Cybersecurity (B.S.)

The 120-credit curriculum builds progressively across four years, covering foundational computing, programming, networking, cybersecurity fundamentals, digital forensics, ethical hacking, cloud security, risk management, and a hands-on Red Team/Blue Team capstone. Required courses align with NSA CAE-CD Knowledge Units and National Institute of Standard and Technology’s (NIST) National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Workforce Framework job roles.

The program emphasizes applied learning through a dedicated state-of-the-art cybersecurity lab, a Cyber Range, industry-informed coursework with extensive hands-on practices, stackable credentials, certification-aligned content, and options for research, independent study, or internships.

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To complete the Pathways HoME General Education program, a student must complete 24 credits of Pathways courses, including those that lead to a Pathways Certificate. 15-16 credits of a Pathway Certificate must be in a single Pathway skill and must include at-least 8 credits of upper-division courses. Students may complete the remaining 8-9 credits with Pathway classes taken inside the major (double-counting) or outside of it. Students in this major may earn multiple Pathway Certificates.

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years.  For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester.  Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).

Students graduating from PSU’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program be able to:

- Analyze cybersecurity threats and defense affecting computing of systems and networks, both independently and as a part of a team.

- Conduct security assessments and evaluations using industry-standard testing methodologies to identify vulnerabilities and improve an organization’s security posture.

- Design and manage secure systems, networks, and cloud environments using defense-in-depth principles.

- Formulate technical and strategic cybersecurity solutions with professional ethics and communicate them to diverse audiences

- Apply organizational risk management principles and develop governance frameworks that align security controls with business objectives and regulatory requirements.

Career paths include cybersecurity analyst, network defender, incident responder, penetration tester, cloud security specialist, security engineer, and governance/risk/compliance roles. The program also prepares students for federal cybersecurity positions and graduate study.