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Cybersecurity, B.S.

Help Our Nation Become Cyber Resilient
  • 755K+

    Cybersecurity Job Openings Nationwide

  • 23,500

    Number of Cybersecurity Professionals Sought by NC Employers

  • 107

    Among Public National Universities, according to U.S. News & World Report

Regardless of your chosen field, understanding cyber threats and how to mitigate these threats is an essential skill in a global economy that is increasingly dependent on the internet and electronic transactions.

UNCW will prepare you for a career helping businesses and individuals become resilient against cyber threats. 

This Degree Prepares Workforce Ready Graduates

  • We encourage you to participate in the industry certification preparation activities.
  • We advocate for internship/apprenticeship & co-op experiences.
  • Our core courses map into Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), and other certifications.

A Degree in Cybersecurity Prepares you for the Following Careers

GRC Analysts work with all aspects of cybersecurity to provide assurance that business systems are secure - from personnel and facilities to coding practices and access control. Entry level positions start at $87,500.
These professionals utilize intricate knowledge of how information systems work, coupled with specialized toolsets to find weaknesses in information systems before threat actors can take advantage. Penetration Testers must think outside the box and demonstrate persistence through adversity in this highly competitive and rewarding careers. Entry level positions average $104,775 per year.

Security Operations Center (SOC), Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT), and Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) are variations of IT security monitoring and Incident Response capabilities within an organization. The first line of defense can be referred to as Security Analysts, SOC Analysts, Cybersecurity Analysts, and Incident Response Analysts. Regardless of organization name and individual job title, IR Analysts configure and monitor security tools to identify cybersecurity threats, implement routine security measures, and on-call response to incidents happening outside business hours. Entry level positions start at $154,487 per year.

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Learn To

Understand the fundamentals of cybersecurity.

Understand the problems and solutions of cybersecurity in a global, economic, and societal context.

Use current standards and best business practices in information security management to develop cybersecurity policies and plans.

Understand professional and ethical issues arising from the impact of privacy and security on society.

Scientifically evaluate current and emerging security technologies and apply them in a real-world setting.

Cybersecurity Program Overview

Cybersecurity Leads the Way to the Future

The B.S. in Cybersecurity was created jointly by faculty from the Congdon School of Supply Chain, Business Analytics and Information Systems within the Cameron School of Business and faculty from the Department of Computer Science within the College of Science and Engineering. As such, it draws upon expertise of both information systems and computer science.  

The major is targeted to students interested in courses that highlight computer, network, and information security.

You will learn how to identify and reduce the risk of cyber threats. This program will help you understand how to recognize, prevent and respond to cybersecurity issues. You will gain key skills and career opportunities through our courses.

Two Tracks

Choose a track and gain in depth knowledge. Or, you can complete core courses from both tracks to gain a wide-range of cybersecurity knowledge.

Applied Cybersecurity

Applied cybersecurity track focuses on administration of cybersecurity tools and managerial aspects of information security programs.

Cyber Operations

Cyber Operations track provides insights on secure software development and cybersecurity tool development.

Learning Outcomes

A degree in cybersecurity prepares you for:

  • Cyber Operations
  • Policy
  • Risk Management
  • Research
  • Secure Software Development
  • IT Security Operations
  • Enterprise Security
  • Incident Response
  • Threat Hunting
  • Information Assurance
  • Compliance
  • IT Audit
“ Cybersecurity is an ever-changing and expanding field, and it comforts me to know that I can never learn enough, and that I am working in a field where I will continue expanding my knowledge every day. ”
Maria F. Class of 2021

Sample Courses in the Cybersecurity Major

Table Shows Sample Courses in the Major in Cybersecurity
CYBR 245 Cryptography and Data Security
CYBR 251 Secure Programming Foundations
CYBR 440 Cyber Risk
CYBR 445 Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
MIS 365 Ethical Hacking
MIS 366 Digital Forensics
CSC 466 Malware Analysis
See The Full Curriculum

How Do I Major in Cybersecurity?

First, you need to apply to UNCW and enroll. As a new undergraduate student, you’ll focus first on courses that fulfill University Studies requirements. Students need to earn at least 24 credits at UNCW with a minimum GPA of 2.0. While you work on your University Studies requirements, you can start taking cybersecurity core courses to get foundational knowledge.

Contact the Program Coordinator

Learn About the Center for Cyber Defense Education

Are You an International Student?

This is a U.S. Department of Homeland Security STEM designated program that allows eligible F1 international students to apply for a 24-month optional practical training extension.

Learn More
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