Bachelor of Science
Cyber Operations

Cybersecurity
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Protect the Systems Society Relies On

As cybercrime continues to rise, skilled defenders are more essential than ever—that’s where you come in. At Eastern Washington University, you’ll develop in-demand skills in programming, network security, cybersecurity, and more through our NSA-certified Cyber Operations degree program.

Learn how to track and stop hackers, analyze malware, defend networks, and respond to threats in real time. You’ll also explore the ethical, legal, and human aspects of cybersecurity, gaining a deeper understanding of how cyberattacks happen and why they matter.

Gain hands-on experience with real-world tools, access internship opportunities, and connect with industry pros who can help guide your career. By the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to make an impact and help shape the future of cybersecurity.

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Why Study Cybersecurity at the Region's Polytechnic?

Get a hands-on education, real-world experience, and personalized support from faculty so you can launch your career with confidence.

Applied Learning

Applied Learning

Engage in hands-on training, real-world simulations, and research opportunities that help you sharpen your skills.

Support & Mentorship

Support & Mentorship

Build confidence with personalized guidance tailored to your learning style and goals so you're set up for success.

NSA Certified

NSA Certified

EWU is the region’s only four-year institution recognized by the National Security Agency as a NCAE-C.

Career Connections

Career Connections

Gain insights from faculty, collaborate with peers, and get expert guidance from industry pros to launch your cybersecurity career.

National Cyber Competitions

National Cyber Competitions

Join the Cybersecurity Club and represent EWU in competitions like the National Cyber League and National Security Club Challenge.

Applied Learning Opportunities

  • Internships: Get real-world experience (and often credit or pay) by working in a professional setting connected to your career goals.
  • Classroom-Based Applied Learning/Simulation: Practice real-world decision-making through simulations, case studies, role playing, and other hands-on activities in the classroom.
  • Applied Laboratory Work: Build practical, career-ready skills by working hands-on in labs that mirror professional lab environments.
  • Apprenticeship: Build career-ready skills through a structured program that combines hands-on training, paid work experience, and classroom instruction.
  • Co-ops (Cooperative Education): Spend six months or more in a full-time, career-related job that alternates with classes so you graduate with professional experience.
  • Undergraduate Research: Collaborate with professors on research projects where you ask questions, solve problems, and present what you discover.
Cyber students work in the classroom.

What You'll Learn

The following information comes from the official EWU catalog, which outlines all degree requirements and serves as the guide to earning a degree. Courses are designed to provide a well-rounded and versatile degree, covering a wide range of subject areas.

Cyber Operations Major, Bachelor of Science (BS)

The Cyber Operations degree program equips students with the expertise needed to meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals. Alongside core computer science courses, students will develop skills in confidentiality, integrity, privacy, risk management, industrial control systems, digital forensics, and adversarial thinking. The curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning and practical application, covering security topics related to data, software, hardware, cybersecurity systems, and emerging threats.

This program prepares students to design and implement secure networks, applications, systems, and critical infrastructures. Graduates will be well-equipped for careers in cyber operations, with program outcomes aligned with the Department of Defense Cybersecurity Workforce Roles, addressing the critical need to safeguard national security.

Exam Requirement: All Computer Science majors are required to pass the Advanced Programming Exam prior to taking courses for which it is a prerequisite. Passing the exam is required for graduation and no exam waivers will be granted for degree completion.

Grade Requirements: As a computer science student, you are expected to maintain an overall university GPA ≥2.3. Each computer science course and cybersecurity course must be completed with a minimum grade of C+.  Additionally, all courses satisfying an elective must be completed with a minimum grade of C+. All supporting courses required by the department must be completed with a minimum grade ≥C.

Required Computer Science Courses
CSCD 202COMPUTING ETHICS4
CSCD 210PROGRAMMING PRINCIPLES I5
CSCD 211PROGRAMMING PRINCIPLES II5
CSCD 240C AND UNIX PROGRAMMING5
CSCD 260
& 260L		ARCHITECTURE AND ORGANIZATION
and ARCHITECTURE AND ORGANIZATION LAB		4
or EENG 260
& 260L		 MICROCONTROLLER SYSTEMS
and MICROCONTROLLER SYSTEMS LAB
CSCD 300DATA STRUCTURES5
CSCD 320ALGORITHMS5
CSCD 327
& 327L		RELATIONAL DATABASE SYSTEMS
and RELATIONAL DATABASE SYSTEMS LAB		4
CSCD 330
& 330L		COMPUTER NETWORKS
and COMPUTER NETWORKS LAB		4
CSCD 340OPERATING SYSTEMS5
Required Cybersecurity Courses
CYBR 101CYBERSECURITY FUNDAMENTALS5
CYBR 303
& 303L		COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SECURITY
and COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SECURITY LAB		4
CYBR 403CYBERSECURITY POLICIES, PRIVACY AND LAWS4
CYBR 410
& 410L		APPLIED CYBER DEFENSE
and APPLIED CYBER DEFENSE LAB		4
CYBR 412
& 412L		APPLIED CYBER OPERATIONS
and APPLIED CYBER OPERATIONS LAB		4
CYBR 434
& 434L		NETWORK SECURITY
and NETWORK SECURITY LAB		4
CYBR 437
& 437L		SECURE CODING
and SECURE CODING LAB		4
CYBR 445
& 445L		CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY I
and CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECURITY I LAB		4
CYBR 463
& 463L		APPLIED CRYPTOGRAPHY
and APPLIED CRYPTOGRAPHY LAB		4
CYBR 470
& 470L		REVERSE ENGINEERING
and REVERSE ENGINEERING LAB		4
CYBR 487
& 487L		SECURE SOFTWARE ENGINEERING
and SECURE SOFTWARE ENGINEERING LAB		4
Required Supporting Courses
EENG 160
& 160L		DIGITAL CIRCUITS
and DIGITAL CIRCUITS LAB		5
MATH 301DISCRETE MATHEMATICS5
MATH 380ELEMENTARY PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS5
Required Electives–choose six courses for 24 credits from the approved elective list of CSCD/CYBR/EENG courses. Contact your advisor for approval.24
Required Senior Capstone Series
CYBR 490SENIOR CAPSTONE5
Total Credits135
 

The following plan of study is for a student with zero credits. Individual students may have different factors such as: credit through transfer work, Advanced Placement, Running Start, or any other type of college-level coursework that requires an individual plan.

Courses could be offered in different terms, checking the academic schedule is paramount in keeping an individual plan current. Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

All Undergraduate students are required to meet the Undergraduate Degree Requirements.

First Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
All Courses on the Cheney CampusAll Courses on the Cheney CampusAll Courses on the Cheney Campus
CSCD 2105CSCD 2115CSCD 2405
ENGL 1015ENGL 2015CSCD 3005
Diversity - graduation requirement15MATH 3805MATH 3015
 15 15 15
Second Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
All Courses on the Cheney CampusAll Courses on the Cheney CampusAll Courses at the Spokane Catalyst Building
CSCD 202 (Humanities & Arts BACR 1)4CSCD 330
& 330L		4CSCD 260
& 260L		4
CYBR 101 (Social Science BACR 1)5CYBR 4034CYBR 303
& 303L		4
Social Science BACR 2 (Recommended LIBR 110)15EENG 160
& 160L		5Global Studies- graduation requirement (Online Course)15
 Humanities & Arts BACR 215 
 14 18 13
Third Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
All Courses at the Spokane Catalyst BuildingAll Courses at the Spokane Catalyst BuildingAll Courses at the Spokane Catalyst Building
CSCD 3405CSCD 327
& 327L		4CSCD 3205
CYBR 434
& 434L		4CYBR 437
& 437L		4CYBR 410
& 410L		4
Natural Science BACR 1 (Recommended GEOS 100)5CYBR Elective 124CYBR 412
& 412L		4
 Natural Science BACR 2 (Recommended GEOS 113)5CYBR Elective 224
 14 17 17
Fourth Year
Fall QuarterCreditsWinter QuarterCreditsSpring QuarterCredits
All Courses at the Spokane Catalyst BuildingAll Courses at the Spokane Catalyst BuildingAll Courses at the Spokane Catalyst Building
CYBR 463
& 463L		4CYBR 445
& 445L		4CYBR 470
& 470L		4
CYBR Elective 324CYBR 487
& 487L		4CYBR 490 (Senior Capstone - graduation requirement )5
CYBR Elective 424CYBR Elective 524CYBR Elective 624
Elective - minor, or general elective1Elective - minor, or general elective4 
 13 16 13
Total Credits 180
1

University Graduation Requirements (UGR) and Breadth Area Course Requirements (BACR) courses may be less than 5 credits and additional credits may be required to reach the required 180 total credits needed to graduate.  Students should connect with an advisor to ensure they are on track to graduate.

2

Required Electives–choose six courses for 24 credits from the approved elective list of CSCD/CYBR/EENG courses. Contact your advisor for approval.

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We prepare students to excel in the dynamic field of cybersecurity, blending essential knowledge with practical, in-demand skills.

Designations:

The National Security Agency (NSA) has named EWU as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations (CAE-CO), making Eastern the 22nd university nationwide to attain this prestigious designation and the only one in the Pacific Northwest to do so.

The National Security Agency designated EWU as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NCAE-C).

National Centers of Academic Excellence In Cybersecurity Seal