Syracuse University ranks No. 3 in Best for Veterans for Online Bachelor’s Programs of private universities for three consecutive years, according to U.S. News and World Report’s 2025 Best Online Programs rankings.
Syracuse University additionally ranked No. 7 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs of private universities, and the AACSB-accredited business management degree, a partnership between the College of Professional Studies and the Whitman School of Management, ranked No. 1 in Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs of private universities.
“The rankings are a testament to the excellence of the College of Professional Studies staff and faculty – of consistently and without fail delivering online programs of exceedingly high quality with a differentiated level of student support,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “Our third consecutive year ranked No. 3 for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans of private universities similarly demonstrates our unwavering commitment to establishing Syracuse University as an unrivaled ‘best place’ for veterans and military-connected students.”
These rankings are attributed to Syracuse University’s innovative degree and certificate programs developed for online learning by best-in-class faculty and instructional design and course development teams.
The College of Professional Studies is raising the bar for what it means to be an online learner by prioritizing student success through high-touch admissions, advising, and financial aid counseling. Students gain the prestige and rigor of earning a degree from a top-tier R1 research institution with flexible, part-time online programs taught by Syracuse University faculty.
Syracuse University College of Professional Studies innovates future-ready programs in flexible formats, so learners and leaders can advance their education and careers beyond what they imagined possible. From bachelor’s and master’s degrees to executive education, certificates and more, our credit and noncredit programs empower students to pursue their passions and purpose on their terms and timeline.
United States Air National Guard Senior Master Sergeant Greg BairdNew York Air National Guard Staff Sergeant Amanda Kreisel United States Air National Guard Senior Master Sergeant Sean Lawless
Serving in the military offers a unique benefit: the opportunity to earn a degree for free.
Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies makes it easier than ever to utilize this opportunity, offering flexible programs designed for military service members to study online or in person. Whether you’re approaching the end of your military career or just beginning, the College of Professional Studies academic team understands the unique challenges of military life and celebrates the strengths and skills military students bring to the classroom.
New York Air National Guard Staff Sergeant Amanda Kreisel is using those skills, and gaining even more, to get ahead as an officer and in civilian life by earning a bachelor’s in cybersecurity administration.
“I have found the program very rewarding. I appreciate the flexibility that Syracuse has while I attend full-time,” Amanda says. “When I have had to travel for the military, each professor has made sure I had everything I need when I couldn’t always be in class.”
United States Air National Guard Senior Master Sergeant Sean Lawless and Senior Master Sergeant Greg Baird have also found reassurance and inspiration in the College of Professional Studies’ flexible online and in person programs.
Their military training has empowered them to excel in academia by honing skills such as time management, leadership, and problem-solving. For Sean, earning his master’s in project management and information technology has allowed him to focus on how to transition his career after his time in the military.
“I have a seven- and eight-year-old. I need to make sure that their future is secure by securing my future post-military,” Sean says. “With the flexibility that Syracuse University provides, I recommend not waiting.”
For Greg, a bachelor’s in cybersecurity administration allows him to apply his communication skills both personally and professionally as a volunteer fireman, hobby farmer, and full time as Chief of Plans and Resources for IT at the 174th Attack Wing – Communications Squadron.
“My advice to any young military members that are looking to get into the tuition assistance program – the sooner, the better,” Greg says.
The College of Professional Studies prioritizes student success. From inquiry to graduation, the team provides proactive support to meet each student’s specific needs.
The flexible pathways at Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies enables military students to excel, with resilience, adaptability, and focus driving their success throughout the programs.
“I know many people can find the college admission process rather daunting, but the College of Professional Studies made it very quick and easy,” Amanda says.
The University offers flexible study options, including online and in-person courses, and allows the transfer of up to 90 credits. The College of Professional Studies’ 8-week course sessions are designed to accommodate schedules, with multiple start dates throughout the year, allowing students to begin their studies when it fits best. For those with prior college credits or military experience, the University assists in transferring credits, helping students fast-track their degrees and save both time and money.
As veterans transition to civilian careers, many seek opportunities that align with their unique skills and experiences. One field that stands out as a natural fit is cybersecurity. With its rapidly growing demand for skilled professionals and its reliance on problem-solving, critical thinking, and technical expertise, cybersecurity offers a wealth of opportunities for veterans. Veterans’ backgrounds in managing high-pressure situations, attention to detail, and understanding of secure communications make them particularly well-suited for this career path. Moreover, there are numerous support programs, job security, and veterans’ preference initiatives that can help ease the transition into this dynamic and rewarding industry. Here are three key reasons why veterans should consider a career in cybersecurity:
Veterans bring a wealth of experience in areas such as problem-solving, attention to detail, and critical thinking. Many veterans have been trained to assess risks, think analytically under pressure, and execute mission-critical tasks—skills that align directly with the demands of cybersecurity. Additionally, veterans who have experience with military technology, networks, and secure communications are already familiar with some of the fundamental concepts of cybersecurity.
In collaboration with Vets in Tech, the College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University is offering an opportunity to transfer training to course credits, honoring our shared mission and your prior military training.
CompTIA Sec+ certification could transfer to up to six credits toward a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity at Syracuse University.
Veterans are often trained to lead and work effectively in teams. This is essential in cybersecurity, as the field requires collaboration across different departments and organizations to identify and respond to threats.
Validated by the National Security Agency (NSA), the Cybersecurity Administration, B.P.S. program at the College of Professional Studies provides the essential skills for managing the people and technologies that protect information, information systems and infrastructures.
Veterans are often trained to operate with a high level of integrity and professionalism, which is important in cybersecurity where trust is critical. Cybersecurity professionals must be able to maintain confidentiality and act ethically to protect sensitive data and systems.
In summary, veterans possess the right skill set, the cybersecurity field is thriving with opportunities, and there are specific programs designed to support veterans transitioning into this career. This makes cybersecurity an ideal career path for many veterans.
In today’s digital landscape, data breaches are an unfortunate reality that organizations must confront. With cyber threats evolving and becoming more sophisticated, the importance of robust data protection strategies has never been greater. A data breach can pose significant risks to sensitive information, but they also threaten the trust that consumers place in brands. How do organizations navigate this complex terrain?
This Q&A with Syracuse University’s cybersecurity expert, Stephen Wallace, explores the multifaceted approaches organizations can use to prepare for potential data breaches and maintaining consumer trust. Uncover the strategies that help businesses safeguard their data and uphold their reputation in an increasingly connected world.
What processes can organizations use to identify and assess potential vulnerabilities in their data security?
Organizations should consider a multifaceted approach to identify and assess potential vulnerabilities in their information security environment. One of the primary methods an organization uses to assess their risk is a security audit.
A security audit is a systematic examination of an organization’s information systems. This includes network infrastructure, software applications, and data storage solutions. By conducting an audit, organizations can pinpoint gaps and weaknesses in their security processes and procedures.
A vulnerability assessment is a crucial component of an audit. Organizations can use automated or manual techniques to scan for flaws vulnerable to an attack.
Additionally, penetration testing, or ethical hacking, can simulate cyberattacks to help organizations evaluate the effectiveness of their existing security measures. Finally, organizations should consider implementing a governance framework to help them identify and mitigate risks.
What types of training should employees receive to recognize and respond to potential data breaches?
In today’s cybersecurity landscape, employee training is critical to an organizations ability to recognize, respond to, and prevent data breaches.
Organizations can start educating their workforce on basic cyber hygiene practices. For example, foundational techniques can help organizations mitigate common vulnerabilities that cyber attackers will often attempt to exploit.
Cybersecurity has become a mission critical function inside all companies both large and small. Syracuse University has been designated, by the National Security Agency, as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) through academic year 2028.
The College of Professional Studies offers a B.P.S. and Credit Certificate in cybersecurity administration, which will teach students about the cybersecurity tools, techniques and best practices.
What measures should be in place for data recovery after a breach occurs?
Organizations should consider developing an incidence response plan and be ready to deploy it if necessary. This plan assigns roles and responsibilities, establishes communication plans, and tailors specific actions for different breach scenarios.
Regular data backups are also critical in this scenario. It is a good idea to regularly test these backups, ensuring that in a crisis, data can be restored swiftly and accurately.
How can organizations analyze and learn from past breaches to improve future preparedness?
If an organization experiences a data breach, resolving the immediate crisis is the top priority, but they should not stop there. Once things have stabilized, the leadership team should meet with cybersecurity experts and conduct a comprehensive post-incident review. It can be helpful to examine systems logs and system behaviors, to understand the tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) used in the attack.
Moreover, lessons learned from this analysis can be a source of useful information on an organization’s vulnerabilities. These lessons should lead to updated policies, enhanced training, and fortified defenses.
Maintaining Consumer Trust After a Data Breach Link
How important is transparency in maintaining consumer trust during and after a data breach?
If a breach were to occur, the leadership team needs to understand that their initial steps will be crucial to maintaining consumer trust. Organizations should prioritize transparency, by immediately informing their customers about the breach using clear, honest communication. Customers feel reassured when the company engages in open dialogue, showing its commitment to addressing the issue head-on.
As the situation unfolds, the company should continue to provide regular updates, sharing their progress in securing the system and preventing future breaches. This approach can not only help to manage the immediate fallout, but it can also help build a foundation of trust.
Customers appreciate a company’s candor. The more a company communicates, the more likely it is that customers will remain loyal. Most customers understanding that breaches can happen to any organization and will value a company’s integrity if the company responds well.
How can a customer’s perceptions of the company change after a data breach?
As outlined above, in the aftermath of a breach, customers closely watch how the company handles the situation. If the company is transparent, communicative, and takes swift action to address the breach and enhance security, the customer’s initial anger may transform into a cautious appreciation for the company’s integrity and responsibility.
However, if the company is evasive, slow to respond, or downplays the breach’s severity, the customer’s perception can sour quickly, leading to a loss of trust and a potential shift to a competitor.
Just remember, a breach can quickly become an organizations defining moment.
In today’s digital landscape, data breaches are an unfortunate reality that organizations must confront. With cyber threats evolving and becoming more sophisticated, the importance of robust data protection strategies has never been greater. A 