How the University of Illinois Chicago Cyber Bootcamp Works
The University of Illinois Chicago Cyber Bootcamp is designed for students to pursue high-quality tech education while continuing to balance work or other commitments. Our program provides you with the flexibility to fit career development into your life.
Part-time and full-time bootcamp programs are available.
Bootcamp classes combine live online instruction taught by industry-experienced professionals with independent learning assignments.
All classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with an (optional) lab on Wednesdays each week to provide students with additional learning and peer support.
You can choose which class time works best for you in the application process.
8:30am-11:30am CT
5:30pm-8:30pm CT
6:30pm-9:30pm CT
7:30pm-10:30pm CT
The Wednesday lab corresponds with the start time of your regular classes. Participation in the weekly lab is optional, but strongly encouraged.
All classes are held Monday-Friday.
9:30am-2:00pm CT
Class time options are subject to change. To see available class times for your cohort of choice, complete your application or schedule a call with a student advisor.
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Tuition
There are many ways to pay for your bootcamp experience including self-pay, employer-pay, local/state government assistance, scholarships and personal loans. Learn more about payment options.
UIC Tech Bootcamps is committed to making tech education more accessible, so we’re reducing the enrollment deposit to $99 for a limited time.
Enrollment Deposit -
$1,000$99*
Tuition During Program - $13,396
Total Tuition - $13,495*Offer eligibility: Upon admittance into the program, pay the non-refundable $99 deposit in full prior to the enrollment date.
$500 Community Scholarship**
For UIC alumni, current students, and employees.
$1,000 Military Scholarship***
For active-duty service members and military veterans.
**Only the Chicago campus of the University of Illinois system is eligible for the Community Scholarship.
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In the field of cybersecurity, there are many career paths to follow based on your skills and experience. Our Career Success Team is there to assist you throughout your career journey.
With cybersecurity professionals in high demand, the cybersecurity industry offers a multitude of career and financial opportunities after you enter the field. Companies across the nation are hiring for roles like IT Help Desk Specialist, Systems Support Specialist, and Cybersecurity Analyst.
| Role | Average Entry-Level Salary in Chicago |
|---|---|
| IT Help Desk Specialist/Computer Support Specialist | $40,500 |
| Network/Systems Support Specialist | $50,500 |
| System Administrator/Network Administrator | $60,400 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $79,300 |
| Network Engineer/Solutions Architect | $82,300 |
*Chicago Cybersecurity Salary Data via Lightcast™ . 2022 | |
What You Will Learn
Students learn cybersecurity fundamentals and the in-demand skills to fight cybercrime including:
Asset and inventory management like networking basics, Linux command line, and bash scripting;
Red Team (Offense) for fighting web vulnerabilities, penetration testing, OWASP Top 10, and social engineering;
Blue Team (Defense) for log analysis, security information and event management, digital forensics, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and incident response;
And more!
To prepare students for real-life work scenarios and environments, students also take part in career simulations alongside their cybersecurity training. Additionally, students are taught resume writing, salary negotiation, and other career preparation skills throughout the program to equip them for their job search after graduation.
Timeline (Unit)
Unit
Orientation
The security mindset
Confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA) triad
Threats, vulnerabilities, and risks
Virtualization
Linux Command Line
File systems
Users and groups
Bash scripting
Networking
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Encoding and encryption
Open Systems Interconnection model (OSI model)
Firewalls
Variables, loops, and conditionals
String and list methods
Dictionaries
Regular expressions
Log parsing
Windows administration and management
Active directory
Group policy
Web vulnerabilities
Penetration testing
OWASP Top 10
Social engineering
Burp Suite
Cross-site Scripting
SQL injection
Metasploit
Logs/log analysis
Splunk and security information and event management (SIEMs)
Digital forensics
NIST Cybersecurity Framework
Incident response
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Classes are hands-on with the majority of students’ time spent learning how to monitor and secure systems, networks, and applications as well as how to appropriately respond to cyber breaches. Along with the classroom sessions, students can attend a weekly lab where they can review key concepts, catch up on homework, and work alongside peers.
The University of Illinois Chicago Cyber Bootcamp can also help you prepare for industry-recognized certifications. With bootcamp preparation and additional studying, you’ll be equipped to take the exam for the:
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner Certification: This certification helps organizations identify talent with critical knowledge related to implementing cloud initiatives and validates cloud fluency and foundational AWS knowledge.
The price of the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification exam is not included in the program tuition.
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Career Support
The University of Illinois Chicago Cyber Bootcamp provides students with career guidance every step of the way, from resume assistance to preparing students for successful interviews. Our rigorous, hands-on education, combined with our career support, has helped graduates go on to jobs at top companies and beyond!
Fullstack Academy grads are highly sought after by some of the world’s leading companies.
UIC Tech Bootcamps are powered by Fullstack Academy. The companies listed above have hired Fullstack Academy NYC graduates.
Who Should Attend
The bootcamps are specifically designed for beginners. There’s no experience required to apply, be accepted, or succeed. Apply today and join others just like you on the first steps to a life-changing career.
Successful bootcamp students have backgrounds in:
Teaching
Finance
Retail
Customer service
Graphic design
Admin
Biology
And more
If this sounds like you, apply today and join others just like you on the first steps to a life-changing career.
Apply Now
FAQs
The cyber curriculum is broken down into these areas:
Cybersecurity Fundamentals (confidentiality, integrity, and availability Triad, virtualization, and how to identify threats, vulnerabilities, and risks)
Asset and Inventory Management (Computing and networking basics, Linux command line, and bash scripting)
Network Systems (Networking, Wireshark, encoding and encryption, Open Systems Interconnection/OSI model, and firewalls)
Programming with Python (Variables, loops and conditionals, string and list methods, dictionaries, regular expressions, and log parsing)
System Administration (Windows administration and management, active directory, and group policy)
Red Team - Offense (Web vulnerabilities, penetration testing, OWASP Top 10, social engineering, Burp Suite, Cross-site scripting, SQL injection, and Metasploit)
Blue Team - Defense (Logs/log analysis, Splunk, security information and event management, digital forensics, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and incident response).
Students also participate in career simulations throughout the program and interactive labs, as well as build the cybersecurity knowledge needed to take the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification exam.
For a syllabus on your program of interest, click here and fill out the form.
Yes, the UIC Cyber Bootcamp is beginner-friendly. It’s specifically designed for professionals who have no previous experience in cybersecurity. While some background knowledge is helpful, the only expectation is that students have general computer literacy skills in basics like efficiently using the internet/cloud and Windows.
Students can prepare to take the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification exam with training provided in bootcamp and additional studying. The price of the exam is not included in tuition.
Your time with our career success team will include everything from workshops to one-on-one office hours to phone chats before big interviews. Alumni will also have access to a job board and have the opportunity to be connected with companies and organizations in our Employer Partner Network who are actively seeking qualified candidates.
You do need to provide your own computer for the bootcamp. It can be a laptop or desktop as long as it meets minimum tech specifications. We highly recommend Apple computers for our program, however, it is possible to use Windows with some modifications. You must have at least MacOS 10.15 or newer or Windows 10. Because the bootcamp is live-online, you are required to have a webcam and microphone in order to participate in class.
For specific tech requirements for your chosen program, visit our Online Experience page.
Many of our part-time students are working full time while taking the program. Keep in mind that there are 10 hours in class and 15-20 hours worth of homework per week.
Your time with our career success team will include everything from workshops to one-on-one office hours to phone chats before big interviews. Alumni will also have access to a job board and have the opportunity to be connected with companies and organizations in our Employer Partner Network who are actively seeking qualified candidates.
Ready to Start Learning?
Once you’re ready to start your tech journey, here are the steps you can expect in the admissions process.
- Fill out our online application form
- Take our nontechnical assessment
- No cyber experience required
- Covers logical reasoning
- Sent to you immediately upon submission of application
- Receive an entrance decision
Start Your Application NowREQUEST SYLLABUS
FAQs
Is a cybersecurity bootcamp worth IT? ›
If you're interested in pursuing a career in this industry, cybersecurity bootcamps offer an intensive, time-effective education option compared to traditional, four-year degree programs. Bootcamps' accelerated, in-depth curricula equip students with the skills they need to launch their careers.
Is a cybersecurity bootcamp enough to get a job? ›After graduating from the course, bootcamp graduates will be eligible for roles as entry-level Cybersecurity Analysts or Operations Technicians. Career Prep/Certification: The course includes a career coaching curriculum, plus job search assistance for bootcamp graduates.
What is the best cybersecurity bootcamp? ›- Fullstack Academy. Cybersecurity Analytics.
- Claim Academy. Cybersecurity.
- Evolve Security Academy. Cybersecurity.
- Springboard. Cybersecurity.
- Eleven Fifty Academy. Cybersecurity.
- Ironhack. Cybersecurity.
- The Tech Academy. Cybersecurity.
- Automation Workz. Cybersecurity Tech.
Common jobs for coding bootcamp grads include positions in web development and cybersecurity. Many bootcamps offer career services and partnerships with large tech employers. Many employers view bootcamp graduates as sufficiently trained job candidates.
Is cyber security a stressful career? ›First, it's important to acknowledge that working within the cybersecurity industry is inherently stressful. Some 51% of analysts said they're kept up at night by job stress and challenges.
Is cybersecurity a tough field? ›No, cybersecurity isn't hard. Although there may be difficult concepts, like cryptography or areas that require more technical knowledge, cybersecurity is one of the few fields in the tech world that doesn't require a strong technical background.
Is cybersecurity a high paying job? ›Salary Outlook
As we mentioned earlier, many top-paying cybersecurity positions typically earn anywhere from $100,000 to $200,000 — with some senior-level jobs paying as much as $400,000 or more.
With 76% of company boards recommending a higher security headcount, according to the Fortinet report, the demand for trained, certified and skilled cybersecurity professionals is at an all-time high -- particularly for the eight specialists described below.
What is a cyber security analyst salary? ›U.S. News & World report ranks it as the #5 Best Job for 2023 primarily due to the job market, growth potential, and salary. According to the BLS, cybersecurity and information security analysts earn an average annual salary of $113,270 per year ($54.46 per hour).
What is the #1 cyber security school in the US? ›1. Carnegie Mellon University. School overview: Carnegie Mellon University offers a variety of cybersecurity and IT degrees through its Information Networking Institute.
What is the hardest cyber security class? ›
- Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) ...
- CCNA Security. ...
- GIAC GSEC. ...
- White Hat Hacking. ...
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) ...
- CCIE Security. ...
- Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP)
CRISC is one of Global Knowledge's most-pursued and highest-paying cybersecurity certifications, at an average annual salary of $167,145*. It helps candidates gain a deep understanding of the impact of IT risks for individual organizations.
Is cyber security Boot Camp hard? ›Bootcamps aren't easy, but you get out of them what you put into them. If you commit yourself to learning and to diligence, your experience will be well worth it — you'll graduate a well-versed, knowledgeable and ready cyber security expert. You'll also be a no-brainer higher for cyber companies.
Is a cybersecurity certificate worth IT? ›Given the cost, is a cybersecurity degree worth it? For many, the answer is yes. Employers for some roles—such as security analyst, security specialist and incident responder—tend to prefer candidates with cybersecurity bachelor's degrees. Still, associate-level applicants can find entry-level roles in the field.
What is the difference between cybersecurity bootcamp and cybersecurity degree? ›The main difference between a bachelor's degree and a Bootcamp is that while the first one is focused mainly on providing theoretical knowledge, the Bootcamp offers both the conceptual and practical learning experience that can benefit you when looking for a job in the field and experience is a must-have.
What can I expect from a cybersecurity bootcamp? ›Online cybersecurity bootcamps
You can expect a bootcamp program to include lectures, mentoring, class discussions, practice labs, hands-on projects, real-world simulations, networking events, career preparation, and internships.