Cyberspace is a dynamic and evolving ecosystem, with complex, multifaceted networks that connect individuals, organizations and national and international entities. However, cyberspace’s expansion presents new weaknesses to exploit, making it vulnerable to intrusion and exploitation. Cyber threats and vulnerabilities have grown exponentially with the explosion of technology and connectedness, affecting individuals, organizations and nations alike. And while cyber threats and vulnerabilities challenge our economic prosperity, organizational sustainability, and individual identity and privacy, they have also emerged as a leading threat to national security.
The Assumption University Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity offers a technology-based education, using methods in computing and information science, engineering, social science and technology management that also foster innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital information economy. The faculty, drawn from different areas of expertise in cybersecurity, will engage students in finding solutions to emerging global cyber threats. At Assumption, a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity will educate the next generation of leaders and architects in cybersecurity, who possess technical expertise and practical training to help secure, develop, and sustain the cyberspace ecosystem.
Assumption University has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through the academic year 2028.
Assumption University has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense through the academic year 2028.Assumption University Center for Cybersecurity
Assumption University Cybersecurity program graduates will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of computing and information technologies and use software development and security analysis tools to produce effective designs and solutions for specific cybersecurity problems within a variety of computing platforms and employing an approved secure systems development process model;
- Identify, analyze, and synthesize scholarly and professional literature relating to the fields of cybersecurity, information security, or information assurance, to help solve specific problems and to stay abreast of the rapidly changing security context;
- Participate as an active and effective member of a project team engaged in achieving specific computer-based cybersecurity results or solutions;
- Communicate, both orally and in writing, and negotiate with colleagues and other stakeholders including employees, managers, and executives within and between organizations;
- Demonstrate sensitivity to and sound judgment on ethical issues as they arise in cybersecurity and will adhere to accepted norms of professional responsibility;
- Integrate their technical expertise with knowledge from other disciplines, such as computer science, data analytics, economics, management science, psychology and human factors, to arrive at practical cybersecurity solutions that are effective in real organizations; and
- Use appropriate tools to prevent, detect, respond, and recover from cyber-attacks.
Raymond T. Albert, Ph.D.
An Ideal Place To Learn
Program Curriculum
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The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity comprises 14 required courses: one course in Statistics; three courses in Computer Science; four Cybersecurity Core courses; and six advanced courses in Cybersecurity including an Independent Cybersecurity Project or Internship; the total is 42 semester hours.
The table below lists the major’s required courses, each marked with a double asterisk (**), arranged in a suggested schedule. Program prerequisite courses are labeled with a tilde (~). Recommended courses are labeled with a plus (+).
Assumption University core curriculum courses may be taken in almost any semester; see Assumption’s Undergraduate Catalog for details. The major’s required courses also allow some flexibility of scheduling.
First Year: Fall
MAT 114
~Elementary Functions or follow Math Placement
CSC 117 or CSC 120
**Introduction to Programming, or Statistics Programming
CYB 115
**Cybersecurity Fundamentals
Core
e.g., ENG 130 or LTE 140
Core
e.g., PHI 100 or THE 100
First Year: Spring
ECO 115
**Statistics, or PSY 224, Statistics, or SOC 300 Statistics (in the Fall Semester)
Free Elective
CSC 260
+Command Line Interfaces
Core
e.g., LTE 140 or ENG 130
Core
e.g., PHI 150+ or THE 150+
Second Year: Fall
CSC/CYB 230
**Networking and Data Communications (Move to third-year if odd year)
CYB 265
**Operating Systems Administration
Free Elective
Core
e.g., THE 100 or PHI 100
Core
e.g., HIS 114 (History and Global Awareness)
Second Year: Spring
CSC/CYB 235
**Securing Wired and Wireless Networks
CSC 303
**Operating Systems (Move to third-year if even year)
CSC 321
**Database Management Systems
Core
e.g., THE 150+ or PHI 150+
Core
e.g., Social Science #1
Third Year: Fall
CYB 328
**Computer, Network Forensics and Digital Investigations (Move to fourth-year if even year)
CYB 318
**Software and Application Security (Move to fourth-year if even year)
Free Elective
Core
e.g., Fine Art or Music
Core
e.g, Foreign Language
Third Year: Spring :
CYB 401
**Preparing for Cyber Disasters (Move to fourth-year if odd year)
CYB 304
**Cryptography (Move to fourth-year if odd year)
Free Elective
Core
e.g., HIS/ Social Science #2
Core
e.g., Foreign Language #2 if Necessary
Fourth Year: Fall
CYB 338
**Ethical Hacking (Move to a third-year if odd year.)
Free Elective
Free Elective
Core
e.g., a second course in LTE or POL
Core
e.g., A third course in PHI or THE
Fourth Year: Spring
CYB 438
**Independent Cybersecurity Project or Internship
Free Elective
Free Elective
Free Elective
Core
e.g., PHY 213 for Natural Science
**Courses marked with (**) are required for the major
Course Descriptions
-
-
The Cybersecurity Minor consists of six courses, which comprise four required CYB courses, and two courses selected from the Electives list.
Required Courses (4)
CYB 115 Cybersecurity Fundamentals
CSC/CYB 230 Networking and Data Communications
CSC/CYB 235 Securing Wired & Wireless Networks
CYB 265 Operating Systems Administration
Electives (Select 2)
CSC 303 Operating Systems
CYB 304 Cryptography
CYB 318 Software and Application Security
CSC 321 Database Management Systems
CYB 328 Computer, Network Forensics & Digital Investigations
CYB 338 Ethical Hacking
CYB 401 Preparing for Cyber Disasters
CYB 438 Independent Cybersecurity Project or Internship
-
Assumption University’s cybersecurity program has achieved “Program of Study” validation. This validation is awarded by the National Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program – which is managed by the NSA – and it means the University’s cybersecurity curricula and its B.S. in Cybersecurity degree meets or exceeds NSA standards in articulating cybersecurity education. In addition, the liberal-arts foundation of the program directly aligns with and supports the following NCAE-C program core values and guiding principles:
- The Ethical Behavior Core Value: The academic institution must encourage and support ethical behavior by students, faculty, administrators, and professional staff.
- The Share Core Value: The institution enables an environment in which students, faculty, administrators, professional staff, and practitioners can share, interact, and collaborate with others in the cybersecurity field.
- The Lead by Example Core Value: The institution demonstrates a commitment to address, engage, and respond to current and emerging cybersecurity issues in the classroom, the institution itself, and outside the institution.
The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity comprises 14 required courses: one course in Statistics; three courses in Computer Science; four Cybersecurity Core courses; and six advanced courses in Cybersecurity including an Independent Cybersecurity Project or Internship; the total is 42 semester hours.
The table below lists the major’s required courses, each marked with a double asterisk (**), arranged in a suggested schedule. Program prerequisite courses are labeled with a tilde (~). Recommended courses are labeled with a plus (+).
Assumption University core curriculum courses may be taken in almost any semester; see Assumption’s Undergraduate Catalog for details. The major’s required courses also allow some flexibility of scheduling.
First Year: Fall
| MAT 114 | ~Elementary Functions or follow Math Placement |
| CSC 117 or CSC 120 | **Introduction to Programming, or Statistics Programming |
| CYB 115 | **Cybersecurity Fundamentals |
| Core | e.g., ENG 130 or LTE 140 |
| Core | e.g., PHI 100 or THE 100 |
First Year: Spring
| ECO 115 | **Statistics, or PSY 224, Statistics, or SOC 300 Statistics (in the Fall Semester) |
| Free Elective | |
| CSC 260 | +Command Line Interfaces |
| Core | e.g., LTE 140 or ENG 130 |
| Core | e.g., PHI 150+ or THE 150+ |
Second Year: Fall
| CSC/CYB 230 | **Networking and Data Communications (Move to third-year if odd year) |
| CYB 265 | **Operating Systems Administration |
| Free Elective | |
| Core | e.g., THE 100 or PHI 100 |
| Core | e.g., HIS 114 (History and Global Awareness) |
Second Year: Spring
| CSC/CYB 235 | **Securing Wired and Wireless Networks |
| CSC 303 | **Operating Systems (Move to third-year if even year) |
| CSC 321 | **Database Management Systems |
| Core | e.g., THE 150+ or PHI 150+ |
| Core | e.g., Social Science #1 |
Third Year: Fall
| CYB 328 | **Computer, Network Forensics and Digital Investigations (Move to fourth-year if even year) |
| CYB 318 | **Software and Application Security (Move to fourth-year if even year) |
| Free Elective | |
| Core | e.g., Fine Art or Music |
| Core | e.g, Foreign Language |
Third Year: Spring :
| CYB 401 | **Preparing for Cyber Disasters (Move to fourth-year if odd year) |
| CYB 304 | **Cryptography (Move to fourth-year if odd year) |
| Free Elective | |
| Core | e.g., HIS/ Social Science #2 |
| Core | e.g., Foreign Language #2 if Necessary |
Fourth Year: Fall
| CYB 338 | **Ethical Hacking (Move to a third-year if odd year.) |
| Free Elective | |
| Free Elective | |
| Core | e.g., a second course in LTE or POL |
| Core | e.g., A third course in PHI or THE |
Fourth Year: Spring
| CYB 438 | **Independent Cybersecurity Project or Internship |
| Free Elective | |
| Free Elective | |
| Free Elective | |
| Core | e.g., PHY 213 for Natural Science |
**Courses marked with (**) are required for the major
Course Descriptions
The Cybersecurity Minor consists of six courses, which comprise four required CYB courses, and two courses selected from the Electives list.
Required Courses (4)
CYB 115 Cybersecurity Fundamentals
CSC/CYB 230 Networking and Data Communications
CSC/CYB 235 Securing Wired & Wireless Networks
CYB 265 Operating Systems Administration
Electives (Select 2)
CSC 303 Operating Systems
CYB 304 Cryptography
CYB 318 Software and Application Security
CSC 321 Database Management Systems
CYB 328 Computer, Network Forensics & Digital Investigations
CYB 338 Ethical Hacking
CYB 401 Preparing for Cyber Disasters
CYB 438 Independent Cybersecurity Project or Internship
Assumption University’s cybersecurity program has achieved “Program of Study” validation. This validation is awarded by the National Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program – which is managed by the NSA – and it means the University’s cybersecurity curricula and its B.S. in Cybersecurity degree meets or exceeds NSA standards in articulating cybersecurity education. In addition, the liberal-arts foundation of the program directly aligns with and supports the following NCAE-C program core values and guiding principles:
- The Ethical Behavior Core Value: The academic institution must encourage and support ethical behavior by students, faculty, administrators, and professional staff.
- The Share Core Value: The institution enables an environment in which students, faculty, administrators, professional staff, and practitioners can share, interact, and collaborate with others in the cybersecurity field.
- The Lead by Example Core Value: The institution demonstrates a commitment to address, engage, and respond to current and emerging cybersecurity issues in the classroom, the institution itself, and outside the institution.
Faculty
Experiential Learning
Assumption's Rome Campus
At Assumption's campus in Rome, Italy, the city and the country become your classroom through daily and weekend-long excursions throughout "the eternal city" and the Italian countryside. This unique study abroad experience will enrich your academic and cultural pursuits as you walk in the footsteps of emperors and gladiators then enjoy delectable Italian cuisine or perhaps a cappuccino after class in a local cafe. (Did you know that your financial aid follows you to Rome?)
Explore the Rome CampusLearn the Skills Employers Seek
Faculty/Student Research
The Assumption curriculum encourages scholarly and real-world experience. With hands-on research conducted alongside faculty mentors, students gain a depth of knowledge and skills that lead to professional success and personal fulfillment.Study Abroad
At Assumption University, the world is your classroom. Students can study and explore abroad in over 50 places from Vienna to England, South Africa, and even our own campus in historic, yet modern, Rome, Italy. Assumption’s study abroad program offers culture, history, and a living classroom for all.Internships
Assumption starts planning for your future the day you arrive on campus. Our Career Development and Internship Center helps students secure exciting and fulfilling internships where you’ll apply knowledge obtained in the classroom in a professional setting, preparing for a future career or additional study. Assumption connects students to internship opportunities in corporations, government agencies, research hospitals, non-profit organizations, and more.Pathway to Success
The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 28-percent growth for information security analyst positions, rating the field with “much faster than average” growth.
Analyst Security
Architect Security
Computer Systems Analyst
Cryptanalyst
Cryptographer
Cyber Security Analyst
Cyber Security Engineer
Cyber Security Manager / Administrator
Engineer Security
Information Security Analyst
IT Auditor Network Engineer / Architect
Security Administrator Security
Software Developer Engineer
Systems Administrator
Systems Engineer
Vulnerability Analyst / Penetration Tester
Michael O'Reilly
Cybersecurity 2021
Digital Leadership Development Program Associate, Raytheon
“The curriculum and professors at Assumption have helped me grow as a versatile young professional. Not only have I gained the technical knowledge needed in the field, I also received professional guidance from Professor Albert and the rest of the department’s faculty. As a result, I participated in an internship and was offered a full-time job before graduating.”
Will Ciesinski
Cybersecurity 2021
Data Analyst Internship, PathMatch
“Switching to a cybersecurity major was the best decision I made in my college career. I am very well prepared for my career thanks to the faculty and staff who made sure I had the skills required for future employment. Assumption is the perfect school if you are looking for a small, tight-knit community that constantly has you as the main focus.”
Nicole Gomez
Cybersecurity 2021
Security Engineer Internship, TJX
“Assumption’s cybersecurity program has given me the skills and knowledge necessary for success. Assumption’s cybersecurity program has definitely prepared me for success and helped me grow in my career path. I’ve learned so much from my professors and received a lot of support along the way. It’s an honor to be one of the first to graduate from the program.”
Samuel Malone
Cybersecurity 2021
IT Specialist, UniBank
“Hands-on experiences and real-world learning allowed me to simulate the future work I want to do. Through working on a variety of different and distinct projects assigned by multiple professors, I gained insight into how the information security world functions and learned the necessary skills to obtain important certifications.”
Frederick J. Anim-Amofa
Cybersecurity 2022
Security Engineer I at TJX Companies, Inc.
“Assumption’s Cybersecurity program prepared and equipped me for success and great achievement. After transferring to Assumption, not only was the transition process a smooth one but great as well. All assignments and projects prepared me to gain knowledge that enabled me to succeed in two internships and helped me get a full-time offer even before graduating.”
Colin Orleman
Cybersecurity 2022
Cybersecurity 2022
“The Cybersecurity Program at Assumption taught me the knowledge and skills I need to be successful. My commitments to the Cybersecurity program and Men’s Lacrosse team taught me valuable time management skills, and through class assignments I have used several tools in the professional field. This experience will give me a head start over my competition in the workplace.”
First-rate Academics in a Catholic University Setting
Assumption University awakens in students a sense of wonder, discovery, and purpose, forming graduates known for their intellectual seriousness, thoughtful citizenship, and devotion to the common good. Students are provided an education that shapes their souls, forms them intellectually, and prepares them for meaningful careers. Enlivened by the harmony of faith and reason, here, students’ minds and hearts are transformed.
Assumption is dedicated to providing a clear understanding of what your education will cost
We’ll help cut through the complexity of financing your education, ensuring you understand what you need, how to apply for aid, and what’s expected of you. You will be assigned a personal financial aid advisor who will guide you through the process and answer all of your financial aid-related questions.