Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering

Program Goals

Core program goals for the University of San Diego’s online Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering include:

• Preparing individuals to develop cutting-edge innovations, create the next generation of cyber tools and solutions and become thought leaders in the cybersecurity engineering domain. Graduates will be equipped to become change agents, providing overall subject matter expertise as well as specific engineering and technology solutions to an organization’s unique set of risks and potential vulnerabilities.
• Developing an engineering knowledge and skill base focused on mitigation of advanced persistent threats. Students will learn to build and maintain trusted systems essential to guarding against the types of headline-grabbing electronic security breaches that have caused extensive disruption and financial damage, immeasurable loss of intellectual property and tremendous harm to personal privacy.
• Connecting students with a network of local, regional and national cybersecurity stakeholders as part of the University of San Diego’s commitment to educational and professional development. MS-CSE program leaders are focused not only on keeping the innovative curriculum immediately relevant, but also on assisting with the placement of graduates.
• Advancing the science and practice of cybersecurity engineering and education for the benefit of public and private-sector organizations, communities and the nation. Our cybersecurity engineering graduates are groomed to contribute real-world, applied solutions in the fight against cyber threats and attacks.

Must-Have Modules in a Cybersecurity Course

1. Foundations of information assurance

The introductory courses cover the fundamentals, language, and ideas related to network security and information. In addition, learners can choose to devise, execute, and oversee safety protocols at the company level. Generally, issues like encryption, network security, extracting information from data, coding for malicious purposes, and protecting operating systems are discussed.

2. Cyberlaw and ethics

People studying this program are allowed to use a comprehensive strategy that includes legal and moral topics about secrecy, American internet laws, deception, faith, and commerce around the world. They can also research government strategies to gain more insight into the effects of content, intellectual property and security control on public policy.

3. Human factors in security

Those taking this course go through safety knowledge training and pick up computer skills within business settings. They also investigate methods of safeguard that can guard organizations from any potential human actions that may endanger their security.

4. Network security

Students have the choice of enrolling in classes such as the design of secure network protocols and systems, as well as courses dealing with authentication, integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. By engaging in practical scenarios, scholars cultivate understanding of digital watermarking, access control, intrusion detection, and information concealing.

5. Applied cryptography

Cryptography that is used in practice is an essential component of a master’s level degree in cybersecurity. This course looks at multiple topics of information protection including decoding, cryptographic procedures, electronic signatures, open-key encryption, hash functions, and message authentication codes.

6. Digital forensics

Learners in this lesson can utilize the knowledge they glean from different academic fields like technology, business, organizational function, and jurisprudence. They pick up several approaches to accumulate, handle, save and study computer evidence. The curriculum equips students with the skills to recognize, respond to, and forestall network breaches.

Students are educated about using resources responsibly, managing risks properly, and making sure that information technology is in sync with the company. In order to attain accomplishment and become more knowledgeable about cybersecurity, it is important for someone looking to make this their career to take all of the aforementioned classes.

Top 5 Online Programs for Master’s in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity experts utilize sophisticated, intricate systems to monitor digital safety risks. They not only oversee the safety settings of individual gadgets, but they are also tasked with ensuring the safety of big, high-priority computer systems. As the need for certified cybersecurity specialists heightens, getting hold of a master’s degree has become increasingly crucial.

According to a joint investigation in 2020 from Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) and the Information Systems Security Association (ISSA), a scarcity of cybersecurity expertise has been identified, and signs indicate that the crisis is getting worse. The corporate world is presently badly wanting an abundance of capable and expert cyber security experts. Currently, it is a great opportunity to get a master’s degree in cybersecurity.

Completing a master’s program in cybersecurity boosts the chances of students to build successful vocations in a quick-expanding and highly sought-after sector. In the present day, since the end of the pandemic, a lot of pupils are deciding to pursue their diplomas through online learning.

1. MS in Cybersecurity Operations and Leadership (University of San Diego)

This web-based master’s program permits students to finish their diploma within a period of 20 months. This program consists of 31 credits and is suitable for those who have not had much exposure to cybersecurity. The duration of each course is around seven weeks, and students are only able to take one asynchronous course at once.

This program necessitates that students study topics like applied cryptography, cyber intelligence, and a culminating capstone course. USDC’s curriculum is designed to equip students with both theoretical concepts and practical application of cybersecurity, along with the addition of ethical leadership training. This course covers topics in regards to management approach, business operations, and tactical decisions.

The yearly amount charged to get an MS in Cybersecurity Operations and Leadership at the University of San Diego is around $28,675.

2. MS in Cybersecurity (New York University)

At New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, a 30-credit online master’s degree in cybersecurity may be obtained in two years if a student concentrates on it full-time; otherwise, it can be earned in two to three years with a part-time study schedule.

Learners must complete essential courses in computer science and security. Furthermore, they must pick three elective courses from among the accessible choices, including digital forensics, machine learning, and cellular security. At the end of the program, they can finish it off by doing some research or writing a thesis.

NYU’s virtual program delivers several advantages, including the capacity to concentrate in cyber ops, access to a lab remotely, and the opportunity to join the NYU Cyber Fellows program. The Fellows program offers a generous 75% discount on the tuition fees for part-time scholars who take the online program.

The yearly rate for earning a Master’s in Cybersecurity from New York University is generally $58,290.

3. MS in Cybersecurity (DePaul University)

DePaul University enables students to attain a Master’s degree in cybersecurity through its online program, requiring a total of 52 credits for completion. Despite this, certain scholars could require fulfilling extra foundational coursework. This program touches on subjects like computer security, leadership, chance control, obeying the regulations, connecting, and structural elements.

DePaul allows its students to choose when they want to begin their online course program by providing them with enrollment options in the fall, winter, spring, and summer. Online learners can stream and download classroom lectures.

DePaul University’s survey demonstrated that almost all of the graduates from the cybersecurity master’s program in the School of Computing had plans to either job hunt, continue their education, or stay employed.

The typical yearly price tag of getting a Master of Science in Cybersecurity at DePaul University is $44,980.

4. MS in Cybersecurity (Webster University)

In order to be awarded a master’s degree from Webster in the field of cybersecurity, students must fulfill a total of 36 credit hours. They have the capacity to establish advanced paths of work in cyber security, digital evidence retrieval, and curtailing deception.

This program provides learning opportunities in areas like cybersecurity infrastructures, encryption strategies and techniques, and practical investigation into cybersecurity. Moreover, students have the choice of doing an optional internship to gain practical work experience before finishing the master’s course.

Webster gives students a lot of leeway by providing dialogue sections and weekly tasks.

The typical yearly expense of obtaining a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity from Webster University is $28,080.

5. MS in Cybersecurity (DeSales University)

DeSales University’s master’s degree program that can be completed remotely was constructed with the needs of those with full-time jobs in mind. The program provides multiple instructional methods including interactive talks, practical training, collaborative tasks, and investigations.

In order to receive a master’s degree, students must accumulate 36 credits. At the end of the program, students must deliver a concluding capstone project that demonstrates their knowledge and understanding of the disciplines they have studied.

Students enrolled at DeSales are given the opportunity to utilize the university’s Center for Homeland Security through its cybersecurity program. This one-of-a-kind organization offers resources and opportunities for students to network and gain experience in different professional fields.

The average yearly tuition for a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity from DeSales University is $30,780.

Benefits of a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity

Those who have a bachelor’s degree and have been in the security field for one to five years can gain numerous advantages from obtaining a master’s in cybersecurity. These post-graduate courses are a great way for those passionate about cyber safety to propel themselves into top positions of cybersecurity leadership at prominent corporations or even government departments. The Bureau of Labor Statistics suggests that by 2030 there will be a 33% expansion in the hiring of info safety specialists, which is a higher rate than typical for all other jobs.

Some of the benefits of a master’s degree in cybersecurity are:

• Job security: Individuals with a master’s degree can expect faster job growth in the security sector. The overwhelming demand for cybersecurity professionals across industries can act as a potential factor that ensures continued job security.
• Critical for policymakers: Public policymakers have been gravely concerned about cybersecurity in recent times. This is because vulnerable digital security is not just impacting large enterprises or corporations but also putting national security and families at risk. Hence, it has become a critical modern issue for a battery of policymakers.
• High salary packages: As cybersecurity jobs require hard technical skills and expertise, the salary packages in this field generally exceed the median wage in the U.S. for all jobs.
• Career opportunities: Cybersecurity jobs offer opportunities in security engineering, penetration testing , and information security analysis, among others. Graduates pursuing Ph.D. degrees in the field can also take up roles in security leadership, academia, and research.