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Cybersecurity

Cybercriminals are constantly inventing new types of attacks, and only cybersecurity experts can keep them at bay. The Cybersecurity programs at the University of Central Missouri can help you become one of those experts and equip you to prevent this new form of crime.

Cybersecurity students at the University of Central Missouri study under faculty who have the latest cybersecurity training and certifications. You’ll be able to practice what you learn on the software and hardware used in the industry, so you can graduate ready to land a job in this high-tech, in-demand field. 

Choose the concentration that will launch your ideal cybersecurity career

  • Cyber Operations: Master day-to-day security operations in a course of study that blends in-depth theory with practical experience and technical expertise. This program is certified by the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), so you can be confident that you’re studying a quality curriculum that will impress employers.
  • Secure Software Development: Every piece of software developed needs to be secure. This option gives you the programming and coding background needed to remove vulnerabilities from code, preparing you for a career developing secure web applications.
  • Information Technology: Understand the computing networks that keep the world running and learn how to secure the data that moves across it. Studying information technology at UCM will prepare you for careers managing and securing large-scale networks, including cloud environments.
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Contact

_____________
Dr. Belinda Copus
Chair
Wilson C. Morris 222C
University of Central Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri
Tel: 660-543-4930
Fax: 660-543-8013
copus@ucmo.edu

College of Health, Science and Technology

Department of Computer Science and Cybersecurity

 

Missouri

Among oldest MO cybersecurity programs

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ABET-accredited BS degrees

NCAE logo

CAE-CD designation awarded by NSA & DHS

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SANS GIAC-certified faculty

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Named Affordable by Cyber Degrees 

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Highly ranked competitive team

Find your Cybersecurity future at UCM

Go beyond cybersecurity theory with classes focused on updated, real-world applications:

  • Expert faculty: Our experienced faculty keep up with the most recent developments in this constantly evolving field by regularly completing extensive training and certification in the latest cybersecurity methods.
  • Personal attention: The expertise of UCM’s Cybersecurity faculty directly benefits our students thanks to our small class sizes and student-first approach. All students — graduate and undergraduate — also have opportunities to conduct research with faculty. 
  • Real-world application: Practice the concepts you learn in hands-on classrooms that employ the same technologies used in the industry today. Solve real-world problems or get experience in ethical hacking. You can even join our competitive cybersecurity team, the CyberMules, to hone your skills while networking at competitions. 
  • World-class facilities: A dedicated CyberMule room is currently being built, so future students will have a brand-new facility for practicing ethical hacking and countermeasures.

 

What can you do with a degree in one of UCM’s Cybersecurity programs?

Cybersecurity requires a highly specialized skill set, and the training you’ll get at UCM is widely sought-after as cybercrime becomes more prevalent. A degree from one of UCM’s Cybersecurity programs can open doors to successful, secure careers. Local employers are enthusiastic about hiring UCM graduates. In fact, the job placement rates for our Cybersecurity programs is 95% or higher.

Cybersecurity graduates often find careers in fields such as: 

  • Network administration and security
  • Compliance
  • Secure software development
  • Threat intelligence
  • Risk analysis

 

 

 

About the Program

Program Mission

The mission of the Cybersecurity program at the University of Central Missouri is to 

  • Provide up-to-date undergraduate and graduate programs which enable students to enrich their knowledge and prepare them for careers in computing profession and/or advanced graduate study;
  • Provide computer-related service courses to enhance student learning and fulfill the needs of the 21st century workforce;
  • Support and encourage the professional development of its faculty in areas of service, leadership roles in professional organizations, scholarly research, and grant writing.

Program Educational Objectives

Within a few years of graduation, a graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity will use the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to:

  • Have established themselves in successful cybersecurity-focused careers and/or pursuing advanced degrees.
  • Continue to update their professional knowledge and skills to adapt to innovation and change to meet the needs of industry and/or academia.
  • Contribute to the greater good of their communities through professional involvement and service.

Student Outcomes

Graduates of the program will have an ability to:

  1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
  2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
  3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
  4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
  6. Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.

Scholarships

Numerous scholarships are available specifically for Computer Science majors. In addition, there are paid opportunities to work as a tutor or teaching assistant. For a full list of scholarships, visit ucmo.edu/mocents.

For Entering Freshman

Scholarship Name

Minimum Criteria for Eligibility

Cybersecurity Achievement Award
1. major in Cybersecurity
2. ACT >= 23
3. high school GPA 3.5 or higher

Harmon

1. major in Computer Science or Electronics (preference given to double major)
2. completed 3 units of mathematics and/or computer science in high school
3. ACT >= 23
4. Missouri resident

Kennedy

1. declare a major in the department
2. enroll in at least 12 s.h. each semester at UCM



For Current Students

Scholarship Name

Minimum Criteria for Eligibility

ACM

1. major in Computer Science
2. ACM member
3. enroll in at least 12 s.h. each semester at UCM

Brown

1. second/third year at UCM
2. major in computer science/mathematics
3. GPA >=3.5 (mathematics courses), GPA >= 3.3 (all courses)
4. show promise in pursuing post-graduate study
5. demonstrate financial need
Cybersecurity Achievement Award
1. major in Cybersecurity
2. GPA 3.2 or higher

Griffith

1. major in Computer Science
2. enroll in at least 12 s.h. each semester at UCM

Harmon

1. major in Computer Science or Electronics (preference given to double major)
2. GPA >= 3.0
3. Missouri resident

Moore

1. major in the department
2. junior or senior class
3. GPA >= 3.0 in the major
4. enroll in at least 12 s.h. each semester at UCM

Cyber Range

The program has state-of-the-art computing labs to support both instruction and research needs. Cyber Range (Cyber Central) is used to provide a virtual network environment for hands-on exercises in cybersecurity. Labs in courses like Ethical Hacking, Computer and Network Forensics, and Web Applications Security are supported in Cyber Central. Cyber Central is powered by NDG Netlab+ and provides a virtual lab that would help students practice lab exercises on the virtual network from anywhere using Internet access. Many of the cybersecurity lab exercises are dangerous to perform on a live network and could pose a security risk to the institutional or home networks. Cyber Central provides an isolated virtualized network that would not interfere with other networks and is safe for practicing hacking exercises.

Azure Dev Tools for Teaching

VMWare Academic Program

Get Involved!

Explore Cybersecurity outside the classroom by joining a Cybersecurity student organization. These include:

  • Cyber Mules, a cybersecurity student club that is chapter of the National Cybersecurity Student Association (NCSA)
  • Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) student chapter
  • Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE), an honor society for Computing and Information disciplines 

By participating in these organizations, you will learn from guest speakers, attend regional and national conferences, and participate in state and/or national Cybersecurity competitions.

Completion Program at Lee's Summit

The school offers a completion program for a Bachelor's of Science in Cybersecurity at UCM - Lee's Summit. For more information, please contact Professor Belinda Copus at copus@ucmo.edu

UCM Esports

School of Computer Science and Mathematics sponsors UCM Esports team. For more information, please visit the following link.

UCM Esports

 

Program Accreditation

ABET Logo

The B.S. in Cybersecurity program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. Annual Student Enrollment and Graduation Data

National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

Designated as a National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and National Security Agency

 

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