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Enhance Your Penn State Degree
Add a minor to get even more value out of your education.
Gain Specialized Security and Risk Analysis Knowledge
Gain Specialized Security and Risk Analysis Knowledge
As technologies evolve and businesses adapt newer infrastructures, such as cloud computing and mobile computing, the level of risk and vulnerability increases. Hacks and data breeches occur more frequently than ever before, and employers want their staff and new hires to have increasingly higher levels of knowledge and sophistication when it comes to data security and privacy.
The Minor in Security and Risk Analysis (SRA) can familiarize you with the framework and theories that define security and related risk analysis. The courses were designed to engage you in the challenges and problems of assuring information confidentiality and integrity, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of various methods of assessing and mitigating associated risk in your major field.
The minor in security and risk analysis can provide you with a specialized skill set that can serve you well in almost any industry. You can also opt to take courses that focus on a particular area of interest, including risk management, network security, or cyber forensics.
Online Security and Risk Analysis Courses
Online Security and Risk Analysis Courses
The SRA minor is a 21-credit program with course work that exposes you to a variety of topics, including an introduction to security and risk analysis, threat of terrorism and crime, information security, and the legal and regulatory environment of privacy and security.
The minor — open to all interested undergraduate World Campus students who meet the prerequisites — could be a beneficial addition to almost any major. To successfully complete the program, you must take at least 6 credits at the 400 level and receive a grade of C or better in all courses.
You can choose additional course work from areas that most interest you, including risk management and network security. Your academic adviser can help you select the area most in line with your interests.
Required Courses (9 credits)
- 3credits
This introductory course spans areas of security, risk, and analysis covering contexts in government agencies and business organizations.
- 3credits
Provides overview of nature, scope, and seriousness of threats to security as a result of terrorism and crime.
- 3credits
Provides an understanding of the overview of information security including security architecture, access control, and internet secure applications.
- Prerequisite
SRA 111 and (CMPSC 101 or IST 140 or CMPSC 121)
Additional Courses (6 credits)
- 3credits
A first course in concepts and skills for application development.
- Prerequisite
C or better in MATH 21 or placement above the level of MATH 21 in the mathematics placement test.
- Recommend preparation
MATH 22
- C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
- or:3credits
Fundamentals of computational thinking, including reasoning about problems at multiple levels of abstraction, and analyzing code for its behavior, efficiency, and correctness.
- Prerequisite
2 entrance units in mathematics
- C or better
A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.
- 3credits
Introduction to digital network topologies, transmission media, signal modulation, digital packet switching and routing, systems integration, communications management, and security.
- or:3credits
Provides an overview of decision theoretical and analytical concepts and tools in the security risk analysis field.
- Prerequisite
SRA 111, STAT 200
Additional 400-Level Courses (select 6 credits)
- 3credits
Legal environment of information technology, constitutional/political issues, intellectual property, management, e-commerce, privacy, access, computer contracting, cyberspace regulation.
- Prerequisite
IST 301 or SRA 231
- 3credits
Fundamental issues and concepts of network security, network security technologies and protocols, and emerging technologies in network security.
- 3credits
Exploration of legal, regulatory, public policy, and ethical issues related to security and privacy for information technology professionals in public institutions, private enterprise, and IT services.
- Prerequisite
IST 432
- 3credits
Legal, regulatory, and public policy environment of computer and network forensics that constrain investigatory and monitoring activities in computer and network environments.
- Prerequisite
IST 110 and sixth-semester standing or higher
- 3credits
Fundamental issues and concepts of computer forensics; aspects of computer and cybercrime; methods to uncover, protect, exploit, and document digital evidence; tools, techniques, and procedures to perform computer and cybercrime investigation.
- Prerequisite
C or better in IST 220 and SRA 221
- 3credits
Contemporary security issues; security management processes, architecture, and models; risk analysis and management; security planning, analysis, and safeguards; security policies development and administration; contingency planning, incidence handling, and response; and security standards and certification processes.
- Prerequisite
C or better in IST 220 and SRA 221
- 3credits
The role of information and intelligence introduces students to the architecture and policies of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) and examines how U.S. intelligence policies and practices relate to overall U.S. foreign policy objectives and are influenced by today's global environment and emerging technologies. The course examines the users and processes of IC, participants of Competitive Intelligence, and comparative intelligence communities.
- Prerequisite
SRA 111 and SRA 211 and SRA 231
- 3credits
Helps students develop a spatial perspective on risk analysis and empowers them with GIS spatial data representation, visualization, and analysis methods that are fundamental to the spatial analysis of risk.
- Prerequisite
SRA 111
- 3credits
Provides in-depth study of how security informatics is influenced by the risk and post-modern culture.
- Prerequisite
SRA 231
- 3credits
This course examines how information and communication technologies have played a role in saving lives, specifically in the areas of technologies used toward emergency response.
- Prerequisites
SRA 111, SRA 211, and SRA 231
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Costs and Financial Aid
Costs and Financial Aid
Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.
Costs and Financial Aid
Undergraduate Tuition
Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.
Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
2024–25 Academic Year Rates
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | If you have 59 or fewer credits | If you have 60 or more credits |
|---|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $632 per credit | $678 per credit |
| 12–19 | $7,678 per semester | $8,288 per semester |
2025–26 Academic Year Rates
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | If you have 59 or fewer credits | If you have 60 or more credits |
|---|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $638 per credit | $685 per credit |
| 12–19 | $7,755 per semester | $8,371 per semester |
Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19.
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Federal financial aid may only be used to pay for credits used to satisfy program requirements.
Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
Additional Cost of Attendance Details
To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:
- visit the Tuition Information site
- click the plus sign to expand the table
- select a semester from the World Campus row
Upcoming Events
Convenient Online Format
This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.
A Trusted Leader in Online Education
Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.
How to Add a Minor to Your Degree
How to Add a Minor to Your Degree
You must be a current student and meet specific requirements to apply for a minor.
Application Instructions
Steps to Apply
To be eligible for admittance into the security and risk analysis minor, you must:
- be a current Penn State undergraduate student in your fifth semester and be in a bachelor's degree major
- maintain a grade of C or better in all courses for the minor
- confirm that the minor code and major code do not match (for example, a student with an SRA major cannot apply for a minor in SRA)
Talk with your academic adviser about incorporating the minor into your major and to develop a semester-by-semester plan for meeting requirements. You should add the minor as early as possible, but you can apply up to the late drop deadline of your graduating semester.
You will receive a confirmation email once you declare the minor in LionPATH.
Admissions Help
Please work with your adviser if you have questions about adding a minor. You can find your adviser's contact information in your student portal or by calling advising at 814-863-3283.
Contact Us
Contact Us
Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.
To learn more about the Minor in Security and Risk Analysis, offered in partnership with the College of Information Sciences and Technology, please contact:
World Campus Advising
Phone: 814-863-3283
[email protected]