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CybersecurityMajor

Cybersecurity is an area of vital importance to industry, government institutions and national security. You'll graduate workforce-ready, with skills to succeed in this high-demand field that’s expected to grow even more in the future.

Overview

What is Cybersecurity at WVU like?

Description

Our Cybersecurity major will teach you to recognize issues in cybersecurity and develop your knowledge in data, software, system, human, organizational and societal security. You'll learn ethical aspects and cyber laws related to each of these cybersecurity areas.

Required courses in computer science and computer engineering provide a foundation of fundamental knowledge. You’ll study secure software development and host-based cyber defense, and attacks and countermeasures. Interdisciplinary courses in cryptography, information ethics and cybercrime add a well-rounded perspective on the field.

When you graduate, you’ll be able to:

  • identify current problems and threats in cybersecurity
  • detect and analyze cybersecurity attacks and practice defense strategies against them
  • write secure software
  • analyze networks and network security
  • plan, implement and assess security protection mechanisms in computer systems and networks

WVU is recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) by the U.S. National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security.

Cybersecurity program highlights:

At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Fast Facts

What makes Cybersecurity at WVU unique?

Research and Academic Opportunities

WVU is recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) by the U.S. National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security.

In recent years the Department has offered undergraduate opportunities in the areas of:

  • system administration
  • Department of Defense-funded cybersecurity scholarships
  • faculty mentored research on the topics of cybersecurity, digital forensics, human/computer interface, social media, biometrics data acquisition and machine learning

Student work has been sponsored in the summer by SURE undergraduate scholarships.

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

This program provides skills in areas such as programming, networking, software development business, different aspects of cybersecurity, criminal justice and cryptography to prepare you for careers in industry, law enforcement and defense.

Demand for cybersecurity professionals is growing rapidly, with industry sources predicting a shortage of over 2 million workers by 2021.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Cybersecurity major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Employers

Graduates from this major have gone to work at:

Courses

What are the courses like in Cybersecurity at WVU?

CPE 435:
Computer Incident Response

Introduction to computer incident response, forensics, and computer security. Legal basis, proper procedures, and multiple operating systems application.

CS 465:
Introduction to Cybersecurity

Covers the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including encryption, malicious code, authentication and access control, database security, operating system security, and network security. Provides students with a comprehensive overview of the cybersecurity threats, technologies for information assurance, and engineering approaches to build and maintain secure computer systems and networks.

Capstone Projects

Before graduating, all undergraduates in this major complete an academic project (or "capstone") to demonstrate their research, communication and critical thinking skills. Projects in WVU's Cybersecurity major have included:

Cost and Aid

How much does Cybersecurity at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

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Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

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Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Cybersecurity at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Cybersecurity major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements. They also must meet one of the following admission requirements. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Engineering Requirements:

  • ACT Math: 22
  • SAT Math: 540

Engineering Requirements for Test Optional Students:

  • GPA: 3.00

Requirements for Engineering Technology:

To be admitted to WVU's Engineering Technology major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2025-26 academic year.

If you don't meet the admission requirements for WVU's Cybersecurity major, check out some related programs.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Request Information

Want to know more about Cybersecurity at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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