Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management

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Description and Outcomes

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management will prepare graduates for leadership roles directing and protecting critical information infrastructures. You will learn to develop, implement, evaluate, and update the cybersecurity policies and practices that allow an organization to effectively respond to the dynamic cybersecurity landscape. Graduates will be adept in the management of information continuity, asset classification and control, compliance management, and the secure administration of IT infrastructure, as well as incident response.

Purdue Global has been designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD). More information can be found on the following website: https://www.nsa.gov/Academics/Centers-of-Academic-Excellence/.

Concentrations

In addition to the core program requirements, you may add a concentration to your degree plan, for which you are required to take a minimum of four courses from one of seven concentrations: Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud technologies, blockchain technologies and apps, critical infrastructure security, data analytics, enterprise architecture systems,ย project management, or secure software development and quality assurance. Concentrations are not required for completion of the general program.

Program Length

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management program consists of a minimum of 60 to 80 quarter credit hours,ย depending on your choice of the general program or a concentration. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a master of science degree.

Program Outcomes

  1. Theory and Principles: Evaluate theories, principles, and best practices related to the evolving global cybersecurity landscape by assessing and reviewing recent strategies.
  2. Industry Research: Demonstrate the scholastic maturity to develop research topics and projects based on underlying cybersecurity principles learned throughout the program.
  3. Critical Thinking: Recommend appropriate cybersecurity theories and frameworks to stakeholders to evaluate, mitigate, and manage ongoing risks, threats, and vulnerabilities in contexts of uncertainty.
  4. Decision Analysis: Analyze data using accepted best practices for the purpose of synthesizing an effective and ethical cybersecurity solution.

Professional Competencies

In addition to the discipline-specific outcomes, professional competencies are integrated throughout your academic program. You can review the professional competencies associated with your academic program in the Professional Competencies section of this Catalog.

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.

Policies

Admissions Requirements

Students entering the Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management program should already possess an in-depth knowledge of computer systems and networking technology, good mathematical and communication skills, and familiarity with Internet and wireless applications. Required information technology (IT) skillsets should be equivalent to a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (BSIT), a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT), or similar degree, or an appropriate combination of IT professional certifications and experience.

Accelerated Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management Option

If you are a graduate of the University's Bachelor of Science in Analytics, Bachelor of Science in Cloud Computing and Solutions, Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity, or Bachelor of Science in Information Technology, are granted admission to the Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management, and meet the requirements for the accelerated Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management option, you may have up to three courses waived to matriculate into a shortened program.

In order to qualify for the graduate course waivers, you must meet the following criteria:

  1. Complete your bachelorโ€™s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2.
  2. Obtain a grade of โ€œBโ€ or above in each undergraduate course required for graduate course waiver (defined below).
Waived Graduate Course Undergraduate Courses Required for Graduate Course Waiver
IT537 IT277, IT279, and IT410
IT542 IT262 and IT395
IT550 IT316 and IT411

Progression Requirements

  1. You are required to take and pass IT513 ๐ŸŒ Research and Writing for the IT Professionalย as your first course.ย 
  2. If, for any reason, you are required to complete additional capstone hours during your program, you may complete them during the normal course of study or you may contact your Student Advisor to secure an extension. IT596 IT Graduate Capstone Extension Courseย is taken after IT595 Master's Capstone in Cybersecurity Managementย and is for the specific purpose of providing a means for capstone project completion. Approval of the Dean or the Department Chair is required for enrollment in IT596 IT Graduate Capstone Extension Course. If an extension is granted, the University will not charge tuition for the extension course; however, you will be required to pay the normal resource fee.

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certain state certification and licensure boards have specific educational requirements for programs to lead to a license or certification that is a precondition for employment in a recognized occupation.ย Prospective and current students must review Purdue Globalโ€™s State Licensure and Certifications site to view program and state-specific licensure information.

Unless otherwise specified, Purdue Global's programs are not designed to meet any specific stateโ€™s licensure or certification requirements. Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Globalโ€™s Program Availability Informationย to determine enrollment eligibility.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, and meeting other certification requirements.