Master of Science in Cyber Security

The Master of Science in Cyber Security focuses on providing a broad interdisciplinary information assurance education that prepares graduates to successfully defend, protect, design, implement and maintain secure information and information systems.

Graduates of the M.S. degree program in Cyber Security have the requisite expertise to:

  • Function in the world-at-large as productive and ethical professionals and as responsible citizens. They will have a very good understanding of ethical issues and their applications
  • Understand and employ current trends and adapt to advances in the technology of the Information Assurance profession
  • Develop and implement security strategies to improve the security posture of organizations
  • Work in teams, to apply theoretical and analytical methods and principles of software development to address security issues in software development
  • Apply techniques, methodologies, tools and skills to build high-quality security systems that function effectively and reliably in the emerging information infrastructure
  • Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with other security and computing professionals

The MS IA program is designed for prospects with an undergraduate degree in Computer Science or a degree in engineering, science or mathematics with a strong background in computer science. For prospects without the appropriate qualifications, a set of bridge courses provide the necessary background for regular admission to the MS program

Curriculum

DepartmentCourseTitleCredit
CSC510Mathematical Foundations3
CIAO523Ethics, Law and Policy in Cyberspace3
CIAO582Introduction to Information Assurance3
CIAO583Secure Software Engineering3
CIAO610Cryptography3
CIAO670Computer Forensics and Incident Handling3
CIAO675Computer Viruses and Malicious Software3
CIAO683Advanced Computer and Network Security3
CIAO702Comprehensive Examination1
DepartmentCourseTitleCredit
CIAO684Systems Security Administration, Management, and Certification3
CIAO685Risk Management3
CIAO686 Systems Security for Senior Management3
CIAO690Network Security and Intrusion Detection3
CIAO691 Wireless Networks3
CIAO692Secure Distributed Computing3
CIAO695Special Topics3

Bridge Program In Information Assurance (Non-Degree Program)

The Bridge Program in Cyber Security prepares students for graduate work in the Master of Science program. The main goal of this program is to provide students from other disciplines with the necessary background to pursue a Master’s degree in Cyber Security. A secondary goal is to provide formal training for people in various technical disciplines who need significant background in computing. The Bridge Program consists of comprehensive courses at the 500-level that provide the equivalent of the core undergraduate computer science curriculum. This core set of courses is listed in the curriculum for the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) which sets the standards for undergraduate curricula. The following minimum requirements must be met before a student can be admitted to the program:

  • A bachelor’s degree of higher
  • Two semesters of calculus and one semester of discrete mathematics
  • Formal training or experience in programming to the level of Computer Science 501

Bridge Program Requirement (if applicable)

Department CourseTitleCredit
CSC501Programming I4
CSC502Programming II3
CSC506Advanced Programming and Data Structure3
CSC507Architecture and Operating Systems3

Admissions Requirements

  • Online application for admission
  • GRE (ENG 503-English Composition for Graduate Students will be required if the GRE verbal score is below 150 or a 4.0 in Analytical Writing)
  • Personal statement (indicating self reflection and career goals; not to exceed 1,000 words)
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation
  • All College/University transcripts
  • A copy of your State or Federal ID

Please forward all admissions packages and supplemental documentation to:

Hampton U Online
Attn: HUO Graduate Admissions
PO Box 6227
Hampton, Virginia  23668

Official Transcripts sent through a transcript network may be sent to hutranscripts@hamptonu.edu
Unofficial/Opened/Scanned transcripts will not be accepted for graduate programs

Application Deadlines

Starting Session: Spring 
Deadline: November 15th

Starting Session: Fall
Deadline: June 15th

Financial Aid

Hampton University Online is recognized as one of Virginia’s Top Affordable Online Colleges by Affordable Colleges Online.