Education
SCI connects students with cybersecurity education, research, and hands-on experiences from K-12 through graduate study.
Research from SCI labs enriches cybersecurity courses with current case studies, tools, methods, and open problems. Students encounter emerging topics through lectures, labs, capstone projects, research experiences, and practicum work with industry, government, and nonprofit partners.
Education Directory
- Undergraduate Cybersecurity Options Compare the undergraduate Security Track and Cybersecurity Concentration.
- MS in Cybersecurity An interdisciplinary 31-credit degree offered on campus and online by Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering.
- Graduate Tracks and Certificates Compare the Master's Track in Security and the Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity.
- Cybersecurity Scholarships Learn about CyberCorps Scholarship for Service and the DoW Cyber Service Academy.
- K-12 Outreach Cybersecurity learning and outreach opportunities for students and educators.
- Cybersecurity Practicum Applied projects connecting students with cybersecurity challenges and external partners.
NC State Undergraduate Cybersecurity Options
Build the skills to help secure the systems society depends on.
Cybersecurity professionals protect personal information, critical infrastructure, and the computing systems that people and organizations rely on. NC State’s undergraduate options help Computer Science students develop the knowledge and practical skills needed for this work.
| Security Track | Cybersecurity Concentration | |
|---|---|---|
| Credit hours | 9 | 21 |
| Coursework | Foundational and specialized security knowledge | Expanded, advanced cybersecurity coursework |
| Degree structure | Flexible cybersecurity focus | Formal concentration within the degree |
| Requirements | Three courses | Additional courses and a capstone project |
Undergraduate Track in Security
The Department of Computer Science’s Undergraduate Track in Security extends the core Computer Science curriculum with focused study of how to design, analyze, and protect secure systems. Students explore network security, software security, privacy, and cryptography.
Students complete three courses totaling nine credit hours:
- CSC 405: Computer Security
- CSC 474: Network Security
- One of the following:
- CSC 414: Cryptography
- CSC 415: Software Security
- CSC 495: Privacy
The track is designed for students who want to strengthen their cybersecurity knowledge while completing a Computer Science degree.
Undergraduate Cybersecurity Concentration
The Department of Computer Science’s Cybersecurity Concentration is a formal concentration within the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. It expands the Security Track into a 21-credit program that develops advanced technical skills, examines emerging security challenges, and gives students hands-on experience through a capstone project.
In addition to the Security Track courses, concentration students complete:
- CSC 236: Computer Organization and Assembly Language for Computer Scientists
- CSC 297: Three 1-credit introductory cybersecurity electives
- CSC 471: Modern Topics in Security
- CSC 472: Advanced Security Projects
The concentration is designed for students who want cybersecurity to be a major focus of their undergraduate education and who want experience applying their skills to project work.
Adjunct Teaching Opportunities: These additional courses will be taught and mentored by industry and government practitioners. If you are interested in proposing a 1-credit sophomore-level introductory elective in cybersecurity, please fill out the following form: https://go.ncsu.edu/security-course-proposals.
Practicum Sponsorship Opportunities: “Advanced Security Project” (CSC472) practicum course is designed to provide concentration students with an opportunity to apply cybersecurity principles and basic computer science to solve a “real world” cybersecurity problem. If you are interested in sponsoring a practicum project, more information is available on our Cybersecurity Practicum page.
Graduate Degrees and Certifications
Deepen your expertise for the cybersecurity challenges ahead.
Organizations need professionals who can protect sensitive information, defend networks, develop secure software, and build resilient systems. NC State offers several graduate-level paths for developing this expertise.
Master of Science in Cybersecurity
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is an interdisciplinary degree offered jointly by the departments of Computer Science and Electrical and Computer Engineering. Available on campus and online, the program covers cybersecurity and privacy principles along with the software and hardware engineering needed to build systems that resist attack.
The program supports North Carolina’s economy by preparing cybersecurity professionals to develop technology solutions across a range of industries. Its educational objectives align with the expertise of Secure Computing Institute faculty. Students learn to:
- Design, develop, and analyze secure and privacy-aware systems
- Protect critical infrastructure, including networks, cloud systems, telephony, and the Internet of Things
- Improve the security and privacy of end-user technologies, including mobile, web, IoT, and blockchain systems
The coursework-only degree requires 31 graduate credit hours. Students complete:
- CSC 600: Computer Science Graduate Orientation
- CSC/ECE 574: Computer and Network Security
- CSC 595: Cybersecurity Practicum
- Eight electives, including at least four Cybersecurity Core Electives
Core and foundation electives allow students to study areas such as cryptography, software and systems security, privacy, hardware security, networks, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and software engineering.
Cybersecurity Core Electives include:
- CSC/MA 514: Foundations of Cryptography
- CSC 515: Software Security
- CSC 533: Privacy in the Digital Age
- CSC 537: Systems Attacks and Defenses
- ECE 545: Cryptographic Engineering and Hardware Security
- CSC 705: Operating Systems Security
- CSC 774/ECE 774: Advanced Network Security
- CSC 789: Cellular and Telecommunications Security
Foundation elective options include courses such as:
- CSC 501: Operating Systems
- CSC 510: Software Engineering
- CSC 519: DevOps: Modern Software Engineering Practices
- CSC 520: Artificial Intelligence I
- CSC 528: Trustworthy and Efficient AI
- CSC 547/ECE 547: Cloud Computing Technology
- CSC 570/ECE 570: Computer Networks
- CSC 712: Software Testing and Reliability
The program does not require research, a thesis, or a comprehensive examination. Students are normally self-supported, and part-time enrollment is available.
Compare the Master’s Track and Graduate Certificate
Students seeking a narrower cybersecurity specialization within a Computer Science master’s degree can pursue the Master’s Track in Security. The Graduate Certificate provides a standalone credential with flexible enrollment options.
| Master’s Track in Security | Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity | |
|---|---|---|
| Credential | Specialization within a master’s degree | Standalone graduate certificate |
| Coursework | Four security courses | Focused graduate-level cybersecurity coursework |
| Format | Mix of theoretical and applied security | Online and on-campus options |
| Flexibility | Customizable technical focus | Part-time or full-time study |
Master Track in Security
The Department of Computer Science’s Master Track in Security allows master’s students to specialize through advanced coursework in computer and network security, systems security, software security, privacy, and cryptography. Students can choose electives that emphasize applied security, the foundations of secure systems, or a combination of both.
Students complete four security courses:
- CSC 574: Computer and Network Security
- Three of the following electives:
- CSC 514: Foundations of Cryptography
- CSC 515: Software Security
- CSC 533: Privacy
- CSC 537: Systems Attacks and Defenses
- CSC 705: Operating Systems Security
- CSC 774: Advanced Network Security
The track is intended for master’s students who want an advanced cybersecurity specialization within their Computer Science studies.
Express interest in the Master’s Track in Security.
Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity
The Department of Computer Science’s Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity provides focused study of cybersecurity concepts, methods, and tools. It is designed for professionals and graduates who want to expand their skills, prepare for cybersecurity-related roles, or build a foundation for further graduate study.
The certificate offers:
- Online and on-campus course options
- Part-time study, including the option to take one course per semester
- Full-time enrollment at 9 or 12 credit hours
- Graduate-level cybersecurity coursework that complements existing professional experience
Cybersecurity Scholarships
Fund your education, gain experience, and begin a career in public service.
Two scholarship programs at NC State help students fund their education, gain practical experience, and prepare for cybersecurity careers in public service. Both programs provide substantial financial support and require recipients to work in an eligible government position after graduation.
CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS)
Funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), CyberCorps® SFS prepares students for cybersecurity careers in federal, state, local, and tribal government.
Scholarship benefits include:
- Full tuition and education-related fees
- An annual living stipend
- Support for books, professional development, certifications, and conference travel
- Paid government internship opportunities
- Career guidance and employment placement assistance
After graduation, recipients work in an eligible government cybersecurity position for a period equal to the length of the scholarship. Awards typically support students for two years.
Learn more about CyberCorps® SFS at NC State.
DoW Cyber Service Academy (CSA)
Funded by the U.S. Department of War (DoW), the Cyber Service Academy supports students pursuing cyber-related degrees and prepares them for careers protecting national security.
Scholarship benefits include:
- NC State tuition and fees
- Stipends to help cover living expenses
- A health insurance allowance
- Support for textbooks, professional development, and travel
- Summer internship opportunities with government organizations
After graduation, recipients serve in an approved government position for a period equal to the length of the scholarship.