Stop Hacks In Their Tracks
The MS in Applied Cybersecurity, offered through the College of Arts & Sciences, is intended for students with an undergraduate degree in computer science, cybersecurity, information technology, information systems, management or a related field as well as those working in industry who are looking for an advanced credential. This program prepares students to work in cybersecurity or IT administration, lead teams of cybersecurity specialists, implement enterprise cybersecurity policy and conduct incident investigations.
This program is designed around the CISSP domains to help professionals with the required work experience to prepare for that highly-valued certification.
The program is designed to accommodate working students. Most courses have an eight-week, online format with evening or weekend classes. Thesis and project courses are 15 weeks. Some courses offer hands-on, in-person cybersecurity activities.
My favorite thing about my major is learning how to create code that can be used to defend against cyber attacks.”
Andre “A.J.” Jackson ’24 | Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Related Programs
Graduate Programs offered through the School of Business in Cybersecurity Management:
- Cybersecurity Management Graduate Certificate
- MBA with a Cybersecurity Management Concentration
- MBA with a Cybersecurity Management Certificate
* School of Business graduate certificate programs are not eligible for the alumni discount
Internship Possibilities
Students may earn credit for relevant work experience.
Career and Salary Possibilities
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Cybersecurity Analysts can expect to make more than $100,000 per year with at least a bachelor’s degree and growth in this field is anticipated to increase 33% through the end of the decade.
According to ZipRecruiter, Cybersecurity Managers nationally average more than $138,000.
According to Cyberseek, only 68% of cybersecurity jobs are currently filled nationwide. For an interactive map with information for your state, see Cyberseek’s Heatmap.
Classes
Prerequisites
An undergraduate degree in Cybersecurity OR an undergraduate degree in a related field with coursework in operating systems, networking, cybersecurity fundamentals and programming.
Students without prerequisites may take:
- CSC 121 Programming I
- CYBR 201 and CSC 301 Introduction to Networking or MIS 588 Business Foundations in Cybersecurity
- CSC 403 Operating Systems or INT 330 Applied Operating Systems
Students wishing to take equivalent courses elsewhere should consult with a program advisor to ensure that the course meets the requirement.
Core Curriculum
This 30 credit program requires the 5 core courses listed below, 12 elective credits, and a choice of capstone project or thesis class.
| Course Number | Course Name | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CYBR 501 | Risk Management, Policy & Best Practices | 3 |
| CYBR 601 | Advanced Networking & Telecommunications | 3 |
| CYBR 520 | Ethics, Law & Law Enforcement | 3 |
| CYBR 630 | Software and Asset Security | 3 |
| CYBR 640 | Cybersecurity Architecture & Operations | 3 |
Thesis or Capstone Project
- CYBR 660 Cybersecurity Thesis
- CYBR 670 Capstone Project
Students should consult with their advisor when selecting either CYBR 660 or CYBR 670 (3 Credits). Students planning doctoral work may want the thesis option. Students completing a more substantial project may wish to discuss with their advisor the option of repeating one of these classes for credit in lieu of one elective class.
Application Information
Admissions requirements
An undergraduate degree in Cybersecurity OR an undergraduate degree with prior coursework in cybersecurity fundamentals, operating systems, networking and programming.
Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.25 OR work experience that demonstrates that the candidate is capable of graduate level work.