Course Curricula

VICEROY DECREE scholars can take courses from a shared virtual institute curriculum. These courses follow a virtual online instructional method for Visiting VI students. Each scholar needs to complete 8–10 credits from this multi-institution curriculum (course credits vary from 3 to 4 credit hours).

Depending on scholars’ background they can select courses that complement their skills and knowledge based on breadth or depth.

• Courses that complement the student’s existing background and skills
• Courses that amplify and extend the student’s existing background and skills Course curricula is divided into the following areas:
• Electromagnetic Spectrum
• Cybersecurity
• Cryptography
• Data Science
• Strategic Foreign Language
• Research

DoD Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF) Alignment

All VI courses are mapped to the DoD Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF), defined in DoDD 8140.01 and operationalized through DoDM 8140.03. The DCWF builds on the NICE Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity and organizes the cyber workforce into seven workforce elements and 74 work roles, each with a unique three-digit DCWF code.

Each course table below lists the DCWF work roles the course supports, the DCWF code, and the workforce element. The full definition of every work role, plus its associated tasks and knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSATs), is in the DCWF Work Role Reference table further down, where each role links to a public detail page. For the framework as a whole, see the readable DCWF Overview Factsheet (PDF).

DCWF Workforce Elements covered across the VI curriculum:

DCWF Work Role Reference

Every DCWF work role used in the course tables below, with its code, workforce element, and definition. Each work role name links to a clean public detail page: the SANS job-role page for that DCWF code (role summary plus aligned training). The intelligence, effects, and data roles that SANS does not publish link instead to the official DoD DCWF work role catalog. For the complete DCWF catalog (all seven workforce elements and 74 work roles), see the companion DCWF Work Role Reference.

Registration Deadlines

• South Carolina
• Northern Arizona
• Northeastern University

Registration Deadline

• Summer 2026 → May 1st
• Fall 2026 → July 1st

Registration Deadline

• Summer 2026 → May 13th
• Fall 2026 → September 3rd

Registration Deadline

• Fall 2026 → July 14th

Course Catalog

Northeastern University

CY 2991. Research in Cybersecurity (4 credits) Offered in the Fall and Spring Description: Offers an opportunity to conduct introductory-level research or creative endeavors under faculty supervision. Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor. VICEROY DECREE Virtual Institute Students focus their research on VICEROY special interest areas. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

DS 3000 Foundations of Data Science (4 credits) Offered in the Fall and Spring Description: Introduces core modern data science technologies and methods. Covers working with tensors, applied linear algebra, data from structured and unstructured sources, probability, statistics, machine learning, and data visualization using standard tools such as Jupyter notebooks. Prerequisite(s): CS 2510 or DS 2500 Syllabus can be found here. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

DS 3500 Advanced Programming with Data (4 credits) Offered in the Fall and Spring Description: Deep-dive into enterprise-grade software systems with emphasis on extensible architectures, software APIs, loosely-coupled service-oriented architectures, and Python for distributed processing and stream-based data processing. Prerequisites: DS 2000, DS 2500 Syllabus can be found here. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

CY 4930: Cybersecurity Capstone (4 credits) Offered in the Spring Description: Culmination of learned principles and methodologies for addressing cybersecurity issues in organizations. Students work in small groups using SCRUM methodology to scope a real-world security problem, develop a solution, and present results at the MSCY Capstone Event. Syllabus can be found here. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

CHNS 1101: Elementary Chinese 1 (4 credits) Offered in the Fall and Spring Description: Designed for students with little or no prior knowledge of Chinese. Covers listening, speaking, reading, and writing, building a foundation in language form and accuracy for use in Chinese language environments. Prerequisites: None Syllabus can be found here. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

CHNS 1102: Elementary Chinese 2 (4 credits) Offered in the Fall and Spring Description: Continuation of CHNS 1101. Deepens proficiency in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with increasing emphasis on communicative tasks in cultural context. Prerequisites: CHNS 1101 DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

Northern Arizona University

CYB 126/136 Secure Design I/II (4 credits) Offered in the Fall and Spring Description: Introduction to foundations of computer software and digital hardware and defensive design strategies. Topics include programming, digital logic design, state machines, input validation, error handling, and bug mitigation. Syllabus can be found here. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

CYB 310 Malware Analysis (3 credits) Offered in the Spring Description: Introduction to reverse engineering techniques for identification, classification, and analysis of malware using disassembly, virtual machines, static analysis, and dynamic analysis. Letter grade only. Prerequisite: CS 205, CYB 136, and MAT 226 with grades of C or better in each. Syllabus can be found here. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

CYB 402 Applied Cryptography (3 credits) Offered in the Fall Description: Practice-oriented cryptography covering encryption, randomness, block/stream ciphers, hash functions, authentication, RSA, elliptic curve cryptography, TLS, and post-quantum cryptography. Co-convened with CYB 502. Prerequisite: CS 205, CYB 136, MAT 226, and (STA 270 or STA 275). Letter grade only. Syllabus can be found here. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

CYB 410 Secure Software (3 credits) Offered in the Fall Description: Prepares students to understand and defend against software attacks through static and dynamic analysis. Explores cutting-edge tools used in software system analysis and design. Required course in B.S. in Cybersecurity and prerequisite for CYB 486C. Prerequisite: (CS 249 or CYB 404) and CS 305. Syllabus can be found here. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

INF 638: Cryptography and Public Key Infrastructure (3 credits) Offered in the Fall Description: Study of methods, techniques, and research areas in cryptography and public key infrastructure to strengthen cybersecurity. Letter grade only. Prerequisites: Graduate status. Syllabus can be found here. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

CS 485 Undergraduate Research (3–4 credits) Offered in the Spring Description: Original research under the supervision of a research adviser. VICEROY DECREE Virtual Institute Students focus their research on VICEROY special interest areas. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

CYB 499 Current Developments (3 credits) Description: Examines recent trends and investigations in a selected area. VICEROY DECREE Virtual Institute Students focus their research on VICEROY special interest areas. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

University of South Carolina

RUSS 121: Introductory Russian (4 credits) Offered Fall 2022 Description: Introduces the Russian language and culture through listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with emphasis on communicative tasks in their cultural context. Prerequisites: None. Syllabus can be found here. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

RUSS 122: Basic Proficiency in Russian (4 credits) Offered Spring 2023 Description: Continues development of Russian language skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, with emphasis on communicative tasks in their cultural context. Prerequisites: RUSS 121 Syllabus can be found here. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

ITEC 245: Introduction to Networking (3 credits) Description: Introduction to technologies, terminology, and skills used in data networking. Emphasis on practical applications and preparation for entry-level networking technician roles. Prerequisites: ITEC 233 Syllabus can be found here. This course is designed for scholars without a Computer Science background. Inclusion in the academic plan requires advisor approval prior to registration. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

ITEC 293: Cybersecurity Operations (3 credits) Description: In-depth exploration of Security Operation Center (SOC) operations. Introduces technologies, terminology, and skills for analyzing, detecting, and responding to security events. Prerequisites: None. This course is designed for scholars without a Computer Science background. Inclusion in the academic plan requires advisor approval prior to registration. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

ITEC 493: Information Technology Security for Managers (3 credits) Description: Overview of information security including security awareness, network security infrastructure, defense in depth, risk management, security policy development, and incident response models. Prerequisites: ITEC-445 Advanced Networking Syllabus can be found here. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03

ITEC-445 Advanced Networking (3 credits) Description: Covers network infrastructure topics (client/server protocols, routing, switching) with emphasis on hands-on implementations using network operating system software. Prerequisites: ITEC 245 Syllabus can be found here. DCWF Alignment — DoDM 8140.03