<aside> 🆕 This documentation shows an updated version of this program. This version is expected to begin its roll-out during the 2025-2026 academic year. Courses from the prior version will run until they are no longer needed to ensure graduation timelines.
The previous documentation can be found here:
A summary of the changes made in this update can be found here:
Cybersecurity 2024 Program Update Summary of Changes
</aside>
It has become incredibly cheap to automate constant digital attacks against any individual, Fortune 500 corporation, or government system. As a result, we now live in a world where we can assume that everyone is constantly at risk of attack from advanced cyber threats.
This new paradigm has led to a boom in cybersecurity careers. According to LightCast, Cybersecurity professionals earn a median salary of $103,000, with entry-level positions starting at $68,000. Furthermore, ****there are approximately 663,430 unfilled positions in the US alone.
This Cybersecurity program directly targets the huge growth in low or no-code Cybersecurity roles over the past 10 years. These roles require a deep understanding of the security landscape and experience with modern no-code tools, which are covered by this program.
This program is frequently praised by students for its hands-on projects of simulated security scenarios, and the breadth and value of the tools taught. In Cybersecurity, simulation-based projects are typically viewed as the most valuable portfolio work for graduates.
This program is reviewed and revised every year to ensure that graduates achieve the most valuable skills possible.
| Target Outcome | Type | Salary Range (USD) | Availability | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cybersecurity Analyst | Role | 80,000 - 120,000 | Very High | BA in Cybersecurity |
| Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst | Role | 60,000 - 100,000 | Very high | BA in Cybersecurity |
| Information Security Analyst | Role | 90,000 - 130,000 | High | BA in Cybersecurity |
| Incident Response Analyst | Role | 75,000 - 110,000 | High | BA in Cybersecurity |
| Cloud Security Analyst | Role | 80,000 - 120,000 | High | BA in Cybersecurity |
| Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) Analyst | Role | 70,000 - 100,000 | Moderate | BA in Cybersecurity |
| Penetration Tester | Role | 80,000 - 130,000 | Moderate | BA in Cybersecurity |
| MS Cybersecurity | Graduate Ed. | N/A | N/A | BA in Cybersecurity |
The field of Cybersecurity has expanded rapidly in the past 10 years, and common graduate pathways have quickly solidified. The most common outcome for a Cybersecurity graduate is to enter an Analyst role with a focus on security. Most commonly, this role is labeled “Security Analyst,” but there may be varying focus on Cybersecurity topics depending on the organization.
Graduate education is a viable path, particularly for students who wish to specialize in a particular domain of Cybersecurity or pursue more technical skills.
There are a range of high-value roles that can be supported by a Cybersecurity degree without being Cybersecurity-specific themselves. The skills taught in this program are broadly applicable to a range of Business Analyst positions, and may also serve as entryways into IT, Criminal Justice, or Computer Science.
In order to support the above target outcomes, the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) have been defined by the program Curriculum Committee.
By the end of this program, students will be able to:
| ID | Program Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| PLO-1 | Develop and implement security plans to safeguard data against attacks by applying industry-standard frameworks for threat detection. |
| PLO-2 | Construct and deploy security controls and countermeasures in network and system environments to protect systems from common attacks. |
| PLO-3 | Develop and implement robust security policies, procedures, and emergency measures that comply with legal and governmental requirements and protect individual rights. |
| PLO-4 | Conduct incident investigations using modern forensic tools and execute response and recovery plans to minimize the impact of security events. |
| PLO-5 | Develop and execute ethical hacking strategies, utilizing industry-standard tools and techniques to discover vulnerabilities within networks and systems. |
| PLO-6 | Develop and deploy monitoring systems to detect and respond to emerging cyber threats and vulnerabilities, with a focus on mobile and cloud security strategies. |
| PLO-7 | Identify career opportunities through frameworks that evaluate fulfillment and financial health. |
| PLO-8 | Build a plan for securing opportunities, using empathy and professionalism to maximize chances of success. |
| PLO-9 | Analyze complex cybersecurity challenges, evaluate potential solutions, and implement effective strategies to mitigate risks and protect against threats. |