What you will study
The University of Central Missouri’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, with a
focus on Secure Software Development, offers hands-on secure developer training needed
to excel in this vital career field. With the strong computer programming and coding
skills you’ll gain, you’ll be able to identify vulnerabilities in code and provide
fixes before hackers can exploit them.
Hands-on coursework in secure software development focuses on topics such as:
- Secure Computer Programming
- Secure Software Engineering
- Software Security
- Information Assurance
- Usable Privacy and Security
We have designed our rigorous curriculum for developing secure software based on industry
standards set by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CDE),
a joint effort sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National
Security Agency (NSA).
At the University of Central Missouri, you’ll earn a bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity
while gaining specialized secure software development training in technical, systems,
human, organizational and societal aspects of the field. This secure software development
model experience will prepare you to compete for high-paying jobs in developing secure
software and applications.
Excellence in Cybersecurity
- One of few: U.S. programs accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET
- One of the first two: Programs in Missouri to achieve accreditation by the Computing Acceditation Commission
of ABET
- Designated: National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense sponsored by the Department
of Homeland Security and National Security Agency
- Top 55: Most Affordable Cybersecurity Schools and Colleges in the U.S. (Cyber Degrees Edu)
Unique learning opportunities in Secure Software Development
Beyond classroom instruction, you’ll have opportunities to experience real-world and
simulated work environments where you’ll use industry-standard tools and technology.
These may include:
- Internships: In our secure developer training programs, you’ll gain hands-on experience working
with national and regional corporations to give you an advantage when competing for
computer programmer jobs in secure software engineering.
- Designing secure development models: In partnership with Commerce Bank and the Federal Reserve Bank, students in our Software
Engineering class present self-designed, real-life projects to these industry leaders.
Select final projects are used in the Federal Reserve Bank’s Money Museum in Kansas
City.
- 24/7 access to NDG NetLab system: Collaborate with other Secure Software Development majors and practice ethical hacking,
computer programming forensics and other coding skills in our isolated virtual Network
Development Group (NDG). Eight labs equipped with the latest software offer real-world
experience in computer programming and developing secure software in a cyber-safe
environment.
- Career networking: Meet secure software engineering professionals at conferences and competitions through
National Cyber League, National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition (CCDC) and Midwest
Regional CCDC. You can also join UCM chapters of the Association of Computing Machinery
(ACM), National Cybersecurity Student Association (NCSA) and the honor society for
Computing and Information Disciplines, Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE). These interactions
lay a solid foundation for your professional path.
What can you do with a Secure Software Development degree?
As a UCM graduate with a Cybersecurity BS in Secure Software Development, you’ll be
prepared for a powerful career launch to compete for computer programming and secure
software engineering jobs. Our alumni work for regional, national and international
companies, such as the Federal Reserve Bank, Commerce Bank, SAIC, Garmin, H&R Block,
Fishtech, Honeywell, Cerner and other industry leaders.
Secure developer training prepares you for in-demand jobs
Start your career off with strong entry-level and career advancement opportunities.
In the cybersecurity field, need far exceeds the pool of qualified secure software
development professionals.
Explore job and salary outlooks for secure software engineering and computer programming
professionals with the interactive tool below.
Financial assistance options for your Secure Software Development degree
Your cost to earn an undergraduate degree from the University of Central Missouri
is relatively low compared to other universities — in the Kansas City area and beyond
our region. In fact, ranks UCM among the “Top 55 Most Affordable Cybersecurity Schools and Colleges in
the U.S.”
In addition to keeping our college costs low, we offer several resources to help finance your education in the field of secure software engineering and computer programming. Beyond UCM
scholarships open to all eligible undergraduate students, numerous scholarships and
awards are available for cybersecurity students specializing in Secure Software Development,
including:
- Cybersecurity Achievement Awards
- Cooper Scholarship
- Chelsoft Scholarship
- Harmon Scholarship
- ACM Scholarship
- Griffith Scholarship
Meet Jerome Tujague
BS Secure Software Development ’19Security Threat Engineer
“The technical knowledge I gained at UCM is my day-to-day foundation, and I still
refer to my class notes. The Cybersecurity program prepared me to make the jump from
student to professional and provided the experience and knowledge I needed to obtain
a job upon graduation. I recommend this program to anyone interested in the cybersecurity
field.”
Meet Our Faculty
World-renowned cybersecurity experts
Study with leaders on the forefront of developing secure software in one of the largest
Cybersecurity programs at any Missouri college or university. Several faculty have
one or more SANS GIAC certifications in their specialty areas and are highly regarded
for both industry credentials and expertise.
ACM SIGCHI Award-Winning Researchers
UCM faculty and alumnus honored by premier international society
A research paper on LociMotion, submitted by UCM Assistant Professor Dr. Taiabul Haque
and UCM alumnus Rajesh Setty, received an ACM SIGCHI 2021 Honorable Mention award. Exploring studies on how people interact with technology and how technology changes
society, the submission placed in the top 5% of nearly 3,000 research works.
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