Online Master’s in Cybersecurity Programs of 2018

Bellevue University offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree that is comprised of 36 credits. Both online and in-person classes are offered. All online classes are asynchronous, with resources available 24/7. Both cohort and traditional format programs are available. Students are required to take 27 credits of core classes and 9 credits of elective classes on either a part-time or a full-time basis. A bachelor’s degree is required to apply to the program.

Brown University offers an Executive Master in Cybersecurity that is comprised of 27 credits. The 18-month program blends face-to-face and online learning, and features hands-on assessments of cyber vulnerabilities, attacks, and defenses. Every course begins and ends with a residential session, but is otherwise offered online. The Executive Master in Cybersecurity program is for mid-career executives with significant professional experience in technical or policy areas. They have an established track record of achievement and may already have an advanced degree in a technical or business domain. The program ends with a Critical Challenge Project, where a student analyzes this critical challenge from multiple perspectives and develops a comprehensive plan for addressing it.

Drexel University offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity that is comprised of 45 credits. Drexel’s highly interactive online learning environment engages and challenges students while remaining convenient for working professionals. In order to apply, a bachelor’s degree closely related to the field of cybersecurity is necessary.

Excelsior College offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity that is comprised of 30 credits. Three concentrations are offered: Information Assurance, Medical Data Security, and Policy Administration. The program is fully online, with all courses being offered in an asynchronous format. Students are allowed to transfer 9 credits into the program, but at least 21 credits must be completed at Excelsior.

Johns Hopkins University offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree that is comprised of 30 credits. Students admitted to the program can choose from the following three areas of concentration: analysis, networks, and systems. The program can be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis, as long as the 10 required courses are completed within 5 years. Online instruction is asynchronous, but professors hold weekly office hours that give students an opportunity to interact with professors in a synchronous format. A bachelor’s degree is needed to apply to this program.

Liberty University offers a Master of Science in Cyber Security that is comprised of 36 credits. All courses are offered 100% online and 50% of credits may be transferred from another institution. If a student does not have a bachelor’s degree in a related field to cybersecurity, the may still apply but will be required to take extra courses in order to complete the program.

Mercy College offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity that is comprised of 30 credits. They also offer a dual-degree 5 year program that allows you to get both your B.S. and M.S. in Cybersecurity. All courses are offered online in an asynchronous format. Graduates from other fields will be accepted provided they complete the following prerequisite courses prior to starting the graduate program: Local Area Networks, Database Management Systems, Cryptography and Computer Security, Operating Systems, and Statistics.

National University offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree that is comprised of 58.5 graduate units. Students have the option to specialize in either Ethical Hacking & Pen Testing or Information Assurance and Security Policy. The program is available offline in an asynchronous format. The program ends with the student creating an original project with practical applications using cybersecurity policy, regulatory, and testing frameworks.

New York University offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree that is comprised of 30 credits. The program can be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis, with options for fully-online, on-campus, or a mixture of the two. To apply, students must have a bachelor’s degree from any field, but a degree from one of the following is preferred: computer science, mathematics, science, or engineering. While not required, the program has opportunities for both a Research Project and a Master’s Thesis.

Penn State offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity that is comprised of 33 credits. The online courses are interactive and collaborative, allowing you to build strong ties with other students and gain perspectives from other disciplines and industries. Maximum flexibility is maintained by the program in an effort to meet both the professional needs of individual students and academic quality standards. Those who hold a bachelor’s degree in a technical or scientific discipline, including applied mathematics, computer information systems, computer science, information sciences, engineering, statistics, or a related field will be considered.

Southern New Hampshire University offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity that is comprised of 36 credits. The program is fully online and can be completed in as little as 15 months. All courses are offered in an asynchronous format. The program ends with a curriculum-encapsulating capstone project where students synthesize prior learning to design, develop, and execute an analytics project on their chosen subject as a culmination of their studies.

University of Arizona offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity that is comprised of 33 credits. Students can either follow an Information Systems track or a Physical Systems track. The course mix includes a variety of active learning opportunities including projects, discussions, chats, labs, extra credit opportunities, quizzes, and exams – all delivered online. A bachelor’s degree is required to apply, and prior knowledge of the field is necessary.

University of Dallas offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree that is comprised of 30 credits. The school uses a trimester system, with fall, spring and summer terms. With year-round classes and multiple starting points each term, students can choose from 12-week, 6-week, or inter-semester classes. To apply, students must have a bachelor’s degree. The last course is a practicum where each student completes a practical exercise in a simulated cybersecurity management role.

University of Detroit Mercy offers a Master of Science in Information Assurance with a major in Cybersecurity that is comprised of 30 credits. The program is available online and can be completed as quickly as a year. Classes are offered in an asynchronous format. The degree provides comprehensive knowledge of the entire field of cybersecurity. This holistic understanding helps with developing total protection solutions that will mitigate cyber-risks to acceptable levels in government, business and industry.

The University of Maryland – University College offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Technology that is comprised of 36 credits. The degree is offered for both part-time and full-time students, but must be completed within 5 years. All courses are offered in an asynchronous format, but students still have the opportunity to work with professors and participate in group projects. A bachelor’s degree in a field related to Cybersecurity is not required, but extra courses are recommended for those with no experience.

University of Southern California offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering degree that is comprised of 28 credits. Of these 28 credits, 8 are elective courses, while the other 20 are required courses. The program can be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis. Courses are given in both synchronous and asynchronous formats, with high amounts of interactivity encouraged. Typical students generally have a bachelor’s degree in one of the following: computer science, electrical engineering or information security.

University of Southern California offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering degree that is comprised of 28 credits. Of these 28 credits, 8 are elective courses, while the other 20 are required courses. The program can be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis. Courses are given in both synchronous and asynchronous formats, with high amounts of interactivity encouraged. Typical students generally have a bachelor’s degree in one of the following: computer science, electrical engineering or information security.

Western Governors University offers a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance degree that is comprised of 30 credits. The online program can be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis. All classes in the program are asynchronous and can be completed on the student’s terms. To apply, students must have a bachelor’s degree and be able to demonstrate some knowledge of IT. The final course in the program is a cumulative capstone course.