Program Overview

Introduction to the Cybersecurity Program

The Cybersecurity program at Western Washington University is a joint academic program between the university and Washington State community colleges, culminating in a baccalaureate degree in cybersecurity. This applied program is designed to provide students and IT professionals the opportunity to continue their education to the bachelor’s degree level in the emergent field of cybersecurity.

Why Consider a Cybersecurity Major?

The rise of cyber-attacks and a heightened awareness of network vulnerability, coupled with a shortage of trained cybersecurity professionals, is creating serious consequences for individuals, corporations, and government agencies seeking to protect sensitive information. In response to the emerging demand, Western Washington University and several Community Colleges are working together in one of the nation’s few community college-to-university cybersecurity collaborations.

Program Description

The Cybersecurity degree will prepare graduates for high-demand professional roles such as cybersecurity manager, cyber defense analyst, secure software assessor, secure software development specialist, or systems security analyst. Graduates of the program will have an ability to:

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

Admission and Declaration Process

Pre-Admission Requirements

• Completion of a designated associate degree from a community college that is covered by an active articulation agreement and includes as a minimum Data Networking, Operating System Administration, Cybersecurity Fundamentals, and additional courses in Computer and Information Technology representing a total of at least 60 credits in the field.
• Completion of initial programming courses equivalent to CSCI 141 – Computer Programming 1 and CSCI 145 – Computer Programming and Linear Data Structures; and MATH 124 - Calculus I.
• Minimum GPA of 2.50

Application Process

Admission instructions and processes are detailed on the Cybersecurity website.

Program Requirements

Cybersecurity Core Courses (23-32 credits)

• CISS 247 - Computer Systems I (5 credits)
• CISS 301 - Discrete Structures for Cybersecurity (5 credits)
• CISS 340 - Database Concepts (3 credits)
• CISS 346 - Secure Software Development (4 credits)
• CISS 360 - Operating System Concepts (3 credits)
• CISS 461 - Computer Security (4 credits)
• CISS 470 - Policy, Compliance, & Risk (4 credits)
• CISS 471 - Cyber Privacy, Ethics & Abuse (4 credits)

Support Courses (14 credits)

• ENG 302 - Technical Writing (5 credits)
• MATH 125 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (5 credits)
• MATH 341 - Probability and Statistical Inference (4 credits)

Cybersecurity Electives (8 credits)

• Select two elective courses:
  • CISS 349 - Computer System Administration (4 credits)
  • CISS 421 - Computer Forensics (4 credits)
  • CISS 422 - Dynamic Analysis of Software (4 credits)
  • CISS 423 - Software Reverse Engineering (4 credits)
  • CISS 464 - Penetration Testing (4 credits)
  • CISS 469 - Advanced Network System Security (4 credits)
  • CISS 478 - Cryptographic Techniques (4 credits)
  • CISS 473 - Cyber Warfare (4 credits)
  • CSCI 496 - Undergraduate Research (1-4 credits)
  • DATA 311 - Fundamentals of Data Science (4 credits)

GUR Science

• Students must complete one of the following lab science sequences as a part of their GUR requirements:
  • BIOL 204 - Introduction to Evolution, Ecology and Biodiversity w/lab (5 credits)
  • BIOL 205 - Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology w/lab (5 credits)
  • CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I (5 credits)
  • CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II (5 credits)
  • PHYS 161 - Physics with Calculus I (5 credits)
  • PHYS 162 - Physics with Calculus II (5 credits)

Capstone Core (6 credits)

• Complete 6 credits from the following:
  • CISS 491 - Cybersecurity Capstone Project I - Initiate (2 credits)
  • CISS 492 - Cybersecurity Capstone Project II - Develop (2 credits)
  • CISS 493 - Cybersecurity Capstone Project III - Evaluate (2 credits)
  • Or take undergraduate research for at least 2 credits per quarter for 3 sequential quarters.
  • CSCI 490 - Senior Research (2 credits) (6 credits required)
  • Or participate as a cybersecurity member of a computer science senior project.
  • CSCI 491 - Senior Project 1 (2 credits)
  • CSCI 492 - Senior Project 2 (2 credits)
  • CSCI 493 - Senior Project 3 (2 credits)

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement