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.

Spring 2026 Course Load:

  1. CYSE 301: Cybersecurity Techniques & Operations
  2. CS 462: Cybersecurity Fundamentals
  3. COVA Research Paper completion, submission for publishing (IEEE CNS), and ODU presentation end of semester.

Summer 2026 Course Load (*subject to change):

  1. MATH 211: PreCalculus II (prerequisite for most AI/ML graduate-level programs & courses)
  2. IDS 300W: Interdisciplinary Theory and Concepts
  3. CompTIA Linux+ Certification preparation and exam taken
  4. COVA Research Paper Expansion Project: (a) second paper submission for publishing (IEEE CNS), (b) start third paper research and development, with the possibility of third paper completion and submission for publishing (IEEE CNS).
  5. Home Lab: build out software framework (workstations and hardware already built during Spring)
  6. Ethical Penetration Research and Testing

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

First Session

  1. MATH 212: Calculus I (prerequisite for most AI/ML graduate-level programs & courses)
  2. CYSE 425w: Cyber Strategy and Policy
  3. CYSE 420: Applied Machine Learning in Cybersecurity

Second Session

  1. CS 464: Networked Systems
  2. CS 463 Cryptography for Cybersecurity (if time permits)
  3. COVA Research Paper Expansion Project: (a) in-person presentation at a conference for the first paper findings (still pending review, acceptance, and publishing, ETA July 31st, 2026), (b) start fourth paper research and development, with the possibility of fourth paper completion and submission for publishing by end of semester (IEEE CNS).

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

First Session

  1. MATH 316: Calculus II (prerequisite for most AI/ML graduate-level programs & courses)
  2. CS 465: Information Assurance for Cybersecurity (or, CYSE 418: Enterprise Information Assurance)
  3. CYSE 450: Ethical Penetration Testing (if time permits)

Second Session

  1. CYSE 368: Cybersecurity Internship (or CYSE 469: Entrepreneurship in Cybersecurity)
  2. CYSE 493: IDS Electronic Portfolio Project
  3. CS 469 Data Analytics for Cybersecurity (if time permits)
  4. COVA Research Paper Expansion Project: start fifth paper research and development, with the possibility of fifth paper completion and submission for publishing by end of semester (IEEE CNS).

Post May 2027 Graduation, Summer 2026

  1. MATH 316: Linear Algebra (prerequisite for most AI/ML graduate-level programs & courses)

Additional Potential Non-Required Electives and Certifications to pursue (*If time permits in my schedule):

  1. STAT 330 (Probability and Stat for AI/ML graduate-level programs & courses)
  2. CompTIA Linux+
  3. CompTIA CYSA+
  4. Microsoft AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals)
  5. Microsoft AI-900 (Azure AI Fundamentals)
  6. CompTIA PenTest+
  7. Microsoft SC-900 (Security, Compliance, Identity)*
  8. CompTIA SecAI+