Program Contact: Chetan Jaiswal 203-582-7862
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity program is a program within the School of Computing & Engineering. The program is offered fully online, or hybrid online/on-ground. It is a technical degree program designed to prepare a wide range of students to operate as cyber defenders for present-day and future information systems and networks.
The 30-credit Master of Science in Cybersecurity includes up-to-date security knowledge and skills in demand in today's workplace. These include principles of risk management, software security, cloud security and resilient systems. Both security theory and hands-on skills are developed, utilizing current security tools in cloud and on-ground environments. The program and university meet the requirements for the NSA/DHS Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designation. Degree coursework culminates with a capstone project that challenges students to examine the architecture of a complex system, identify vulnerabilities and determine the specific security defenses that should be employed.
Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Program of Study
The 30 credits required for the Master of Science in Cybersecurity include six core courses (18 credits) plus 12 credits of additional courses, as outlined below. Students may choose a thesis option or non-thesis option.
Curriculum (Thesis Option)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 18 | |
| CYB 505 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 3 |
| CYB 510 | Introduction to Security Technology | 3 |
| CYB 530 | Programming for Security Professionals | 3 |
| CYB 615 | Introduction to Ethical Hacking Operational Reconnaissance, and Penetration Testing. | 3 |
| CYB 691 | MS Cybersecurity Capstone | 3 |
| CYB 695 | Cloud Security | 3 |
| Thesis Courses | 6 | |
| CYB 697 | MS Cybersecurity Thesis I | 3 |
| CYB 698 | MS Cybersecurity Thesis II | 3 |
| Electives 1 | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
1 Electives may be any 500-level CYB, CSC or INF courses (excluding INF 605, INF 607 or any core courses already listed here).
Curriculum (Non-Thesis Option)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 18 | |
| CYB 505 | Introduction to Cybersecurity | 3 |
| CYB 510 | Introduction to Security Technology | 3 |
| CYB 530 | Programming for Security Professionals | 3 |
| CYB 615 | Introduction to Ethical Hacking Operational Reconnaissance, and Penetration Testing. | 3 |
| CYB 691 | MS Cybersecurity Capstone | 3 |
| CYB 695 | Cloud Security | 3 |
| Electives 1 | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
1 Electives may be any 500-level CYB, CSC or INF courses (excluding INF 605, INF 607 or any core courses already listed here).
** Transfer credit policy – Prospective students can transfer up to 9 graduate credits. Core course transfer is permitted only from institutions designated as CAE-CD; otherwise, approved credits may transfer as electives. Internship, capstone, and thesis credits are non-transferable. All transferred coursework must align with cybersecurity or computing related curriculum standards.
Student Learning Outcomes
The mission of the MS in Cybersecurity program is to equip students to succeed as effective cyber defenders in a rapidly changing business and technology environment. Specific objectives include:
- Train students to be able to apply risk management concepts to cybersecurity challenges.
- Enable students to use and evaluate software to manage cybersecurity risk.
- Create the next generation of cloud native security professionals.
- Enable students to design, build and operate resilient systems that meet business objectives.
Admission
To qualify for admission into the MS Cybersecurity program, a student must have completed a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and meet one of the following criteria:
- Have an undergraduate degree in computer engineering, software engineering or computer science; OR
- Have an undergraduate degree in another area with applicable coursework or certificates in network technology, database management and programming; OR
- Have at least 2 years of applicable work experience or military service including experience with network technology, database management and programming; OR
- Receive approval from the program director
** Transfer credit policy – Prospective students can transfer up to 9 graduate credits. Core course transfer is permitted only from institutions designated as CAE-CD; otherwise, approved credits may transfer as electives. Internship, capstone, and thesis credits are non-transferable. All transferred coursework must align with cybersecurity or computing related curriculum standards.