Cybercrime is one of the fastest-growing threats worldwide, and a new undergraduate degree at the 草莓视频 will prepare students to not only prevent it, but to also fight back.
Launching in August 2026, the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Criminology will give graduates a combination of computer science skills and an understanding of human behavior to help them navigate the world of modern criminology.
A collaboration between the USF Bellini College of Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and Computing and the USF College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, the new program will be one of three launching at the same time.
They reflect the Bellini College鈥檚 hub-and-spoke model that connects it with disciplines across the university and prepares students for careers in a technology-driven world.
鈥淭his degree truly represents what we mean by interdisciplinary innovation,鈥� said鈥�Bellini College Launch Dean Sudeep Sarkar. 鈥淏y connecting computing with criminology, we鈥檙e giving students the ability to understand not just the technology behind cybercrime, but also the people and behaviors driving it.鈥�
Through this degree track, students are trained to think like both technologists and investigators to design secure systems, analyze digital evidence and gain understanding about the motives and methods behind cyber threats.
Classes that address ethics, data structures, AI, secure coding, criminal justice research methods and theories of criminal behavior reinforce how computing and criminology intersect to serve public safety. Students learn to design secure systems, analyze digital evidence and use machine learning to address real-world issues in cybercrime, fraud detection and digital evidence.
As digital threats expand, so does the need for cybercrime professionals who can tackle the latest technologies to protect the public. Our partnerships with leading cybersecurity firms and law enforcement help us tailor the classes to what is relevant in the industry.
Dean Julie Serovich, USF College of Behavioral and Community Sciences
The economic impacts of cybercrime are significant. Globally, cybercrime damages are projected to reach $10.5 trillion annually this year. In the U.S., 41% of small and medium-sized businesses reported a cyber-attack last year. Companies and law enforcement agencies need highly trained graduates to fill roles to protect against the attacks.
Upon graduation, students of the program will be prepared for a range of careers including cybercrime investigation, digital forensics, data-driven crime analysis, cybersecurity policy and risk intelligence. These are skills that are in demand from government, law enforcement agencies and private sector companies providing cybersecurity services.
鈥淒emand for cybercrime professionals is surging,鈥� said George Burruss, professor and chair of USF鈥檚 Department of Criminology in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences. 鈥淎gencies increasingly seek graduates trained in technology, behavioral science, law enforcement policies and the ability to research emerging cybercrime problems. This new degree path is designed to prepare professionals who can integrate these domains and address the complex cybercrime challenges facing the public today.鈥�
Students of this program could land new careers in roles with law enforcement, national security agencies and private firms. Graduates working in fraud investigations have a median starting salary of $72,000, with some earning bonuses that could bring their pay close to six figures, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The median annual wage for information security analysts was $120,360 last year.
The three new programs 鈥� one focused on computer science and business and another on computer science and interdisciplinary social sciences 鈥� are not simply two degrees taught on parallel tracks.
鈥淭he single curriculum of the program helps students apply computer science to a field of their interest and aligns coursework in both areas, which eliminates the need for students to pursue dual degrees or choose one topic over another,鈥� said Sarkar. 鈥淪tudents are learning two disciplines side by side. They鈥檙e learning how to think across fields. We are preparing them to understand both technology and the criminal justice system and criminal behavior.鈥�
The interdisciplinary computing majors are made possible with funding from the Northeastern University CIC and the U.S. National Science Foundation.