UPI Study › Colleges › Columbia Southern University › Network and Systems Security
Columbia Southern University Transfer Credit · Computer Science 252

Open Electives at CSU.

Earn this Columbia Southern University equivalency through UPI Study's Network and Systems Security — 3 ACE & NCCRS Approved credits, fully online, self-paced.

The Computer Science 252 syllabus is available to enrolled or registered students . Sign in to your UPI Study account to download it instantly — or enroll today to get access.

🎓3 College Credits ✓ACE & NCCRS Approved ⏱️Self-paced · 28–30 days avg.
Enroll from $89/month → See all pricing options
Starts at $89/month · cancel anytime · or buy just this course for $250
Network and Systems Security — transfers as Open Electives at Columbia Southern University
Official Transfer Credit Pathway · Published agreement
UPI Study × Columbia Southern University
You complete at UPI Study
Network and Systems Security
Computer Science 252 · 3 ACE & NCCRS Approved credits
Transfers as
Columbia Southern University recognizes as
Open Electives
3 transcript credits
SACSCOC accredited since 2022 · Transcript sent directly to Columbia Southern University
📋 View full equivalency chart →
🎓 Credit
3 cr
Transferable to CSU
⏱️ Speed
28–30
Days average to complete
✅ Pass rate
97%
Student completion rate
💰 Savings
$650+
Saved vs avg community college
What you'll learn

A full semester of network and systems security, at your own pace.

🎯Learning outcomes
  • ✓Understand the fundamental concepts and core principles of network security, encryption techniques, and authentication protocols — and apply them to identify and address diverse security threats
  • ✓Analyze network security measures including firewalls, intrusion detection and prevention systems, and encryption methods, and evaluate their role in protecting network infrastructure and sensitive data
  • ✓Develop practical skills in configuring and managing network security devices and protocols using hands-on exercises and real-world scenarios
  • ✓Investigate advanced topics such as security architecture design, risk assessment methodologies, and security policy frameworks to build strategies tailored to organizational and compliance requirements
  • ✓Explore emerging trends in network security — including wireless protocols, web application security, and continuous improvement practices — to stay ready for evolving threats
  • ✓Cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving skills to identify vulnerabilities, conduct security audits, and implement incident response procedures that uphold network integrity
📚Major topics covered
Fundamentals of network security Information security principles Cryptography & encryption techniques Firewalls & network firewall systems Wireless network security (WEP, WPA, WPA2) Web application security concepts Network authentication protocols Intrusion detection & prevention (IDS/IPS) VPNs & remote access security TCP/IP & OSI model security Network auditing & configuration management Risk assessment & incident response Security policies & compliance frameworks DoS attacks & mobile device security Cisco ASA firewall configuration IT disaster planning & recovery
Grading: 25% Attendance · 25% Quizzes · 25% Assignments · 25% Final Exam
Simple process

Three steps to CSU credit.

1
📝

Enroll & start instantly

Pay $250 once (or use any UPI Study subscription) and start learning today. No application, no waiting list.

2
🎯

Learn at your pace · Pass the final

Watch lessons, take quizzes, and pass the proctored final — fully online, on your schedule. Most students finish in 28–30 days.

3
🏆

Transfer to CSU

UPI Study sends your official transcript directly to Columbia Southern University's registrar. CSU applies the equivalency: Open Electives.

Pricing

Network and Systems Security — two ways to enroll.

Get this course + every other UPI Study course with a subscription, or buy just this one for a one-time fee.

UPI Study subscription

Best if you plan to stack 3+ courses toward your CSU degree. All UPI Study courses included — including Network and Systems Security.

Monthly
$89 /mo

Best if you finish in under 4 months

Choose Monthly
Most popular
4 Months
$279 total

Save $77 vs paying monthly

Choose 4 Months
12 Months
$495 total

Save $573 vs paying monthly

Choose 12 Months
Lifetime
$599 once

Pay once — access forever

Choose Lifetime
Or just buy Network and Systems Security on its own
Only need this one course?

Just Network and Systems Security — one-time payment

Pay once, keep it forever. No subscription, no renewals. The simplest path if you only need this course to transfer to CSU.

  • ✓Lifetime access to Network and Systems Security
  • ✓3 ACE & NCCRS Approved credits, transferable to Columbia Southern University
  • ✓Self-paced — finish in 28–30 days or take longer
  • ✓Official transcript sent to Columbia Southern University
$250
one-time payment
Lifetime access · this course only
Enroll & start today →
Savings Calculator

Stack more courses, save more.

Tap any credit amount below to see how much you'd save at CSU.

Select credit amount
Tuition saved vs CSU per-credit rate
$1,170
Credits transferred
30
Months to complete via UPI
15

Savings estimate = credits × $278, CSU's standard undergraduate per-credit rate (CSU Learning Partner rate: $250.20/credit). Credit awards are subject to CSU Registrar review and policy.

More transferable credits

See all 68 UPI Study courses that transfer to CSU.

Network and Systems Security is one of 68 UPI Study courses recognized by Columbia Southern University through the official CSU transfer credit pathway. Stack more for bigger savings on your Bachelor of Science — CSU accepts up to 90 transfer credits.

Browse all 68 courses → View full equivalency chart
Frequently asked questions

Everything about Network and Systems Security → CSU.

📚 About Network and Systems Security
What is Network and Systems Security?
Network and Systems Security is a college-level technology course covering core concepts and practical skills in the subject area. It is Computer Science 252 — worth 3 credit hours, carrying an NCCRS recommendation from NCCRS.
What technical background do I need?
No specific technical background is required to start. The course is structured to build from foundational concepts to practical application, making it accessible to students at any level.
Is this course self-paced?
Yes. The course is fully self-paced with no deadlines or fixed class times. Most students complete it in 28–30 days, but you can move faster or slower depending on your schedule.
How many college credits is this course worth?
This course carries an NCCRS recommendation for 3 semester credit hours in Cybersecurity or Information Technology. UPI Study courses follow the same evaluation standard used across hundreds of NCCRS and ACE cooperating colleges and universities.
Are there exams? How is grading done?
Yes — the course includes quizzes, assignments, and a final exam. Your grade is equally weighted: 25% Attendance · 25% Quizzes · 25% Assignments · 25% Final Exam.
How do I check if my university accepts UPI Study credits?
Check our Find My College directory . If your university recognizes NCCRS or ACE credit recommendations, UPI Study courses qualify. You can also book a free call with our team.
How does UPI Study compare to a traditional university course?
A traditional university course in this subject typically costs $500–$1,500+ per credit hour and requires fixed schedules, campus attendance, and semester timelines. UPI Study covers the same NCCRS-recommended content at $250 total , with no deadlines and no campus requirement.
Can international students take this course?
Yes. UPI Study courses carry an NCCRS recommendation — recognized by NCCRS and ACE cooperating institutions in the U.S., Canada, the UK, and other countries. Students have submitted credits across 26+ countries.
🎯 About Open Electives at CSU
What does 'Elective credit' mean at Columbia Southern University?
Elective credit fills the elective portion of a CSU degree — credits required for graduation but not tied to a specific named course or general education category. Every CSU degree program reserves a portion of total credits for electives, which gives students flexibility to round out their program.
How many elective credits do I need for my CSU degree?
CSU's degree programs each define an elective credit minimum within the total (60 credits for the Associate, 120 for the Bachelor's). The specific count varies by program. Check CSU's current academic catalog for the exact elective credit requirement.
Can I use Network and Systems Security for CSU electives even though it's a computer science course?
Yes. The Articulation Agreement explicitly recognizes UPI Study's Network and Systems Security as elective credit at CSU, regardless of subject area. CSU accepts transfer credit across disciplines as long as the credit comes from an approved provider with NCCRS or ACE recommendations.
How many UPI Study courses can I stack as electives at CSU?
Up to the overall 75% transfer cap (90 credits for the Bachelor's). CSU doesn't impose a separate elective cap beyond that, so you can stack multiple UPI Study elective courses as long as they fit within total transfer maximum and your program's elective requirement.
Is elective credit 'worth less' than named course credit?
No — credit is credit toward your CSU degree. Elective credits count fully toward the 60-credit Associate or 120-credit Bachelor's total. The only difference is they fill the 'elective' bucket on your transcript rather than a specific named course. They have the same weight in graduation requirements.
🔄 About transferring to CSU
How many UPI Study courses can I stack toward my CSU degree?
Columbia Southern University accepts up to 75% of degree credit requirements as transfer credit — up to 90 credits for the bachelor's degree. 68 UPI Study courses are recognized by CSU through the official CSU transfer credit pathway, so you can stack a substantial portion of your degree before enrolling at CSU.
Do I need to enroll at CSU first?
No. You can take UPI Study courses with no CSU enrollment, no application, and no admission process. Take the course, earn the credit, then submit your transcript to CSU when you're ready.
How does the transcript reach CSU?
Once you complete Network and Systems Security, UPI Study sends an official transcript in PDF format directly to the email address designated by Columbia Southern University. CSU's registrar applies the agreed equivalency (Open Electives) to your transcript. No third-party services are involved.
About this course

Understanding Network and Systems Security for your CSU credit.

What is Network and Systems Security?

Network and Systems Security is the study of how computer networks, devices, and data are protected from unauthorized access, misuse, and disruption. It covers the basic ideas behind security threats, encryption, authentication, firewalls, wireless security, and tools such as VPNs and intrusion detection systems. Students learn how these pieces work together to keep information and systems reliable and secure.

How the course teaches you

This self-paced online course uses video lessons, quizzes, assignments, and a final exam, with grading split as 25% Attendance, 25% Quizzes, 25% Assignments, and 25% Final Exam. When you complete the course, the credit appears on your transcript and can be reviewed by Columbia Southern University, where it is recognized as Open Electives toward total credit hours and elective requirements.

How it helps beyond the classroom

The course builds practical knowledge of network security, encryption, authentication, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems, which can help you make more informed decisions about protecting data and systems. At Columbia Southern University, that credit sits in Open Electives, so it can support degree progress in programs such as Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science while leaving room for other required coursework.

Skills you walk away with

Identify common network security threats and vulnerabilitiesApply encryption and authentication concepts to protect dataEvaluate firewalls, IDS/IPS, and VPNs in network defenseAnalyze wireless security standards such as WEP, WPA, and WPA2Recognize web application security risks and basic protectionsUse TCP/IP and OSI model knowledge to troubleshoot security issuesPerform basic security audits and incident response steps

Taking this course toward CSU

After you finish the course, your transcript is sent for review and Columbia Southern University applies the credit according to its official transfer process. For this course, CSU recognizes the credit as Open Electives, which means it counts toward elective requirements and total credit hours in the degree plan rather than a specific major course. That can help students in CSU programs such as Associate of Science and Bachelor of Science keep moving toward graduation while staying within CSU's transfer ceiling of up to 90 credits, or 75%. CSU also lists a per-credit rate context of $278/credit, so it is worth checking how much of your overall degree you still need to complete there.

Who this course is for

This course is a good fit for students who want to move toward a Columbia Southern University degree and need elective credit that fits within the university's transfer rules. It is especially useful for people who are balancing work and school, finishing a degree, or planning a program where Open Electives will help them stay on track, as long as they understand CSU accepts transfer credit only up to 90 credits, or 75%. It is not the best choice if you need a course that will apply as a specific major requirement at CSU rather than an elective.

Verified transfer details

What it means to transfer to CSU.

Columbia Southern University formally welcomes UPI Study students. Here's what's confirmed on their official transfer page — sourced directly, not estimated.

What CSU offers UPI students
✓Textbooks included at $0 cost
✓No ACT, SAT, GRE or GMAT required
✓TA & VA benefits assistance
✓Math & writing support available
The numbers
90 credits
Max transfer into a bachelor's (75%)
129 programs
Active CSU degrees accepting transfer credit
📋 CSU's official UPI Study transfer page → SACSCOC accredited since 2022

Transfer credits are never guaranteed. Transferring credits does not guarantee reduced tuition or number of courses required. Final credit awards are determined by CSU's registrar.

Ready to start?

Start Network and Systems Security today.

Enroll for $250 (or use a UPI Study subscription), finish in 28–30 days, and transfer 3 credits to Columbia Southern University.

Enroll now — $250 → Talk to an advisor