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B.S. in Cybersecurity Major
Overview of B.S. in Cybersecurity
The Departments of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics, and Computer Sciences jointly offer the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity (B.S. in CYB). The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology houses and administers the CYB Program.
The B.S. in Cybersecurity is a social science based B.S. major, providing students with the knowledge and practical skills of computer crime, information systems solutions, proper seizure and recovery of computer evidence. Furthermore, the CYB program focuses on understanding criminal cyber-criminal behaviors, preventing cyber crimes, as well as understanding cyber laws governing prosecuting and punishing cybercriminals. More specifically, students will learn:
- Digital techniques and tools such as cyber threat analysis and information sharing, managing and securing cyberspace, preventing, detecting, and recovering from cyber crimes
- Investigative skills and knowledge of laws for prosecuting cyber crimes and criminals
- Theoretical understanding of cybercrimes and criminal behavior such as fraud indicators, as well as controlling cyber crimes through prevention and punishment; and
- The impact of cybercrimes and criminals and their victims on the criminal justice system.
Key Features of the B.S. in Cybersecurity
Interdisciplinary The B.S. in Cybersecurity tailors its content and pedagogy to students broadly trained in social/behavioral science and computer information systems as well as computer science. Its curriculum combines the knowledge of combating cybercrime, skills to analyze and manage cyber threats and security, theoretical and analytical comprehension of criminal behavior. Thus, it will respond to rapidly changing cyber workforce requirements.
An Emphasis on Work Readiness Skills The B.S. in Cybersecurity program emphasizes hands-on learning experience for its students. Graduates of the program would be job-ready to enter cybersecurity careers.
A Flexible Course Delivery The B.S. in Cybersecurity program offers daytime, evening, online, and hybrid classes. The flexible course delivery accommodates full-time as well as part time students who are busy working professionals with competing commitments.
Degree Requirements for B.S. in Cybersecurity
Students are required to take Introduction to Criminal Justice System (CJC 1010) and Introduction to Computers (CIS/CSS 1010) as a pre-major requirement. For course descriptions and pre-requisites, visit the University Catalog.
Please note:
- CYB Elective: Any class with a CJC prefix that is not part of the required CJC classes.
- Electives: Total unrestricted electives must be sufficient to meet the University’s minimum required 120 credit hours.
- Please review your Degree Progress Report (located in your Student Hub) to review your degree progress.
- Email your Cybersecurity Academic Advisor, Maty Candelaria, [email protected] with questions.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
- Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
- Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
- Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
- Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.
Program Contacts:
Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology
- Office:The Department of CJC will have a new home in the Administration Building, Suite 310! Due to renovations, CJC will be operating remotely during the summer and part of the fall semester, tentatively until October. You may contact us during business hours via email and phone. When available, we will provide updates on our website. We appreciate your patience and understanding; thank you.
- Website: http://msudenver.edu/cjc
- Cybersecurity Program Manager ([email protected])
Department of Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics
- Office: Administration Building 590
- Website: http://msudenver.edu/cis
- Dr. Janos T. Fustos ([email protected]), 303-615-0170
Department of Computer Sciences
- Office: Aerospace and Engineering Sciences Building 200DD
- Website: https://www.msudenver.edu/cs/
- Dr. Feng Jiang ([email protected]), 303-615-1258
M.S. in Cybersecurity Program
The United States is facing an increasing vulnerability of a wide range of risks stemming from cyber-attacks, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Such attacks have caused the loss and corruption of valuable digital information in cyberspace, may it be in transit or stored. DHS further points out that “of growing concern is the cyber threat to critical infrastructure, which is increasingly subject to sophisticated cyber intrusions that pose new risks.
Every year in the U.S., 40,000 jobs for information security analysts go unfilled, and employers are struggling to fill 200,000 other cyber-security related roles.Market analysis from cyberseek.org shows that Colorado has over 10,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs. Training a capable workforce of cybersecurity professionals is critical to the safety of our nation’s infrastructure and national security.
Cyber operations involve a complex interplay between technology and human behavior. To meet the sociotechnical needs from industry, MSU Denver has taken a unique approach by combining the Departments of Criminal Justice & Criminology, Computer Information Systems, and Computer Sciences to jointly create a multidisciplinary Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree program.
The graduate program combines advanced computer/information system knowledge of combating cybercrime, analytical skills to analyze and manage cyber threats and security, the understanding of human factors in cyber operations, as well as the adaptation of laws to create policies to investigate, prosecute, and punish cybercriminals.
Accolades
Colorado Senate Bill 86 directs $300,000 annually into educating the cybersecurity professionals of tomorrow at MSU Denver.
Benefits of Earning Your Degree at MSU Denver
The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) developed the National Cybersecurity Workplace Framework, and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) developed the Industry Competency Model. The CYBM competencies use the above framework and model as guides.
The M.S. in Cybersecurity graduates will be able to:
- Identify, analyze, and mitigate threats to computer and information systems.
- Conceptualize, design, and build secure information systems.
- Provide support to ensure effective and efficient computer and information system performance and security.
- Provide leadership, management, strategy, development, and advocacy so that organizations may effectively conduct cybersecurity work.
- Investigate cyber events or crimes of computer and information systems and networks.
- Apply cyber laws and regulations in prosecuting and punishing cyber criminals.
- Be responsible for specialized denial and deception operations and collection of cybersecurity information that may be used to develop intelligence.
Career Opportunities for Our Graduates
Nationwide, the demand for positions in cybersecurity is expected to continue to grow. This demand is likely to remain high as the need for cybersecurity professionals has grown three times as fast as traditional IT jobs. Many of our graduates have a background in criminal justice and computer science. In addition, veterans or those who work in law enforcement may be particularly well suited for careers in cybersecurity. These employment backgrounds and the security clearances that accompany them are particularly attractive for jobs relative to cybersecurity.
Depending on work experience graduates can land positions as:
- Chief Information Security Officer; Cybersecurity Analyst/Specialist
- Information Security Crime Investigator/Forensics Expert
- Computer Security Incident Responder
- Security Analyst; Risk Manager/Analyst
- Forensic Computer Analyst; Information Security Analyst
- Penetration Tester; IT Security Consultant
Mission Statement and Goals
The mission of the CYBM program is to provide students with in-depth knowledge as well as practical skills in both policy and analysis of computer and network security, privacy, computer forensics, and the investigation, prosecution, and punishment of cybercrime. The CYBM program:
1. Offers a multidisciplinary curriculum that combines the areas of computer science, computer information systems, cyber laws, and policies, with an understanding of cyber-crimes and criminals;
2. Enables students with either a technical or non-technical undergraduate field of study to obtain a graduate degree in cybersecurity;
3. Prepares students to enter management or technical positions at all levels in the field of cybersecurity, and
4. Provides students with leadership skills and an ability to work well in a team-based work environment.
Program Accreditation
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission.
Contact
Cybersecurity Program Manager
Criminal Justice & Criminology Department
Metropolitan State University of Denver