March 28, 2024

Press Release

New USF Bachelor's Degree in Cybersecurity is a First

First class of new students enrolling this fall will further position the university as a leader in cyber

| 6/19/2018

TAMPA – The University of South Florida College of Engineering is pioneering a new degree program designed to prepare students for careers in one of the country’s fastest growing industries – cybersecurity.

The bachelor’s in cybersecurity, housed in the college’s Department of Computer Science and Engineering, is the first undergraduate degree program of its kind among Florida’s 12 public universities.

“With the growth of the Tampa Bay area as technology hub, the cybersecurity degree will provide employers with a technical workforce able to protect a company’s assets,” Dean of the USF College of Engineering Robert H. Bishop said. “Cybercrime shows no signs of slowing down and the high demand for cybersecurity workers, coupled with a limited supply of talent, means that graduates going into the field can earn high salaries performing a variety of jobs.”

Experts predict jobs in the cybersecurity industry will grow by nearly 30 percent through 2026, with a reported median salary for information security analysts at more than $95,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The anticipated growth, combined with the opportunity for graduates to find high-paying jobs, are the primary reasons behind USF’s development of this new degree.

The collaborative program is built on a technical foundation of computing and information technology, while also exploring human behavior, a key factor in how cyber criminals often exploit their victims. Students will learn how to ensure online security and protect digital assets, whether it involves personal bank records, state secrets or critical national infrastructures. They will also take courses in business, ethics and policy.

The College of Engineering expects to enroll the first 50 new students into the program this fall, who will combine with approximately 40 other students transferring in from other programs across the university.

USF already offers master’s degree programs in cybersecurity and cybercrime, multiple certificate programs and the Florida Center for Cybersecurity is housed on campus, making USF uniquely positioned as a statewide and national leader in this field.

For more information on the program, including how to apply, click here.


About the University of South Florida

The University of South Florida, established in 1956 and located in Tampa, is a high-impact, global research university dedicated to student success. The USF System includes three, separately accredited institutions: USF; USF St. Petersburg; and USF Sarasota-Manatee. Serving more than 49,000 students, the USF System has an annual budget of $1.6 billion and an annual economic impact of $4.4 billion. USF ranks in the Top 30 nationally for research expenditures among public universities, according to the National Science Foundation. In 2016, the Florida Legislature designated USF as “Emerging Preeminent,” placing USF in an elite category among the state’s 12 public universities. USF is a member of the American Athletic Conference.

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