Transfer Pathway

The Applied Cyberdefense and Network Operations bachelor’s degree program offers a stacked Transfer Pathway from Associate of Science in Cybersecurity and/or Information Technology courses into an upper-division bachelor degree focused on cloud security, network defense, automation, forensics, and risk management. 

This program provides the AAA: Affordability, accessibility and alignment to required workforce skills. Future jobs include Security Analyst, Network Admin, Cloud Analyst, Security Specialist, Cloud Engineer, Incident Responder, Penetration Tester, Security Engineer, Technical Specialist, Cloud Architect and Forensics Analyst.

Why Apply?

• Affordability – 2 year Upper Division pathway under $8,000
• Workforce Aligned Curriculum and Real-World Skills - grant-funded certification exam support, internships, and faculty-guided preparation for workforce entry.
• Courses map directly to industry certifications - Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Cisco, Palo Alto, CompTIA, ethical hacking, forensics, and risk management.
• On-campus Open-Access Lab support 2 days per week.
• Works for Veterans Program meets GI Bill Monthly Housing Allowance
• High-paying jobs for graduates

The Cyberdefense bachelor's degree program is:
• Full-time (15 units/semester for 4 semesters)
• Fully online, with an optional in-person lab each semester
• $130 per unit for 60 units (~$7,800 over two years) – many students qualify for financial aid
• Limited to 50 Students for Spring 2027

Spring 2027

ACNO M301: Advanced Cisco II, 3 Units, Hyflex
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: Cisco

ACNO M302A: Microsoft Hybrid Server 1, 3 Units
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: Microsoft

ACNO M304: Virtualization Technology, 3 Units
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: VMware/Proxmox

ACNO M305: AWS Cloud Foundations, 3 Units
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: AWS

ENGL M300: Technical Writing, 3 Units
Gen Ed
Upper Division GE

Fall 2027

ACNO M306: Azure Cloud Administrator, 3 Units
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: Microsoft

ACNO M307: AWS Cloud Architecture, 3 Units
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: AWS

ACNO M302B: Microsoft Hybrid Server 2, 3 Units
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: Microsoft

ACNO M308: Firewall Security, 3 Units
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: Palo Alto

BUS M400: Project Management, 3 Units, Hyflex
Gen Ed
Project Management Upper Division GE

Spring 2028

ACNO M401: Cloud Databases, 3 Units
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: AWS

ACNO M402: Certified Ethical Hacker, 3 Units
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: EC-Council

ACNO M403: Cisco CyberOps, 3 Units, Hyflex
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: Cisco

ACNO M404: Identity Protection Security, 3 Units
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: Microsoft

PHIL M400: Ethics and Emerging Tech, 3 Units
Gen Ed
Ethics Upper Division GE

Fall 2028

ACNO M405: Azure Cloud Security, 3 Units
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: Microsoft

ACNO M406: CompTIA Security Practitioner, 3 Units
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: CompTIA

ACNO M407: AWS Cloud Security, 3 Units
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: AWS

ACNO M408: Device and Network Forensics, 3 Units
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: Forensics

ACNO M409: Risk Management, 3 Units
Certification Aligned 
Workforce/Credential focus: Governance

ACNO M480: Cyber Internship, 1 Unit
Internship

General Education Courses

ENGL M300: Technical Writing
Concentrated work in technical writing focused on communicating the results of technical work at a high level of competence
3 Units

BUS M400: Project Management
Core characteristics of project management including planning, execution, monitoring, and control 
3 Units

PHIL M400: Ethics in the Age of Emerging Technology
Application of ethical theories to contemporary ethics issues and problems
3 Units

Total Upper Division General Education Units: 9

Link to Course Outlines: https://catalog.vcccd.edu/course-search/ 

Minimum Admissions Requirements

• VCCCD 900# or 901#
• 60 college units completed
• Overall GPA 2.5

1. Completion of the 6 Technical Courses below with a "C" or better:

CNSE M06 PC Hardware and Software
Alignment: CompTIA A+

CNSE M18A Cisco
Alignment: CCNA1

CNSE M30 MS Windows Administration
Alignment: MD 102 or Windows Admin

CNSE M55 Linux Administration
Alignment: Linux+

CNSE M57 Scripting for Sec Mgt
Alignment: Intro to Programming

CNSE Course: CNSE M82 Intro to Cybersecurity
Alignment: CompTIA Security+

2. Completion of a Bachelor's Degree OR Associate Degree for Transfer OR General Education pattern.

To Be a Competitive Candidate

Application Supplemental Scoring Rubric 
Completed Cyber-Related Technical Degree, Max points: 10
Industry Certifications, Max Points: 5
Work-Related Experience, Max Points: 5
Student Background and Educational Barriers, Max Points: 5
Student Interest and Program Readiness, Max Points: 10
MAX TOTAL POINTS: 35

Soon accepting Bachelor Degree applications through October 1, 2026.
The application is in Canvas – you will enter your answers under “Modules” and “Assignments” similar to a college course.

You will need a VCCCD email address and ID (900# or 901#) to access Canvas. If you do not have one, please first apply to Moorpark College using Cybersecurity A.S. as your intended major (Cyberdefense B.S. is not yet in the State system).

CCCApply Guidance & Screenshots 

For Those That Do Not Have a VCCCD #900 or #901 Number and Email Address
Step 1. Apply to Moorpark College via CCCApply
Step 2. Indicate the Term (Spring 2027), Educational Goal, Major Category, and Intended Major of Study (Cybersecurity A.S., as the Cyberdefense B.S. is not yet in the State system. We will manually switch your major upon acceptance into the Bachelor’s program). 
Step 3. Complete all remaining sections of the application: Profile, Education, Citizenship/Military, Residency, Needs & Interests, Demographic Information, Supplemental Questions, and Submit Application.
Step 4. Check your emails regularly for the Moorpark College Acceptance Letter including your 901# and myVCCCD email address. You can then access the Bachelor’s degree application in Canvas through your VCCCD portal.

Questions about admission to Moorpark college can be directed to 805-378-1429 or mcadmissions@vcccd.edu. Questions about the Bachelor’s degree program can be submitted to Melissa Johnson, Bachelor Degree Director at mcbdp@vcccd.edu or 805.553.4769.

When did the bachelor degree program begin?
We are welcoming our first cohort of students January 2027. Please plan to accept a second group of students in Fall 2027.

When can I apply?
Applications are open now through October 1, 2027. As this is a two-year transfer pathway, we expect that competitive applicants will have already completed the required prerequisite technical courses as well as their general education transfer pattern (CSU, I-GETC or Cal-GETC) before January 2027. 

What courses do I need to apply?
Students apply as Juniors (having completed 60 units of college credit). Required lower division courses should be completed or in progress to be completed before admission:

CNSE M06 PC Hardware and Software
Alignment: CompTIA A+

CNSE M18A Cisco
Alignment: CCNA1

CNSE M30 MS Windows Administration
Alignment: MD 102 or Windows Admin

CNSE M55 Linux Administration
Alignment: Linux+

CNSE M57 Scripting for Sec Mgt
Alignment: Intro to Programming

CNSE Course: CNSE M82 Intro to Cybersecurity
Alignment: CompTIA Security+

Is it required that all lower-division courses be completed at Moorpark College?

Many general education and technical courses can be taken at other colleges. For technical courses taken elsewhere, please reference this Course Equivalency Crosswalk for other community colleges . For specific course inquiries, please consult Moorpark College counseling to determine your readiness for the program.

What is the program schedule?

The Applied Cyberdefense bachelor degree program is a cohort model, which means that students take the same courses in the same order. This model helps build community and a support network, especially for students in an on-line program. We are currently accepting applicants for Spring 2027, which means that students will begin in January 2027 and complete in Fall 2028.

Can I attend part-time?
Because the bachelor’s program is designed as a cohort model, accepted students are expected to enroll in the full-time program (15 units per semester) for a total of 4 semesters, with optional summers.

How much will the program cost?
The State of California sets the tuition for the Community College Bachelor Degree Program at a maximum of $130 per unit. With most students needing 60 upper division units to complete the bachelor’s degree, the two year cost is $7,800. Students who attend may also apply for financial aid and scholarships towards tuition. 

Apply for Financial Aid, Moorpark College School Code: 007115: https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa