Cyber Security Masters Degree [NEW]
Though cybersecurity is a new field, many universities offer cybersecurity master's degree programs. Students can also pursue a cybersecurity concentration in related fields, such as computer science or computer engineering.
cyber security masters degree
Cybersecurity master's degrees usually include courses in cryptography, digital forensics, and ethical hacking. Degree-seekers can often pursue specializations such as analysis, systems, or network security. Earning a cybersecurity master's degree usually takes about two years. Most programs comprise 30-36 credits.
Admission to a cybersecurity graduate program requires an undergraduate degree. Most applicants hold a bachelor's in a related field such as engineering or computer science. Some cybersecurity schools prefer applicants with professional experience in information technology or computer science.
Graduate programs offer a variety of benefits for cybersecurity professionals. Earning a master's in cybersecurity can help pros land information security leadership positions at companies or public agencies.
Applicants to master's in cybersecurity degree programs often must hold a bachelor's degree. Some schools require a bachelor's in cybersecurity or computer science. Other programs may accept majors in different fields, provided students can demonstrate data security competence.
Many schools require a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission into a cybersecurity master's program. However, this requirement varies between schools. Some institutions set minimum overall GPA requirements, but others only look at applicants' grades in computer science courses.
Technology-focused master's degrees can take many forms. Some students complete general computer science programs. Others earn specialized degrees in subfields like cybersecurity. Some top cybersecurity schools allow students in other computer-related degrees to concentrate in cybersecurity. Many universities include cybersecurity coursework within broader programs.
Some cybersecurity master's degree programs offer cross-disciplinary courses. The list below includes common cybersecurity graduate courses and concentrations. Not all schools offer these classes, but this list provides a snapshot of a master's degree in this field.
Most MS in cybersecurity programs include a practicum. MS candidates may complete their practicums in academic, corporate, or government settings. Under faculty direction, students investigate problems, experiment with solutions, and document their work. For many learners, the practicum serves as a bridge between academia and the workplace.
In some cybersecurity master's degree programs, students can complete a capstone master's thesis project. A thesis usually involves researching a significant, well-defined problem. Candidates then present evidence with both practical and academic merit. Typically, students must present and defend their theses before a panel of faculty members and industry experts.
Cybersecurity master's degree program costs depend on many different factors. Residency is one important consideration. Public institutions typically offer lower tuition rates to in-state residents. Some schools extend in-state pricing to online students who live in other states.
Fortunately, many degree-seekers can take advantage of financing options. Universities offer scholarships, and some companies provide employee tuition reimbursement. Students can also take advantage of federal student aid, student loans, and private scholarships.
A master's in cybersecurity can open doors to high-paying, in-demand technology professions. The BLS projects that the computer and technology field will add 682,800 new jobs from 2021-2031. These jobs paid a median annual salary of $97,430 as of 2021.
Cybersecurity specialists can work in various industries, including healthcare, national security, plus banking and finance. A master's degree can help security professionals prepare to assume leadership roles, influence public policy, and teach cybersecurity. A master's in cybersecurity can also lay the groundwork for a Ph.D. in the field.
Of course, not all schools offer online degrees, and not all majors fit easily into distance learning formats. However, few programs suit online education as well as cybersecurity, a computer-based field.
This list of the top five master's in cybersecurity programs for 2023 can help you find your ideal program. We rank schools based on factors such as retention rate, post-graduation student debt, and return on investment. Visit our ranking methodology page to learn more.
Sacred Heart University, the first National Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense-designated school in Connecticut, offers an MS in cybersecurity. Faculty research interests include digital signal processing, cloud computing, and network security.
The MS can prepare learners to prevent and respond to cyberattacks in 12-18 months. Students develop practical experience by using cybersecurity tools, performing research, and learning risk management techniques. The program includes three tracks: computer science, information technology, and data science.
SHU also features a bachelor's-to-master's cybersecurity 4+1 dual degree option. The School of Computer Science & Engineering, which delivers the cybersecurity MS, accepts applications to the thesis-optional program year-round.
The MS in digital forensics and cybersecurity from John Jay College of Criminal Justice combines computer science, criminal justice, and law. The on-campus program offers part-time and full-time options to welcome recent graduates and working professionals. Students can engage in small classes and participate in faculty research, cooperative education, and internships.
The curriculum includes classes in forensic management of digital evidence, network security, and digital forensic applications. Students can take electives like applied cryptography, risk assessment and management, and cybercriminology. The program requires two capstones with choices of faculty-mentored research, a seminar with fieldwork, or a research practicum.
Each applicant needs a background in computer science, a bachelor's degree from an accredited school, and a minimum 3.0 GPA. Other requirements include three letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and a personal statement.
Regent, a Christian higher education institution in Virginia Beach, serves about 13,000 students. The school features more than 150 academic programs, including associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
Regent University's fully online MS in cybersecurity - cybersecurity management degree explores cybersecurity ethics, network security, and disaster recovery. Students take classes like cybersecurity compliance, organizational development, and information security management. The program develops leadership skills as learners gain expertise in identity management, organizational change, and systems security.
Potential careers for graduates include cybersecurity manager, security architect, and digital security project manager. The MS program also offers concentrations in cybersecurity policy and cybersecurity practitioners. The school's Institute for Cybersecurity includes a multimillion-dollar Cyber Range that provides practical experience for online and on-campus students through advanced cybersecurity training.
Students can complete MS in cybersecurity degrees from Robert Morris University's School of Informatics, Humanities, and Social Sciences online or on campus. RMU holds a designation from the U.S. National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
The cybersecurity MS curriculum requires operating systems security, cybersecurity strategy and governance, and software and application security courses. The degree's final semester includes a cybersecurity capstone. Students learn to use cryptography to protect data, understand legal and ethical issues of cyberinfrastructure, and respond to cyberattacks with relevant techniques.
Each candidate must provide official undergraduate transcripts demonstrating a minimum 2.75 GPA, two letters of recommendation, and a resume. The program also requires an essay explaining the applicant's interest in cybersecurity.
The University of Baltimore's MS in cyberforensics program explores issues like data recovery and analysis, evidence preservation, and investigation of computer and digital crimes. Students take classes like advanced Python for forensics, ethical hacking, and money laundering. The 30-credit program also includes internship and capstone experiences.
UBalt's digital lab provides practical experience opportunities with cybersecurity industry software. Classes take place on campus at night, making it easier for working professionals to enroll in the program. Graduates can apply for jobs like computer forensics investigator, cyberanalyst, and cyberproject manager.
Each applicant needs a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited university and a minimum 3.0 GPA. The program requires a complete online application, letter of recommendation, statement of personal interest, and official transcript.
Cybersecurity professionals come from diverse academic backgrounds. However, the field's highest-paying jobs, such as cybersecurity engineer and information security manager, often go to candidates with advanced education, such as master's degrees.
Most employers require a bachelor's degree for cybersecurity roles. However, bachelor's graduates may find that a master's degree can open up even more career opportunities and higher salaries in the field.
The cybersecurity field offers many lucrative careers. As of November 2022, Payscale reports that professionals with a master's degree in cybersecurity earned an average annual salary of $91,000. Cybersecurity engineers and information security managers can make even more.
Georgia Tech's OMS Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity is the only interdisciplinary degree in cybersecurity from a U.S. News & World Report Top 10-ranked public university that you can earn online, on your own schedule, for a tuition less than $10,000. 041b061a72