Program Description
Prepares graduates for a career in the cybersecurity capacities, such as information security analyst, information technology auditor, network security engineer, and information assurance engineer. This program covers technologies, techniques, and tools required by the cybersecurity industry to identify and respond to threats and vulnerabilities in cyber systems. It covers skills needed to design, analyze, evaluate, and implement security controls in the cyber environments. This program also prepares graduates for professional certifications, including CompTIA A+, CompTIA Net+, CompTIA Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), sets the foundation for Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and Certified Information Security Auditor (CISA), and CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+).
Program Learning Outcomes
- Design disaster recovery and continuity of operations plans.
- Apply industry-accepted systems administration concepts.
- Perform industry-accepted diagnostic solutions to mitigate system problems.
- Maintain information technology systems and security equipment.
- Apply industry-standard cybersecurity principles and best practices to physical and software computer components, architectures, and their functions.
- Apply industry-standard concepts of network security architecture, including topology, protocols, components, and fundamental principles.
- Demonstrate industry-accepted troubleshooting techniques for client-level software and hardware.
- Apply industry-accepted techniques to troubleshoot degradation of system performance or availability, and initiate appropriate mitigation actions.
- Configure and test computer systems and networks.
- Apply industry-accepted principles to identify risks and threats to an organization’s data and provide a structured approach to safeguarding assets.
Program Requirements
- Students must complete their credit English and Mathematics within the first 24 credits.
- One course must meet the cultural competence graduation requirement.
- CORE: The General Education CORE is that foundation of the higher education curriculum providing a coherent intellectual experience for all students. Students should check with an advisor or the transfer institution (ARTSYS) before selecting General Education CORE requirements. http://artsys.usmd.edu/
- In some General Education categories (Mathematics, Biological & Physical Sciences), a 4-credit course selected from the GenEd course list will satisfy the requirement in place of a 3-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting these courses.
- For the Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition requirement, a 3-credit PHED, HLTH, or NUTR course may satisfy the requirement in place of a 1-credit course. Students should check with an advisor before selecting this course.
- Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in ENGL 101 English Composition.
-
Students must complete a minimum of nine credits at the 200-level.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| English | ||
| ENGL 101 | English Composition | 3 |
| Mathematics | ||
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) - Recommended course(s) below: | 3 | |
| Statistics | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Arts & Humanities | ||
| Arts Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Humanities Elective (Gen Ed course list) - Recommended course(s) below: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Philosophy | ||
| Business Ethics | ||
| Communication Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Biological & Physical Sciences | ||
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Physical Education, Health, or Nutrition Requirement | ||
| (waived for this program) | ||
| Concentration Requirements | ||
| CMIS 101 | Information Systems and Technology | 3 |
| CMSC 105 | Introduction to Programming with Python (recommended) | 3 |
| CMIS 111L | UNIX/Linux Operating System | 3 |
| CMIS 120 | PC Operating Systems | 3 |
| CMIS 281 | Security Fundamentals | 3 |
| CMIS 179 | Cybersecurity Fundamentals | 3 |
| CMIS 280 | Networking Fundamentals | 3 |
| CMIS 203 | Systems Analysis & Design | 3 |
| CMIS 121 | PC Repair & Diagnostics | 3 |
| CMIS 217 | Cybercrime and Digital Forensics | 3 |
| CMIS 219 | Ethical Hacking | 3 |
| CMIS 295 | Cloud Security | 3 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 3 credits of the following: | 3 | |
Any CMIS, CMSC, BMGT, or MATH course(s) | ||
| Disaster, Crisis, and Emergency Management | ||
| Total Credits | 60 | |
- Students holding CompTIA A+ Certification may be awarded 6 credits (CMIS 120 PC Operating Systems and CMIS 121 PC Repair & Diagnostics).
- Students holding CompTIA Network+ Certification may be awarded 3 credits (CMIS 280 Networking Fundamentals).
- Students holding CompTIA Security+ Certification may be awarded 3 credits (CMIS 281 Security Fundamentals).
- Students holding CCNA Certification may be awarded 9 credits (CMIS 290 Cisco 1 Introduction to Networks, CMIS 291 Cisco 2 Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials, and CMIS 292 Cisco 3 Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation).
Transfer Note
For more information on careers and transfer, contact the Career and Academic Planning Services office at 301.846.2471 or visit Transfer Services.
Guided Pathway to Success (GPS)
Suggested schedules map your path to degree completion.
Students should meet with an advisor each semester to carefully select and sequence courses based on their specific academic goals and interests. Visit Jefferson Hall or call 301.846.2471 for advising.
| Recommended First Semester | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 | English Composition 1 | 3 |
| Mathematics Elective (Gen Ed course list) - Recommended course(s) below: 1 | 3 | |
| Statistics | ||
| CMIS 120 | PC Operating Systems | 3 |
| CMIS 121 | PC Repair & Diagnostics | 3 |
| CMIS 101 | Information Systems and Technology | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Recommended Second Semester | ||
| Arts Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| CMSC 105 | Introduction to Programming with Python | 3 |
| CMIS 179 | Cybersecurity Fundamentals | 3 |
| CMIS 280 | Networking Fundamentals | 3 |
| CMIS 281 | Security Fundamentals | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Recommended Third Semester | ||
| Humanities Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Biological & Physical Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3-4 | |
| CMIS 111L | UNIX/Linux Operating System | 3 |
| CMIS 219 | Ethical Hacking | 3 |
| CMIS 295 | Cloud Security | 3 |
| Credits | 15-16 | |
| Recommended Fourth Semester | ||
| Social & Behavioral Sciences Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| Communication Elective (Gen Ed course list) | 3 | |
| CMIS 203 | Systems Analysis & Design | 3 |
| CMIS 217 | Cybercrime and Digital Forensics | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Any CMIS, CMSC, BMGT, or MATH course(s) | ||
| Disaster, Crisis, and Emergency Management | ||
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 60-61 | |
- 1
Take this course within the first 24 credits.
Part-time Students
Part-time students should complete courses in the order listed on the pathway. Please contact program manager for questions about part-time status.
Students who take fewer than 15 credits each semester or who require developmental English or Math coursework will need additional semesters to complete their degrees. Summer term and January session classes may help students to make faster progress.
Pathway Legend
Milestone - courses with the Milestone notation should be taken within the recommend credit range to stay on track for program completion.
Fall, Spring, Summer - courses with a Fall, Spring, or Summer notation indicate the course is offered in the specified semester only.