Master of Science in Cybersecurity
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree program requires 32 credit hours of coursework (including a 5 credit practicum project course), Two of the core courses, which students in each specialization will take, will provide a broad overview of technology and policy dimensions of cybersecurity. Students are required to take a third core course that comes from one of the other specializations; e.g., a policy specialization student must take a course from the cyber-physical or information security track. Finally, a practicum project (5 credit hours) with common learning objectives across all participating units will be a core requirement. Each participating unit will decide required and elective courses for the MS Cybersecurity degree specialization offered by it (a total of 18 credit hours). These requirements have been defined by the participating units and are described in the next section.
Although all three participating schools will offer a single degree, MS Cybersecurity, the focus of the degree will depend on the specialization defined by the offering unit. In particular, each unit will offer the following specializations for the MS degree in Cybersecurity.
- The School of Cybersecurity and Privacy (SCP) offers the MS Cybersecurity degree with an information security specialization.
- The School of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) offers the MS Cybersecurity degree with cyber-physical systems specialization.
- The School of Public Policy (PUBP) offers the MS cybersecurity degree with a policy specialization.
Program of Study
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses: | ||
| CS 6035 | Introduction to Information Security | 3 |
| PUBP/CS/MGT 6725 | Information Security Policies and Strategies | 3 |
| CS/ECE/PUBP 6727 | Cyber Security Practicum | 5 |
| Elective course | CS/PUBP/ECE 6000-level 1 | 3 |
| Specialization Requirements (see below for specialization specific requirements) | 18 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 32 | |
| 1 | Public Policy students must take CS or ECE elective |
GPA/Grade Requirements:
- Students must achieve a grade-point average of at least 3.0 to graduate
- No course grades below 'C' will count toward graduation
- Students must take all master's degree coursework on a letter-grade basis
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Information Security Specialization: | ||
| CS 6260 | Applied Cryptography | 3 |
| CS 6238 | Secure Computer Systems | 3 |
| CS 6262 | Network Security | 3 |
| CS 6265 | Information Security Laboratory | 3 |
| or CS 6264 | Information Security Lab: System and Network Defenses | |
| Select two courses: | 6 | |
| Advanced Operating Systems | ||
| Computer Networks | ||
| Principles of Network Management | ||
| Software Development Process | ||
| Software Architecture and Design | ||
| Advanced Topics in Software Analysis and Testing | ||
| Intro Enterprise Comput. | ||
| Programming Language Design | ||
| Database Systems Concepts and Design | ||
| Advanced Internet Computing Systems and Applications | ||
| Distributed Computing | ||
| Systems Software Design, Implementation, and Evaluation | ||
| Internetworking Architectures and Protocols | ||
| Networked Applications and Services | ||
| Reliability and Security in Computer Architecture | ||
CS 8803 | Mobile Applications and Services | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Cyber-Physical Systems Specialization: | ||
| ECE 6320 | Power Systems Control and Operation | 3 |
| ECE 8813 | Special Topics (Introduction to Cyber-Physical Electric Energy Systems) | 3 |
| ECE 8813 | Special Topics (Introduction to Cyber-Physical Systems Security) | 3 |
| ECE 8803 | Special Topics (Computational Aspects of Cyber-Physical Systems or Cyber Physical Design and Analysis) | 3 |
| Select two courses: | 6 | |
| Linear Systems and Controls | ||
| Computer Communication Networks | ||
| Sensor Networks | ||
| Dependable Distributed Systems | ||
| Power System Protection | ||
| Special Topics (Advanced Computer Security) | ||
| Special Topics (Network Forensics) | ||
| Special Topics (Smart Grids) | ||
| Special Topics (Advanced Topics in Malware) | ||
| Special Topics (Advanced Hardware Oriented Security and Trust) | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Policy Specialization: | ||
| Select 4 courses: | 12 | |
| Special Topics (Security Operations and Incident Response) | ||
| Scenario Writing and Path Gaming | ||
| International Security | ||
| Data Analytics and Security | ||
| Privacy, Technology, Policy, and Law | ||
| Internet and Public Policy | ||
| Information Policy and Management | ||
| Information and Communications Technology Policy | ||
| Electives 1 | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
| 1 | Free electives which may be satisfied by courses from any of the specializations |
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is also offered online.
For more information, visit: Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity.