Our cybersecurity program prepares students for careers in one of today’s fastest-growing fields, with opportunities in roles such as security analyst, incident response, compliance, and systems administration. Students gain practical experience through internships and real-world projects, developing technical skills in programming, information systems, and cybersecurity standards early in the program.
Recognized as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education by the NSA and Department of Defense, our program meets rigorous national standards to ensure graduates are ready to tackle evolving threats such as ransomware, malware, and identity theft. This distinction places us among a select group of institutions committed to delivering high-quality, industry-relevant education. Grounded in the Benedictine liberal arts tradition, Saint Vincent equips students with foundational knowledge across disciplines that provides students with a global awareness and ethical framework for their vocation.
Cybersecurity students participate in regional and national competitions that mimic what goes on in a security operation center during a cyber-attack. The simulation provides students with the opportunity to use their classroom knowledge to solve real-world problems.
Saint Vincent cybersecurity students are encouraged to apply for and gain experience in internships. Some of our students have interned with corporations like the NSA, the Department of Defense, the Air Force, and the United States Naval Criminal Investigative Service.
Our cybersecurity program is accredited and recognized by NSA and the Department of Defense as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. Our students benefit from 24 different knowledge unit areas with specialty technical courses in network forensics, device forensics, and network management among others.
Cybersecurity students work on a final project with a team composed of members representing each of the majors within the department – Computer Science/Cybersecurity/Information Systems – where they identify a problem, propose a solution, and build out and test that solution over the course of two semesters. They present their conclusions at our Academic Conference.
Cybersecurity students participate in community service often informing and educating the public about cyber threats and what to do in case of personal security breaches.
Alumni will go on to successful careers as:
Our students have secured jobs and internships at a variety of companies in their field including:
The cybersecurity major is part of The Herbert W. Boyer School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computing and supported by our core curriculum, where students delve into diverse academic subjects at both foundational and advanced levels to explore how different disciplines connect, fostering deeper self-understanding and proficiency in their chosen field of study.
The student must complete the requirements listed in the following categories:
CIS Core CoursesPlus, two CIS Electives from the following:
Plus, Science Requirements (8 credits)
*All students will take one course designated as a First-Year Seminar which will satisfy a core curriculum requirement.
Engineering & Computer Ethics: In this course, you’ll learn how to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering and computing. You’ll explore how technology decisions can affect people, communities, the environment, and the global economy. Topics include basic ethical ideas, professional codes of ethics, problem-solving strategies, and issues related to risk and safety. Through real-world case studies, you’ll practice discussing ethical challenges and clearly explaining your decisions while building skills you’ll need as a future professional.
Advanced Networking: This course goes beyond the basics of computer networking to explore how modern networks really work. You’ll study current technologies used for voice, mobile, wireless and remote connections, along with important topics like security, performance and system upkeep. You’ll also look at new research and emerging trends to understand how quickly the field changes. Hands-on activities are a key part of the course, as you’ll build working networks—from basic wiring to configuring routers and VPNs.
Mobile Forensics: In this course, you’ll learn how investigators examine mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. You’ll study both the technical and legal sides of mobile forensics, using software tools to recover and analyze data from devices and removable storage. The course focuses on finding information that helps identify users and their actions. You’ll also learn about the investigation process, privacy concerns, evidence handling and the differences between private and criminal investigations, along with how mobile networks differ from traditional computer networks.
National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education
Saint Vincent College has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) through the academic year 2025.
Academic Member - National CyberWatch Center
