelerated Online Doctorate in Cybersecurity Degree Programs

The time-to-degree varies among online programs in cybersecurity, too, depending on several factors, such as the program structure, full-time or part-time matriculation, and the time required to complete the dissertation. In accelerated programs, however, earning a doctoral degree in as little as 3-4 years of full-time accelerated studies is common. Note that doctoral degree programs usually take 5-6 years to complete, and many programs have a 10-year maximum time-to-completion.

If you want to earn your doctoral degree in less time, look for cybersecurity degree programs that allow students to transfer credits from doctorate-level courses, relevant work experiences, and professional certifications.

An accelerated program, especially at the doctorate level, is not for everyone. To make sure that you are a good fit for this fast-paced program, consider trying out the pace at a lower level. If you haven’t already obtained your bachelor’s or your master’s, consider enrolling in one of the fastest bachelor’s or master’s degrees in cybersecurity.

Tuition and Financial Aid in Online Programs in Cybersecurity

Online PhD programs can be more affordable than traditional degree programs because traveling and incidental expenses associated with on-campus enrollment are removed from the picture. But it’s also important to remember that earning a doctorate degree in cybersecurity has its monetary costs that range between $20,000 and $60,000 or more every year in tuition and fees. Add in the cost of technology, such as your personal computer and Internet connection, and it will add up.

Fortunately, there are several financial aid options that graduate students are eligible for including:

Federal and state financial aid including work-study schemes and loans
Scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships
Grants and research funding
Private loans
Employer assistance, usually through tuition reimbursement

These financial aid options can be combined to increase the savings.

team meeting together to discuss cyber security defense plan

Popular Careers and Salaries for Cybersecurity Professionals

Earning your PhD cybersecurity online degree opens up excellent career advancement opportunities in the cybersecurity field in diverse workplaces, including government agencies, privates companies, nonprofit organizations, and think tanks.

Here are some of the most popular occupations and their average annual salaries.

Chief Technology Officers ($295,434)
Chief Information Security Officers ($237,728)
Security architects ($130,844)
Cybersecurity consultants ($123,286)
Cybersecurity research engineers ($147,895)
College and university professors ($123,561)

Key Point: Online PhD cybersecurity degrees are recognized and accepted by employers and clients. In fact, graduates are highly sought-after professionals who can earn six-figure salaries and enjoy the prestige that comes with an online PhD degree.

cyber security professionals working together in front of a desk

Professional Organizations for Cybersecurity Professionals

Current and aspiring cybersecurity professionals choose to become members of these professional organizations for their valuable resources, professional support, and networking opportunities. Staying connected to the cybersecurity field and keeping up with trends are also benefits of membership.

International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC)²
Information Systems Security Association (ISSA)
International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA)
CompTIA
National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCSA)
Women in CyberSecurity (WiCyS)

Is an online doctorate degree in cybersecurity worth it?

Whether or not a cybersecurity degree is worth it will larger be determined by career and personal goals. However, the degree brings about numerous benefits including:

Career advancement
Expert cybersecurity skills and specializations
Credibility and recognition from your peers
Networking and collaboration opportunities
Research and other contributions to the advancement of cybersecurity

But earning a doctorate degree in cybersecurity will only be worth it if and when it’s aligned with your personal and professional goals.

Students’ Submitted Questions on Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Cybersecurity

Rachel asks, “Can I transfer credits from a previous graduate program?”

Dr. James Barham’s answer: This is going to vary widely depending on what schools you are transferring credits to and from. Make sure to look into your school’s policies regarding this matter by looking online or calling the admissions office. You might also want to look into how relevant your previous coursework is to your doctorate program.

Cailey asks, “Is an online doctorate credible in the field of cybersecurity?”

Dr. Jed Macosko’s answer: Yes! It is important to make sure your school is accredited, and regionally accredited at that. Ever since the pandemic, online education has become more of a norm and more widely accepted in the workplace. An online education in this particular field might also help you learn various aspects of technology that you wouldn’t have otherwise.

Moises asks, “Does the program include practical experience?”

Dr. James Barham’s answer: Many programs will include practical experience of some kind. This might be in the form of projects, internships, or collaboration with companies in the field. Look into what companies your school is partnered with to see where you might be placed. It is also important to learn if you will have to find your own internship opportunities or if your university will help you with this endeavor.

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Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Cybersecurity

Key Takeaways

Fastest Online Doctorate in Cyber Security Degree Programs in 2025

2025 Ranking Update

Choosing the Best Doctorate in Cybersecurity Online Program for You

Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Cybersecurity Programs

Last Year’s Ranking:

Most Influential Alumni

University of North Texas’s Online Degrees

Most Influential Alumni

Nova Southeastern University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Degree Concentrations

Most Influential Alumni

National University ’s Online Degrees

Most Influential Alumni

Marymount University’s Online Degrees

Most Influential Alumni

Most Influential Alumni

Capitol Technology University’s Online Degrees

Degree Concentrations

Accreditation of the Fastest Online PhD in Cybersecurity Doctorate Degrees

Admissions Requirements for Online PhD in Cybersecurity Programs

Curriculum and Courses in Online Cybersecurity Degree Programs

Time-to-completion and Considerations in Accelerated Online Doctorate in Cybersecurity Degree Programs

Tuition and Financial Aid in Online Programs in Cybersecurity

Popular Careers and Salaries for Cybersecurity Professionals

Professional Organizations for Cybersecurity Professionals

Is an online doctorate degree in cybersecurity worth it?

Students’ Submitted Questions on Fastest Accelerated Online Doctorate of Cybersecurity