Major in Cybersecurity

Students may seek an academic major or minor in cybersecurity.

The major in cybersecurity prepares graduates to be leaders in the protection of data assets. The curriculum focuses on the techniques, policies, operational procedures, and technologies that secure and defend the availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and nonrepudiation of information and information systems, in local as well as more broadly based domains. The major helps prepare students for careers as information systems security professionals, senior system managers, and system administrators responsible for information systems and security of those systems.

Articulation Agreement

An articulation agreement between UMUC's Undergraduate School and Graduate School allows eligible students who complete their undergraduate degree at UMUC with a major in cybersecurity to reduce their total coursework for the MS in cybersecurity or cybersecurity policy by 18 credits (three courses). More information is available in the Articulation Agreement.

Intended Program Outcomes

The student who graduates with a major in cybersecurity should be able to

• Protect an organization's critical information and assets by ethically integrating cybersecurity risk management and business continuity best practices throughout an enterprise.
• Implement continuous network monitoring and provide real-time security solutions.
• Analyze advanced persistent threats and deploy countermeasures and conduct risk and vulnerability assessments of planned and installed information systems.
• Formulate, update, and communicate short- and long-term organizational cybersecurity strategies and policies.

Degree Requirements

A degree with a major in cybersecurity requires the successful completion of 120 credits of coursework, including 33 credits for the major; 41 credits in general education requirements; and 46 credits in the minor, electives, and other degree requirements. At least 17 credits in the major must be earned in upper-level courses (numbered 300 or above).

Requirements for the Cybersecurity Major

Coursework for a major in cybersecurity includes the following:

• Required foundation courses (9 credits): CSIA 301, CMIT 265, and IFSM 304
• Required core courses (15 credits): CSIA 303, 412, and 413; CMIT 320; and CCJS 321
• Supplemental major courses (6 credits): Chosen from CCJS 390 and 421; CMIT 321, 340, 424, 425, 440, and 460; and any CSIA
• Required capstone course (3 credits): CSIA 485

Recommended Sequence

The following course sequence will fulfill all the requirements for the BS in cybersecurity. Coursework for the major is indicated by . Since some recommended courses fulfill more than one requirement, substituting courses for those listed may make it necessary to take additional courses to meet degree requirements. Students should consult an advisor whenever taking advantage of other options.

Cybersecurity Degree Courses

First Courses (to be taken within the first 18 credits)

Note: Placement tests are required for math and writing courses.

• EDCP 100 Principles and Strategies of Successful Learning (3)
  (strongly recommended as first course)
• LIBS 150 Introduction to Research (1)
• WRTG 101 Introduction to Writing (3)
  or WRTG 101S Introduction to Writing (3)
• MATH 106 Finite Mathematics (3)
  or a higher-level math course

Introductory Courses (to be taken within the first 30 credits)

• IFSM 201 Concepts and Applications of Information Technology (3)
  (prerequisite to later courses)
• CMIS 102 Introduction to Problem Solving and Algorithm Design (3)
  (fulfills the computing requirement; prerequisite to later courses)
• HUMN 100 Introduction to Humanities (3)
  or other arts and humanities course
• BIOL 103 Introduction to Biology (4)
  or other biological and physical sciences lecture and laboratory course(s)
• WRTG 293 Introduction to Professional Writing (3)
  or other writing course
• ECON 103 Economics in the Information Age (3)
  or other behavioral and social sciences course

Foundation Courses (to be taken within the first 60 credits)

• BEHS 103 Technology in Contemporary Society (3)
  or other behavioral and social sciences course (discipline must differ from first)
• CSIA 301 Foundations of Cybersecurity (3)
• IFSM 304 Ethics in Information Technology (3)
• NSCI 100 Introduction to Physical Science (3)
  or other biological and physical sciences lecture course
• HIST 125 Technological Transformations (3)
  or other arts and humanities/historical perspective course (discipline must differ from other humanities course)
• CMIT 265 Fundamentals of Networking (3)
• COMM 202 Media and Society (3)
  or other communication, writing, or speech course

Additional Required Courses (to be taken after introductory and foundation courses)

• WRTG 393 Advanced Technical Writing (3)
  or other upper-level advanced writing course
• CCJS 321 Digital Forensics in the Criminal Justice System (3)
• CSIA 303 Foundations of Information System Security (3)
• CSIA 412 Security Policy Analysis (3)
• CSIA 413 Security Policy Implementation (3)
• CMIT 320 Network Security (3)
• CMIT 425 Advanced Information Systems Security (3)
  or other supplemental major course
• CSIA 459 Evaluating Emerging Technologies (3)
  or other supplemental major course

Capstone Course for Major (to be taken in the last 15 credits)

• CSIA 485 Practical Applications in Cybersecurity Management (3)

Minor and/or Elective Courses (43)
(to be taken in the last 60 credits along with required major courses)

Recommended Minors 

Accounting, computer science, homeland security, political science or terrorism and critical infrastructure

Recommended Electives (students should note prerequisites)

Courses related to security and cyber crime:

• BMGT 466 Global Public Management
• CCJS 390 Cyber Crime and Security
• GVPT 409 Terrorism, Antiterrorism, and Homeland Security
• HMLS 408 Infrastructure in Homeland Security
• HMLS 414 Homeland Security and Intelligence

Courses related to psychological and sociological concerns:

• CCJS 461 Psychology of Criminal Behavior
• PSYC 370 Foundations of Forensics Psychology
• SOCY 313 The Individual and Society

Courses related to computing:

• CMIS 141 Introductory Programming
• CMIS 330 Software Engineering Principles and Techniques

Courses for qualified students planning graduate study in cybersecurity or cybersecurity policy at UMUC:

• CSIA 520 Human Aspects in Cybersecurity: Ethics, Legal Issues, and Psychology
• CSIA 530 Prevention and Protection Strategies
  or CSIA 535 National Cybersecurity Policy and Law

Total credits for BS in cybersecurity: 120

Cybersecurity Degree Planning Worksheet