Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (CIA) is a 30-credit hour graduate degree offered by the Department of Computer and Information Science (CIS). This initiative reflects the University’s eagerness to address rising needs of cybersecurity professionals in both the private and public sectors. The CIA program educates and trains an elite, diverse group of students who want to pursue a career in cybersecurity, such as cybersecurity analysts/specialists, cybersecurity engineers, network engineers/architects, software developers, etc. The program will also benefit anyone on this campus who is interested in advancing their knowledge of computer security and privacy, and it will offer a great opportunity for interdisciplinary inquiry and teaching.
This program can be completed fully online, in person, or a combination of both.
Accelerated Master's Options for Undergraduate Students (4+1 Program)
Accelerated master’s (4+1) programs in the Computer and Information Science (CIS) department allow qualified undergraduate students to seamlessly transition into the department’s graduate programs. These programs will enable students to earn both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in a reduced timeframe, enhancing their academic experience and providing a cost-effective pathway to advanced degrees.
Students enrolled in this option can take eligible 500-level courses during their junior and senior years, with up to 9 credit hours of such coursework being double-counted toward both degrees. Additionally, another 6 credit hours earned but not applied to the bachelor degree can later be counted toward the master’s degree. Depending on the number of graduate courses taken while working toward the bachelor program, students will need to complete 15-21 credit hours to finish the master’s program after earning their undergraduate degree.
BS in Computer and Information Science (CIS) or Software Engineering (SWE) can advance to MS in CIS, Data Science (DATA), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Software Engineering (SWE) or Cybersecurity and Information Assurance (CIA).
A maximum of 9 credits from combined undergraduate and graduate courses can be double-counted toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. This will streamline the process and reduce the total credit load required to complete both degrees. Any 500-level course that is part of the respective master’s program can be selected for double-counting, as shown in the following table. If there is a mismatch in credit hours between the combined course pair, only the smaller number of credits will be counted.
In addition, students may apply up to 6 additional credits of 500-level courses toward their master’s degree, taken during their undergraduate study, though these credits cannot be double-counted. This allows students to make substantial progress toward their graduate degree while still completing their undergraduate requirements. However, the courses of these six additional credits should be listed in the corresponding graduate program.
Applying to the 4+1/Accelerated option is a two-stage process coordinated with both your undergraduate and graduate advising teams. For detailed instructions and application links, please visit the central 4+1 programs webpage.
The following undergraduate programs are approved for the MS-CIA 4+1 program:
- BS in Computer Information Science (CIS)
- BS in Software Engineering (SWE)
Curriculum
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Simultaneous credit toward eligible undergraduate majors and MS in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance for students admitted to the 4+1 option. Please see the College's website for admission requirements and program details.
Concentrations
12 credit hours from one of the three concentrations listed below:
Data and Application Security
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required: | 3 | |
| Data Security and Privacy 1 | ||
| Select three from the following: | 9 | |
| Security and Privacy in Cloud Computing | ||
| Database Systems 1 | ||
| Introduction to Big Data | ||
| Data Mining | ||
| Computational Learning 1 | ||
| Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence 1 | ||
| Multimedia Secur & Forensics | ||
| Information Science and Ethics | ||
| Cybersecurity and Networking | ||
| Total credit hours | 12 | |
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Students admitted to the 4+1 program may substitute CIS 545 for CIS 4851, CIS 556 for CIS 421, CIS 581 for CIS 481, and CIS 582 for CIS 482.
Network and System Security
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required: | 3 | |
| Computer and Network Security 1 | ||
| Select three from the following: | 9 | |
| Introduction to Quantum Computing 1 | ||
| Computer Networks | ||
| Wireless Technologies and Pervasive Computing | ||
| Advanced Networking and Distributed Systems 1 | ||
| Security and Privacy in Wireless Networks 1 | ||
| Advanced Operating Systems | ||
| Advanced Computer and Network Security | ||
| Research Advances in Computer and Network Security | ||
| Embedded Networks | ||
| Total credit hours | 12 | |
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Students admitted to the 4+1 program may substitute CIS 512 for CIS 412, CIS 537 for CIS 437, CIS 544 for CIS 447, and CIS 546 for CIS 446.
Software Security
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required: | 3 | |
| Software Security 1 | ||
| Select three from the following: | 9 | |
| Web Technology 1 | ||
| Software Engineering | ||
| Software Quality Assurance | ||
| Software Architecture and Design Patterns 1 | ||
| Compiler Design 1 | ||
| Advanced Operating Systems | ||
| Artificial Intelligence 1 | ||
| Data Analytics in Software Engineering | ||
| Total credit hours | 12 | |
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Students admitted to the 4+1 program may substitute CIS 549 for CIS 449, CIS 525 for CIS 435, CIS 566 for CIS 476, and CIS 574 for CIS 474. CIS 579 for CIS 479.
Learning Goals
- Students will be able to understand fundamentals and the state of the art of cyber technology, their security and privacy risks, and defenses.
- Students will be able to analyze and evaluate potential security risks of computer and information systems.
- Students will be able to design, coordinate, and deliver cybersecurity solutions in a timely and cost-effective manner.
- Students will be able to interpret security risks and solutions and communicate the implications to stakeholder