Southwestern College Transfer Students
Overview
As a Southwestern College student, you can easily transfer to CSUSM. We’ve developed this webpage to make this transition to CSUSM as easy and uncomplicated as possible. Click on a program below to find details on programs, admission, costs and Southwestern course equivalencies.
If you have any questions or aren’t sure where to start, please contact us at el.inquiry@csusm.edu or (760) 750-4020.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Cal Grant, Pell Grant, subsidized as well as unsubsidized loans and other sources may be available to help you finance your education.
Students participating in our programs are guaranteed classes. You are registered each semester, helping you stay on track and graduate on time.
Many of these programs are offered at the CSUSM at Temecula campus or online, providing convenient access for students in Southwest Riverside County.
Benefit from immediate peer support, individualized attention, guaranteed placement in courses, guaranteed time to completion, small classes and more.
Programs
- CYBERSECURITY
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity is a fully online degree-completion program, designed to give you hands-on experience to develop practical skills in solving complex security challenges to meet today's workforce demands. This technical-focused online program is also designed with adaptability in mind to prepare you for inevitable changes as the field of cybersecurity advances. At the end of this cybersecurity degree, you will understand the multidimensional nature of security organizational data, systems, devices, networks and services from a holistic view. Additionally, CSUSM has professors with expertise in hardware and system security, mobile and IoT security, network security, usable security, information security and cryptography to provide both breadth and depth of knowledge and skills required for this industry.
CSUSM has been designated as a National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education since 2019 and relies on national frameworks including U.S. National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Cybersecurity Workforce Framework and requirements of the NSA and DHS National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cyber Defense and Cyber Operations.
Program Details
- Offered online
- Admits students every fall semester
- Two-year completion time
- View more program information
Upcoming Information Sessions
Estimated Costs
Semester Units* Subtotal** Fall Semester 1
18
$9,540
Spring Semester 1 18 $9,540
Summer Semester 1 12 $6,360
Fall Semester 2 15 $7,950
Spring Semester 2 17 $7,950
Total 798 $41,340 *Unit rate for this program is $530
**University semester fees not included. View complete breakdown of Extended Learning fees. Semester tuition subtotals based on sample program sequence. All quoted tuition rates are based on previous academic years and are subject to change without notice.
Funding and Financial Aid
- This program is eligible for financial aid
- Visit the Extended Learning funding page or call 760-750-4850 to learn more about your funding options
- Federal VA educational benefits can be used for this program (not eligible for Cal Vet fee waiver)
- Active-duty military, veterans and dependents should visit the military services page or call 760-750-8705
Admission Requirements
- Completion of the equivalent of 60 transferable semester units
- Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA from all transfer coursework
- Completion of the prerequisite courses listed below
Application and Document Deadline:
Program Start Application & Document Deadline Cybersecurity, BS (Online) Fall 2025 April 2, 2025 Admission Advisors:
Jane Reynolds (last names A-K): jyreynolds@csusm.edu
Krysti Langeloh (last names L-Z): klangeloh@csusm.edu
Phone: (760) 750-4020Course Equivalencies
The following table shows the required prerequisite CSUSM courses needed for admission and the Southwestern College courses that meet those requirements.
Cybersecurity Prerequisite Courses CSUSM Course Southwestern College Equivalent Course* CYBR 110 - Networking Fundamentals ELEC 265- Computer Networking for N+ Certification CYBR 112 - Computer Information Systems CIS 101- Introduction to Business Information Systems CYBR 210 - Introduction to Cybersecurity* ELEC 276 – Introduction to Security + CYBR 232 - Introduction to Programming for Security* CIS 182 – Python Programming for Security Analysis and Penetration Testing CYBR 242 - Linux System Fundamentals Not available CYBR 262 - Computer Forensics CIS 179 - Computer Forensics Fundamentals CYBR 272 - Cyber Defense Principles CIS 169 Cybersecurity Analysis CYBR 282 - Ethical Hacking Principles CIS 178 – Introduction to Cybersecurity MATH 160 - Calculus with Applications I (GE, B4)* Math 250 – Analytic Geometry and Calculus I MATH 242 - Introduction to Statistics Math 119 – Elementary Statistics MATH 270 - Basic Discrete Mathematics Math 265 – Discrete Structures Physical Science and Laboratory (GE, B1 and B3) Various - See Assist.org Oral Communication (GE, A1)* Various - See Assist.org Written Communication (GE, A2)* Various - See Assist.org Critical Thinking (GE, A3)* Various - See Assist.org Life Science (GE, B2) Various - See Assist.org Cybersecurity Courses Required for the Major - CSUSM Courses Only CSUSM Course CYBR 310 - Intermediate Programming for Security CYBR 312 - Introduction to Algorithm and Data Structures CYBR 432 - Computer Security CYBR 442 - Software Security CYBR 456 - Network Security CYBR 466 - Applied Cryptography CYBR 472 - Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity CYBR 482 - Human Factors in Cybersecurity CYBR 486 - Enterprise System Security CYBR 490 - Cybersecurity Capstone Upper-Division CE/CIS/CS/CYBR/SE Elective (12 units) General Education Requirements CSUSM Course Lower-division general education courses - 39 units (some of the lower-division GE courses are satisfied in the prep for major courses, i.e. prerequisites) Upper-division general education courses - 9 units *Required for admission (i.e. students cannot be admitted to the program without successfully completing the course).
**These courses are subject to change. Prior to taking any of these courses, review the ASSIST Southwestern Articulation Agreement to ensure the course still meets CSUSM’s course requirement.
“(The cohort format) encouraged me to participate and become more involved in the program. You get a more personal connection with the people around you and we empower each other to move forward.”
“If you are focused on your degree and have a career goal in mind, this campus has an advantage because you are guaranteed seating in every class, the professors know you on a personal level and you become friends with your classmates because you are always together.”
Request Information
To learn more about these programs, admission requirements, costs and more, email el.inquiry@csusm.edu or call (760) 750-4020.
Take the next step in your career
How to ApplyExtended Learning