Goals & Future Plans

ODU Cybersecurity Degree & Certification Plan

Undergraduate Goals (Spring 2027)

Focusing on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), & Cloud Networking.

Graduate Goals (start 2027)

Pursue part/full-time employment and a MS in Cybersecurity with a Concentration in AI.

Summer 2026 Course Load

  1. IDS 300W: Interdisciplinary Theory and Concepts
  2. COVA Research Paper Expansion Project:
    • Second paper completion and submission for publishing before end of Summer 2026 semester.
    • Start third paper research and development.

Fall 2026 Course Load (ODU changes to 8-week acceleration sessions)

  • PreCalculus II (16 weeks, prerequisite for most AI/ML graduate-level programs & courses)
  • CYSE 368: Cybersecurity Internship (Searching for opportunities for Fall – Spring)

First Session (Fall 2026)

  1. CYSE 420: Applied Machine Learning in Cybersecurity
  2. COVA Research Paper Expansion Project
    • Continuing third paper research and development.

Second Session (Fall 2026)

  1. CS 464: Networked Systems
  2. COVA Research Paper Expansion Project:
    • Continuing third paper to submit for publishing by end of 2026/start of 2027.

Spring 2027 Course Load (ODU changes to 8-week acceleration sessions)

  • Calculus I (8/16 weeks, prerequisite for most AI/ML graduate-level programs & courses)
  • IDS 493: IDS Electronic Portfolio Project
  • CYSE 368: Cybersecurity Internship (if not completed yet)

First Session (Spring 2027)

  1. CYSE 418: Enterprise Information Assurance, or…
    • CRJS 310, Cybercriminology: Foundations
    • CS 465: Information Assurance for Cybersecurity
  2. COVA Research Paper Expansion Project:
    • Finish third paper or start fourth paper research and development.

Second Session (Spring 2027)

  1. CYSE 425w: Cyber Strategy and Policy
  2. COVA Research Paper Expansion Project:
    • Continue fourth paper research and development 

Summer & Fall 2027 Workload (Post May 2027 Undergraduate Graduation)

  1. Calculus II (if not done already)
  2. Linear Algebra (prerequisite for most AI/ML graduate-level programs & courses)
  3. COVA Research Paper Expansion Project:
    • Finish fourth paper to submit for publishing before end of Summer 2027 semester.
    • Start fifth paper research and development.

Stretch Goals — Next 12-18 Months

Pursued only when ahead of committed coursework and research priorities.

  1. Optional Coursework:
    • STAT 330 (Probability & Statistics for AI/ML graduate programs)
    • CS 463 Cryptography for Cybersecurity
    • CS 469 Data Analytics for Cybersecurity
  2. Optional Certifications:
    • CompTIA Linux+ (post-graduation target)
    • CompTIA CySA+ (post-graduation target)
    • CompTIA PenTest+ (post-graduation target)
    • CompTIA SecAI+
    • Microsoft AZ-900, AI-900, SC-900 (starter Azure certs; suitable for short windows)
  3. Self-Directed Projects & Skill-Building:
    • Home Lab build-out (software framework on existing hardware/NAS)
    • Ethical penetration testing labs (Hack Smarter / Cyber Range / Tyler Ramsbey content)
    • Udemy AI/LLM coursework
    • Coding projects (Python, JS via WDS)
    • Personal growth (debate tutorials, content creation)