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Cybersecurity (B.S.)

Program Overview

In the Cybersecurity program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates from Messiah’s Cybersecurity program can:

  1. Apply the knowledge of Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Information Assurance theories to analyze problems, assess trade-offs, and develop creative solutions, including programs, computer-based systems, and processes.
  2. Analyze systems, identifying and defining the security risks and design solutions to mitigate those risks, with consideration for business concerns and technical issues.
  3. Develop strategies for responses to cybersecurity threats.
  4. Develop and defend an ethical code of conduct consistent with the Christian faith and formulated from an understanding of professional, ethical, legal, security and social issues and responsibilities.
  5. Effectively communicate technical information for a range of audiences.
  6. Utilize industry recognized resources to stay abreast of the latest technology and the industry tools and techniques to safeguard those technologies.
  7. Function effectively on teams to establish goals, plan tasks, meet deadlines, manage risk and produce deliverables.
  8. Explain how faith connects to their discipline and how the biblical call to vocation relates to their potential career options.
  9. Engage in focused inquiry that seeks to answer or explore an intellectual and/or creative problem or question.

Major Requirements

Complete the following for your major:

CIS 160Introduction to Computer Science and Cybersecurity

3
CIS 181Computer Programming I

3
CIS 255NIX System Administration and Security

3
CIS 284Computer Programming II

3
CIS 285Data Structures

3
CIS 325Data Communications and Networking

3
CIS 332Database Concepts

3
CIS 355Network Security

3
CIS 357Information Assurance and Risk Management

3
CIS 373Cloud Computing

3
CIS 421Cybersecurity Architecture

3
CIS 474Digital Forensics

3
CIS 494Cybersecurity Capstone

3
MATH 180Discrete Mathematics

3

Some courses require pre-requisite(s), which may increase the total credits required for the major.

Four credits from the following:

INTE 391Internship

1-3
INTE 394Internship

4-12

INTE 391/394 must be taken for a letter grade to fulfill major requirement.

Three credits from the following:

STAT 269Introductory Statistics

3
STAT 281Applied Statistics for Management

3
STAT 291Probability and Statistics

3
 

One of the following sequences:

 

Option 1 (Technical):

CIS 384Elements of Computing Systems

3
CIS 416Operating Systems and Computer Architecture

3
CIS 484Ethical Hacking

3
 

Option 2 (Policy) 9 credits from the following:

BUSA 120Principles of Management

3
BUSA 381Business Law

3
BUSA 405Supply Chain Management

3
CRIJ 103Introduction to Criminal Justice

3
CRIJ 362Criminology

3
POLI 323Public Policy

3
 

General Education Requirements

Experiential Learning requirement   0
General Education requirements   Credits
First Year Seminar IDFY 101/102H  3
Written Communication ENGL 110/110H 3
Oral Communication COMM 105 3
Mathematical and Scientific Ways of Knowing Mathematics (MATH 180, CIS 181) met/major
Science with Lab 3 or 4
Social Scientific Ways of Knowing
 Social Science 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 24GE History 3
Literary & Aesthetic Ways of Knowing
 Literature or Arts 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing

Philosophy or Religion

 3
Cultural/Humanistic Ways of Knowing 1st and 2nd Level Language 6
Intercultural Perspectives Intercultural Global or International Cross-cultural or 3rd Level Language 3
Bible
 24GE Bible 3
Christian Beliefs
 24GE Christian Beliefs  3
Holistic Wellness
 WELL 1xx 1
Ethics and the Common Good
 24GE Ethics and the Common Good 3
Intercultural Perspectives
 Intercultural U.S. or Domestic Cross-cultural 3
Common Learning
 Experiential Learning (INTE 391/394) met/major 
General Education requirements   46-47
Major requirements (inclusive of concentration)   58
Free Electives    18-19
Total credits   123