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You have a future in cybersecurity. Uncover it at USM.

Cybersecurity Student

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program addresses the nation’s growing needs in cybersecurity and cyber defense. Companies across the country are increasing their investments in security measures to protect their assets and customers. With a specialized degree in cybersecurity, you will stand out in the field and have a sense of job security – cybersecurity roles are predicted to  by 2031.

With USM’s small class sizes, you’ll receive personal attention and connect with expert faculty who are dedicated to your success. Our newly revised curriculum centers on current trends and will help you develop the technical and soft skills needed to excel in the industry. 

Secure your future with a cybersecurity degree from »¨½·Ö±²¥.


High Demand for Cybersecurity Jobs 
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Information security analyst projected to be the 10th fastest growing occupation over the next decade

(BLS)

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3,800 job openings in the KC metro – 500K nationwide

(cyberseek.org)

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18 percent of CEOs say cybersecurity risk is the biggest threat to their organization

(KPMG)


What Can You Do with a Cybersecurity Degree?

There are many opportunities for cybersecurity degree holders to start and advance their careers. Pathways can include systems engineering, security intelligence, software development, networking, and financial/risk analysis. Throughout your career, you can pursue roles such as:

  • Chief information security officer
  • Cybercrime analyst
  • Cybersecurity consultant
  • IT auditor
  • Cybersecurity architect

Explore additional job opportunities in cybersecurity at  


The Top Skills You'll Develop at USM

Graduates of USM's cybersecurity program will be able to:

  • Understand the network designs, protocols, operations, and management of wired and wireless communications
  • Develop strategies and plans for security architecture consisting of tools, procedures, and technologies to detect and prevent network intrusion and hacking, and to design effective cybersecurity countermeasures
  • Understand cybersecurity, security risks, data privacy, and the mitigation of data breaches
  • Communicate information technology effectively
  • Understand ethics and professionalism, as related in information technology and cybersecurity
  • Evaluate ethical principles in business and apply them to organizational decisions 

Academic Plan (120 Credit Hours)

Fall

»¨½·Ö±²¥ Experience
English Composition I
Quantitative Literacy: Math in the Real World
General Education Course
Operating Systems and Security

Spring

»¨½·Ö±²¥ Spirituality
English Composition II
Natural Science with Lab
General Education Course
Web Design

Fall 

General Education Course
General Education Course
General Education Course
Information Systems and Applications
Networking LAN

Spring

Principles of Macroeconomics (or Principles of Microeconomics)
General Education Course
Networking WAN
Principles of Management
Principles of Marketing
General Elective

Fall

Data Structures & Algorithms
Major Elective
Principles of Accounting I
Introductory Statistics
General Elective

Spring

Database Design and SQL Programming
Computer Forensics
Website Design and Digital Marketing
Major Elective 
General Elective

Fall

Ethical hacking and IT System Defense
Data Analytics for Business Decision Making
Major Elective
General Elective
General Elective

Spring

Advanced Cybersecurity Topics
Cryptography
Cybersecurity Internship
Elective
Elective


Meet the Faculty

Andrew SwansonAndrew Swanson

Director of Cybersecurity, Assistant Professor
Andrew.Swanson@stmary.edu
913-758-6293
»¨½·Ö±²¥ Hall 409
Read Bio

 

Sunny Sun, MSSunny Sun, MS

Associate Professor in Cybersecurity
Shuxiang.Sun@stmary.edu
913-758-6199
»¨½·Ö±²¥ Hall 403
Read Bio

 

Sheila Hammonds, MBA, RHIASheila Hammonds, MBA, RHIA

Associate Professor
Sheila.Hammonds@stmary.edu
913-758-4325
»¨½·Ö±²¥ Hall
Read Bio