Master in Cybersecurity

Because heroes can have desk jobs

With an industry growing faster than any other, our program will help you protect the digital world our very lives depend upon.

In today's world, there is nothing more important than acquiring advanced education and skills to protect our private data. Companies, governments, law enforcement, and individuals all face the growing complexities of our increasingly interconnected world and the need to both safeguard data and prepare for the worst. Your work in the M.S. Cybersecurity program will prepare you for a career in a government agency, law enforcement, private companies, hospitals, healthcare organizations, and IT departments.

Fast Facts

• 5-Year B.S./M.S. Program or 18-Month M.S.
• Real-World Educators
• GRE Optional
• Flexible and Online Options

5-Year B.S./M.S. Cybersecurity Program

Our Dual Degree Program in Cybersecurity provides talented students with the opportunity to complete both their bachelor's and master's degrees in only five years. Graduates of this challenging but rewarding dual program go on to take leadership positions in business and in the government.

Program Outcomes

By the end of this program, students should be able to:

• Identify types of risks, cyber threats, and cyber attacks through wired and wireless network communications.
• Design, develop, and implement to prove the concepts of cyber defense, cyber offense, cyber investigation, and cyber management.
• Identify research problems, compared with previous approaches, develop solutions and discuss the research results.
• Understand the privacy of information, information hiding, information assurance, information encryption/decryption.
• Function effectively in a team to complete prototyping of detection, prevention, and protection of internal and external cyber-attacks and cyber intrusions.
• Acquire and validate evidence related to cyber crimes from personal computers, smartphones, infrastructure hosts, wired and wireless networks.

Program Information

Purpose

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is designed to prepare students with the technical skills and analytical abilities to secure data files, defend computers, shield computer networks and protect critical national electronic infrastructure. Information systems and computer networks are under constant threat and attack from hackers, viruses, and worms. Nothing could be more important than protecting the digital world our very lives depend on. The curriculum in the program not only builds a solid foundation in information assurance and security but also follows the latest development in the field closely.

Mercy College Cybersecurity Education Center is one of the federally designated Centers of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security. Please refer to the center website: www.mercy.edu/ias.

Degree Requirements

30 credits are required to earn an M.S. in Cybersecurity. The courses are listed below. The Master’s Project (IASP 600) is optional. Students who successfully complete a Master’s Project (IASP 600) may obtain approval from the program head to complete a Master’s Thesis (IASP 601).

Cybersecurity Objectives

The Cybersecurity program offers students a combination of a strong foundation in theory and practical skills in security and privacy engineering. Graduates of this program will understand security and privacy from technological, legal and managerial perspectives. They will be prepared to create, implement and oversee security systems and security policies. They are positioned for the advanced supervisory positions in the field such as Information System Security Officer, Network Security Administrator, Information Security Analyst, Forensic Analyst, IT Auditor, Information System Governance Officer, Information Assurance Engineer and Information Assurance Analyst. Moreover, graduates will be prepared for acquiring professional certificates like Certified Information System Security Professionals (CISSP).

Admission Requirements

Requirements for admission to the Cybersecurity program include:

1. Baccalaureate transcript.
2. Curriculum Vitae.
3. At least one letter of recommendation that provides evidence of personal and/or professional qualifications for graduate study.
4. A two-page written Personal Statement stating the reasons for applying to the program and how the applicant can benefit from its completion.
5. Foundational knowledge in computer programming, computer networking and database management demonstrated by transcripts and/or IT related working experiences and certificates. Students are required to take IASP 505 (Foundations of Cybersecurity Science) to refresh their domain knowledge.

Cybersecurity Accolades

Designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.