Criteria for Accrediting Computing Programs, 2023 – 2024

Lead Society: CSAB

These program criteria apply to associate computing programs using cybersecurity, cyber operations, computer security, information assurance, information security, computer forensics, or similar terms in their titles.

Note. Criterion 3 and 5 listed below replace, not extend, Criterion 3 and 5 stated in the CAC General Criteria.

3. Student Outcomes

The program must have documented and publicly stated student outcomes that include (1) through (5) below. The program may define additional outcomes.

Graduates of the program will have an ability to:

1. Analyze a broadly defined security problem and apply principles of cybersecurity to the design and implementation of solutions.

2. Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.

3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.

4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in cybersecurity practice based on legal and ethical principles.

5. Function effectively as a member of a team engaged in cybersecurity activities.

5. Curriculum

The program’s requirements must be consistent with its program educational objectives and designed in such a way that each of the student outcomes can be attained. The curriculum must combine technical, professional, and general education components to prepare students for a career and lifelong professional development in the cybersecurity discipline.

The program must include at least 30 semester credit hours (or equivalent) of up- to-date coverage that includes:

1. Application of techniques, skills, and tools necessary for cybersecurity practice.

2. Application of the crosscutting concepts of confidentiality, integrity, availability, risk, adversarial thinking and systems thinking.

3. Cybersecurity topics from each of the following areas:

a) Data Security: protection of data at rest, during processing, and in transit.

b) Software Security: development and use of software that reliably preserves the security properties of the protected information and systems.

c) Component Security: the security aspects of the design, procurement, testing, analysis, and maintenance of components integrated into larger systems.

d) Connection Security: security of the connections between components, both physical and logical.

e) System Security: security aspects of systems that use software and are composed of components and connections.

f) Human Security: the study of human behavior in the context of data protection, privacy, and threat mitigation.

g) Organizational Security: protecting organizations from cybersecurity threats and managing risk to support successful accomplishment of the organizations’ missions.

h) Societal Security: aspects of cybersecurity that broadly impact society as a whole.

4. Programming or scripting skills.

5. Advanced cybersecurity topics that build on the above crosscutting concepts and cybersecurity topics.

The program must ensure its students have the mathematical skills required for cybersecurity practice to meet its student outcomes and program educational objectives.

Lead Society: CSAB

These program criteria apply to computing programs using computer science or similar terms in their titles.

Definition

Natural Sciences – Natural sciences are disciplines focused on knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of natural phenomena; these include chemistry, physics as well as life, earth and space sciences.

3. Student Outcomes
In addition to outcomes 1 through 5, graduates of the program will also have an ability to:

6. Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions. [CS]

5. Curriculum
The curriculum requirements are in addition to the General Criteria curriculum requirements and specify topics, but do not prescribe specific courses.

These requirements are:

1. Computer science: At least 40 semester credit hours (or equivalent) that must include:

1.  Substantial coverage of algorithms and complexity, computer science theory, concepts of programming languages, and software development.

2.  Substantial coverage of at least one general-purpose programming language.

3.  Exposure to computer architecture and organization, information management, networking and communication, operating systems, and parallel and distributed computing.

4.  The study of computing-based systems at varying levels of abstraction.

5.  A major project that requires integration and application of knowledge and skills acquired in earlier course work.­

2. Mathematics: At least 15 semester credit hours (or equivalent) that must include discrete mathematics and must have mathematical rigor at least equivalent to introductory calculus. The additional mathematics might include course work in areas such as calculus, linear algebra, numerical methods, probability, statistics, or number theory.
3. At least six semester credit hours (or equivalent) in natural science course work intended for science and engineering majors. This course work must develop an understanding of the scientific method and must include laboratory work.

6. Faculty
In addition to the General Criteria faculty requirements, some full-time faculty members must have a Ph.D. in computer science.

Lead Society: CSAB

These program criteria apply to computing programs using cybersecurity, cyber operations, computer security, information assurance, information security, computer forensics, or similar terms in their titles.

3. Student Outcomes
In addition to outcomes 1 through 5, graduates of the program will also have an ability to:

6. Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats. [CY]

5. Curriculum
The curriculum requirements are in addition to the General Criteria curriculum requirements and specify topics, but do not prescribe specific courses. These requirements are:

(a) At least 45 semester credit hours (or equivalent) of computing and cybersecurity course work. The course work must include:

1. Application of the crosscutting concepts of confidentiality, integrity, availability, risk, adversarial thinking, and systems thinking.
2. Fundamental topics from each of the following:

a) Data Security: protection of data at rest, during processing, and in transit.

b) Software Security: development and use of software that reliably preserves the security properties of the protected information and systems.

c) Component Security: the security aspects of the design, procurement, testing, analysis, and maintenance of components integrated into larger systems.

d) Connection Security: security of the connections between components, both physical and logical.

e) System Security: security aspects of systems that use software and are composed of components and connections.

f) Human Security: the study of human behavior in the context of data protection, privacy, and threat mitigation.

g) Organizational Security: protecting organizations from cybersecurity threats and managing risk to support successful accomplishment of the organizations’ missions.

h) Societal Security: aspects of cybersecurity that broadly impact society as a whole.

3. Advanced cybersecurity topics that build on crosscutting concepts and fundamental topics to provide depth.

(b) At least 6 semester credit hours (or equivalent) of mathematics that must include discrete mathematics and statistics.

Lead Society: CSAB

These program criteria apply to computing programs using data science, data analytics or similar terms in their titles.

Criterion 3. Student Outcomes

In addition to outcomes 1 through 5, graduates of the program will also have an ability to:

6. Apply theory, techniques, and tools throughout the data science lifecycle and employ the resulting knowledge to satisfy stakeholders’ needs. [DS]

Criterion 5. Curriculum

The curriculum requirements are in addition to the General Criteria curriculum requirements and specify topics, but do not prescribe specific courses.

These requirements are:

At least 45 semester credit hours (or equivalent) of data science course work that must cover:

1. 1. Fundamental data science lifecycle topics:

      a)Data acquisition and representativeness

      b)Data management

      c)Data preparation and integration

      d)Data analysis

      e)Model development and deployment

      f)Visualization and communication of the knowledge obtained from the data

   2. Concepts that span and are applied to the data science lifecycle:

      a)Data ethics including legitimate use and algorithmic fairness

      b)Governance including privacy, security, and stewardship

      c)Applied Statistical and mathematical topics including inference, modeling, linear algebra, probability, and optimization

      d)Computing including data structures and algorithms

   3. Advanced data science coursework that provides depth.
   4. Coverage of at least one application area to provide a context for data science activities.
   5. A major project that incorporates an application area and requires integration and application of knowledge and skills acquired in earlier course work.

Lead Society: CSAB

These program criteria apply to computing programs using information systems or similar terms in their titles.

Definition
Information Systems Environment – An information systems environment is an organized domain of activity within which information systems are used to support and enable the goals of the activity. Examples of information systems environments include (but are not limited to) business, health care, government, not-for-profit organizations, and scientific disciplines.

3. Student Outcomes
In addition to outcomes 1 through 5, graduates of the program will also have an ability to:

6. Support the delivery, use, and management of information systems within an information systems environment. [IS]

5. Curriculum
The curriculum requirements are in addition to the General Criteria curriculum requirements and specify topics, but do not prescribe specific courses.

These requirements are:

1. Information systems: At least 30 semester credit hours (or equivalent) that include coverage of fundamentals and applied practice in application development; data and information management; information technology infrastructure; systems analysis, design and acquisition; project management; and the role of information systems in organizations.
2. Information systems environment: At least 15 additional semester credit hours (or equivalent) of a cohesive set of topics that provide an understanding of an information systems environment.
3. Quantitative analysis or methods that must include statistics.

6. Faculty
In addition to the General Criteria faculty requirements, some full-time faculty members, including those responsible for the information systems curriculum development, must hold a terminal degree with a program of study in information systems.

Lead Society: CSAB

These program criteria apply to computing programs using information technology or similar terms in their titles.

3. Student Outcomes
In addition to outcomes 1 through 5, graduates of the program will also have an ability to:

6. Use systemic approaches to select, develop, apply, integrate, and administer secure computing technologies to accomplish user goals. [IT]

5. Curriculum

The curriculum requirements requirements are in addition to the General Criteria curriculum requirements and specify topics, but do not prescribe specific courses.

The requirements are:

(a) Information Technology: At least 45 semester credit hours (or equivalent) that must include:

1. Fundamentals and applied practice in:
   1. information management
   2. integrated systems
   3. platform technologies
   4. system paradigms
   5. user experience design
   6. networking
   7. software development and management
   8. web and mobile systems
2. Advanced and supplemental IT topics that build on fundamentals and applied practice to provide depth.
3. Experiential learning appropriate to the program.
4. Principles and practices of IT project management.

(b) Mathematics: At least six semester credit hours (or equivalent) of appropriate mathematical topics that includes relevant discrete mathematics.

General Criteria

Criterion 3. Student Outcomes
The program must have documented and publicly stated student outcomes that include (1) through (5) below and any outcomes required by applicable Program Criteria. The program may define additional outcomes.

Graduates of the program will have an ability to:

1. Analyze a complex computing problem and to apply principles of computing and other relevant disciplines to identify solutions.
2. Design, implement, and evaluate a computing-based solution to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice, taking into account legal, ethical, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility principles consistent with the mission of the institution. based on legal and ethical principles.
5. Function effectively as a member or leader of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.

Criterion 5. Curriculum
The program’s requirements must be consistent with its program educational objectives and designed in such a way that each of the student outcomes can be attained. The curriculum must combine technical, professional, and general education components to prepare students for a career, further study, and lifelong professional development in the computing discipline associated with the program.

The curriculum requirements specify topics, but do not prescribe specific courses. The program must include mathematics, statistics and science appropriate to the discipline and at least 30 semester credit hours (or equivalent) of up-to-date coverage of fundamental and advanced computing topics that provide both breadth and depth. The computing topics must include:

1. Techniques, skills, and tools necessary for computing practice.

2. Principles and practices of security and privacy in computing.

3. Local and global impacts of computing solutions on individuals, organizations, and society.

4. Principles and practices for developing inclusive and accessible computing solutions that address the needs of diverse user communities.

Comments relative to the proposed criteria should be submitted by the link for comments available here and on the Accreditation Changes section of the ABET website.

Criterion 1. Students
Student performance must be evaluated. Student progress must be monitored to foster success in attaining student outcomes, thereby enabling graduates to attain program educational objectives. Students must be advised regarding curriculum and career matters.
The program must have and enforce policies for accepting both new and transfer students, awarding appropriate academic credit for courses taken at other institutions, and awarding appropriate academic credit for work in lieu of courses taken at the institution. The program must have and enforce procedures to ensure and document that students who graduate meet all graduation requirements.
Criterion 2. Program Educational Objectives
The program must have published program educational objectives that are consistent with the mission of the institution, the needs of the program’s various constituencies, and these criteria. There must be a documented, systematically utilized, and effective process, involving program constituencies, for the periodic review of these program educational objectives that ensures they remain consistent with the institutional mission, the program’s constituents’ needs and these criteria.

Criterion 3. Student Outcomes
The program must have documented and publicly stated student outcomes that include (1) through (5) below and any outcomes required by applicable Program Criteria. The program may define additional outcomes.

Graduates of the program will have an ability to:

1. Analyze a broadly defined problem in the program’s domain and apply principles of the discipline to identify solutions.
2. Design and implement solutions to meet a given set of computing requirements in the context of the program’s discipline.
3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.
4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in computing practice based on appropriate legal, ethical, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility principles.
5. Function effectively as a member of a team engaged in activities appropriate to the program’s discipline.

Criterion 4. Continuous Improvement
The program must regularly use appropriate, documented processes for assessing and evaluating the extent to which the student outcomes are being attained. The results of these evaluations must be systematically utilized as input for the program’s continuous improvement actions. Other available information may also be used to assist in the continuous improvement of the program.

Criterion 5. Curriculum
The program’s requirements must be consistent with its program educational objectives and designed in such a way that each of the student outcomes can be attained. The curriculum must combine technical, professional, and general education components to prepare students for a career, further study, and lifelong professional development in the computing discipline associated with the program.

The curriculum requirements specify topics, but do not prescribe specific courses. The program must ensure its students have the mathematical or statistical skills required for practice in the program’s discipline, and to meet its student outcomes and program educational objectives.

The program must include at least 16 semester credit hours (or equivalent) of up-to-date coverage of

1. Application of techniques, skills and tools necessary for computing practice.
2. Practices of privacy and security in computing.
3. Local and global impacts of computing solutions on individuals, organizations, and society.
4. Practices for developing inclusive and accessible computing solutions that address the needs of diverse user communities.

Criterion 6. Faculty
Each faculty member teaching in the program must have expertise and educational background consistent with the contributions to the program expected from the faculty member. The competence of faculty members must be demonstrated by such factors as education, professional credentials and certifications, professional experience, ongoing professional development, contributions to the discipline, teaching effectiveness, and communication skills. Collectively, the faculty must have the breadth and depth to cover all curricular areas of the program.
The faculty serving in the program must be of sufficient number to maintain continuity, stability, oversight, student interaction, and advising. The faculty must have sufficient responsibility and authority to improve the program through definition and revision of program educational objectives and student outcomes as well as through the implementation of a program of study that fosters the attainment of student outcomes.

Criterion 7. Facilities
Classrooms, offices, laboratories, and associated equipment must be adequate to support attainment of the student outcomes and to provide an atmosphere conducive to learning. Modern tools, equipment, computing resources, and laboratories appropriate to the program must be available, accessible, and systematically maintained and upgraded to enable students to attain the student outcomes and to support program needs. Students must be provided appropriate guidance regarding the use of the tools, equipment, computing resources, and laboratories available to the program.
The library services and the computing and information infrastructure must be adequate to support the scholarly and professional activities of the students and faculty.

Criterion 8. Institutional Support
Institutional support and leadership must be adequate to ensure the quality and continuity of the program.

Resources including institutional services, financial support, and staff (both administrative and technical) provided to the program must be adequate to meet program needs. The resources available to the program must be sufficient to attract, retain, and provide for the continued professional development of a qualified faculty. The resources available to the program must be sufficient to acquire, maintain, and operate infrastructures, facilities and equipment appropriate for the program.

Comments relative to the above proposed changes should be submitted by the link for comments available here and on the Accreditation Changes section of the ABET website.

All programs seeking accreditation from the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET must demonstrate that they satisfy either the General Criteria for Stand-Alone Master’s Level Programs or the General Criteria for Integrated Baccalaureate-Master’s Programs.

GENERAL CRITERIA FOR STAND-ALONE MASTER’S LEVEL PROGRAMS

Criterion MS1. Students

Student performance and progress toward completion of their programs of study must be monitored and evaluated. The program must have and enforce policies and procedures to ensure that an individual program of study with specific educational goals is developed for each student. The program must have and enforce procedures to ensure and document that students who graduate meet all graduation requirements.

The program must also have and enforce procedures to ensure that prior to matriculation or by completion of their degree, each student will have completed a set of post-secondary educational and professional experiences that:

• 1. Supports the attainment of student outcomes of Criterion 3 of the General Criteria for Baccalaureate Level Computing Programs, and
  2. Includes mathematics appropriate to the discipline as well as up-to-date coverage of fundamental and advanced computing topics that provide both breadth and depth that meets the requirements of Criterion 5 of the General Criteria for Baccalaureate Level Computing Programs.

If the student has graduated from an CAC of ABET accredited baccalaureate program, then the presumption is that these prerequisites/corequisites have been satisfied. Otherwise, the program must ensure that each student attains these post-secondary educational and professional experiences.

Criterion MS2. Program Educational Objectives

The program must have published program educational objectives that are consistent with the mission of the institution, the needs of the program’s various constituencies, and these criteria. There must be a documented, systematically utilized, and effective process, involving program constituencies, for the periodic review of these program educational objectives that ensures they remain consistent with the institutional mission, the program’s constituents’ needs, and these criteria.

Criterion MS3. Student Outcomes

The program must have documented student outcomes that support the program educational objectives. These outcomes prepare graduates to attain a mastery of a specific field of study or area of professional practice consistent with the master’s program name.

The program must also have and enforce procedures to ensure that prior to completion of their degree, each student that has not graduated from an CAC of ABET accredited baccalaureate program will have completed a set of post-secondary educational and professional experiences that supports the attainment of student outcomes of Criterion 3 of the General Criteria for Baccalaureate Level Computing Programs. Some of these experiences may be a part of a prerequisite courses or a bridge program to allow students that do not hold a baccalaureate degree in computing to transition into the graduate studies in the field. If this is the case, the outcomes of courses used as prerequisites or bridge program content must be evaluated along with outcomes of courses included in the degree to ensure proper attainment of these outcomes.

Criterion MS4. Continuous Improvement and Program Quality

The master’s level computing program must have a documented and operational process for assessing, maintaining and enhancing the quality of the program.

Criterion MS5. Curriculum

Each student’s overall program of post-secondary study must satisfy the curricular components of the Program Criteria relevant to the master’s level program name.

The program curriculum must provide adequate content for each component, consistent with the student outcomes and program educational objectives, to ensure that students are prepared to enter the profession. The curriculum must include:

• 1. a minimum of 30 semester credit hours (or equivalent) beyond the baccalaureate level;
  2. topics in a specific field of study or area of professional practice consistent with the program name and at a level beyond baccalaureate-level programs.

The program must also have and enforce procedures to ensure that prior to completion of their degree, each student that has not graduated from an CAC of ABET accredited baccalaureate program will have completed a set of post-secondary educational and professional experiences that includes mathematics appropriate to the discipline as well as up-to-date coverage of fundamental and advanced computing topics that provide both breadth and depth that meets the requirements of Criterion 5 of the General Criteria for Baccalaureate Level Computing Programs.

These experiences may be a part of a prerequisite courses or a bridge program to allow students that do not hold a baccalaureate degree in computing to transition into the graduate studies in the field. If this is the case, content of prerequisites or bridge program courses along with content of courses included in the degree must be evaluated to ensure proper coverage of these topics.

Criterion MS6. Faculty

Each faculty member teaching in the program must have expertise and educational background consistent with the contributions to the program expected from the faculty member. The competence of faculty members must be demonstrated by such factors as education, professional credentials and certifications, professional experience, ongoing professional development, contributions to the discipline, teaching effectiveness, and communication skills. Collectively, the faculty must have the breadth and depth to cover all curricular areas of the program.

The faculty serving in the program must be of sufficient number to maintain continuity, stability, oversight, student interaction, and advising. The faculty must have sufficient responsibility and authority to improve the program through definition and revision of program educational objectives and student outcomes as well as through the implementation of a program of study that fosters the attainment of student outcomes. Faculty teaching graduate-level courses must have appropriate educational qualifications by education or experience.

Criterion MS7. Facilities

Classrooms, offices, laboratories, modern tools, computing resources, and associated equipment must be safely and systematically maintained and upgraded, and must be adequate to support attainment of the student outcomes, provide an atmosphere conducive to learning, and to support program needs. Students must be provided guidance on the appropriate and safe use of the tools, equipment, computing resources, laboratories, and other resources available to them.

The library services and the computing and information infrastructure must be adequate to support the scholarly and professional activities of the students and faculty.

Criterion MS8. Institutional Support

Institutional support and leadership must be adequate to ensure the quality and continuity of the program.

Resources including institutional services, financial support, and staff (both administrative and technical) provided to the program must be adequate to meet program needs. Resources available to the program must be sufficient to attract, retain, and provide for the continued professional development of a qualified faculty; to acquire, maintain, and operate infrastructures, facilities and equipment appropriate for the program; and to provide an environment in which student outcomes can be attained.

 

GENERAL CRITERIA FOR INTEGRATED BACCALAUREATE-MASTER’S PROGRAMS

Criterion MI1. Students

Student performance must be evaluated. Student progress must be monitored to foster success in attaining student outcomes, thereby enabling graduates to attain program educational objectives. Students must be advised regarding curriculum and career matters.

The program must have and enforce policies for accepting both new and transfer students, awarding appropriate academic credit for courses taken at other institutions, and awarding appropriate academic credit for work in lieu of courses taken at the institution. The program must have and enforce procedures to ensure and document that students who graduate meet all graduation requirements.

The program must have and enforce policies and procedures to ensure that an individual program of study with specific educational goals is developed for each student as part of the master’s level component of the program.

Criterion MI2. Program Educational Objectives

The program must have published program educational objectives that are consistent with the mission of the institution, the needs of the program’s various constituencies, and these criteria. There must be a documented, systematically utilized, and effective process, involving program constituencies, for the periodic review of these program educational objectives that ensures they remain consistent with the institutional mission, the program’s constituents’ needs, and these criteria.

Criterion MI3. Student Outcomes

The baccalaureate-level component of the program must support student outcomes specified in Criterion 3 of the General Criteria for Baccalaureate Level Computing Programs and any outcomes required by applicable baccalaureate Program Criteria appropriate to the program’s discipline.

In addition, the program must have outcomes for the master’s level component that prepare graduates to attain a mastery of a specific field of study or area of professional practice consistent with the program name.

Criterion MI4. Continuous Improvement

The baccalaureate-level component of the program must support the process of continuous improvement as prescribed in Criterion 4 of the General Criteria for Baccalaureate Level Computing Programs.

The master’s level component of the program must have a documented and operational process for assessing, maintaining and enhancing the quality of the program.

Criterion MI5. Curriculum

The program’s requirements must be consistent with its program educational objectives and designed in such a way that each of the student outcomes can be attained.

The baccalaureate-level curriculum component of the program must be consistent with the requirements of Criterion 5 of the General Criteria for Baccalaureate Level Computing Programs and any curriculum required by applicable baccalaureate Program Criteria appropriate to the program’s discipline.

The curriculum must also include:

1. a minimum of 30 semester credit hours (or equivalent) beyond the baccalaureate level.
   • 1. A limited number of credit hours may be shared between the baccalaureate and master’s programs but must be credit hours allowable in the master’s level curriculum.
2. topics in a specific field of study or area of professional practice consistent with the program name and at a level beyond the baccalaureate level.

Criterion MI6. Faculty

Each faculty member teaching in the program must have expertise and educational background consistent with the contributions to the program expected from the faculty member. The competence of faculty members must be demonstrated by such factors as education, professional credentials and certifications, professional experience, ongoing professional development, contributions to the discipline, teaching effectiveness, and communication skills. Collectively, the faculty must have the breadth and depth to cover all curricular areas of the program.

The faculty serving in the program must be of sufficient number to maintain continuity, stability, oversight, student interaction, and advising. The faculty must have sufficient responsibility and authority to improve the program through definition and revision of program educational objectives and student outcomes as well as through the implementation of a program of study that fosters the attainment of student outcomes.

In addition, faculty teaching graduate level courses must have appropriate educational qualifications by education or experience.

Criterion MI7. Facilities

Classrooms, offices, laboratories, modern tools, computing resources, and associated equipment must be safely and systematically maintained and upgraded, and must be adequate to support attainment of the student outcomes, provide an atmosphere conducive to learning, and to support program needs. Students must be provided guidance on the appropriate and safe use of the tools, equipment, computing resources, laboratories, and other resources available to them.

The library services and the computing and information infrastructure must be adequate to support the scholarly and professional activities of the students and faculty.

Criterion MI8. Institutional Support

Institutional support and leadership must be adequate to ensure the quality and continuity of the program.

Resources including institutional services, financial support, and staff (both administrative and technical) provided to the program must be adequate to meet program needs. Resources available to the program must be sufficient to attract, retain, and provide for the continued professional development of a qualified faculty; to acquire, maintain, and operate infrastructures, facilities and equipment appropriate for the program; and to provide an environment in which student outcomes can be attained.

 

Comments relative to the above proposed changes should be submitted by the link for comments available here and on the Accreditation Changes section of the ABET website.

These program criteria apply to associate computing programs using cybersecurity, cyber operations, computer security, information assurance, information security, computer forensics, or similar terms in their titles.

Note. Criterion 3 and 5 listed below replace, not extend, Criterion 3 and 5 stated in the CAC General Criteria.

3. Student Outcomes

In addition to outcomes 1 through 5, graduates of the program will have an ability to:

The program must have documented and publicly stated student outcomes that include (1) through (5) below. The program may define additional outcomes.

Graduates of the program will have an ability to:

1. Analyze a broadly defined security problem and apply principles of cybersecurity to the design and implementation of solutions.

6. 2.Apply security principles and practices to maintain operations in the presence of risks and threats.

3. Communicate effectively in a variety of professional contexts.

4. Recognize professional responsibilities and make informed judgments in cybersecurity practice based on legal and ethical principles.

5. Function effectively as a member of a team engaged in cybersecurity activities.

5. 5. Curriculum

The curriculum requirements are in addition to the General Criteria curriculum requirements and specify topics, but do not specify courses. These requirements are: The program’s requirements must be consistent with its program educational objectives and designed in such a way that each of the student outcomes can be attained. The curriculum must combine technical, professional, and general education components to prepare students for a career and lifelong professional development in the cybersecurity discipline.

The program must include at least 30 semester credit hours (or equivalent) of up-to-date coverage of cybersecurity topics that includes:

• 1. At least 30 semester credit hours (or equivalent) of computing and cybersecurity course work. The course work must include:

1. Application of techniques, skills, and tools necessary for cybersecurity practice.

1. 1. 1. 2. Application of the crosscutting concepts of confidentiality, integrity, availability, risk, adversarial thinking and systems thinking.
      2. 3. Cybersecurity topics from each of the following area:
         1. 1. Data Security: protection of data at rest, during processing, and in transit.
            2. Software Security: development and use of software that reliably preserves the security properties of the protected information and systems.
            3. Component Security: the security aspects of the design, procurement, testing, analysis, and maintenance of components integrated into larger systems.
            4. Connection Security: security of the connections between components, both physical and logical.
            5. System Security: security aspects of systems that use software and are composed of components and connections.
            6. Human Security: the study of human behavior in the context of data protection, privacy, and threat mitigation.
            7. Organizational Security: protecting organizations from cybersecurity threats and managing risk to support successful accomplishment of the organizations’ missions.
            8. Societal Security: aspects of cybersecurity that broadly impact society as a whole.

1. 1. 3. 4. Programming or scripting skills.
      4. 5. Advanced cybersecurity topics that build on the above crosscutting concepts and cybersecurity topics.

Comments relative to the above proposed changes should be submitted by the link for comments available here and on the Accreditation Changes section of the ABET website.

Lead Society: CSAB

These program criteria apply to computing programs using computer science or similar terms in their titles.

Definition

Natural Sciences – Natural sciences are disciplines focused on knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of natural phenomena; these include chemistry, physics as well as life, earth

3. Student Outcomes

In addition to outcomes 1 through 5, graduates of the program will also have an ability to:

• 6. Apply computer science theory and software development fundamentals to produce computing-based solutions. [CS]

5. Curriculum

The curriculum requirements are in addition to the General Criteria curriculum requirements and specify topics, but do not prescribe specific courses. These requirements are:

• 1. Computer science: At least 40 semester credit hours (or equivalent) that must include:
     1. Substantial coverage of algorithms and complexity, computer science theory, concepts of programming languages, and software development.
     2. Substantial coverage of at least one general-purpose programming language.
     3. Exposure to computer architecture and organization, information management, networking and communication, operating systems, and parallel and distributed computing.
     4. The study of computing-based systems at varying levels of abstraction.
     5. A major project that requires integration and application of knowledge and skills acquired in earlier course work.
  2. Mathematics and statistics: At least 15 semester credit hours (or equivalent) that must include discrete mathematics, probability, statistics and must have mathematical rigor at least equivalent to introductory calculus. The additional mathematics might include course work in areas such as calculus, linear algebra, numerical methods, probability, statistics, or number theory.
  3. Science: Coursework that develops and applies the scientific method in a non-computing area. At least six semester credit hours (or equivalent) in natural science course work intended for science and engineering majors. This course work must develop an understanding of the scientific method and must include laboratory work.

6. Faculty

In addition to the General Criteria faculty requirements, some full-time faculty members must have a Ph.D. in computer science.

Comments relative to the above proposed changes should be submitted by the link for comments available here and on the Accreditation Changes section of the ABET website