The University of Southern Mississippi

How this program compares

Benchmark this program against our national recognition pages and use the key guides below to evaluate ROI, admissions difficulty, and outcomes.

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 2.5-3.0 required; SAT/ACT scores optional for most programs.

About This Program

This degree program equips students with foundational business and technology knowledge to align cybersecurity policies with organizational needs.

Career Outcomes

Begin Cybersecurity Analyst career in Cybersecurity AI with cybersecurity focus

• 1. Cybersecurity Analyst
• 2. Network Security Engineer
• 3. Penetration Tester
• 4. Incident Response Specialist

What You'll Learn

• Apply security principles to IT systems and evaluate risks or threats.
• Implement network defenses including firewalls, VPNs, and IDS/IPS.
• Conduct penetration testing and ethical hacking to identify vulnerabilities.
• Perform digital forensics and incident response for breach investigations.

Curriculum Highlights

The structure covers computer science foundations, internetworking technologies, database concepts, and specialized cybersecurity modules like firewalls and VPNs.

Top Employers

Top employers include Microsoft, Cisco, IBM, and government agencies like NSA and FBI.

Admissions

High school diploma or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 2.5-3.0 required; SAT/ACT scores optional for most programs.

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Optional
• Letters of Recommendation: Optional
• Resume: Optional
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required

Academic Requirements

• Degree Required: High School Diploma
• GRE/GMAT: Not Required
• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international students (TOEFL 80+ / IELTS 6.5+)