At the undergraduate level, students interested in cybersecurity or security studies typically acquire a background in computer science, information systems, sociology and political science. Students who graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Individualized Study with a concentration in Cybersecurity can create a pathway into the Master of Science in Cybersecurity at UMBC. Employment opportunities include technologists, managers, directors, and cybersecurity leaders. Employment opportunities include working within the fields of technology, law enforcement, policy, and intelligence analysis.
You can also consider these majors and certificates offered at UMBC:
Computer Science with a Concentration in Cybersecurity B.S.
Information Systems B.S.
Cybersecurity Informatics Certificate
Examples of students with INDS degrees in Cybersecurity:
Zachary Neuhaus, class of 2021 *currently a System Analyst for USDOD
Christopher Speck, class of 2018 *currently a Cyber/IA/RMF Program Analyst at Reliability & Performance Technologies
Schedule an Appointment with an Advisor today!
All students are required to take the INDS core curriculum as part of their self designed degree.
INDS 330 Ways of Knowing
INDS 335 Degree Plan Writing Seminar
INDS 430 Special Topics or INDS 410 Internship
INDS 480 Capstone Project Seminar
INDS 490 Capstone Project
Research Methods Course
Other course work in your self designed degree may be drawn from the following. You are not limited to these courses. Your INDS degree theme could include courses from other disciplines. Be sure to check the prerequisites for any course you want to take. It is recommended that you work with your INDS advisor as you develop your own list and timeline which will be formalized in INDS 335. Use the INDS Course Idea and Timeline worksheets to help you create a list of courses and tentative timeline.
Other courses to consider
CMSC 304 Social and Ethical Issues in Information Technology
CMSC 313 Computer Organization & Assembly Language
CMSC 341 Data Structures
CMSC 421 Principles of Operating Systems
CMSC 426 Principles of Computer Security
CMSC 443 Cryptology
CMSC 444 Information Assurance
CMSC 449 Malware Analysis
CMSC 463 Data Privacy
CMSC 481 Computer Networks
CMSC 487 Introduction to Network Security
CMSC 491 Active Cyber Defense
IS 300 Management Information Systems
IS 303 Human Computer Interaction
IS 304 Ethical Issues in Information Systems
IS 310 Software and Hardware Concepts
IS 427 Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: Concepts and Applications
IS 428 Data Mining Techniques and Applications
IS 430 Information Systems and Security
IS 450 Data Communications and Networks
IS 452 Internetworking
IS 471 Data Analytics for Cybersecurity
IS 472 Software Security
STAT 351 Applied Statistics for Business and Economics
MGMT 210 The Practice of Management
MGMT 385 Business Ethics and Society
MGMT 489 Seminar on Management in Business
SOCY 201 Social Problems in American Society
SOCY 330 Deviance in Contemporary Society
SOCY 369 Causes of Crime and Delinquency
SOCY 370 Sociology of Law
SOCY 371 Criminology and Penology
SOCY 372 Juvenile Delinquency
POLI 280 International Relations
POLI 385 International Security
POLI 388 International Conflict and Cooperation
POLI 390 American Foreign Policy
POLI 395 National Security Policy of the United States
POLI 431 Spies, Assassins and Cyber-Warriors: Modern National Security Law
HIST 208 Global Terrorism
HIST 313 US Foreign Relations in the 20th Century
HIST 348 American Intelligence: The Revolution to 9/11
HIST 365 War in the Modern World
GLBL 483 International Negotiation
GES 286 Exploring the Environment: A Geospatial Perspective
GES 312 Natural Hazards
GES 386 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
Updated 04/22/25