Concurrent Programs

The ECpE department and CyIO offers two concurrent degree programs that allow cybersecurity engineering, computer engineering, and software engineering students to count up to 6 credits of coursework for both your bachelor’s and master’s degree programs. The programs may reduce by one year the normal time period for completing both degrees separately. The following are the concurrent degree programs currently offered:

Bachelor of Science/Master of Science Program

  • B.S. Cybersecurity Engineering/M.S. Cybersecurity: The cybersecurity graduate program is a logical pathway for undergraduates to develop additional skill and knowledge which will lead to enhanced employment in cybersecurity. The graduate degrees in cybersecurity are a logical next step for students who are completing their undergraduate degree in cybersecurity engineering. This will open up more employment opportunities at organizations, including research labs, that need a deeper theoretical knowledge of cybersecurity than is found in the undergraduate degree.
  • B.S. Computer Engineering/M.S. Cybersecurity: The cybersecurity graduate program is a logical pathway for undergraduates to develop additional skill and knowledge, which will lead to enhanced employment in cybersecurity. The cybersecurity graduate program is taken by a number of computer engineering and software engineering students at ISU who fill out the form to do a concurrent program. This will make it easier for students to enroll. 
  • B.S. Software Engineering/M.S. Cybersecurity: The cybersecurity graduate program is a logical pathway for undergraduates to develop additional skill and knowledge, which will lead to enhanced employment in cybersecurity. The cybersecurity graduate program is taken by a number of computer engineering and software engineering students at ISU who fill out the form to do a concurrent program. This will make it easier for students to enroll.

Bachelor of Science/Master of Engineering Program

  • B.S. Cybersecurity Engineering/M.Eng. Cybersecurity: The cybersecurity graduate program is a logical pathway for undergraduates to develop additional skill and knowledge which will lead to enhanced employment in cybersecurity. The graduate degrees in cybersecurity are a logical next step for students who are completing their undergraduate degree in cybersecurity engineering. This will open up more employment opportunities at organizations, including research labs, that need a deeper theoretical knowledge of cybersecurity than is found in the undergraduate degree.
  • B.S. Computer Engineering/M.Eng. Cybersecurity: The cybersecurity graduate program is a logical pathway for undergraduates to develop additional skill and knowledge, which will lead to enhanced employment in cybersecurity. The cybersecurity graduate program is taken by a number of computer engineering and software engineering students at ISU who fill out the form to do a concurrent program. This will make it easier for students to enroll. 
  • B.S. Software Engineering/M.Eng. Cybersecurity: The cybersecurity graduate program is a logical pathway for undergraduates to develop additional skill and knowledge, which will lead to enhanced employment in cybersecurity. The cybersecurity graduate program is taken by a number of computer engineering and software engineering students at ISU who fill out the form to do a concurrent program. This will make it easier for students to enroll.

The difference between the two programs is that the Master of Science is for on-campus students. On-campus students have the opportunity to work with a faculty member on a research project. The Master of Engineering is offered to those off campus/participate in distance learning.

Admission Requirements

  • Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
  • BS/MS Candidates will seek a Master of Science (with or without thesis) degree
  • BS/MENG candidates will seek a coursework only Master of Engineering degree

Admission Procedure

  1. Meet with your academic adviser to discuss the concurrent program. If you have additional questions about the concurrent degree program, you may meet with the ECpE Student Services Manager.
  2. Fill out a Concurrent Enrollment for Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Form from the Graduate College (under Concurrent Student Request Forms section).
  3. Follow steps number 2 and 3 on the Concurrent Enrollment for Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Form and provide all documentation to the ECpE Student Services Office. The department will route the form to get all necessary signatures.

Program Requirements and Guidelines

Students admitted to the concurrent program are permitted to double count up to 6 credits of graduate level coursework taken while an undergraduate (during the semester of concurrent enrollment) toward both their undergraduate and graduate program of study. All courses in the MS/MENG graduate program are valid technical electives in the undergraduate degree. Therefore, students who enter the concurrent program who decide to stop pursing the graduate degree can complete their undergraduate degree. The course requirements for the MS/MENG degrees is shown below:

CourseCreditsCourse Title
Core  
     InfAs 5303Advanced Computer Networking
     InfAs 5313Computer Security
     InfAs 5323Information warfare
     InfAs 5343Ethical and Legal Issues in Computer Security
2 out of 4:  
     InfAs 5333Cryptography
     Cpr E 5353Steganography
     Cpr E 5363Forensics
     Cpr E 5373Wireless Security  
     InfAs 6323Capstone course (required for the MENG degree)
Electives:  
     Department list6-9 Any 500 level course in CprE or CS
MS – One of two options: 
     Cpr E 5993Creative Component (non-thesis MS)
     Cpr E 6996Thesis based MS
  • Students also may transfer in up to 6 credits of graduate level coursework taken while an undergraduate that will NOT be counted toward their undergraduate program of study; the coursework must have a grade of B or better
  • Concurrent enrollment can be no longer than two semesters
  • Students in the concurrent program will have a
    • major professor only for non-thesis or
    • major professor and two additional program of study members for a thesis
  • Students in the concurrent program will have the DOGE for the cybersecurity program approve the POS