Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity
Lawrence Township, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for international applicants studying in country | international applicants studying out of country: 15 june 2025
Key Summary
Prepare for a career designing, implementing, and assessing security measures to protect computer networks from cyber attacks. Gain practical experience through a combination of hands-on and experiential learning, classroom lectures, and professional internships that offer a powerful competitive edge as you launch your career.
- 188K projected number of job prospects by 2030 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- $102,600 median salary made in 2021 by Cybersecurity professionals*
Program Overview
Just as computing technology has become an integral part of many aspects of our lives, the need to secure the operation of that technology has become critical. The importance of secure computational operations has had significant impacts in social, commercial, financial, industrial, and political realms, and will continue to grow as the right to privacy is tested.
In NJ and the surrounding Philadelphia and New York metro areas, the demand is even greater, with over 27,000 unfilled cybersecurity positions. On a national level, cybersecurity has been recognized as a critical component of Homeland Security, and the Senate Appropriations Committee funded cybersecurity efforts above the President’s request for FY 2019. Students pursuing a B.S. in Cybersecurity will bring a powerful combination of a traditional liberal arts education with foundational knowledge and technical training needed to excel in the cybersecurity field. A Minor in Cybersecurity is also available.
Education beyond the classroom
Gain practical experience through a combination of hands-on and experiential learning, classroom lectures, and professional internships and co-ops that offer a powerful competitive edge as you launch your career.
Rider’s financial aid office works with families to ensure an undergraduate education is affordable at every income level. Scholarship and aid award offers are customized to fit your unique financial circumstances.
To get a full picture of the scholarships, grants, and other aid that you may be eligible to receive, apply to Rider and transmit your FAFSA using federal school code 002628. Merit-based scholarships and aid are automatically awarded when you apply, and once we receive your FAFSA, the Office of Financial Aid can help identify additional resources to fund your education.
Scholarships and Awards
The scholarships below are competitive and are typically awarded based on a comprehensive review of the student's academic record, including cumulative high school GPA, rigor of academic course selection, test scores, and auditions (if applicable), and other supporting credentials.
| Scholarships Awards | Award Range | Maximum value over 4 years |
|---|---|---|
| Merit-based scholarships | $14,000 - $27,000 annually | Variable based on financial aid offer. Students who meet the criteria and qualifications for a scholarship automatically receive the award upon admission to Rider. No additional scholarship application is required. |
To be considered for a merit-based academic scholarship, you must:
- Apply to Rider: Submit your completed application for admission, including official transcripts, standardized test scores (unless applying test-optional), essay, and one letter of recommendation by January 15. (Note: the final deadline is November 15th for all Musical Theatre and Acting applicants.)
- Rider offers Test-optional Admission, which means SAT/ACT scores are not required for admission and most scholarships at Rider. Test-optional applicants will be given full consideration for most merit-based scholarships.
- Are you a high achiever? Students with a 4.0 GPA and 1300+ SAT/28+ ACT score may be eligible to receive the maximum merit-based scholarship offer of $27,000. You must submit your SAT/ACTs to Rider in order to qualify for this award level.
- Complete an audition, if required (audition results are a factor in scholarship awards).
- Be regularly admissible to the University as a full-time student.
- Have a minimum cumulative academic 2.7 GPA (unweighted) on a 4.0 scale.
For New Jersey residents, the Rider Tuition Guarantee:
Rider guarantees free tuition for qualified in-state students! If you're a New Jersey resident with a GPA of 3.5 or above based on a 4.0 grading scale, an adjusted gross income of $50,000 or less, and are receiving both full TAG and Pell grants, you may be eligible to attend Rider University tuition-free when you apply as an undergraduate student for the fall 2025 or spring 2026 start terms. Terms and conditions apply.
Visit our website to learn more about the scholarships and aid opportunities.
Rider students in this program will benefit from a curriculum aligned with the latest national guidelines, adaptable to meet the evolving demands of industry and research. Cybersecurity is a nascent academic affair, although it has been in existence for nearly as long as computers. Thus, any cybersecurity curriculum should be founded in basic principles: that the computers, including data, software, systems, and networks, as well as the people and organizations using the machines, are kept secure and operational. The courses comprising the major are foundational, with the concentrations offering breadth and expertise in a given aspect of cybersecurity.
Major Requirements
Required Cybersecurity Core Courses
- Computer Science I
- Computer Science II
- Data Structures and Algorithms
- Discrete Structures
- Cyber Ethics and Societal Impact
- Introduction to Software Engineering
- Operating Systems
- Software Security Engineering
- Computer Networks
- Cybercrime and Cyberterrorism
- IT Fundamentals
- Introduction to Cryptography
- Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing
- Network Defenses and Countermeasures
- Developing & Deploying Cybersecurity Programs
- Cyber Forensics
Elective Courses (Select four courses)
- Database Systems
- Enterprise Security
- Risk Management and Compliance for Information Security
- Artificial Intelligence for Business
- Computer Organization and Architecture
- Theory of Computation
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Analysis of Algorithms
- Parallel and Distributed Systems
- Independent Research and Study
- Internship in Computer Science
- Cybersecurity Independent Study and Research
- Internship in Cybersecurity
- Homeland Security
- Development and Structure of the US Intelligence Community
- Defense Policy and Analysis
- Cyber Strategy
- Cybersecurity Policy: Hacktivism and Cyberviolence
- Cyber War
- Introduction to Criminal Justice: Police, Courts, Corrections
- Criminal Investigation
- Criminal Justice Practice
Graduates of the Cybersecurity major will be able to:
- Graduate with a broad understanding of the nature of cybercrime and cybersecurity.
- Graduate with a deep understanding of security at multiple levels.
- Graduate with the ability to collaborate and apply their knowledge to real-world problems.
- Graduate with a passion for lifelong learning, professional responsibility to uphold ethical behavior.
Cybersecurity professionals are in high demand, and Rider graduates are available to answer the call. Students are well-equipped with skill sets related to the cutting edge of today’s high-tech/computing revolution and can immediately venture into the industry to hold lucrative positions.
Be on the frontline of cyber protection:
- Cybersecurity Analyst
- Forensics Computer Investigator
- Information Security Analyst
- IT Security Engineer
- Security Administrator
