The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies
Queens Campus
Overview
As our reliance on computers increases and technology grows more sophisticated, the need for cyber security experts becomes critical to protect users and keep personal information out of the hands of hackers and cyber criminals.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the computer security field is rapidly growing. Private and public employers are expected to add 286,600 new computer security jobs over the next ten years.
You can prepare for this exciting field by earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Cyber Security Systems at St. John's. Offered by the Collins College of Professional Studies, this 120-credit program prepares students for career opportunities in small, medium, and Fortune 500 corporations as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in different cyber security fields, including:
Cyber Security Systems and Technology: cryptanalysts, security administrators, security analysts, Web security administrators.
Cyber Security Systems for Business: information security managers, information assurance consultants and business security systems analysts.
Cyber Forensics: computer crime investigators, cyber law enforcement specialists, digital forensics specialists, forensic technology consultants, Internet forensics specialists, technology risk management professionals.
As of Jan 28, 2022 the B.S. program in Cyber Security Systems at St. John’s University is validated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Security Agency (NSA) as a Program of Study (PoS) in Cybersecurity through academic year 2027.
Furthermore, as of May 16, 2022, and through academic year 2027, St. John’s University is designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Security Agency (NSA) as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CDE).
Students will be tutored by Top notch faculty and have access to state of the art technology and Labs.
Students can take advantage of St. John’s location in dynamic New York City. Our faculty and Career Center have strong ties to employers and other professional and educational resources throughout the New York area. Students make New York their classroom through innovative courses like Discover New York.
Any interested applicants should contact their St. John's academic adviser or Dr. Erald Troja, trojae@stjohns.edu, Program Director for more info.
To learn more about our program, please visit our Cyber Security Center for Excellence page.
Apply Plan your VisitAdmission
For more information about admission to this and other acclaimed undergraduate programs at St. John’s University, please visit Undergraduate Admission online. Or contact us directly at the campus of your choice:
Admission Office - Queens Campus
718-990-2000
admissions@stjohns.edu
Department Contact
Erald Troja
Program CoordinatorProgram Coordinator
trojae@stjohns.edu
(718) 990 3076
Program Educational Objectives
Graduates of the B.S. in Cyber Security Systems program should, within a few years of graduation:
- Attain meaningful positions toward successful careers in Cyber Security and/or related fields.
- Advance their professional development through self-directed learning and/or graduate study.
- Practice Cyber Security professionally and with specific regard to ethical and societal responsibilities.
Student Outcomes
Graduates of the program will have an ability to:
- Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
- Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
- Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
- Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
- Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.
- Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.
Topics Covered
Students receive solid foundations in mathematics and programming as well as in computing and Cyber Security course work. Fundamental topics are covered in each of the following area
- Data Security: protection of data at rest, during processing, and in transit.
- Software Security: development and use of software that reliably preserves the security properties of the protected information and systems.
- Component Security: the security aspects of the design, procurement, testing, analysis, and maintenance of components integrated into larger systems.
- Connection Security: security of the connections between components, both physical and logical.
- System Security: security aspects of systems that use software and are composed of components and connections.
- Human Security: the study of human behavior in the context of data protection, privacy, and threat mitigation.
- Organizational Security: protecting organizations from Cyber Security threats and managing risk to support successful accomplishment of the organizations’ missions.
- Societal Security: aspects of Cyber Security that broadly impact society as a whole.
- Advanced Cyber Security topics that build on crosscutting concepts and fundamental topics to provide depth.
Students also may take a minor in conjunction with the B.S. Degree in Cyber Security Systems. The following minors may be of special interest to students majoring in this program:
- Business
- Criminalistics
- Criminal Justice
- Digital Forensics
- Forensics
- Homeland security
- Information technology
- Legal Studies
Courses
B.S. In Cyber Security Systems (120 Credits)
Major Area Requirements
| CUS | 1115 | Computer Programming Fundamentals I | 3 |
| CUS | 1116 | Computer Programming Fundamentals II | 3 |
| CSS | 1005 | Fundamentals of Cyber Security | 3 |
| CUS | 1126 | Data Structures | 3 |
| CSS | 1006 | Management of Information Security | 3 |
| IT | 1175 | Database Information Systems | 3 |
| NET | 1011 | Introduction to Networks | 3 |
| CSS | 1021 | Cyberlaw and Ethics | 3 |
| DFR | 1001 | Intro to Digital Forensics | 3 |
| NET | 1015 | Routers and Router Concepts | 3 |
| CSS | 1011 | Network Security | 3 |
| CSS | 1032 | Cyber Threats and Detection | 3 |
| CSS | 1035 | Secure Software | 3 |
Major Area Electives
| CUS | 1185 | Data Security and Cryptography | 3 |
| CSS | 1008 | Healthcare Information Security | 3 |
| CSS | 1012 | Network Perimeter Security | 3 |
| CSS | 1015 | Wireless Security | 3 |
| CSS | 1018 | SQL and Cloud Database Security | 3 |
| CSS | 1025 | Linux and UNIX Security | 3 |
| DFR | 1002 | Network Forensics or a higher DFR course | 3 |
| CSS | 1091 | Computer Security Systems Internship | 3 |
Common Core Requirements: 42 Credits
| ART | 1000C* | The Creative Process | 3 |
| DNY | 1000C | Discover New York | 3 |
| ENG | 1000C | English Composition | 3 |
| ENG | 1100C | Literature in a Global Context | 3 |
| HIS | 1000C | Emergence of a Global Society | 3 |
| LAC | 1000C* | Language and Culture | 3 |
| PHI | 1000C | Philosophy of the Human Person | 3 |
| PHI | 3000C | Metaphysics | 3 |
| PHI | 1020 series | Ethics | 3 |
| SCI | 1000C | Scientific Inquiry | 3 |
| SPE | 1000C | Public Speaking for the College Student | 3 |
| THE | 1000C | Perspectives on Christianity- A Catholic Approach | 3 |
| THE | 1040 series | Moral Theology | 3 |
Liberal Arts Requirements: 18 Credits
| MTH | 1009 | Calculus I | 3 |
| MTH | 1013 | Probability and Statistics I | 3 |
| MTH | 1014 | Probability and Statistics II | 3 |
| MTH | 1022 | Discrete Mathematics | 3 |
| ECO | 1001 | Principles of Economics I | 3 |
| ECO | 1002 | Principles of Economics II | 3 |
Extracurricular & Experiential Learning
- Students gain an academic and professional edge by joining the Student Advancement Technology Association (SATA) which has special interest groups SJUCompSci and SJUCyber. One of more than 180 student clubs and organizations at St. John's, SATA integrates the classroom experience with real-world, industry-related experiences so members are ready to enter an exciting career in technology. Whether it be networking with industry professionals, attending informative workshops or preparing for job interviews, SATA provides the tools necessary to become a forward-thinking leader of the technological revolution.
- Students also may be eligible for one of the many honor societies available in the Collins College of Professional Studies and at the University as a whole. For example, the Collins College of Professional Studies Honor Society recognizes undergraduates who demonstrate academic excellence and involvement in campus, church or community activities.
- SATA runs multiple cultural and social activities including training sessions, industry nights, etc.
- SATA has regularly attended national coding competitions.
- For more information on SATA, SJUCompSci, SJUCyber or The Collins College of Professional Studies Honor Society, please contact the moderator Dr. Joan E. DeBello at debelloj@stjohns.edu or 718-990-2032
Enrollment and Graduation Data
| Year | Enrollment | Degrees Conferred |
| 2021 | 99 | 18 |
| 2020 | 126 | 47 |
| 2019 | 138 | 42 |
| 2018 | 132 | 30 |
| 2017 | 115 | 30 |
| 2016 | 88 | 21 |
| 2015 | 78 | 13 |
| 2014 | 62 | 12 |
Sample Four Year Plan
Sample Four Year Plan
Year 1
| Fall Semester (15 credits) | Spring Semester (15 credits) |
| Foreign language elective | CUS1116 Programming Fundamentals II |
| CUS1115 Programming Fundamentals 1 | Foreign language elective |
| DNY1000C Discover NY | ENG1100C Literature in a Global Context |
| MTH1009 Calculus I | MTH1022 Discrete Mathematics |
| FYW1000C First Year Writing | CSS1005 Fundamentals of Cyber Security |
Year 2
| Fall Semester (15 credits) | Spring Semester (15 credits) |
| CUS1126 Introduction to Data Structures | IT 1175 Database Information Systems |
| SCI1000C Scientific Inquiry | NET1011 Introduction to Networks |
| CSS1006 Management of Information Security | HIS1000C Emergence of a Global Society |
| MTH1013 Probability & Statistics I | MTH1014 Probability and Statistics II |
| PHI1000C Philosophy of the Human Person | THE1000C Perspectives on Christianity |
Year 3
| Fall Semester (15 credits) | Spring Semester (15 credits) |
| CSS1021 Cyberlaw and Ethics | NET1015 Routers and Router Concepts |
| DFR1001 Intro to Digital Forensics | CSS1011 Network Security |
| Free elective | Free elective |
| ECO1001 Principles of Economics I | ECO1002 Principles of Economics II |
| THE1040 Moral Theology | PHI1020 Ethics |
Year 4
| Fall Semester (15 credits) | Spring Semester (15 credits) |
| PHI3000C Metaphysics | CSS elective* |
| CSS1032 Cyber Threats and Detection | SPE1000C Public Speaking for College Students |
| CSS1035 Secure Software | THE any elective |
| CSS elective* | Free elective |
| Free elective | Free elective |
*CUS1185 or CSS1008 or higher or DFR1002 or internship (CSS 1091)