Cybersecurity Engineering

Program Description

Students interested in KU’s Engineering programs need to work closely with advisors at both JCCC and KU. This helps students stay on track and not prolong the time it takes to earn an engineering bachelor’s degree from KU. Students are advised to complete the Kansas Systemwide General Education requirements, and the prerequisite courses listed on the transfer guide. Students are also encouraged to use the Reverse Transfer option (if eligible) after transferring to KU.  Reverse Transfer allows students to earn their associate degree from JCCC while working towards their bachelor’s degree at KU. 

Cybersecurity engineers identify threats and vulnerabilities in software, networks, and other systems. They apply their skills to design, develop, and implement high-tech solutions to defend against hacking, malware and ransomware, insider threats and all types of cybercrime. In addition to designing and developing safeguards, cybersecurity engineers continually monitor their systems and update them when necessary to prevent zeroday threats (from new and novel malware) and other emerging cybercriminal activity. For companies, cybersecurity engineers protect both information and the overall bottom line. Because of this, cybersecurity engineers are vital to the success of the organizations they serve.  

Admission Requirements

• Admission to The University of Kansas is required, along with the following, for admission to the KU School of Engineering as a transfer student:
  • 2.5+ cumulative college GPA
  • “C” or better in MATH 125 Calculus I, or its direct equivalent (MATH 241 Calculus I* at JCCC)
  • “C” or better in all math, science and engineering coursework
• The School of Engineering recommends that students apply for transfer admission to KU by May 1 for summer and fall; December 1 for spring.
• Timely completion of prerequisite courses is imperative due to tight sequencing of major courses. Consult KU catalog and seek KU advising early.
• The B.S. in Computer Science is an ABET accredited program.
• A total of 126 credit hours is required for the B.S. in Cybersecurity Engineering. A maximum of 75 hours may be transferred to KU from community colleges. Students should be aware that 45 junior/senior credit hours are required for completion of the bachelor’s degree; the last 30 hours of course work must be at KU; and community college courses do not transfer as junior/senior hours.
• Transfer students will have their applications to the School of Engineering evaluated on a case-by- case basis and must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to be considered.
• Transfer credits must have a grade of “C” or higher to be applied toward the degree.
• Upper Level Eligibility: In addition to prerequisites and co-requisites, EECS undergraduates are required to earn Upper Level Course Eligibility by attaining grades of “C” or better (“C-“ does not qualify) in each of the following 13 courses: Core 34: English (both), EPHX 210, MATH 125, 126, 127, 290, EECS 101, 140, 168, 210, 268, 348.
• If students earn less than a “C” in any of the above listed courses, they must repeat the course at the next available opportunity and must not take a course for which that course is a prerequisite.  It is the students' responsibility to contact their advisors before beginning the new semester regarding any required repetitions and the associated enrollment adjustments (drops and adds). 
• To enroll in any upper-level EECS course (numbered 300 and above), students must have fulfilled the Upper-Level Eligibility Requirements detailed above.  Exceptions: EECS 312, EECS 330, EECS 361, and EECS 388 may be taken in the same semester as students are completing their upper-level eligibility.  Students may also petition for a Partial Waiver of Upper Level Eligibility Requirements by completing the appropriate petition.
• Credit/No Credit: For EECS majors, courses used to fulfill the KU Core 34 in Communications, Social & Behavioral Sciences, Arts & Humanities, U.S. Culture, and Global Culture accept Credit/No Credit.
• Students transferring to KU, that complete the General Education requirements required for the Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from JCCC will be considered to have satisfied KU’s Core 34 general education curriculum.
• Students who transfer to KU, without completing the General Education requirements required for the Associate of Arts (AA), Associate of Fine Arts (AFA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree will have courses evaluated on a course-by-course basis toward meeting KU requirements. To learn more about courses that satisfy KU Core 34 Requirements and KU CredTran. 
• Visit the KU Core 34 General Education guide for JCCC equivalents.