An online master’s in cyber security is a way to break into this field. Students pursuing a master’s in cyber security may take classes in a variety of subjects, from digital forensics to introductory classes in programming languages, cryptography and biometrics. Read on to learn if an online master’s in cyber security is right for you, what to expect in a program and what the projected career and salary outlooks are for cyber security professionals.

Cyber security is a concern for businesses and consumers alike, with issues such as data breaches and threatening malware. Cyber security is a skill with increasing demand: The information security analyst job field is projected to grow by 33% by 2030, which the BLS reports as much faster than average. Cyber security professionals protect consumer data while maintaining business continuity for companies who might experience setbacks due to security threats.

When looking for the best online master’s cyber security program for you, consider your personal goals, the length of the program, the schedule (part time or full time) and whether classes can be taken in person or remotely. Depending on your learning style, you may also consider whether a self-paced format or live lectures will best suit you. In addition, you may consider schools offering an online master’s in cyber security with no GRE requirement.

An online master’s in cyber security may help you gain the necessary skills and knowledge to enter the cyber security field. Depending on the program, you may expect to spend around two years completing your degree. There are a number of cyber security graduate programs—with options for part time or full time, in-person or remote—and with live classes or with self-paced classes that you take when it works for you.

Before making the commitment to a particular program, review some common steps that may help you choose the right school for you.

A cyber security master’s online offers flexibility that supports students with other time commitments, such as a job or family to take care of. If you’re looking for this kind of flexibility, an online master’s in cyber security may be a good fit for you. Online programs may offer the same benefits as their on-campus counterparts—they may be taught by on-campus faculty, feature the same curriculum as on-campus programs and offer you the opportunity to complete cyber security projects (possibly group projects).

Some cyber security online programs may offer a set of prerecorded lessons, while others may have live classes or group projects. Programs may offer opportunities for hands-on learning projects as well. The admissions criteria for cyber security online programs will vary by school and may include a required GPA and amount of work experience. Read more below about what to expect from curriculum, faculty and admission requirements in an online master’s in cyber security program.

Online master’s in cyber security curriculum may focus on topics such as wireless security, forensic computing, cryptography, malware and software security, cloud computing, blockchain technology, penetration testing, cyber security policy and ethics, and security engineering. Below, we take a look at some of these topics and how they may be discussed in your online master’s in cyber security program courses.

Some graduate programs have faculty members who are experts in their field. They may be working on research or finding solutions to current cyber security problems. One way to evaluate online master’s in cyber security faculty is to review faculty members’ profiles. Read about their experience and what courses they teach to see if any align with your interests.

Another way to evaluate online master’s in cyber security faculty is to reach out to them directly. Here are some questions you may consider asking them:

Every admissions department differs in their online master’s in cyber security requirements. While some look for a 3.0 undergraduate minimum GPA, others may consider your real-world experience, certifications, knowledge of various programming languages, past coursework and aptitude in mathematics.

Here are some other common online master’s in cyber security requirements you may come across:

Some programs may require your bachelor’s degree to be in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, management information systems or a related field. Be sure to check the specific online master’s in cyber security requirements for the programs you’re interested in.

The cyber security career outlook looks bright. Employment in computer and information technology occupations is expected to increase 13% from 2020 to 2030, which is much faster than the average across all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS notes that this growth is driven by the increasing emphasis put on cloud computing, information security and the retrieval and storage of big data.

The BLS reports that employment of information security analysts specifically is expected to increase 33% from 2020 to 2030. According to the Australian Cyber Security Growth Network (AustCyber), a nonprofit cyber security company in Australia, global cyber security spending is expected to increase 86% by 2026 to $270 billion.

In addition to a favorable cyber security career outlook, there also may be potential for a strong cyber security salary. Information security analysts had a median annual salary of $103,590 in 2020, according to the BLS. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also notes that the median annual salary for all computer and information technology occupations was $91,250 in 2020.

After completing an online master’s in cyber security, you may apply for a variety of IT jobs. Depending on your specialization, you could start a career as an analyst, engineer, auditor or manager. Some possible careers to consider include cryptographer, security architect, forensic expert, source code auditor, security engineer or security manager. Your cyber security salary in these positions may vary depending on where you live, your experience and what industry you work in. You may also consider attending a cybersecurity bootcamp to expand your skills and career prospects.

We found 20 universities in our directory offering online master’s in cyber security programs. If you represent a university and would like to contact us about editing any of our listings, or adding new programs, please send an email to mastersindatascience@2u.com.