Online BS in Cybersecurity
Program Details

Program Costs

Complete the online BS in Cybersecurity program in just four semesters with guaranteed class availability, ensuring no delays in your education. The program requires 78 units at $545 per unit, with tuition discounts available for active-duty military personnel. 

Invest In Your Future: A Look at Your Educational Journey's Cost Breakdown

Semester	Units	Subtotal*
Fall Semester 1	18	$9,810
Spring Semester 1	18	$9,810
Summer Semester 1	12	$6,540
Fall Semester 2	15	$8,175
Spring Semester 2	15	$8,175
Total	78	$42,510

*Not all university semester fees are included in this table—see the comprehensive breakdown of Extended Learning fees. Semester tuition subtotals are based on a sample program sequence. All quoted tuition rates are based on previous academic years and are subject to change without notice.

Fall Semester 1

• CYBR 210: Introduction to Cybersecurity (3)

  Introduces the core areas in the field of cybersecurity including but not limited to cyber attacks, cyber defense, risk, vulnerabilities, threats, CIA, DoS, DDoS, social engineering (e.g., phishing, hacking), principles of secure design, and defensive coding, security measures and mitigation in the computer system and network. Covers cybersecurity law and ethics. Provides students with tools and skills in reporting on current events in cybersecurity.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 232: Introduction to Programming for Security (3)

  Introduces scripting languages (e.g., Python) in cybersecurity that automate processes, write scripts, and customize tools. Covers data types, strings, tuples, lists, dictionaries, branching, iteration, control structures, and abstraction through functions, classes, and recursive functions of a scripting language. Teaches design, code, test, and debug scripting language programs in different attacks and defense applications.

  Units: 3

• PHIL 348: Ethics in Engineering (3)

  Survey of ethical issues commonly encountered by engineers. Explores professional ethics of engineering, roles and responsibilities of engineers, and social impact of engineering.

  Units: 3

• Upper Division General Education Elective (3)
  Units: 3
• Upper Division Electives (6)
  Units: 6

Spring Semester 1

• CYBR 112: Computer Information Systems (3)

  Provides fundamental knowledge in computer hardware and computer information systems. Focuses on introducing computer hardware components such as motherboard, processors, memory, as well as system and software components such as operating systems, database management systems, networking, e-commerce, ethics and security. 

  Units: 3

• CYBR 242: Linux System Fundamentals (3)

  Introduces fundamental end-user skills and tools in Linux, designed for students with little or no command-line Linux or UNIX experience. Covers command line, Linux tools, shell, system utilities, filesystem structure, access control, automation and scripting. Emphasizes command line to run shell tools, and to automate services and tasks. 

  Units: 3

• CYBR 482: Human Factors in Cybersecurity (3)

  Teaches how people interact with different computing systems, and how human factors play a significant role in the area of phishing, access control, and authentication. Examines browser security, privacy policy, social media privacy, online tracking, censorship, cybersecurity user education, and wearable, and brain-computer interface security. Covers core aspects of usable privacy and security principles and practices, methodologies, technologies, and user studies carried out by educators and researchers in the field. Provides future security designers with the tools and skills to develop better security and privacy solutions.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 310: Intermediate Programming for Security (3)

  Teaches low-level programming. Introduces data types, functions, control structures, machine representation of instructions, machine addressing, stack operations, subroutines, memory allocation and management. Emphasizes hands-on learning.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 432: Computer Security (3)

  Examines security issues arising from the use of computers, with emphasis on system security, software security, and web security. Considers security requirements from a system perspective that impacts the design, implementation of software and web applications. Investigates popular software attacks such as buffer overflow, race condition, format strings, as well as web-based attacks such as SQL injection, cross-site request forgery, cross-site scripting, and their countermeasures. Emphasizes hands-on learning to enhance understanding of computer security issues and solutions. 

  Units: 3

• Upper Division Elective
  Units: 3

Summer Semester

• CYBR 110: Networking Fundamentals (3)

  Covers subjects related to networking fundamentals including TCP/IP and OSI models, network applications, protocols and IP addressing. Focuses on concepts, principles and technologies that enable the integration of information and networking systems for support of various Internet activities.

  Units: 3

• MATH 270: Discrete Mathematics (3)

  Exposure to fundamental discrete mathematical skills and knowledge: basic logic and applications in computer science, methods of proof, functions, relations, set, basic counting techniques, graphs, trees, and applications in computer science.

  Units: 3

• MATH 242: Introduction to Statistics (3)

  Introduces basic concepts of probability theory such as sample space, discrete, and continuous probability models, counting principles, random variables, conditional probability, discrete probability distributions, normal probability distribution, joint and marginal distributions. Subjects in statistics include types of data, measures of central tendency and variations, visualizing data, tests for normality, sampling distribution, central limit theorem, hypothesis tests for means and proportions, correlation, and regression. May include computer software such as Excel, Minitab, or courseware.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 282: Ethical Hacking Principles (3)

  Teaches how hackers hack devices, networks, and systems, to help future security professionals and designers develop better security and privacy solutions. Explores the ethics of hacking and cracking to breach computer software or an entire computer security system. Covers different hacking tools, techniques, and methodologies such as scanning tools, snippers, TCP/IP vulnerabilities, and password cracking, spoofing, session hijacking, hacking network devices, trojan horses, denial of service attacks, mail vulnerabilities, web application vulnerabilities, cracking mobile devices, and countermeasure.

  Units: 3

 

Fall Semester 2

• CYBR 442: Software Security (3)

  Teaches the fundamental concepts and design techniques for improving software security. Examines common software vulnerabilities, secure design and coding principles, software security standards and tools, secure testing, and secure software development lifecycle. Analyzes specific software security topics, including reverse engineering, vulnerability discovery, patching and hardening, exploit generation, etc. Provides future security engineers with the skills to develop secure software by applying software secure design principles, tools, and techniques.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 312: Introduction to Algorithm and Data Structures (3)

  Covers fundamental to advanced-level algorithm and data structure concepts. Introduces data structures such as stacks, queues, linear lists, trees, and sets. Includes pointers recursion, and implementation and analysis of sorting and searching algorithms. Focuses on abstract data types such as dictionary, priority queues, matrices, and relations, the foundation of recursive algorithms, complexity analysis, complexity classes, sorting and searching, computability and undecidability, problem-solving strategies, heuristic search, modeling and components of database systems, and graphics software systems.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 466: Applied Cryptography (3)

  Introduces the fundamental and practical knowledge of cryptography and its applications. Covers diverse topics on cryptography including historical ciphers, symmetric and public-key cryptology, hash functions, digital signatures, certificates, key exchange and management, authentication, public-key infrastructure and advanced use of cryptography in emerging fields. Focuses on both theoretical and practical applications of cryptography in security domains.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 456: Network Security (3)

  Introduces students to network communication security. Covers network packet sniffing and spoofing, network attack and defense from different network layers. Examines network attacks such as ARP spoofing, ICMP redirection, Man-in-the-Middle attack, TCP FYN flooding, TCP session hijacking, DNS cache poisoning, Heartbleed attack against SSL/TLS, reverse SSH tunnel as well as their countermeasures and defense. Zero trust network and modern network intrusion detection will also be introduced.

  Units: 3

• Upper Division Elective
  Units: 3

Spring Semester 2

• CYBR 262: Computer Forensics (3)

  Explores the principles and practices of computer forensics including digital investigations, data, and file recovery methods. Teaches computer forensic tools via hands-on computer-based exercises. Provides students with tools and techniques for presenting legal and testimonial forensics evidence to court proceedings and the legal justice system.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 272: Cyber Defense Principles (3)

  Introduces the fundamental principles of cyber defense and teaches a variety of hands-on cyber defense security skills. Teaches defensive mechanisms of common threats and vulnerabilities, system, network, and device exploitation. Provides future security professionals with the tools to develop better defense mechanisms to protect systems and networks from future cyberattacks.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 472: AI for Cybersecurity (3)

  Covers a broad introduction to the key ideas of artificial intelligence that are used in the cybersecurity domain. Introduces the basics of artificial intelligence algorithms, methods, and tools for malware detection, vulnerability detection, and emerging threat detection. Provides tools and skills to future security professionals to understand artificial intelligence and develop better cybersecurity solutions utilizing state-of-the-art artificial intelligence models.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 486: Enterp Sys Security (3)

  Examines external and internal security threats in highly connected enterprises from both a policy-based and technical approach. Investigates security risks to the core business relative to mobility, people, data, processes, facilities, and technologies. Covers the application of computer and network security principles to ensure enterprise infrastructure, system, service and information assets security in both cloud and internal environment.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 490: CyberSec Capstone (3)

  Provides cybersecurity majors with culminating experience emphasizing integration of knowledge acquired in previous courses. Applies the students’ understanding of security principles, methodologies, technical skills as well as problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills into a real-world project. Requires projects on performing security analysis of systems, networks, software and services, as well as devising and implementing security solutions to satisfy different requirements.

  Units: 3

Spring Semester 1

• CYBR 210: Introduction to Cybersecurity (3)

  Introduces the core areas in the field of cybersecurity including but not limited to cyber attacks, cyber defense, risk, vulnerabilities, threats, CIA, DoS, DDoS, social engineering (e.g., phishing, hacking), principles of secure design, and defensive coding, security measures and mitigation in the computer system and network. Covers cybersecurity law and ethics. Provides students with tools and skills in reporting on current events in cybersecurity.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 232: Introduction to Programming for Security (3)

  Introduces scripting languages (e.g., Python) in cybersecurity that automate processes, write scripts, and customize tools. Covers data types, strings, tuples, lists, dictionaries, branching, iteration, control structures, and abstraction through functions, classes, and recursive functions of a scripting language. Teaches design, code, test, and debug scripting language programs in different attacks and defense applications.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 242: Linux System Fundamentals (3)

  Introduces fundamental end-user skills and tools in Linux, designed for students with little or no command-line Linux or UNIX experience. Covers command line, Linux tools, shell, system utilities, filesystem structure, access control, automation and scripting. Emphasizes command line to run shell tools, and to automate services and tasks. 

  Units: 3

• CYBR 112: Computer Information Systems (3)

  Provides fundamental knowledge in computer hardware and computer information systems. Focuses on introducing computer hardware components such as motherboard, processors, memory, as well as system and software components such as operating systems, database management systems, networking, e-commerce, ethics and security. 

  Units: 3

Summer Semester 1

• CYBR 110: Networking Fundamentals (3)

  Covers subjects related to networking fundamentals including TCP/IP and OSI models, network applications, protocols and IP addressing. Focuses on concepts, principles and technologies that enable the integration of information and networking systems for support of various Internet activities.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 262: Computer Forensics (3)

  Explores the principles and practices of computer forensics including digital investigations, data, and file recovery methods. Teaches computer forensic tools via hands-on computer-based exercises. Provides students with tools and techniques for presenting legal and testimonial forensics evidence to court proceedings and the legal justice system.

  Units: 3

• MATH 242: Introduction to Statistics (3)

  Introduces basic concepts of probability theory such as sample space, discrete, and continuous probability models, counting principles, random variables, conditional probability, discrete probability distributions, normal probability distribution, joint and marginal distributions. Subjects in statistics include types of data, measures of central tendency and variations, visualizing data, tests for normality, sampling distribution, central limit theorem, hypothesis tests for means and proportions, correlation, and regression. May include computer software such as Excel, Minitab, or courseware.

  Units: 3

Fall Semester 1

• CYBR 282: Ethical Hacking Principles (3)

  Teaches how hackers hack devices, networks, and systems, to help future security professionals and designers develop better security and privacy solutions. Explores the ethics of hacking and cracking to breach computer software or an entire computer security system. Covers different hacking tools, techniques, and methodologies such as scanning tools, snippers, TCP/IP vulnerabilities, and password cracking, spoofing, session hijacking, hacking network devices, trojan horses, denial of service attacks, mail vulnerabilities, web application vulnerabilities, cracking mobile devices, and countermeasure.

  Units: 3

• PHIL 348: Ethics in Engineering (3)

  Survey of ethical issues commonly encountered by engineers. Explores professional ethics of engineering, roles and responsibilities of engineers, and social impact of engineering.

  Units: 3

• MCS 500: Introduction to Cybersecurity (2)

  Reviews cybersecurity in today’s world. Uses case studies to analyze the broad impact of cybersecurity. Explores cybersecurity-related issues in the areas of technology, privacy, and law. Uses current and historical cybersecurity events to provide context for and application of fundamental cybersecurity concepts such as confidentiality, integrity, availability, threat, vulnerability, and controls.

  Units: 2

• MGMT 521: Principles of Organizational Behavior and Leadership for Security Management (2)

  Overview of the key topics in organizational behaviors and leadership seeking to explain people’s behavior and experiences in various types of organizations, as well as how to effectively lead people to accomplish shared goals. Explores how research and knowledge of these topics can be applied in managing information systems and security related projects specifically, and in organizations more generally. Issues in contractual negotiations and effective communication inside organizations will also be addressed.

  Units: 2

• MIS 522: Information Systems and Security Management (2)

  Overviews the fundamental principles and components of information systems. Introduces the concepts and topics of Information Technology Security and Risk Management at the organizational level. Studies incentives and the requirements for information security, the integration of security into the systems design process, and life cycle of information security management.

  Units: 2

• PSCI 413A: Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties (3)

  Explores the development of constitutional doctrines regarding personal freedoms protected from government intrusion. Using excerpts of Supreme Court opinions as the primary readings, students examine such topics as the incorporation of Bill of Rights protections against state and local governments, the constitutional rights of criminal suspects, the right to privacy, and freedom of expression. Throughout the course, students will explore the political aspects of Supreme Court decision-making and the impacts of the Court’s decisions. 

  Units: 3

Schedules are subject to change.

Spring Semester 2

• CYBR 272: Cyber Defense Principles (3)

  Introduces the fundamental principles of cyber defense and teaches a variety of hands-on cyber defense security skills. Teaches defensive mechanisms of common threats and vulnerabilities, system, network, and device exploitation. Provides future security professionals with the tools to develop better defense mechanisms to protect systems and networks from future cyberattacks.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 432: Computer Security (3)

  Examines security issues arising from the use of computers, with emphasis on system security, software security, and web security. Considers security requirements from a system perspective that impacts the design, implementation of software and web applications. Investigates popular software attacks such as buffer overflow, race condition, format strings, as well as web-based attacks such as SQL injection, cross-site request forgery, cross-site scripting, and their countermeasures. Emphasizes hands-on learning to enhance understanding of computer security issues and solutions. 

  Units: 3

• CYBR 310: Intermediate Programming for Security (3)

  Teaches low-level programming. Introduces data types, functions, control structures, machine representation of instructions, machine addressing, stack operations, subroutines, memory allocation and management. Emphasizes hands-on learning.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 482: Human Factors in Cybersecurity (3)

  Teaches how people interact with different computing systems, and how human factors play a significant role in the area of phishing, access control, and authentication. Examines browser security, privacy policy, social media privacy, online tracking, censorship, cybersecurity user education, and wearable, and brain-computer interface security. Covers core aspects of usable privacy and security principles and practices, methodologies, technologies, and user studies carried out by educators and researchers in the field. Provides future security designers with the tools and skills to develop better security and privacy solutions.

  Units: 3

• MIS 622: Technology Assessment and Security Risk Management (3)

  Examines variety of quantitative models, including financial, economic and business models, to analyze real managerial problems for technology assessment and investment that affect all types of institutions. Introduces the concept of risk and risk management and discusses up-to-date methods for both qualitative and quantitative risk analysis. Focuses on training future information technology or security managers to make better risk decisions.

  Units: 3

Summer Semester 2

• CYBR 312: Introduction to Algorithm and Data Structures (3)

  Covers fundamental to advanced-level algorithm and data structure concepts. Introduces data structures such as stacks, queues, linear lists, trees, and sets. Includes pointers recursion, and implementation and analysis of sorting and searching algorithms. Focuses on abstract data types such as dictionary, priority queues, matrices, and relations, the foundation of recursive algorithms, complexity analysis, complexity classes, sorting and searching, computability and undecidability, problem-solving strategies, heuristic search, modeling and components of database systems, and graphics software systems.

  Units: 3

• MATH 270: Discrete Mathematics (3)

  Exposure to fundamental discrete mathematical skills and knowledge: basic logic and applications in computer science, methods of proof, functions, relations, set, basic counting techniques, graphs, trees, and applications in computer science.

  Units: 3

Fall Semester 2

• CYBR 456: Network Security (3)

  Introduces students to network communication security. Covers network packet sniffing and spoofing, network attack and defense from different network layers. Examines network attacks such as ARP spoofing, ICMP redirection, Man-in-the-Middle attack, TCP FYN flooding, TCP session hijacking, DNS cache poisoning, Heartbleed attack against SSL/TLS, reverse SSH tunnel as well as their countermeasures and defense. Zero trust network and modern network intrusion detection will also be introduced.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 442: Software Security (3)

  Teaches the fundamental concepts and design techniques for improving software security. Examines common software vulnerabilities, secure design and coding principles, software security standards and tools, secure testing, and secure software development lifecycle. Analyzes specific software security topics, including reverse engineering, vulnerability discovery, patching and hardening, exploit generation, etc. Provides future security engineers with the skills to develop secure software by applying software secure design principles, tools, and techniques.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 466: Applied Cryptography (3)

  Introduces the fundamental and practical knowledge of cryptography and its applications. Covers diverse topics on cryptography including historical ciphers, symmetric and public-key cryptology, hash functions, digital signatures, certificates, key exchange and management, authentication, public-key infrastructure and advanced use of cryptography in emerging fields. Focuses on both theoretical and practical applications of cryptography in security domains.

  Units: 3

• MCS 511: Secure Features in Operating Systems (3)

  An overview of the current security of most commercial operating systems and examines the fundamental concerns of security in modern operating systems. Analysis of the operating systems model for computer system security criteria as it pertains to overall system vulnerability is covered. Based upon the security requirements and general architecture of secure operating systems publically available security enhanced operating systems are examined and evaluated.

  Units: 3

Spring Semester 3

• CYBR 486: Enterp Sys Security (3)

  Examines external and internal security threats in highly connected enterprises from both a policy-based and technical approach. Investigates security risks to the core business relative to mobility, people, data, processes, facilities, and technologies. Covers the application of computer and network security principles to ensure enterprise infrastructure, system, service and information assets security in both cloud and internal environment.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 490: CyberSec Capstone (3)

  Provides cybersecurity majors with culminating experience emphasizing integration of knowledge acquired in previous courses. Applies the students’ understanding of security principles, methodologies, technical skills as well as problem-solving, communication and teamwork skills into a real-world project. Requires projects on performing security analysis of systems, networks, software and services, as well as devising and implementing security solutions to satisfy different requirements.

  Units: 3

• CYBR 472: AI for Cybersecurity (3)

  Covers a broad introduction to the key ideas of artificial intelligence that are used in the cybersecurity domain. Introduces the basics of artificial intelligence algorithms, methods, and tools for malware detection, vulnerability detection, and emerging threat detection. Provides tools and skills to future security professionals to understand artificial intelligence and develop better cybersecurity solutions utilizing state-of-the-art artificial intelligence models.

  Units: 3