College of Science, Technology, and Health
Computer Science, BA with Cybersecurity Emphasis
Bachelor’s Degree offered in On-campus and Blended formats.
*On-campus format may require some online classes for degree completion.
About Our Computer Science Cybersecurity Degree
Cybersecurity professionals are in extraordinary demand, and the organizations hiring them want candidates who understand both how systems are built and how they are broken. 51福利社’s Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science with a Cybersecurity Emphasis gives you both. Rooted in a comprehensive computer science foundation and sharpened by focused cybersecurity coursework, this on-campus program prepares you to protect networks, investigate digital threats, and build secure systems from day one of your career.
What sets this computer science cybersecurity degree apart from a standalone cybersecurity program? Depth. You’ll build core competencies in programming, data structures, algorithms, and systems architecture before layering on specialized cybersecurity training in ethical hacking, penetration testing, cybercrime investigation, and cybersecurity analysis. That dual skillset is exactly what employers in the St. Louis metro and beyond are looking for: professionals who can write code, architect secure systems, and identify vulnerabilities before attackers do.
The BA format offers flexibility that the BS in Computer Science does not. With fewer required math and physics credits, the BA gives you room to pair your computer science cybersecurity degree with a minor in business, criminal justice, communications, or another field that aligns with your career goals. This makes it an especially strong fit for students interested in cybersecurity management, compliance, consulting, or cross-functional roles where technical knowledge meets organizational strategy.
Students explore real-world cybersecurity challenges throughout their coursework, learning to think like an attacker and respond like a defender. Courses cover database systems, networking, applied artificial intelligence, and the legal and ethical dimensions of cybersecurity. Advanced coursework goes deeper into penetration testing methodologies, cybersecurity analysis, and the frameworks professionals use to identify and mitigate threats in production environments. The program culminates in a senior project, where you apply your skills to a real-world problem. View .
Key Program Facts
- 56 total credit hours (computer science, mathematics, and physics, plus general education)
- Cybersecurity emphasis includes ethical hacking, penetration testing, and cybersecurity analysis
- BA format allows pairing with a minor outside science and mathematics
- Culminates in a senior capstone project
Essential Skills and Insights
Effective cybersecurity professionals do more than run vulnerability scans. They understand how software is built, how networks communicate, how data flows between systems, and where those processes create exploitable weaknesses. The Computer Science BA with Cybersecurity Emphasis develops five critical competency areas:
Programming and Software Development
Build fluency in programming languages, data structures, and algorithms. You’ll write code that solves problems and understand the architecture of the systems you’re protecting.
Network Security and Defense
Study networking protocols, database systems, and the techniques attackers use to exploit them. Learn to configure, monitor, and defend enterprise network environments.
Offensive Security and Ethical Hacking
Develop hands-on skills in penetration testing, vulnerability assessment, and attack simulation through courses aligned with the certification.
Cybersecurity Analysis and Investigation
Learn to detect, analyze, and respond to security incidents. Coursework covers threat analysis, cybercrime investigation, and the forensic methodologies used in real-world breach response.
Ethics, Law and Critical Thinking
Examine the legal and ethical dimensions of cybersecurity. Develop the judgment to make responsible decisions about vulnerability disclosure, privacy, surveillance, and the societal impact of technology.
Department Faculty
Mathematics, Computer Science and Information Technology faculty in the College of Science, Technology, and Health bring expertise in computer science, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies, connecting classroom instruction to real-world application.
Experiential Learning, Real-World Impact
Cybersecurity skills are built through practice, not just lectures. The Computer Science BA with Cybersecurity Emphasis integrates hands-on experience throughout the curriculum:
- Apply ethical hacking techniques in lab environments that simulate real-world attack scenarios
- Conduct penetration tests against controlled systems to identify and exploit vulnerabilities
- Analyze security incidents using forensic tools and methodologies used by working analysts
- Build secure applications and evaluate code for common vulnerabilities
- Complete a senior capstone project that applies your cybersecurity and computer science knowledge to a real-world problem
- Explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity through applied AI coursework
Career Outlook
Graduates of Lindenwood’s computer science cybersecurity degree are prepared for a range of high-demand roles across technology, finance, healthcare, government, and defense. The cybersecurity specializations and career paths available to graduates continue to expand as organizations invest in digital defense. Common career paths include:
- Cybersecurity Analyst / Information Security Analyst
- Penetration Tester / Ethical Hacker
- Network Security Analyst / Engineer
- Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
- Digital Forensics Investigator
- IT Security Consultant
- Software Developer (Security-Focused)
- Systems Administrator / Security Engineer
According to the , information security analysts earned a median annual salary of $124,910 in May 2024, with employment projected to grow 29% from 2024 to 2034. Software developers earned a median of $133,080 with 15% projected growth over the same period. The combination of computer science fundamentals and cybersecurity specialization positions graduates for competitive salaries in both disciplines.
The program also provides a strong foundation for graduate study. Students interested in advancing into leadership or specialized research roles may consider Lindenwood’s Cybersecurity Management MS or pursue industry certifications like , CEH, or CISSP to further differentiate themselves in the job market.
BA vs. BS in Computer Science: Choosing the Right Path
Lindenwood offers both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science. The BA requires 56 credit hours and emphasizes flexibility, giving you room for a minor or double major in a non-STEM field. The BS requires 73 credit hours with deeper focus on mathematics, physics, and scientific computing, making it ideal for students pursuing research, graduate school, or engineering-heavy roles. Both degrees can include the Cybersecurity Emphasis. If you want a broad education that combines technical cybersecurity skills with another discipline, the BA is the right fit. If you want maximum technical depth alongside your cybersecurity training, consider the BS with Cybersecurity Emphasis.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Cybersecurity Emphasis is a specialized track within Lindenwood’s Computer Science BA that adds focused coursework in ethical hacking, penetration testing, cybersecurity analysis, cybercrime, and network security to your core computer science education. You’ll graduate with both a computer science degree and concentrated cybersecurity expertise.
The Computer Science BA with Cybersecurity Emphasis requires 56 credit hours of major coursework (computer science, mathematics, and physics) in addition to Lindenwood’s general education requirements.
The BA with Cybersecurity Emphasis is primarily an on-campus program, though some online classes may be required for degree completion. Students seeking a fully online cybersecurity degree should explore Lindenwood’s Online Bachelor’s in Cybersecurity (BS).
Coursework aligns with industry certifications including , , and EC-Council Certified Security Analyst (ECSA). Additional study and preparation outside of coursework may be required to pass certification exams.
The Computer Science BA with Cybersecurity Emphasis is a computer science degree with specialized cybersecurity coursework layered on top. The standalone Cybersecurity BS (Online) is a dedicated cybersecurity degree with its own curriculum focused entirely on security topics like cloud security, digital forensics, and secure software development. Choose the CS BA with Cyber Emphasis if you want a computer science foundation with cybersecurity specialization. Choose the Cybersecurity BS if you want to focus exclusively on cybersecurity.
Graduates pursue careers as cybersecurity analysts, penetration testers, network security analysts, SOC analysts, digital forensics investigators, IT security consultants, and security-focused software developers. Learn more about top career opportunities in cybersecurity. The degree also provides a strong foundation for graduate study in cybersecurity or computer science.
Begin your application at . Select Computer Science as your intended major and indicate interest in the Cybersecurity Emphasis during your admissions interview or academic advising session.
Related Resources
Dr. Erin Martin
Department Head
Mathematics, Computer Science, and Information Technology