Cybersecurity BAS

With a Cybersecurity degree from The University of Southern Mississippi, you can act as the defensive force against malware in a world that is becoming increasingly digital. You’ll become the frontline of protection against cyber-attacks and unauthorized access to personal data!

Our fully online, affordable Cybersecurity degree prepares students for the CompTIA Security+ certification exam. This exam tests the skills and qualifications of students when job hunting. To get you ready, you’ll take classes in cybersecurity risk management, web application security, secure software development, malware reverse engineering, and so much more. This is your opportunity to become part of the necessary growth in the global cybersecurity workforce. Looking for more? Our enrollment coaches are standing by to assist you. Click here for more info! This is your life, plus college!

Scholarship opportunities are available for online students! Our Online Student Scholarship gives first-time, fully online students an opportunity for $500 towards their first semester. To get started with our Online Student Scholarship or to view our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, visit our Student Scholarship page now!

What can you do with a cybersecurity degree?

A Cybersecurity degree can put you at the forefront of defense- safeguarding organizations from cyber threats, conducting penetration testing, and developing robust security protocols.

Written Communication

Course	Credits
Composition One	3 hrs.
Composition Two	3 hrs.

Natural Science

Select 2 courses with labs:

Course	Credits
General Astronomy I *	3 hrs.
General Astronomy II *	3 hrs.
Biology and Society	3 hrs.
Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology *	3 hrs.
Principles of Biological Science	3 hrs.
Principles of Biological Science II *	3 hrs.
Human Anatomy and Physiology I *	3 hrs.
Human Anatomy and Physiology II *	3 hrs.
Chemistry and Our Environment	3 hrs.
General Chemistry I	3 hrs.
Fundamentals of General, Organic and Biochemistry *	3 hrs.
Weather and Climate *	3 hrs.
Land and Water *	3 hrs.
Physical Geology *	3 hrs.
Historical Geology *	3 hrs.
Introduction to Ocean Science *	3 hrs.
Introductory Physics *	3 hrs.
General Physics I	3 hrs.
General Physics II *	3 hrs.
General Physics I with Calculus *	4 hrs.
General Physics II with Calculus *	4 hrs.
Living in a Material World *	3 hrs.

Humanities

Course	Credits
World Literature

Select 2 courses, 1 History required:

Course	Credits
World Civilizations: Beginnings to 1500 C.E.	3 hrs.
World Civilizations: 1500 C.E. to present	3 hrs.
Colloquium on the Pre-Modern World	3 hrs.
Colloquium on the Modern World	3 hrs.
Introduction to Philosophy	3 hrs.
Ethics and Good Living
Comparative Religion	3 hrs.

Aesthetic Values

Select 1 course:

Course	Credits
Art Appreciation	3 hrs.
Dance Appreciation	3 hrs.
The Enjoyment of Music	3 hrs.
Theatre Appreciation	3 hrs.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Select 2 courses:

Course	Credits
The Human Experience: A Global Perspective on Human Diversity	3 hrs.
Introduction to Cultural & Linguistic Anthropology	3 hrs.
Basic Economics	3 hrs.
World Geography: Dynamics of a Changing Earth	3 hrs.
Concepts of Wellness	3 hrs.
American Government	3 hrs.
General Psychology	3 hrs.
Understanding Society: Principles of Sociology	3 hrs.
Introduction to Language	3 hrs.

Mathematics

Select 1 course:

Course	Credits
College Algebra	3 hrs.

Higher-level MAT course
ACT Math sub score of 24 or higher
SAT Math score of 560 or higher

Writing-Intensive Requirement & Speaking Intensive Requirement

Course	Credits
Cyber Law & Ethics	3 hrs.

Capstone Requirement

Course	Credits
Senior Project	3 hrs.

Major Area of Study Requirements

Course	Credits
Computer Systems	3 hrs.
Systems Architecture	3 hrs.
Computer Science I	3 hrs.
Computer Science II	3 hrs.
Cyber Law and Ethics
Secure Software Development	3 hrs.
Web Application Security	3 hrs.
Linux Fundamentals	3 hrs.
Cybersecurity Principles	3 hrs.
Information Assurance and Security	3 hrs.
Database Concepts	3 hrs.
Cybersecurity Risk Management	3 hrs.
Senior Project	3 hrs.
Firewalls & Virtual Private Networks	3 hrs.
Intrusion Detection Systems	3 hrs.
Advanced Linux Administration	3 hrs.
Malware Reverse Engineering	3 hrs.

Select 1:

ITC 131 – Internetworking Technologies 3 hrs.
or
CE 260 – Computer Networks 3 hrs.

Additional Requirements

Choose electives as needed.

Hours to Degree

120 hours are needed to graduate with a BAS in Cybersecurity. At least 50 percent of the hours applied to a degree at The University of Southern Mississippi must be earned from a senior college, and 30 of these hours must be in courses numbered 300 or above. The student must earn at least 21 of the last 30 hours of course work and at least 12 hours in the major area of study from Southern Miss. See Residence Hour Requirements for more information.

Additional Note

Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.

* Requires additional 1 hour lab

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the advisor for this program?

The advisor for this program is Alkendria McNair. You can reach Alkendria McNair at alkendria.mcnair@usm.edu.

How do I apply?

To get started with the application process, start here.

How much does a cybersecurity degree cost?

Visit our tuition page. Our tuition calculator will help you set a semester expectation in just a few clicks.

What will students learn in the program?

The overall goal of the program is to prepare students for a career in cybersecurity by providing them with hands-on experiences and a security mindset. As you complete this program, you’ll develop skills in web security, risk assessment, human/computer interaction, and a lot more to prepare you for the real world of cybersecurity.

What if I still have questions about the university?

If you have questions about tuition, transfer credits or anything else about the university, please visit our FAQ page, or take a moment to fill out our form at the bottom of the screen, and we will reach out to you!

Admission Requirements

The following is required from all undergraduate applicants:

Application for Undergraduate Admission
$45 non-refundable application fee
An official high school transcript for freshman (high school) applicants OR official transcripts from all institutions attended after high school for transfer applicants
Submission of ACT or SAT scores for freshman (high school) applicants
Students should complete equivalent coursework to an introductory and intermediate programming class, such as CSC 101: Computer Science 1 and CSC 102: Computer Science 2, before entering the program.

Students should be mindful of admission deadlines. For a full list of admission requirements, see the University Admission Policies.

Program Academic Policies and Requirements