2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Within the software engineering discipline, concerns related to security continue to grow. Since the early 2000’s, the number of cyberattacks against deployed software systems has significantly grown. In 2014, recognizing this concern, a modification to the ABET EAC program accreditation criteria for software engineering was made, explicitly requiring topical coverage of security for accredited programs. Since taking effect in 2016, all programs in software engineering have been required to demonstrate appropriate coverage of the topic as part of the accreditation process. While the criteria requires that the topic of security be covered, the implementation has been left open to individual programs.

This article serves two purposes. First and foremost, it provides an updated status on the demographics of accredited software engineering programs. In doing so, it also provides a snapshot of the state of the practice of how security is integrated into program curricula by analyzing the 37 domestic ABET accredited bachelors’ programs in software engineering. The article will identify at a high level the topics that are covered in the programs, as well as provide an overview of other aspects of the institutions which impact the depth and breadth of security coverage available to undergraduate students.