McAnulty College Offering Degree Program in Cybersecurity Studies

As cyber warfare continues to become a cost-effective and convenient weapon among terrorist groups, the need for cybersecurity professionals continues to increase. To meet that need, the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts is offering a new Bachelor of Arts in cybersecurity studies.

Offered jointly by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and the Center for International Relations, the program comprises 33 credits split between the two departments. It will focus on policy analysis at governmental and international levels as well as communication methods among terrorists. Computer science Professor Dr. Patrick Juola and the Rev. John Sawicki, C.S.Sp., assistant political science professor, spearheaded the program’s development.

“Many schools offering cybersecurity programs only focus on the technological aspect and overlook the importance of understanding policy,” Juola said. “There is a piece of the puzzle missing, and we see this as an opportunity to provide that missing piece.”

Students will learn skills in both coding and security policy, which will position them for careers in policy analysis, security planning, security operations, government and forensics, among others.

“There is a market niche for a bachelor’s program like this,” Juola said. “This program will allow for students to make a contribution to society without necessarily needing a master’s degree.”

Additionally, the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science will offer a Master of Science in computer science starting in the fall of 2019. While the department already offers MS programs in mathematics and computational math, the new 30-credit program will focus specifically on computing theory and programming.