Accelerated Graduate Pathway to Cybersecurity

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USM’s Accelerated Graduate Pathway (AGP) to the Cybersecurity Master’s program allows students to take graduate level courses during their final year of undergraduate study. These courses will satisfy requirements in both the undergraduate and graduate programs, allowing undergraduate students to complete up to 15 graduate-level credits.

Program Requirements

Students must be enrolled in the BS Cybersecurity. In the spring of the 3rd year, eligible students should apply to the MS Cybersecurity program. Upon acceptance, students may count credits from the first year of the MS Cybersecurity to satisfy the final credits of the BS in Cybersecurity. Students in the Accelerated Pathway would use their undergraduate major electives for the MS Cybersecurity classes. They will also take CYB 551 Cyber Laws, Policy, and Ethics in place of ITT 451 Cyber Laws, Policy, and Ethics. At this point, students are one elective from completing a graduate certificate in cybersecurity or they may proceed with the MS Cybersecurity program.

How to Apply

On the Common App, select your BS Cybersecurity; then you will see the following option: “Please indicate your interest in one of the following accelerated pathway options at the University of Southern Maine” from which you can select the Cybersecurity pathway.
In the University of Maine System application, select BS Cybersecurity; then you will see the following drop-down menu: Accelerated Degree Pathway, from which you can select the Cybersecurity pathway.
If you are a Transfer or Continuing Student, please contact the University of Southern Maine Advising Office to meet with an academic advisor who can review your previous coursework and determine your eligibility for entering an Accelerated Graduate pathway. Please call (207) 780-4040 or email usm.advising@maine.edu.

Full Course Listing

Technical Requirements

ITT 181 - Computing Technologies Credits: 3
ITT 200 - Introduction to Cybersecurity Credits: 3
ITT 272 - Networking I Credits: 3
ITT 362 - Operating Systems Security Credits: 3
ITT 373 - Networking II Credits: 3
ITT 376 - Network Defense Credits: 3
ITT 383 - Databases Credits: 3
ITT 385 - Integrative Programming Credits: 3
ITT 413 - Ethical Hacking Credits: 3
ITT 440 - Internship Credits: 1-6
ITT 482 - Computer Systems Forensics Credits: 3
COS 160 - Structured Problem Solving Java Credits: 3
COS 170 - Structured Programming Laboratory Credits: 1
COS 161 - Algorithms in Programming Credits: 4
COS 184 - Python Programming Credits: 4
COS 285 - Data Structures Credits: 4
CYB 501 - Cybersecurity Fundamentals Credits: 3
CYB 515 - Research Methods Credits: 3
CYB 530 - Project Management in Cybersecurity Credits: 3
CYB 551 - Cyber Laws, Policies, & Ethics Credits: 3
CYB 576 - Network Security Management Credits: 3

Departmental Requirements

ITP 210 - Technical Writing Credits: 3 (Core Writing, Reading, Inquiry 3)
ITP 230 - Project Management Credits: 3 (Core International)
ITP 250 - Management Information Systems Credits: 3
ITP 350 - Leadership, Teambuilding, and Facilitation Credits: 3
ITT 460 - Capstone Credits: 3 (Core Engaged Learning)
MAT 108 - College Algebra Credits: 4
MAT 145 - Discrete Mathematics I Credits: 3

Remaining University Core Requirements

ENG 100 - College Writing Credits: 3 (Core Writing, Reading, and Inquiry 1)
ENG 102 - Academic Writing Credits: 3 (Core Writing, Reading, and Inquiry 2)
MAT 120 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 4 (Core Quantitative Reasoning)
PHI 235 - Philosophy, Social Media, and Security Credits: 3 (Core Ethical Inquiry, Social Responsibility, and Citizenship)
ECO 101 - Introduction to Macroeconomics Credits: 3 (Core Socio-Cultural Analysis)
OR
ECO 102 - Introduction to Microeconomics Credits: 3 (Core Socio-Cultural Analysis)
PHY or CHY or BIO with Lab (Core Science Exploration)
Creative Expression Core
Cultural Interpretation Core
Culture, Power, and Equity Core