Cybersecurity and Networking, B.S. + M.S. 4+1

About the Program

Cybersecurity & Networking is much more than a matter of Information Technology. When you major in Cybersecurity & Networking at RWU, you will learn how to create and maintain secure networks and track down hackers who aim to breach that security. Students will learn many aspects of Cybersecurity, including intrusion detection and prevention systems, secure routing, switching, and firewall design, defensive and offensive guards, information assurance, computer, and Operating Systems architecture, systems and shell scripting, high-level programming, software guards, Internet security and privacy, systems analysis, cryptography, cryptanalysis protection, security system design, cybersecurity laws and regulations, risk assessment and management, policy analysis, contingency planning, investigation techniques, and troubleshooting. In addition, you can indulge in an interdisciplinary capstone project, including cloud computing, IoT security, and artificial intelligence.

The demand for professionals with cybersecurity skills is high, and it will continue to grow as more companies and industries work to safeguard their data and systems. The cybersecurity plan of study at RWU will help meet this need by providing a comprehensive cybersecurity education that emphasizes critical security issues. The holistic approach combines analytical thinking and criminology skills such as secure coding, cryptography, digital forensics, systems administration, and Unix/Windows fundamentals. Students completing the B.S. in Cybersecurity & Networking major will learn to assess the security needs of computer and network systems, recommend fortified safeguard solutions to prevent unwanted security breaches, and manage the implementation of security devices, methods, and procedures. Students will have plenty of opportunities for hands-on projects. Whether testing vulnerabilities or creating a new security protocol, you will put theories into practice. Because of industry partnerships, you will have access to internships that will put your cybersecurity knowledge to use quickly. You will be introduced to trending technologies such as IoT and cloud computing. You will learn about new domains of security that the world needs to secure. The Cybersecurity & Networking program curriculum is recognized and validated by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Roger Williams University has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) for the validated program of study, Cybersecurity & Networking B.S., through the academic year 2028.

 

Prospects

The demand for professionals with skills in cybersecurity, computer networks, and cloud computing is high, and it will continue to grow. The need for cybersecurity-related jobs is projected to grow significantly over the next few years, and starting salaries for well-qualified B.S.  graduates approach six figures per year.  

Potential cybersecurity career titles include Security Architect, Cybersecurity Investigator, Risk Manager, Security Engineer, Security Analyst, Computer and Digital Forensics, Security Incident Responder, Penetration Tester, Security Software Developer, Security code Auditor, Malware Analyst, Security Administrator, and Secure Software Developer. The potential cloud computing career titles include Cloud administrator, Cloud support engineer, Cloud security analyst, Cloud network engineer, Cloud software engineer, Cloud automation engineer, Cloud engineer, and Cloud architect.

Graduates can join many private/public sectors, including Cisco, Apple, FBI, DoD, Microsoft, AWS, Google, and Deloitte.

 

Program Oversight

 

• Learn in small classes that feature individualized attention.
• Work in industry-standard labs to gain the best hands-on experience.
• Put theories into practice with the opportunity for experiential projects.
• Take advantage of the variety of scholarships and internships.
• Use the program’s stellar reputation and coursework to provide greater chances at employment after graduation.
• Learn from world-class cybersecurity and industry experts.
• Select from advanced courses which help achieve badges and industrial certificates.
• Indulge in interdisciplinary learning from other programs such as Computer Science, Criminal Justice, and Engineering.
• Work with RWU faculty in interdisciplinary research related to current trending technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, data mining, data analytics, systems processing automation, cryptography, stenography, high-performance computing, optimization, and genetic algorithms.
• Utilize the RWU learning environment to become a career-ready graduate.
• Join the fast-track program for M.S. in Cybersecurity upon completing B.S. in Cybersecurity & Networking or a minor in Cybersecurity & Networking.
• Utilize an Industry Advisory Board (IAB), which comprises representatives from the public/private sectors. IAB provides advice and guidance on the program plans and performance. It also ensures that the Cybersecurity & Networking program offers relevant, valuable, and targeted coursework to meet state- and nationwide workforce needs.
• Participate in local and nationwide Cybersecurity competitions and awareness programs.
• Integrate with the campus-wide community by getting involved in student organizations and clubs.
• Partner with Cybersecurity companies such as EC-Council Academia, Palo Alto Cybersecurity Academy, Cisco Academy, AWS Academy, Microsoft Education, TestOut, and many others.

 

Curriculum Structure and Admission Process

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity consists of 120-123 credits, of which 39-44 are for the General Education Curriculum, 67 are program requirements, and 12-15 are for major electives. Students must apply for the Masters of Science in Cybersecurity by the end of the Junior year. The required GPA is 3.0 or better. The student will take two 500-level courses as part of the electives requirement in the senior year, which will count for both the undergraduate and graduate programs. The graduate program requires 24 credits of residency, which students can take in two consecutive semesters. 

Student Outcomes

The Cybersecurity and Networking Program is designed to help graduates achieve career and professional objectives. The program’s graduates will be able to:

 

1. Analyze complex computing problems and apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions. [Problem-Solving]
   
    
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. [Design]
   
    
3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts. [Communications]
   
    
4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments based on legal and ethical principles in computing practice. [Engr Econ/Planning]
   
    
5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline. [Teamwork] 
   
    
6. Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats. [Techniques/Skills]
   
    

Program Educational Objectives

 

Graduates of the program will have the ability to:

1. Demonstrate comprehension of math, science, and essential computer systems topics, including operating systems administration, programming, computer networks, and cloud computing [Fundamentals]

 

2. Analyze complex cybersecurity problems and apply computing and other relevant techniques, skills, and modern cybersecurity tools to identify solutions. [Techniques/Skills]
   
    
3. Design, implement, and evaluate a cybersecurity solution to meet a given set of security requirements. In addition to designing and implementing networks and cloud infrastructure. [Design]
   
    
4. Exercise strong oral and written communication skills, including those needed for technical writing. [ Communication]
   
    
5. Demonstrate knowledge of contemporary global and societal issues and their relationship to professional ethics and cybersecurity solutions. [Ethics/Profession]

 

6. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities related to security architecture, cybersecurity investigation, risk management, security engineering, security analysis, computer and digital forensics, security incident response, penetration testing, security software development, security code auditing, malware analysis, and other tasks. [Teamwork]  

 

7. Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats. [Problem-Solving]

 

8. Have an awareness of the need for and demonstrate the ability to keep learning throughout life and an appreciation of diversity in the world and intellectual areas. [DEI and LLL]
   
    
9. Demonstrate the ability to plan and conduct ethical hacking, computer/digital/network forensics testing, and interpret and report the results. [Experiment/Results]
   
    
10. Demonstrate the ability to identify and apply concepts of engineering economics and project planning. [Engr Econ/Planning]