Root Access. Real-World Skills. Career Unlocked.
Welcome to the University of Fairfax — a university built for cybersecurity, IT, and software professionals. Let’s explore how your program of interest aligns with your goals and what it takes to get started.
Born From a National Security Mission
After the events of 9/11, America rebuilt the way government agencies and the private sector share and secure information — and discovered it did not have nearly enough qualified cybersecurity professionals to protect that exchange.
The University of Fairfax was established in 2002 to answer that demand. More than two decades later, cybersecurity is not a program we added — it is the reason we exist. Security thinking runs through our business, IT, and software programs alike.
Our mission: offer flexible, in-demand distance education programs that meet the needs of employers and students in a changing global marketplace — practitioner-focused curricula that advance applied knowledge and research in contemporary career fields.
“Over our more than 20 year history, we have continually refined our approach to education to deliver a distinctive career focused education. Through our educational philosophies, you will have access to advanced course delivery, unparalleled support, and our world-class faculty from anywhere you are, worldwide.”
Accreditation
Accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
State & Federal Authorization
Certified to operate by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV). Authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students (SEVP approval).
Institutional Goals
Graduate professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities employers need in cybersecurity, information technology, and business — through a learner-centered culture of continuous improvement.
A Global Classroom
Students join from across the U.S. and around the world — a cohort community of working professionals defining their place in their careers and communities.
Campuses & Residency Locations
Main Campus — Salem, Virginia. Residency session options in Salem, Virginia; Louisville, Kentucky; and Orlando, Florida — with coursework delivered globally online.
The University of Fairfax Difference
Built for people who build, break, and defend systems. Here’s how the University of Fairfax delivers an experience engineered for technology careers.
Security-First DNA
Founded to close America’s cybersecurity talent gap. Ethical hacking, forensics, intrusion detection, cryptography, and risk management are core curriculum — not electives bolted on.
Certification-Aligned Courses
Key courses map directly to the industry credentials employers screen for — study the CISSP body of knowledge, CEH techniques, CISM management practice, and PMP methods in-course.
Cohort Model
You progress through your program in a group — collaborative learning and support designed for the unique needs of adult learners, with more personalized instruction along the way.
Defend Your Work, Live
Sync sessions aren’t lectures — students present and defend their research in real time with faculty and classmates every other week. Think code review, for your whole degree.
Practicum Built In
Master’s and doctoral students complete 80 hours of practicum every semester through employment or volunteering in their field — classroom learning applied on real systems.
Research Infrastructure
E-library access to 100,000+ eBooks and 36,000 journal titles — ACM Digital Library, ProQuest ABI/INFORM, Computer Science Collection, and Dissertations & Theses Global.
Ask the Terminal
You’re a tech student — you didn’t come here for a brochure. Explore the university the way you’d explore any system.
help, programs, tuition, why, apply — or see what happens with sudo. Not everything is listed. A flag is hidden somewhere.Choose Your Path
Select your level and program to see curriculum, outcomes, credits, and estimated tuition. Showing programs available to international (F-1) students.
University of Fairfax graduate certificates are just 9 credits — three courses — and stack toward master’s and doctoral study. Completing DIA courses IA8021, IA8190, and IA9150 earns the Enterprise Information Security certificate along the way.
Support That Stays Online
What can you expect as a University of Fairfax student? A support stack that runs the length of your program.
Student Portal + Canvas
Attend courses, manage your schedule, and communicate with professors and classmates from one online portal. Courses are delivered via the Canvas learning platform.
Faculty Office Hours
Meet weekly with instructors during office hours, set course by course — plus a writing resource center inside the virtual library for challenging material.
Grammarly Premium
Premium access at no cost — strengthen grammar, clarity, and communication across assignments, discussion posts, and professional writing.
DSO Support
International Student Advisors / Designated School Officials guide non-immigrant students through studying in the U.S. — SEVP communication, student records, and F-1 status advice.
Career Services
Guidance through the job search and application process — cover letter and resume workshops, professional networking, and job postings.
Alumni Refresher Courses
Tuition-free retraining in your field of study after you graduate — keep your skills sharp and current as the field evolves.
Dissertation Support
Dedicated faculty, staff, and the University Librarian support doctoral students through every dissertation phase — plus program mentors and weekly support sync sessions.
Tutoring & Guidance
Tutoring support, program guidance, and guided capstone/thesis work — academic support built around working professionals.
// student_voice
“Even though there is so much out there available online, there are things like accreditation variables that for an online university that’s very important… There is the relationship with instructors, there is the access to the infrastructure and support. How can I not recommend the place where I had very, very, very little episodes where something didn’t work?”
Working While Studying
Real-world experience is part of the design. Understand the pathways early and plan with confidence — in compliance with university and immigration requirements.
Practicum
Master’s and doctoral students complete 80 hours of practicum every semester through employment or volunteering in their field. Can’t secure a position? A one-time extension moves the requirement to the next semester (160 hours makeup). No practicum requirement for undergraduates.
CPT F-1
Curricular Practical Training lets eligible F-1 students gain authorized, curriculum-connected work experience during the program — coordinated with your DSO and tied to your practicum.
OPT F-1
Optional Practical Training (post-completion) provides work authorization in your field after you finish your program — your DSO guides timing and application.
STEM OPT Extension F-1
Qualifying STEM degree graduates may extend post-completion OPT — a major advantage of studying in cybersecurity, IT, and computer science fields.
Employer Alignment
Many University of Fairfax students study while working full-time in tech. Coursework is project-driven so what you build in class applies at work immediately — and employer tuition assistance can help fund it.
Program Residency Requirements
- Graduate residency: Thursday–Saturday 9:00 AM–5:00 PM and Sunday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM ET, during week 10 or week 13 of each semester.
- Undergraduate residency: same daily schedule — weeks 4 and 7 of the first 8-week term, and week 7 of the second 8-week term in a 16-week semester.
- Locations: attend residency sessions in Salem, Virginia (Main Campus); Louisville, Kentucky; or Orlando, Florida.
- Residency sessions are mandatory; missed sessions result in a failing grade and, for F-1 students, may affect visa status.
- Domestic students attend for a specified day and may choose in person or video conference.
Transparent Tuition & Funding
Fitting tuition into your budget matters as much as the degree. Costs are kept as low as possible while providing a quality educational experience — and every rate is published.
| Level | Per Credit | Credits | Estimated Program Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s (BSNA · BSNC · BSSD) | $357 | 120 | $42,840 |
| MS Computer Science & Engineering | $513 | 36 | $18,468 |
| MS Cybersecurity Management | $648 | 36 | $23,328 |
| Master of Business Administration | $728 | 36 | $26,208 |
| MS Cloud Computing · MS Information Technology | $742 | 36 | $26,712 |
| Graduate Certificates | $985 | 9 | $8,865 |
| Doctorate of Business Administration (online) | $733 | 62 | $45,446 |
| DIA · DSD · DBA (in-person) | $1,084 | 62 | $67,208 |
| PhD Computer Science & Engineering | $1,153 | 62 | $71,486 |
Estimated tuition assumes the minimum credits for each program. Doctoral credit hours may exceed the minimum if dissertation deliverables extend beyond expected timeframes. Rates per the current University of Fairfax fee schedule and subject to change — your admissions advisor will prepare an official cost plan.
Estimate your total cost in minutes. Pick your program, pace, and transfer credits to see your estimated tuition and time to complete.
Ways to Pay
- Cash payment — reduce loan debt
- Employer tuition assistance
- Military education benefits
- Federal financial aid (FAFSA) — available to those who qualify
- Private education loans
- Grants, scholarships & Federal Work-Study
Institutional Aid
- Blue Ribbon Grant
- Business Partnership Grant
- International Doctoral Scholarship
- Refer a Friend Grant
- University Transfer Scholarship
- University Legacy Merit Scholarships (domestic & international)
Merit and/or need based; one institutional scholarship or fellowship at a time.
Cybersecurity Research Fellowships
- Computer Science Research Fellowship
- Information Security Certification
- FISMA Fellowship
- Cyber Policy Fellowship
- Cybersecurity Crisis Fellowship
Fellowship funds supporting students conducting much-needed cybersecurity research.
Transfer Credit
You’ve invested time and resources in prior education. The University of Fairfax gives credit for relevant prior coursework of comparable level and quality, within program transfer limits — so you don’t repeat what you already know.
The Path to Enrollment
Becoming a University of Fairfax student is your first step. Here’s exactly what happens between this conversation and your first sync session.
Complete Application
Start your application to the University of Fairfax — your admissions advisor walks you through it.
Earn Acceptance
Submit transcripts and required documents; admissions reviews your file for your program level.
Review Payment Options
Financial services reviews every funding option that applies to you — aid, employer, military, fellowships.
Submit Enrollment Agreement
Review and sign your enrollment agreement outlining program, schedule, and tuition.
Complete Orientation
A guided orientation class introduces Canvas, sync sessions, and your support resources.
Begin Classes
Log in, meet your cohort, and start building. Participate, commit the time, communicate, work hard.
Undergraduate Admission
- Official high school transcript or GED certificate
- Completed University of Fairfax application
Master’s Admission
- Official transcripts from an accredited institution — GPA 2.5+
- Resume/CV showing 3 years’ relevant experience
- Personal statement of goals and interests
Doctoral Admission
- Official transcripts — GPA 2.5+ (PhD: relevant master’s degree and 3.0 GPA)
- Resume/CV and personal statement
International First Steps (F-1)
- Academic transcripts in English, evaluated course-by-course
- Official English proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent)
- Valid passport and visa documentation
- Financial documentation demonstrating ability to cover expenses
- Your DSO coordinates I-20 issuance and SEVIS from acceptance through arrival
Ready to Initialize Your Future?
Your admissions advisor is here to answer every question — no pressure, just a conversation about your future in tech. Build the foundation of your goals at the University of Fairfax.