Cybersecurity, MS

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity. The MS in Cybersecurity provides a high quality, academically challenging, and career-enriching educational program that is responsive to industry trends, changing standards, and employer needs. The degree develops students who are highly skilled in the field, technically savvy, and think critically about cybersecurity challenges.

After graduation, MS in Cybersecurity graduates will be prepared for jobs in secure software development, system test/evaluation, data security analysis, IT security project management, cyber defense analysis, vulnerability assessment, and system security engineering, security architecture, enterprise architecture, and scientific research positions.

Non-thesis students

Non-thesis students in the MS in Cybersecurity will complete 33 semester hours, which include 21 hours of core coursework to gain a solid understanding of cybersecurity and 12 hours of electives.

Thesis students

Thesis students will complete 30 semester hours, which includes 21 hours of core coursework to gain a solid understanding of cybersecurity and 9 hours of electives. Thesis students are required to consult their advisor before selecting courses.

Academic standards

If a student’s GPA on all graduate and/or deficiency courses falls below 3.0, the student will be placed on probation the following term/semester. Students who cannot raise their GPA above 3.0 during that term/semester will be dropped from the program. To qualify for the master’s degree, the student must earn a grade of B or better in each of the core courses.

Core courses

The core courses provide students with a solid foundation in cybersecurity. All students will complete the 9 hours included in the required group. Courses from the applied group and networking group should be chosen in consultation with an advisor.

Non-thesis

Non-thesis students will complete 21 hours of core courses, which include the following:

9 hours from the required group,
6 hours from the applied group, and
6 hours from the networking group.

Thesis

Thesis students will complete 15 hours of core courses, which include the following:

9 hours from the required group,
3 hours from the applied group, and
3 hours from the networking group.

Required group

All students complete 9 hours from the following courses.

Applied group

Non-thesis students will choose 6 hours from the following courses.

Thesis students will choose 3 hours from the following courses.

Networking group

Non-thesis students will choose 6 hours from the following courses.

Thesis students will choose 3 hours from the following courses.

Electives courses

Non-thesis

Non-thesis students will take 12 hours of electives. Students can choose four courses from the list below or three courses from the list below and one unrestricted three credit hour CSCE graduate course, or alternately a course outside of CSCE, with prior advisor or program approval.

Thesis

Thesis students will take 9 hours of electives and 6 hours of CSCE 5950 - Master’s Thesis. Students can choose their elective courses from the list below or choose one unrestricted, three credit hour CSCE graduate course, or alternately a course outside of CSCE, with prior advisor or program approval.