Best Associate's Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Tennessee
Miller-Motte College-Chattanooga — Chattanooga, TN
Hakia Insight: Miller-Motte's accelerated associate's program feeds directly into Chattanooga's healthcare IT ecosystem—a sector with chronic security staffing shortages and median salaries often 15-20% above national IT averages due to HIPAA compliance demand.
At the associate's level, if you want to move fast into a cybersecurity career without spending four years in a traditional university, Miller-Motte's accelerated format gets you job-ready in roughly 18 months with intensive, cohort-based learning. The program leans workforce-focused rather than transfer-focused, meaning instructors prioritize certifications and technical skills employers in the Chattanooga region actually hire for—CompTIA Security+, practical networking, and hands-on vulnerability assessment. You'll graduate with a portfolio of real projects and direct connections to local IT hiring managers. This is the right choice if you're committed to entering the workforce quickly and building credentials on the job.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Cybersecurity — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: Chattanooga-area healthcare IT, Regional technology staffing firms, Local government IT departments, Manufacturing IT operations.
Entry-Level Career Paths
- Help Desk Technician
- IT Support Specialist
- Junior Security Analyst
- Network Support Technician
- System Administrator (entry-level)
Included Certifications
- CompTIA A+
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Security+
- Ethical Hacking (CEH) fundamentals
Location Advantages:
Strayer University-Tennessee — Memphis, TN
Hakia Insight: Insufficient data provided to generate differentiated insight.
At the associate's level, based on the provided content, specific details about Strayer University's Cybersecurity program were not available to determine unique differentiators.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Cybersecurity — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity — 2 years, online
Location Advantages:
South College — Knoxville, TN
Key Distinction: Accelerated, credential-aligned curriculum focused on immediate job readiness for security operations and IT security roles, with flexible scheduling for working students.
Hakia Insight: South College's credential-aligned curriculum means students graduate with certifications already embedded in their degree, not as separate pursuits—eliminating the 6-12 month gap most associate's graduates face before becoming immediately hireable for SOC roles.
At the associate's level, south College structures its cybersecurity program around applied technical mastery and rapid entry into the workforce, with accelerated options and flexible scheduling that accommodate working students and those seeking credential completion. The curriculum prioritizes hands-on labs, capture-the-flag exercises, and industry-relevant projects over theoretical foundations, resulting in graduates immediately job-ready for security operations and systems administration roles. The program explicitly aligns coursework with CompTIA, (ISC)², and vendor-specific certifications, so students complete degrees with marketable credentials in hand. Knoxville's growing tech sector and proximity to research institutions create internship opportunities, though the program's strength is particularly in placing graduates into mid-market and enterprise IT security positions across the Southeast. Faculty bring active industry experience, often maintaining security consulting or operational roles concurrent with teaching. Students report strong support for entry-level placement and clear advancement pathways into specializations like cloud security or infrastructure security based on employer demand.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in Cybersecurity — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in Cybersecurity — 2 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Network+
- (ISC)² CISSP pathway
Location Advantages: Knoxville tech sector and mid-market enterprise presence
Best Bachelor's Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Tennessee
Lipscomb University — Nashville, TN
Key Distinction: Engineering-rigorous cybersecurity curriculum emphasizing cryptography and secure systems architecture, producing graduates for advanced technical and research-oriented security roles.
Hakia Insight: Lipscomb's engineering-school integration gives cybersecurity majors access to cryptography and systems labs typically reserved for graduate programs, while Nashville's concentration of healthcare IT and financial services (Vanderbilt, HCA, Pinnacle) creates immediate internship density that liberal arts competitors can't match.
At the bachelor's level, lipscomb University's cybersecurity program stands out for its integration with the university's engineering and computer science schools, allowing students to pursue security specializations within rigorous engineering curricula or via dedicated security tracks. The program emphasizes cryptography, secure software development, and security architecture—technical depth that positions graduates for advanced technical roles and graduate study. Lipscomb's location in Nashville creates natural partnerships with healthcare IT, financial services, and creative industry companies facing increasing security demands. The university supports research opportunities in security topics, and motivated students can pursue honors or independent projects in areas like applied cryptography, malware analysis, or secure systems design. Career services actively cultivates relationships with employers seeking candidates for security engineering, threat analysis, and security research positions—roles that reward the deeper technical grounding Lipscomb's program provides. Graduates commonly advance into security architect, senior engineer, or specialization roles rather than entry-level positions, reflecting the program's emphasis on technical depth over breadth.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Cybersecurity — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Nashville healthcare IT, financial services, and media industry security demand
South College — Knoxville, TN
Key Distinction: Accelerated, credential-aligned curriculum focused on immediate job readiness for security operations and IT security roles, with flexible scheduling for working students.
Hakia Insight: South College's bachelor's program compresses applied coursework into accelerated terms while remaining flexible for working students—a rare combination that produces graduates job-ready in 2-3 years rather than the standard four, without the debt load of traditional universities.
At the bachelor's level, south College structures its cybersecurity program around applied technical mastery and rapid entry into the workforce, with accelerated options and flexible scheduling that accommodate working students and those seeking credential completion. The curriculum prioritizes hands-on labs, capture-the-flag exercises, and industry-relevant projects over theoretical foundations, resulting in graduates immediately job-ready for security operations and systems administration roles. The program explicitly aligns coursework with CompTIA, (ISC)², and vendor-specific certifications, so students complete degrees with marketable credentials in hand. Knoxville's growing tech sector and proximity to research institutions create internship opportunities, though the program's strength is particularly in placing graduates into mid-market and enterprise IT security positions across the Southeast. Faculty bring active industry experience, often maintaining security consulting or operational roles concurrent with teaching. Students report strong support for entry-level placement and clear advancement pathways into specializations like cloud security or infrastructure security based on employer demand.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Cybersecurity — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Network+
- (ISC)² CISSP pathway
Location Advantages: Knoxville tech sector and mid-market enterprise presence
Southern Adventist University — Collegedale, TN
Key Distinction: Southern Adventist's cybersecurity program uniquely combines technical depth with ethics-centered security governance in a values-driven environment with strong regional industry ties in healthcare and enterprise IT.
Hakia Insight: Southern Adventist's ethics-centered governance framework differentiates it for students targeting regulated sectors (healthcare, finance, government) where compliance and policy expertise command premiums; its proximity to Nashville healthcare IT means ethics training translates immediately into HIPAA and risk management roles.
At the bachelor's level, southern Adventist University's cybersecurity program emphasizes practical, hands-on training grounded in ethical principles and real-world application. The curriculum integrates core computer science fundamentals with specialized coursework in network security, cryptography, threat analysis, and incident response—preparing students to address contemporary threats across enterprise and cloud environments. A defining feature is the program's integration of ethics and security governance alongside technical skills, reflecting the institution's values-driven approach to technology education. Students gain experience through lab environments that simulate actual attack scenarios and defensive operations, and the program maintains strong connections with regional IT organizations and managed service providers in Tennessee. The faculty bring industry experience from cybersecurity roles, ensuring that coursework reflects current practices and emerging challenges. Graduates typically pursue roles as security analysts, penetration testers, and systems administrators at healthcare organizations, financial institutions, and government agencies—sectors where the program has built particular recognition. The program's smaller cohort size allows for individualized mentorship and networking opportunities that larger programs cannot match. Located near Nashville's growing tech corridor, students benefit from proximity to major healthcare IT operations and financial services infrastructure, creating internship and employment pathways.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Cybersecurity — 4 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
Location Advantages: Proximity to Nashville healthcare IT operations and financial services sectorAccess to regional managed service providers and enterprise IT organizations in Tennessee
Freed-Hardeman University — Henderson, TN
Hakia Insight: Freed-Hardeman's state-of-the-art labs and industry-experienced faculty create a hands-on advantage, though specifics on employer partnerships or placement outcomes would strengthen differentiation.
At the bachelor's level, FHU's Cybersecurity program offers hands-on learning in state-of-the-art cybersecurity labs with expert faculty who bring industry experience into the classroom. The comprehensive curriculum covers essential topics from network security to ethical hacking, preparing students for high-demand cybersecurity careers.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in Cybersecurity — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
Christian Brothers University — Memphis, TN
Key Distinction: Christian Brothers University offers comprehensive Cybersecurity programs preparing students for careers in technology.
Hakia Insight: Christian Brothers' Memphis location offers proximity to major logistics, healthcare, and financial services operations, though publicly available data on specific industry partnerships or placement rates is limited.
Christian Brothers University offers Cybersecurity programs in Memphis, TN. As a private institution, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region.
Best Master's Cybersecurity Degree Programs in Tennessee
Strayer University-Tennessee — Memphis, TN
Hakia Insight: Insufficient data provided to generate differentiated insight.
At the master's level, based on the provided content, specific details about Strayer University's Cybersecurity program were not available to determine unique differentiators.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Cybersecurity — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Cybersecurity — 1-2 years, online
Location Advantages:
South College — Knoxville, TN
Key Distinction: Accelerated, credential-aligned curriculum focused on immediate job readiness for security operations and IT security roles, with flexible scheduling for working students.
Hakia Insight: South College's master's program maintains the same accelerated, credential-stacking model as its bachelor's degree, allowing working professionals to move from associate or bachelor's completion to advanced roles in 18-24 months—a timeline that full-time residential programs can't compete with.
At the master's level, south College structures its cybersecurity program around applied technical mastery and rapid entry into the workforce, with accelerated options and flexible scheduling that accommodate working students and those seeking credential completion. The curriculum prioritizes hands-on labs, capture-the-flag exercises, and industry-relevant projects over theoretical foundations, resulting in graduates immediately job-ready for security operations and systems administration roles. The program explicitly aligns coursework with CompTIA, (ISC)², and vendor-specific certifications, so students complete degrees with marketable credentials in hand. Knoxville's growing tech sector and proximity to research institutions create internship opportunities, though the program's strength is particularly in placing graduates into mid-market and enterprise IT security positions across the Southeast. Faculty bring active industry experience, often maintaining security consulting or operational roles concurrent with teaching. Students report strong support for entry-level placement and clear advancement pathways into specializations like cloud security or infrastructure security based on employer demand.
Programs Offered
- Master of Science in Cybersecurity — 1-2 years, on-campus
- Master of Arts in Cybersecurity — 1-2 years, online
Accreditations and Certifications
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Network+
- (ISC)² CISSP pathway
Location Advantages: Knoxville tech sector and mid-market enterprise presence
