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Cybersecurity: Secure Software Development, BS

Secure Software Development Degree

The need for secure software engineering professionals who are trained to counter growing cybersecurity risks has created a robust career pipeline. The University of Central Missouri is meeting this demand with our Bachelor of Science degree program in Cybersecurity: Secure Software Development. As a Secure Software Development major, you’ll gain qualifications to help protect vital government, industry and individual assets from the threat of cyberattacks. 

Our secure developer training program offers undergraduates the computer programming and coding expertise required to excel in the growing field of secure software development. You’ll learn how to write code and design the next generation of secure software development models while preparing for CISSP, CSSLP and Security+ certification exams and/or advanced degree programs.

Work on the competitive edge of secure software development

Our 20+ faculty will teach you secure software development best practices, tools and techniques in a challenging yet supportive learning environment. The Secure Software Development major at UCM is one of few ABET-accredited Cybersecurity programs in the United States. UCM's Cybersecurity department has been designated as a National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense sponsored by the National Security Agency (NSA) since 2022. We provide you with the technical knowledge and real-world experience demanded for secure developer training in computer programming by both industry standards and employers.

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Contact

Dr. Belinda Copus
Department Chair
W.C. Morris Science Building 222C
Tel: 660-543-4930 | Fax: 660-543-8013
copus@ucmo.edu

College of Health, Science and Technology

Department of Computer Science and Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity


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ABET-accredited degree program
Annual Student Enrollment and Graduation Data

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SANS GIAC-certified faculty

National Centers of Academic Excellence

National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

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Ranked affordable by Cyber Degrees Edu

What you will study

The University of Central Missouri’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, with a focus on Secure Software Development, offers hands-on secure developer training needed to excel in this vital career field. With the strong computer programming and coding skills you’ll gain, you’ll be able to identify vulnerabilities in code and provide fixes before hackers can exploit them. 

Hands-on coursework in secure software development focuses on topics such as:

  • Secure Computer Programming
  • Secure Software Engineering
  • Software Security
  • Information Assurance
  • Usable Privacy and Security

We have designed our rigorous curriculum for developing secure software based on industry standards set by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CDE), a joint effort sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Security Agency (NSA). 

At the University of Central Missouri, you’ll earn a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity while gaining specialized secure software development training in technical, systems, human, organizational and societal aspects of the field. This secure software development model experience will prepare you to compete for high-paying jobs in developing secure software and applications.

 

Excellence in Cybersecurity

  • One of few: U.S. programs accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
  • One of the first two: Programs in Missouri to achieve accreditation by the Computing Acceditation Commission of ABET
  • Designated: National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and National Security Agency
  • Top 55: Most Affordable Cybersecurity Schools and Colleges in the U.S. (Cyber Degrees Edu)

 

Unique learning opportunities in Secure Software Development

Beyond classroom instruction, you’ll have opportunities to experience real-world and simulated work environments where you’ll use industry-standard tools and technology. These may include: 

  • Internships: In our secure developer training programs, you’ll gain hands-on experience working with national and regional corporations to give you an advantage when competing for computer programmer jobs in secure software engineering. 
  • Designing secure development models: In partnership with Commerce Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank, students in our Software Engineering class present self-designed, real-life projects to these industry leaders. Select final projects are used in the Federal Reserve Bank’s Money Museum in Kansas City.
  • 24/7 access to NDG NetLab system: Collaborate with other Secure Software Development majors and practice ethical hacking, computer programming forensics and other coding skills in our isolated virtual Network Development Group (NDG). Eight labs equipped with the latest software offer real-world experience in computer programming and developing secure software in a cyber-safe environment. 
  • Career networking: Meet secure software engineering professionals at conferences and competitions through National Cyber League, National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) and Midwest Regional CCDC. You can also join UCM chapters of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM), National Cybersecurity Student Association (NCSA) and the honor society for Computing and Information Disciplines, Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE). These interactions lay a solid foundation for your professional path. 

 

What can you do with a Secure Software Development degree?

As a UCM graduate with a Cybersecurity BS in Secure Software Development, you’ll be prepared for a powerful career launch to compete for computer programming and secure software engineering jobs. Our alumni work for regional, national and international companies, such as the Federal Reserve Bank, Commerce Bank, SAIC, Garmin, H&R Block, Fishtech, Honeywell, Cerner and other industry leaders.

Secure developer training prepares you for in-demand jobs

Start your career off with strong entry-level and career advancement opportunities. In the cybersecurity field, need far exceeds the pool of qualified secure software development professionals.  

Explore job and salary outlooks for secure software engineering and computer programming professionals with the interactive tool below.

 

 
 


 

Financial assistance options for your Secure Software Development degree

Your cost to earn an undergraduate degree from the University of Central Missouri is relatively low compared to other universities — in the Kansas City area and beyond our region. In fact, Cyber Degrees Edu ranks UCM among the “Top 55 Most Affordable Cybersecurity Schools and Colleges in the U.S.” 

In addition to keeping our college costs low, we offer several resources to help finance your education in the field of secure software engineering and computer programming. Beyond UCM scholarships open to all eligible undergraduate students, numerous scholarships and awards are available for cybersecurity students specializing in Secure Software Development, including:

  • Cybersecurity Achievement Awards
  • Cooper Scholarship
  • Chelsoft Scholarship
  • Harmon Scholarship
  • ACM Scholarship
  • Griffith Scholarship

 

Cybersecurity students

Take your degree further.

Is your goal to continue your studies and master the secure development model? Do you want to advance your potential to earn a higher salary in secure software engineering, computer programming or related fields? If so, then you may be interested in these graduate programs at UCM:

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Make yourself more marketable.

Your Cybersecurity BS in Secure Software Development can be further enhanced by other areas of study. For a competitive advantage in the job market, consider a minor in a related program, such as:

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Explore programs related to secure software development.

If you’re interested in cybersecurity but not convinced it’s the right career field for you, you may want to explore these degree programs in similar disciplines:

 

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