Do you have the will to outwit the world’s smartest criminals? We think so.

Hackers and cyber criminals can do massive damage to our systems without every actually entering a business. Cybersecurity professionals identify malware and combat these intrusions. Cybersecurity is both a national security issue and a major economic concern for the United States.

Why Major in Cybersecurity at SEMO?

Southeast was the first university in Missouri to offer a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. It’s not just about being first though. Southeast is one of the best schools for a cybersecurity degree. You’ll learn in our state of the art Cyber Range, our Internet of Things Laboratory, and with industry experts committed to your education.

The degree is accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission. We’ve also been recognized by both the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.

And, if you need more convincing that Southeast offers a premier cybersecurity program, our students know how to apply their education in the real world. 100% our graduates report being employed within six months of graduating. Plus, our Cyber Defense team has won the statewide championship for nine consecutive years.

What You’ll Do

As a cybersecurity major, you’ll learn to use technology and your skills to secure and defend cyber enabled systems. You’ll also:

  • Work closely with faculty who are industry experts.
  • Gain valuable real-world experience through the learning facilities that provide an enhanced environment for specialized software and computer systems.
  • Get resume-building experience with an internship with industry professionals at some of the nation’s most renowned corporations.
  • Learn about the challenges in security and privacy of cyber infrastructure within ethical boundaries and legal compliances.

What Can You Do with a Cybersecurity Degree?

 Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Career Opportunities with a Cybersecurity Degree

  • Information Security Crime Investigator/Forensics Expert
  • System, Network and/or Web Penetration Tester
  • Security Architect
  • Malware Analyst
  • Network Security Engineer
  • Vulnerability Researcher/Exploit Developer
  • Security Auditor
  • Embedded Security Engineer
  • Software Security Engineer

Employment and Internship Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • FireEye Mandiant
  • CrowdStrike
  • Emerson Electric Company
  • Enterprise Holding
  • Accretive Health
  • Big-River Communications
  • MasterCard

 

Cybersecurity Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree

Outcomes & Careers

  • $136k

    Computer Scientist

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a computer and information research scientist is $136,620.

  • $164k

    Computer & Information Systems Manager

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a computer and information systems manager is $164,070.

  • $126k

    Computer Network Architect

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a computer network architect is $126,900.

What You'll Study

Degree Map

In the cybersecurity program, you’ll learn computer science and software engineering along with information assurance, computer forensics, network security and cryptography. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.

Cybersecurity – 78 Hours – No Minor Required

Required Courses:
  • BA252 Business Communication (2)
  • CS101 Intro to Computer Programming (3)
  • CS155 Computer Science l (4)
  • CS245 Discrete Structures I (3)
  • CS265 Computer Science ll (4)
  • CS288 Computer Systems & Assembly Language (4)
  • CS351 C & the Posix Environment (4)
  • CS380 Computer Operating Systems (3)
  • CS440 Database (3)
  • CS445 Software Engineering I (3)
  • CS499 Capstone Experience (3)
  • CS533 Mobile Computing (3)
  • CY201 Introduction to Cybersecurity (3)
  • CY310 Information Security & Assurance (3)
  • CY320 Information Security in System Administration (3)
  • CY410 Web Application Security (3)
  • CY420 Computer Forensics (3)
  • CY440 Cloud Computing (3)
  • CY450 Introduction to Cyber Operations (3)
  • IS245 Web Development & Security (3)
  • IS299 Security in Data Protocols (3)
  • MA223 Elementary Probability & Statistics (3)
  • MA464 Mathematical Cryptography (3)
  • TN275 Introduction to Networks (3)
Choose 3 Hours:
  • CS480 Data Communications (3)
  • TN375 Routing & Switching Essentials (3)

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

Freshman Year 

Fall Semester (16 Hours) 
  • UI100 (1) 
  • EN100 (3) 
  • CS101 (3) 
  • MA116* (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • BA252 (4) 
  • CS155 (4) 
  • CS245 (3) 
  • IS245 (3) 
  • MA223 (3) 

Sophomore Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • CS265 (4) 
  • CS288 (4) 
  • CS351 (4) 
  • TN275 (3) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • CS380 (3) 
  • CY201 (3) 
  • IS299 (3) 
  • MA464 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Summer courses are encouraged to avoid 18-hour semesters.

Junior Year 

Fall Semester (15 Hours) 
  • CS480 or TN375 (3) 
  • CY310 (3) 
  • CY320 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
Spring Semester (15-16 Hours) 
  • CS533 (3) 
  • CY410 (3) 
  • CY420 (3) 
  • General Education (3-4) 
  • General Education (3) 

 Senior Year 

Fall Semester (15-16 Hours) 
  • CS440 (3) 
  • CS445 (3) 
  • CY440 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3-4) 
Spring Semester (15 Hours) 
  • CS499 (3) 
  • CY450 (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 
  • General Education (3) 

*MA116 is a prerequisite to MA223.

 

Computer Science Opportunities

  • 11X

    Statewide Missouri Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition Champions

    Southeast Missouri State University is the 11x defending champion of the Missouri Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition. This statewide competition focuses on the operational aspect of managing and protecting an existing network infrastructure in addition to examining the abilities of students to design, configure, and protect a network over an entire semester.

  • 2

    State-of-the-Art Research Facilities

    One of the many research facilities on campus is the Cyber Range, an interactive, remote-accessible computational platform of virtualized digital resources which can be weaved together to aid and solve experimental, research, educational, and operational challenges of cyber-enabled systems offering educational content delivery and collaboration. The Department of Computer Science also maintains a separate OpenStack deployment dedicated for faculty and graduate student research called the Research Cluster, offering 200 cores with a total of 300GB of RAM, and 12TB of storage. 

  • 100%

    Students Graduate with Internships

    Students earn experiential learning through hands-on work in their field of study while connecting classroom concepts to real-world situations. This professional experience does more than add to your resume, it helps you build connections in your industry.

Get Funding for Your Education

Missouri’s opened the door to a more educated workforce. We want to help you walk through it. If you’re an adult learner and a Missouri resident returning to college, learn about the Fast Track Workforce Incentive Grant. It’s a statewide financial aid program that can be used to pursue a certificate, degree or industry-recognized credential in a high need area in Missouri. This major is eligible for the Fast Track grant.

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET): Computing Accreditation Commission logo
  • National Security Agency logo
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security logo
  • official Centers of academic excellence in cybersecurity community logo

Accreditation Information

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC) Accreditation Commission(s) of ABET, under the General Criteria and the Cybersecurity Program Criteria.
Location
Office
Dempster Hall, 021A
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 5950
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701