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M.S. in Cybersecurity - Courses and Degree Requirements

Requirements for a Master's Degree in Cybersecurity

The Cybersecurity Master's program curriculum consists of 10 courses (30 credits) that can be completed over 12 months, following a hybrid (on-campus and online) delivery model. Students who track with their entry cohort can complete the program in three semesters (fall, spring, summer). Courses must be taken as follows:

  • Core knowledge: 4 courses
  • Electives: 5 courses from the list of specialized courses (below)
  • Capstone: Capstone Project in Cybersecurity
  • Optional: 2 thesis courses instead of Capstone and Elective

Classes will be offered in the evenings and during the weekends.

Foundational Courses

  1. CISC 5009 - Network Essentials Intensive
  2. CISC 5650 - Cybersecurity Essentials
  3. CISC 5750 - Information Security and Ethics
  4. CISC 6680 - Intrusion Detection

Specialization Courses

  1. CISC 5770 : Intelligence in Cybersecurity
  2. CISC 5850 - The Social Network
  3. CISC 6630 - Wireless Security
  4. CISC 6650 - Forensic Computing
  5. CISC 6640 - Privacy and Security in Big Data
  6. CISC 6660 - Applied Cryptography
  7. CISC 6690 - Cybersecurity in Business
  8. CISC 6750 - IoT Forensics and Security
  9. CISC 6800 - Malware and Software Security
  10. CISC 6850 - Leadership and Management in Cybersecurity
  11. CISC 6860  Cybersecurity: Technology, Policy, and Law
  12. CISC 6920 - Incident Response and Risk Management
  13. CISC 6091 - Cybersecurity Practicum
  14. CISC 7050 - Penetration Testing
  15. CISC 8150 - Special Topics in Cybersecurity

Internship: 3 credits

  1. CISC 6091 - Cybersecurity Practicum

Students interested in an internship with a business or organization related to Cybersecurity can take this course which will be counted towards his or her elective.

Capstone: 3 credits

  1. CISC 6090 - Capstone Project in Cybersecurity

Master Thesis: 6 credits

  1. CISC 6095 - Master Thesis in Cybersecurity I
  2. CISC 6096 - Master Thesis in Cybersecurity II

Constraints

  • If prerequisites are added to a student’s admission letter then the course(s) must be taken in his or her first semester.
  • CISC 5009 Network Essentials and CISC 5650 Cybersecurity Essentials, must be taken in the first semester.
  • Capstone and Thesis courses can only be taken during the second or third semester of the program

Prerequisites

All undergraduate majors are welcomed. Professional knowledge or experience equivalent to the following four courses is required:

  1. Computer Programming with basic algorithms (in C, C++, Java, R or Python) (e.g., CISC 5300 C++ Programming or CISC 5380 Programming with Python)
  2. Applied Statistics and Probability ( e.g., CISC 5420: Applied Statistics and Probability)
  3. Discrete Mathematics including basic combinatorics and graph theory (e.g., CISC 5400 Discrete Structures)

Bridging courses are available for students who are missing one or more of the aforementioned prerequisites. With the permission of the Program Director, these courses can be taken concurrently with the cybersecurity courses.