Information Security and Intelligence

Key courses:

  • Digital Forensics
  • Mobile Security and Penetration Testing
  • Network Forensics and Analysis
  • Data Intelligence Competitive Theory
  • Database Security
  • Link and Visual Analysis
  • Risk Analysis and Strategy

Degrees:

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The Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Information Security and Intelligence (ISI) programs prepare you for a variety of careers in corporate, governmental, law enforcement and defense settings. The Bachelor of Science program is available in Big Rapids and online, and the Master of Science program is available online. Cyber security and data analytics are frequently cited among the fastest-growing career fields. ISI graduates are employed as security analysts, data analysts, digital forensic investigators, FBI special agents, NCIS special agents, risk analysts, penetration testers, compliance officers, and many other areas. Program entry is competitive and an admission essay is required.

The ISI programs have been designated as National Security Agency Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense, as well as a Department of Defense/Air Force Cyber Command Center of Digital Forensic Academic Excellence (the first university in the United States to achieve this designation). The programs are highly ranked by many national organizations and are the premier Cyber Security degrees in the State of Michigan.

The ABET Computing Accreditation Commission is the accrediting body for engineering and technology programs. The Bachelor of Science in Information Security is the only Cyber Security program in Michigan that is ABET accredited. Undergraduate students can major in ISI and specialize in a number of areas including penetration testing, digital forensics/incident response, data analytics, and project management. The ISI program is interdisciplinary with partnerships between multiple campus units including the Business Data Analytics and Foreign Languages (Languages/Literature ) programs. Graduate students focus on information assurance, compliance/auditing, business intelligence, incident response management and project management.

Students have the opportunity to study abroad as part of their degree program, with the most common destination being Saxion University of Applied Science in The Netherlands. Ferris faculty have taught at universities on four continents and international faculty provide lectures and workshops on the main campus at Ferris State University.

Each ISI faculty member has more than 10 years of in-field work experience, as well as average of four industry certifications. Collectively the faculty have published numerous journal articles and books. Further demonstration of research activity includes funding by the National Science Foundation, National Security Agency, Department of Defense, and other US and International organizations. Faculty credentials include citation in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Riley v. California, expert witness qualification in many jurisdictions, Fulbright Scholar, Distinguished Professor, International Educator of the Year, Michigan Professor of the Year, first faculty member designated an EC-Council Certified Security Analyst Instructor, and Michigan Cyber Civilian Corps first responder.

Program Statistics

Note: the enrollment and graduation rates below do not include graduate students.

Student Profile
  • Average ACT Math Score: 28.5
  • Average SAT Math Score: 620
  • Average High School GPA: 3.67
Enrollment
  • 2007-2008:   11
  • 2008-2009:   52
  • 2009-2010:   68
  • 2010-2011:   95
  • 2011-2012:   115
  • 2012-2013:   153
  • 2013-2014:   143
  • 2014-2015:   144
  • 2015-2016:   166
  • 2016-2017:   160
  • 2017-2018:   138
  • 2018-2019:   158
Graduates
  • 2009: 2
  • 2010: 13
  • 2011: 18
  • 2012: 22
  • 2013: 24
  • 2014: 25
  • 2015: 28
  • 2016: 31
  • 2017: 30

New & Noteworthy

Admissions

1. New First Year or “First Time in Any College Freshmen (FTIAC)” Applicant COB Admission Criteria

Applicants are expected to meet the criteria listed below to be placed directly into a College of Business bachelor/associate degree program except Graphic Design (DSGN), Information Security & Intelligence (ISIN), PGA Golf Management (PGA), and Professional Tennis Management (PTM) which have specific admission requirements listed in Section 3. Any mitigating circumstances will be considered on an individual basis by the College of Business Dean’s Office/Student Academic Affairs (SAA).

Applicants completing the SAT after Fall, 2016, must have a 2.5 high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and meet two of the three criteria below:

  • SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing (ERW) score of 450 or higher.
  • SAT Math score of 500 or higher. Placement in Math 109/110 will be considered (SAT MATH score 480).
  • SAT Composite score of 900.

Applicants completing the ACT; or applicants completing the SAT before Fall, 2016, must have a 2.5 high school GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and meet two of the three criteria below:

  • English ACT score of 16 or higher, or SAT Writing score of 370 or higher
  • Math ACT score of 19 or higher, or SAT Math score of 460 or higher
  • Reading ACT score of 19 or higher, or SAT Reading score of 430 or higher

ACT/SAT score requirements shall not apply to international students and non-traditional students age 23 or older. However, a placement test (specified by Ferris State University and/or COB) may be necessary for English and Math. Most students complete the Accuplacer at the FSU Testing Center or approved satellite location.

Applicants not meeting the above criteria (or criteria for direct admission into a specific COB program listed in Section 3), MAY be considered for an approved Associates Degree if:

  • High School GPA of 2.35 or higher
  • Math ACT score of 16/SAT Math 430 and additional high school algebra
  • ACT Reading score of 16 and ACT English score of 14 or a comparable SAT ERW score to be determined.
  • SAT Composite score of 860 or ACT composite score of 15.

2. Transfer Applicant COB Admission Criteria (this includes internal applicants from other FSU colleges and external applicants from other institutions)

Applicants are expected to meet the criteria listed below to be placed directly into a College of Business bachelor/associate degree program except for Accountancy/Computer Information Systems (ACIS), Computer Information Systems (CIS), Computer Information Technology (CIT), Graphic Design (DSGN), Information Security & Intelligence (ISIN), Music Industry Management (MIM), PGA Golf Management (PGA), and Professional Tennis Management (PTM) which have specific admission requirements listed in Section 3. Any mitigating circumstances will be considered on an individual basis by the College of Business Dean’s Office/SAA.

Transfer applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Combined college or university GPA of 2.35 (on a 4.0 scale) from all institutions attended. GPA is based on completion of 12 credit hours or more. Developmental courses will not be considered in computing the GPA requirement.  
  • Transfer equivalency for FSU English 150 or placement during the first semester at FSU which would require an ACT English score of 16 or higher; or SAT ERW score of 450; or Accuplacer English score 6 or higher.
  • Transfer equivalency for FSU Math 114/115 or placement during the first semester at FSU which would require an ACT Math score of 19 or higher; or SAT Math score of 500; or Accuplacer MATH scores: Elementary Algebra score 75 or higher and College Level Math 0 – 49.

ACT/SAT score requirements shall not apply to international students and non-traditional students age 23 or older. However, a placement test (specified by Ferris State University and/or COB) may be necessary for English and Math. Most students complete the Accuplacer at the FSU Testing Center or an approved satellite location.

COB students may transfer into another COB program with a 2.0 FSU GPA unless they do not meet requirements that are program specific. A “Program Change Form” will be processed in the Dean’s Office/SAA (BUS 200).

FSU students may transfer into a COB program with a 2.35 FSU GPA unless they do not meet requirements that are program specific. A “Program Change Form” will be processed in the Dean’s Office/SAA (BUS 200).

3. COB Specific Programs’ Admission Criteria

New applicants (FTIAC)* and transfer applicants interested in Accountancy/Computer Information Systems (ACIS), Systems Computer Information Systems (CIS), Computer Information Technology (CIT), Graphic Design (DSGN), Information Security and Intelligence (ISIN), Music Industry Management (MIM), PGA Golf Management (PGA), and Professional Tennis Management (PTM) have specific admission criteria as follows:

Accountancy/Computer Information Systems (ACIS-BS-BU)

  • FTIAC applicants must meet the COB FTIAC admission criteria.
  • Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria (see Section 2) and have a combined college or university 2.5 GPA.

Computer Information Systems (CIS-BS-BU)

  • FTIAC applicants must meet COB FTIAC admission criteria.
  • Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria (see Section 2) and have a combined college or university 2.5 GPA.

Computer Information Technology (CIT-BS-BU)

  • FTIAC applicants must meet COB FTIAC admission criteria.
  • Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria (see Section 2) and have a college or university 2.5 GPA.

Graphic Design Bachelor’s Degree (DSGN-BS-BU)

  • FTIAC applicants must meet COB FTIAC admission criteria. Students must maintain a 2.7gpa in their DSGN courses.
  • Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria (see Section 2) and will be referred to the Program Coordinator for portfolio review to determine acceptance and placement within the program.

Information Security & Intelligence (ISIN-BS-BU and ISIN-AAS-BU)

  • All applicants applying for admission to the ISIN programs will submit a 750 – 1,000 word essay that addresses the following: Who they are and why they desire admission in the ISIN program, description of a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution, or experience, and description of someone that influenced them and why.
  • Minimum computer spec for ISIN students: Laptop; Windows or OSX/MacOS; 8 GB RAM, 16GB recommended; 500 GB HDD or SSD; CPU minimum i5 or equivalent.
  • FTIAC applicants require a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from high school and a Math ACT minimum score of 22 or Math SAT minimum score of 550.
  • Transfer applicants must have a combined 3.00 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from all institutions attended. GPA is based on completion of 24 hours or more. Students must have completed the transfer equivalent of FSU’s Math 114/115 or higher (this does not include FSU’s equivalent of Math 117) with a minimum 2.00 GPA or have a Math ACT minimum score of 22 or Math SAT minimum score of 550.  (See information above regarding the required essay.)

Music Industry Management (MIM-BS-BU)

  • FTIAC applicants must meet COB FTIAC admission criteria.
  • Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria and (see Section 2) have a combined college or university 2.5 GPA. Typically no more than 45 applicable credit hours should be transferred from other institutions. Exceptions will be based on approval by the MIM Program Director.

PGA Golf Management (PGA-BS-BU)

  • FTIAC applicants require a 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from high school, ACT composite score of 19 or SAT composite score of 980 and a USGA handicap of 8 or lower. The program has a Fall Semester entry only. Because of the uniqueness of the program, applicants are encouraged to visit campus and talk with an admissions counselor and/or the PGA program coordinator.
  • Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admission criteria (see Section 2) and have a 2.50 GPA and USGA handicap of 8 or lower.   GPA is based on completion of 12 credit hours including ENGL 150, MATH 114/115, and a self and society or culture general education competency. Students must have completed NO MORE than 45 applicable credit hours at other institutions.
  • Students must complete the program within eight years of the initial enrollment as required by the PGA.

Professional Tennis Management (PTM-BS-BU)

  • FTIAC applicants require a 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from high school, NTRP of 4.0 with USTA District ranking and one of the following two criteria: (1) ACT Math score of 19 or higher or SAT Math score of 500 OR (2) ACT Reading score of 19 or higher or SAT ERW to be determined.
  • Transfer applicants must meet COB transfer admissions criteria (see Section 2) and NTRP of 4.0 or USTA District ranking.

4. Undergraduate COB Certificate Programs’ Admission Criteria

Any person admitted to a Ferris State University degree program may enroll in courses for undergraduate COB certificates. No more than 50% of the credits in a certificate may be transferred from another institution. If a student is in a FSU degree-seeking program, the certificate will not be granted if more than 50% of the certificate credits are required in the program/major. The certificate will be granted upon completion with an average GPA of 2.0 or higher in the courses designated for the certificate.

Individuals wanting to advance their career, but not admitted to an FSU degree program, may also earn undergraduate COB certificates.

Admission process for individuals seeking only a certificate: 

  • Applicant should show proof of high school graduation with a 2.35 GPA.  If it is determined by the COB Dean’s Office/SAA that regular program admission criteria should be met in order to complete the certificate successfully and be a contributing member of the course, all college transcripts should be submitted to the Admissions Office. Once admitted, an advisor will be assigned by the College of Business in the certificate program.
  • Dual enrolled/concurrent students must complete their high school degree (provide transcript) before the certificate will be granted from FSU.  
  • Students wishing to pursue a bachelor or associate’s degree must meet the admission criteria for the program. This criteria review is initiated when the “Program Change Form” request is processed through the COB Dean’s Office/SAA.

Any mitigating circumstances will be considered on an individual basis by the College of Business Dean’s Office/SAA

*This document is subject to change. Questions should be submitted to the COB Dean’s Office/Student Academic Affairs (BUS 200) in care of the Director of Student Academic Affairs (231-591-2420).

SLG: April 9, 2013; Spring, 2014 (PHMT and eliminate PMIM); December, 2014(editorial); August 20, 2015 (criteria change: Section 1 preprogram requirements; PGA Golf Management name change); April and May, 2016 (Certificate process updates); Reviewed by AC: March 16, 2017 and updated on April 4, 2017 (Updates with certificate, ISIN admissions criteria, SAT updates, program changes, eliminate pre-programs, editorial changes);  June 13, 2107 (MIM transfer credit clarification); June 19, 2017 (CIS transfer criteria update: combined college GPA 2.5 GPA); July 27, 2017 (ISIN computer recommendations; Accountancy/Computer Information Systems transfer criteria update: combined college GPA 2.50); August 16, 2017 (Edit); Oct 6, 2017 (ISIN AAS); November 7, 2017 (PTM edit “or USTA”);