Cyber threats are more than a business issue; they are a national security issue. Across the country, private businesses and government agencies are searching for cybersecurity professionals at an increasingly high rate, yet there is a significant shortage of candidates that have the skills to protect organizations against cyber attacks. Now is the time to discover your path to a secure future and a rewarding career in cybersecurity.
The 100% online University of Wisconsin Master of Science in Cybersecurity will provide you with skills that meet current market demands. The program’s core curriculum addresses the fundamentals of cybersecurity, featuring courses in security planning, risk assessment, and communication. Once you complete your core courses, you will choose to pursue a unique track of study. You may choose to complete more than one track. The program’s tracks of study give you the opportunity to tailor your degree to match your interests and career ambitions. The tracks are:
Digital Forensics & Security Management
Secure Systems Design
Universities of Wisconsin partners in Cybersecurity include: UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Superior.
Program Description
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity curriculum is comprised of 11 courses, for a total of 31 credits. As a student in the program, you will take five core courses from which you will gain a breadth of knowledge in the fundamental areas of cybersecurity. You will then choose to pursue a track of study and complete four required courses within this track, providing you with a depth of understanding in a specific area of the field. You will also complete a one-credit capstone preparation course and a final project-based capstone course.
Tracks of Study
Digital Forensics and Security Management
Digital forensics and security management unite digital evidence investigation with the governance and leadership needed to manage enterprise risk. Students learn how to collect and analyze digital evidence, plan and implement cybersecurity programs, and align security operations with business objectives, regulations, and incident response, building the capabilities to prevent, detect, and decisively respond to threats across the organization.
Secure Systems Design
Secure systems design ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of modern digital environments. This track explores the foundations of cryptography, secure software engineering, and system architecture, highlighting how security principles shape resilient applications and enterprise‑scale infrastructures. Students gain insight into how cryptographic tools, secure programming practices, and architectural safeguards work together to protect data and make sure the system meets the organization’s security requirements.
Career Opportunities
Cybersecurity is a fast-growing profession impacting every sector of the global economy. There is a high demand for cybersecurity professionals in every industry that deals with securely processing and storing information and keeping prorietary software, products, customers, stakeholders, and employee information safe. A UW Master of Science in Cybersecurity will provide a foundation of expertise and lead to director, manager and senior level positions in a variety of roles, including:
Information Security Analyst
Computer and Information Systems Managers
Computer Systems Analysts
Computer Network Architects
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
Admissions
Admission Requirements
Bachelor’s degree with, at minimum, a 3.0 undergraduate GPA,
Prerequisite coursework in Introduction to Computer Science—which must include programming content, and prerequisite coursework in Calculus or Statistics. If you are in need of prerequisite coursework, please contact an enrollment adviser for assistance.
Your resume,
Two letters of recommendation (can be professional or academic) *Note: starting in Fall 2026 letters of recommendation will no longer be required
Up to 1,000 word statement of personal intent describing your decision to pursue the degree and what you believe you will bring to the cybersecurity field.
No GRE or GMAT required
Campuses may waive some of these requirements as part of the comprehensive application process.
Wisconsin Online Multi-Campus Collaborative programs are offered by one or more Universities of Wisconsin. These degrees and certificates combine the diverse, interdisciplinary expertise, resources, and talents of UW campuses across the state.
Multi-campus Collaborative programs may be semester- or competency-based, individual courses, or bootcamps, allowing you to choose the format that meets your needs.
To apply, choose a home campus from any of the partner campuses in your program. Campus resources such as financial aid, career services, library resources, and more will be through your home campus, as well as your final transcript.
