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Undergraduate Minor inSecurity and Risk Analysis

Program summary

Develop the expertise in data security and privacy that is becoming increasingly valuable to employers across many industries. Organizations today are highly concerned with preventing and detecting security risks and data breaches, and this minor can help you stand out.

Credits and costs

21 Credits$626/$671 per credit

Enhance Your Penn State Degree

Add a minor to get even more value out of your education.

Gain Specialized Knowledge

Earning a minor enables you to complement your major, pursue a personal interest, or explore a different field of study.

As technologies evolve and businesses adapt newer infrastructures, such as cloud computing and mobile computing, the level of risk and vulnerability increases. Hacks and data breeches occur more frequently than ever before, and employers want their staff and new hires to have increasingly higher levels of knowledge and sophistication when it comes to data security and privacy.

The Minor in Security and Risk Analysis (SRA) can familiarize you with the framework and theories that define security and related risk analysis. The courses were designed to engage you in the challenges and problems of assuring information confidentially and integrity, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of various methods of assessing and mitigating associated risk in your major field.

The minor in security and risk analysis can provide you with a specialized skill set that can serve you well in almost any industry. You can also opt to take courses that focus on a particular area of interest, including risk management, network security, or cyber forensics. 

Courses

The SRA minor is a 21-credit program, with course work that exposes you to a variety of topics, including an introduction to security and risk analysis, threat of terrorism and crime, information security, and the legal and regulatory environment of privacy and security.

The minor — open to all interested undergraduate World Campus students who meet the prerequisites — could be a beneficial addition to almost any major. To successfully complete the program, you must take at least 6 credits at the 400 level and receive a grade of C or above in all courses.

You can choose additional course work from areas that most interest you, including risk management and network security. Your academic adviser can help you select the area most in line with your interests.

Required Courses (9 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    This introductory course spans areas of security, risk, and analysis covering contexts in government agencies and business organizations.

  • 3
    credits

    Provides overview of nature, scope, and seriousness of threats to security as a result of terrorism and crime.

  • 3
    credits

    Provides an understanding of the overview of information security including security architecture, access control, and internet secure applications.

    • Prerequisite

      SRA 111 and (CMPSC 101 or IST 140 or CMPSC 121)

Additional Courses (6 credits)

    • 3
      credits

      A first course in concepts and skills for application development.

      • Prerequisite

        C or better in MATH 21 or placement above the level of MATH 21 in the mathematics placement test.

      • Recommend preparation

        MATH 22

      • C or better

        A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

    • or:
      3
      credits

      Fundamentals of computational thinking, including reasoning about problems at multiple levels of abstraction, and analyzing code for its behavior, efficiency, and correctness.

      • Prerequisite

        2 entrance units in mathematics

      • C or better

        A student enrolled in this course must receive a grade of C or better.

    • 3
      credits

      Introduction to digital network topologies, transmission media, signal modulation, digital packet switching and routing, systems integration, communications management, and security.

    • or:
      3
      credits

      Provides an overview of decision theoretical and analytical concepts and tools in the security risk analysis field.

      • Prerequisite

        SRA 111, STAT 200

Additional 400-Level Courses (select 6 credits)

  • 3
    credits

    Legal environment of information technology, constitutional/political issues, intellectual property, management, e-commerce, privacy, access, computer contracting, cyberspace regulation.

    • Prerequisite

      IST 301 or SRA 231

  • 3
    credits

    Fundamental issues and concepts of network security, network security technologies and protocols, and emerging technologies in network security.

  • 3
    credits

    Exploration of legal, regulatory, public policy, and ethical issues related to security and privacy for information technology professionals in public institutions, private enterprise, and IT services.

    • Prerequisite

      IST 432

  • 3
    credits

    Legal, regulatory, and public policy environment of computer and network forensics that constrain investigatory and monitoring activities in computer and network environments.

    • Prerequisite

      IST 110 and sixth-semester standing or higher

  • 3
    credits

    Fundamental issues and concepts of computer forensics; aspects of computer and cybercrime; methods to uncover, protect, exploit, and document digital evidence; tools, techniques, and procedures to perform computer and cybercrime investigation.

    • Prerequisite

      C or better in IST 220 and SRA 221

  • 3
    credits

    Contemporary security issues; security management processes, architecture, and models; risk analysis and management; security planning, analysis, and safeguards; security policies development and administration; contingency planning, incidence handling, and response; and security standards and certification processes.

    • Prerequisite

      C or better in IST 220 and SRA 221

  • 3
    credits

    The role of information and intelligence introduces students to the architecture and policies of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC) and examines how U.S. intelligence policies and practices relate to overall U.S. foreign policy objectives and are influenced by today's global environment and emerging technologies. The course examines the users and processes of IC, participants of Competitive Intelligence, and comparative intelligence communities.

    • Prerequisite

      SRA 111 and SRA 211 and SRA 231

  • 3
    credits

    Helps students develop a spatial perspective on risk analysis and empowers them with GIS spatial data representation, visualization, and analysis methods that are fundamental to the spatial analysis of risk.

    • Prerequisite

      SRA 111 

  • 3
    credits

    Provides in-depth study of how security informatics is influenced by the risk and post-modern culture.

    • Prerequisite

      SRA 231

  • 3
    credits

    This course examines how information and communication technologies have played a role in saving lives, specifically in the areas of technologies used toward emergency response.

    • Prerequisites

      SRA 111, SRA 211, and SRA 231

Course Availability

If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.

Costs and Financial Aid

Undergraduate Tuition

Undergraduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register and the number of total credits you have accrued at or transferred to Penn State.

Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.

2023–24 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2023, spring 2024, and summer 2024 semesters.

How many credits do you plan to take per semester?If you have 59 or fewer creditsIf you have 60 or more credits
11 or fewer$626 per credit$671 per credit
12–19$7,602 per semester$8,206 per semester

Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19. 

2024–25 Academic Year Rates

Tuition rates for the fall 2024, spring 2025, and summer 2025 semesters.

How many credits do you plan to take per semester?If you have 59 or fewer creditsIf you have 60 or more credits
11 or fewer$632 per credit$678 per credit
12–19$7,678 per semester$8,288 per semester

Undergraduate students taking more than 19 credits will be charged the flat tuition rate plus the regular per credit hour rate for each credit above 19. 

Financial Aid and Military Benefits

Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.

How to Apply

Admissions Help

Please work with your adviser if you have questions about adding a minor. You can find your adviser's contact information in your student portal or by calling advising at 814-863-3283.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admittance into the security and risk analysis minor, you must:

  • be a current Penn State undergraduate student in your fifth semester and be in a bachelor's degree major
  • maintain a grade of C or better in all courses for the minor
  • confirm that the minor code and major code do not match (for example, a student with an SRA major cannot apply for a minor in SRA) 

Adding a Minor

If you have achieved fifth-semester standing (60 credits completed), you can apply for admission to the minor. To begin, please follow these steps:

  1. Talk with your academic adviser about incorporating the minor into your major and to develop a semester-by-semester plan for meeting requirements.
  2. You can apply for the minor by adding it in LionPATH. You should do this as early as possible, but you can apply up to the late drop deadline of your graduating semester.
  3. You will receive a confirmation email once you declare the minor in LionPATH.

Technical Requirements

Review the technical requirements for this program.

Contact Us

To learn more about the Minor in Security and Risk Analysis, offered in partnership with the College of Information Sciences and Technology, please contact:

World Campus Advisers
Phone: 814-863-3283
Email: [email protected]