Program Description

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MS-Cybersecurity) program prepares professionals to protect and defend organizational information systems and critical infrastructure from evolving cyber threats. The program emphasizes both the managerial and technical dimensions of cybersecurity, enabling graduates to strategize, design, develop, deploy, and lead cybersecurity efforts in the enterprise. Students learn to prepare for, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity threats and incidents, manage cybersecurity risk to information assets, and select and apply appropriate tools and methodologies to address real-world cyber challenges. 

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to: 

1. Strategize, design, develop, deploy, and lead cybersecurity efforts in the enterprise. 
2. Prepare for, respond to, and recover from cybersecurity threats and incidents.
3. Manage cybersecurity risk to information assets.
4. Select and apply appropriate tools and methodologies to solve real world cyber problems.
    

 This program is a part of the College of Computing and Software Engineering .

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Admissions, Enrollment, and Graduation Criteria

Admissions Criteria

The following are program-specific criteria beyond the general Graduate Admissions  requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office:

• Resume/Vita required.
• Statement of purpose (Optional but recommended).
• Two letters of recommendation  (Optional but recommended).
• Undergraduate degree from an accredited university.
• Minimum undergraduate degree GPA 2.75. Lower GPA is considered on a case-by-case basis.

Required Background

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is made up of 4 required courses, 4-5 electives, and one capstone course or thesis option (for a total of 30 Credit hours).  All students must satisfy the 3 foundation requirements in the areas of programming, computing infrastructure, and computer networking. Students can satisfy the foundation requirements for the MS Cybersecurity in one of the following two ways:

1) By completing the appropriate prerequisite modules through the KSU Office of Community and Professional Education in the areas of CCSE CPE Programming Principles, CCSE CPE Computing Infrastructure, and CCSE CPE Computer Networking.

2) By completing the following undergraduate courses (or their KSU equivalents) with a grade of “C” or better:

• IT 5413  Software Design and Development (3 hours)
• IT 5423  Computer Networks and Systems Administration (3 hours)

Enrollment Criteria

This program does not have specific enrollment criteria; however, students are expected to meet the requirements of Academic Policy 4.0 ACADEMIC STANDING, DISMISSAL, & REINSTATEMENT .

Graduation Criteria

Each student is expected to meet the requirements outlined in Academic Policy 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION .

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Program Course Requirements