Master of Science in Cybersecurity

One master’s degree. Four tracks. 100% online.

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 four tracks of study give you the opportunity to tailor your degree to match your interests and career ambitions. The tracks are:

• Digital Forensics
• Cyber Response
• Governance & Leadership
• Security Architecture

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.

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity curriculum is comprised of 12 courses, for a total of 34 credits. As a student in the program, you will take seven 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 three 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: Digital forensics uses scientific investigation methods to collect, preserve, and analyze data stored on electronic media so that it can withstand legal review. As a student in this track you will study computer criminology, network forensics, and learn digital evidence investigation techniques.
• Cyber Response: Cyber response is an organized approach to monitoring, detecting and responding to security events through each stage of their lifecycle. It encompasses both defensive and offensive security strategies—including threat identification, management and prevention. As a student in this track, you will learn about security infrastructure, incident remediation, and active defense techniques.
• Governance & Leadership: Cybersecurity governance provides a framework for mitigating risk by assuring that information security strategies align with business objectives, and are consistent with relevant laws and regulations. It includes executive leadership and communication at every level of the organization. As a student in this track, you will take courses in security administration, leadership, and cybersecurity management.
• Security Architecture: Security architecture is responsible for system confidentiality, integrity, and availability in relation to an enterprise’s overall system architecture and security process. As a student in this track you will study modern cryptography, the foundations of engineering secure applications, cyber-physical systems, and secure cloud computing. Students who choose this track have the option of completing either CYB 780 or CYB 785 to satisfy track requirements.

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

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),
• 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.