MS in Cyber Security in USA – The line between the physical world and the virtual world is blurring. We spend more time digitally than in physical reality. How do you spend your free time? What are your hobbies? How do you shop? If I had asked you these questions two decades ago, your answers would be entirely different. Because most of the activities today are done digitally.
As digital means to do our day-to-day activities increase, the need to regulate these processes also increases. Prevalent cyber crimes like phishing, ransomware, cyberbullying, etc., have all demanded the need for cybersecurity across domains like finance, social media, insurance, etc., No wonder Finance and Insurance companies are the highest recruiters of cybersecurity graduates.
Why Study Masters in Cyber Security in the USA
The US is one of the countries that hire cybersecurity professionals the most. Cybersecurity is one of the most sought-after career options in the US and is expected to grow by 18% to 30% by 2028.
A cybersecurity analyst is paid an average salary of 99,730 USD per annum, whereas the average salary of all computer science occupations is only 88,240 USD.
Many renowned universities offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in cybersecurity in the US. This field is in high demand, and the universities are stringent in accepting applications.
Even with a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, universities sometimes ask for work experience of at least one year to enrol into a Master’s degree. Some universities offer combined degree programs where you can study for an extended period of around 5 years and be awarded both bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
The tuition fees for an MS in cybersecurity in the US range between 29,000 USD and 119,000 USD (24,16,000 INR to 99,14,000 INR approximately)
Universities offer full-time and part-time courses. You can also choose between online and offline courses or a combination of both based on the availability of courses at the university you choose to go to.
The Job Scope of a Cyber Security Graduate
Taking up a master’s in computer science with cyber security specialisation can be done under two circumstances:
- You have a technical background from your undergraduate degree- Technical track
- You have a non-technical undergraduate degree- Interdisciplinary track
Technical Track in Pursuing an MS in Cyber Security
If you are a student who wants to dive deeper into cybersecurity topics and become an advanced cybersecurity professional, this track is right for you.
In this track, topics like network security, operating systems, computer algorithms, machine learning and artificial intelligence will be dealt with in depth. This is more like a developer in the software engineering industry.
Inter-disciplinary Track in Pursuing an MS in Cyber Security
If you are a student who has a non-technical undergraduate degree, and aims to become an administrator or a manager in cyber security operations, this track will be best suited for you.
In this track, fundamental and core topics like management, psychology, and criminal justice will be dealt with theoretically. This is more like a project manager in the software engineering industry.
However, know that not all universities distinguish their courses like this. This is to provide an idea about the job scope with respect to the electives you can choose based on your undergraduate degree.
In some universities, you can even opt for a combined bachelor’s degree and master’s degree, as you will be studying the course for an extended period.
Job Roles for a Cyber Security Graduate
Entry-level 60K-70K
- Cybersecurity Specialist – Supervising the protection and security during the software development phase
- Cybercrime Analyst – Investigating different types of cyber crimes, like system hacks, detecting malware, and installing security software
- Incident and Intrusion Analyst – Monitoring and reporting possible threats to systems in the network in an organisation
- IT Auditor – Assessing risk and internal auditing within a business
Mid-level – 70K-85K
- Cyber Security Analyst – Anticipating and preventing potential attacks and cyber threats
- Cyber Security Consultant – Identifying, evaluating, and setting personalised cyber threat solutions for the organisation
- Penetration & Vulnerability Tester – Problem-solving and Ethical hacking to check the organization’s systems and analyze insights to tackle external hacking
Advanced-level – 85K-120K
- Cyber Security Manager/Administrator – Managing the flow of information in and out of the company’s network and ensure its security
- Cyber Security Engineer – Planning and designing secure network solutions
- Cyber Security Architect – Designing the company’s data and computer systems securely
Top 5 Universities for MS in Cyber Security in US
Here is a list of the best universities in the USA for MS in cyber security:
- Arizona State University, Tempe
- Northeastern University, Boston
- University of Central Florida, Orlando
- Auburn University, Alabama
- Rochester Institute of Technology, New York
Let’s look into each university and its course in detail
Arizona State University, Tempe
The university is recognised by the World Report and US News as the country’s most innovative school. The university’s creativity significantly contributes to space exploration by working closely with NASA.
Both students and faculties work closely with NASA to develop lead innovations. The university boasts a community of faculty who are Nobel laureates and great contributors to science and technology.
This American university welcomes students from around 136 countries. It has a large international student and alumni community of 13000 members, making it the top 10 universities in the US for hosting International students.
Arizona State University stands 179th in the QS world rank of best universities. It has multiple campuses nationwide, like Tempe, downtown Phoenix and Lake Havasu, offering more than 700 courses overall. The Average tuition fee to the university is USD 28094 (INR 23,40,000)
MS in Computer Science (Cybersecurity)
The Master’s degree course offered by the university in cyber security is MS in computer science with specialisation in cyber security. This course is designed for students seeking a thorough cybersecurity and information assurance knowledge.
This program offers both thesis and non-thesis project portfolio options. The thesis project portfolio is where the degree involves more intrinsic research, while the non-thesis project portfolio does not include much research.
This is a concentration program that includes the skills required in the science and engineering of cybersecurity, like data security, applied cryptography, computer and network security, computer forensics, and software security.
The university’s Cybersecurity courseware has been certified by the Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation Program to satisfy the standards for Senior Systems Managers (CNSSI 4012) and Information Systems Security Professionals (NSTISSI 4011)
You must have a minimum of 3.25 CGPA in the undergraduate degree to be able to apply to this course.
To complete the course and successfully obtain this degree, you must have
- Either 30 credit hours and a portfolio (work)
- Or 30 credit hours and a thesis (research).
Northeastern University
The Northeastern University, founded in 1898, was built on the motto of engagement with the world with a unique approach to research and education.
The community of both faculty and students believe in continuous learning in order to keep pace with the ever-evolving businesses, industries and technologies and has infused this culture of innovation in learning in all its courses across undergraduate and graduate programs.
The university also caters to extracurricular activities through its clubs, organisations, sororities and fraternities to engage and grow with like-minded community members.
The University of Central Florida stands 593rd in the QS ranking of best universities in the world, offering over 400 graduate programs across all its campuses globally.
The average tuition fee for a course is USD 15319 (INR 21,10,000).
The university offers 4 programs in cybersecurity. One is a doctoral degree, two master’s degrees and one short-term certification course. However, let’s stick to those two master’s degrees in cybersecurity.
Both master’s degrees include courses in technical and contextual tracks. The degrees have a special focus on criminology, as cybersecurity professionals have a significant role to play in cybercrime investigations.
Cyber Security, MS
This degree is designed for new graduates and working professionals who want to gain sound knowledge in information security technology, law, social science, and management.
You can earn a graduate certificate in engineering leadership in addition to the MS cybersecurity degree. You’ll need to complete a 16-semester-hour curriculum to earn the Graduate Certificate in Engineering Leadership, it also includes an industry-based challenge project with multiple mentors.
This is an integrated course where the Master’s degree will require 36-semester-hour and the certificate will require 24 hours from the Master of Science in Cybersecurity
To successfully complete the degree, you will need 32 semester hours and a minimum of 3.00 GPA
Cyber security, MS- align
This is similar to the degree discussed above, but this is designed for graduates of BS / BA from any background.
Suppose you are a student of the Cybersecurity, MS- align program. In that case, you will be expected to take foundational courses in the first semester of the first year in each of computer science fundamentals and data structures/ discrete mathematics.
In the second year, you must take coursework in object-oriented design and introduction to algorithms and computer systems.
To successfully complete the degree, you will need 36 to 44 semester hours and a minimum of 3.00 GPA.
University of Central Florida
This University is one of the largest universities in the US, with over 67,000 students. University of Central Florida is known as the best-value university by the Kiplinger’s and the nation’s most affordable university by Forbes.
The university builds intellectual perspectives and encourages students to conduct cutting-edge research, and it also has a fully accredited college of medicine.
The University caters to the student’s academic, social and professional aspects by hosting various shows, concerts, sports and cultural events. It also focuses on providing innovative education to upcoming in-demand fields like digital media, information technology, etc.,
The University of Central Florida stands 593rd in the QS ranking of best universities in the world. The university and its 13 colleges offer 216 degree programs online and in 12 other regions nationwide.
The average tuition fee for a course is USD 19817 (INR 16,50,000).
MS in Cybersecurity and Privacy
This master’s degree program offered by the University of Central Florida focuses on solving real-world problems state, nation and worldwide through its high-quality graduate education and advanced cyber security and privacy research.
The students willing to take up the course can choose between the technical track and the interdisciplinary track based on their undergraduate degree.
Technical track
After completing the course in technical track, you will be able to exhibit the capability of using the applications of cybersecurity issues in operating systems, software, hardware, and various other networked devices.
In this track, you’ll ace advanced electives like computer architecture, machine learning, algorithms, etc, to become an advanced cybersecurity professional.
The electives for the technical track must include at least one course from cybersecurity/privacy topics, one course from networking, and one from data analytics.
Interdisciplinary Track
After completing the course in the interdisciplinary track, you will be able to manage and administer an organisation’s cybersecurity and privacy operations.
You have to take fundamental and core courses on cybersecurity and privacy.Depending on the domain interest, you can opt for electives from other fields like psychology, business and management, Criminology, and human factors.
Both tracks require a minimum of 30 credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. You can choose between thesis and non-thesis options; however, it requires 9 credit hours of core courses and 21 credit hours of 7 electives to complete the course and be awarded a degree.
Auburn University, Alabama
The university was founded in 1856, and it started admitting female students in 1892, which makes it one of the oldest four-year co-educational universities in the state. There have been 250,000 graduates from the university since World War II.
The university is large and has a strength of 30,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The university is known for providing exceptional education in a historic campus.
The university offers many certificate courses, over 140 undergraduate and 250 postgraduate degree programs through its 13 schools and colleges. Auburn University was ranked as one of the top 50 public universities in the US by the U.S. News & World Report.
The University stands between 801 and 805 in the QS world ranking of the top 1500 universities. The average tuition fee for a course in the university is USD 32273 (INR 2687000 approx.)
Cyber security Engineering, MS
This master’s degree program provided by Auburn University will prepare you for analyzing, understanding, investigating, developing, protecting, and defending the cyber ecosystem of organizations from any cyber-attacks and threats.
This course is designed for students who are interested in gaining knowledge on cybersecurity and for practitioners by including capstone experience as a part of the course.
The master of science degree offers a thesis option for students willing to conduct research in their field of interest.
If you wish to pursue this course, you can do it on-campus or online. Either way, you must earn 3 credit hours from a foundation course on advanced topics in operating systems, 18 credit hours from the core Cybersecurity-Specific Courses topics like Digital forensics, software reverse engineering, advanced computer and network security, etc., 9 credit hours from elective courses and you must complete a capstone engineering project for 3 credit hours.
Rochester Institute of Technology
The Rochester Institute of Technology was founded in 1829 with the objective of improving the world through creativity and innovation. It is a diverse community of collaborative, socially conscious and innovative minds.
The University is known for providing high-quality education opportunities and research programs and for providing internationally recognised education for deaf and hard-of-hearing students.
The university has multiple campuses in Dubai, Croatia, China and Kosovo, other than its main campus in New York, with over 19,000 students and 135,000 graduates from 49 states and more than 100 countries.
RIT is recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research and a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.
RIT’s new institute – ESL Global Cybersecurity Institute, is a 52,000-square-foot facility exclusive for cybersecurity education, training, and research
Rochester Institute of Technology ranks 1001 in the QS world ranking of the top 1500 universities.
The average tuition fee for a course in the university is USD 54927 (INR 4572197 approx.)
Cyber Security, MS
This master’s degree in cybersecurity is aimed to give you an understanding of the ethical and technological roles of computing security in today’s digital world and its importance across the computing disciplines.
This course is designed for students who have an undergraduate degree in computing and have an understanding of information technology, networks, and software engineering.
Though there are a few online programs at RIT, this MS cybersecurity course is available only on campus. There is an option of a full-time STEM-designated or a part-time course for domestic students. However, as an international student, you can opt only for a full-time course.
This cybersecurity master’s degree comprises core courses, technical electives, and a project, thesis or capstone experience. In all three options, the first year has the same set of courses to choose from, while in the second year, you must conduct your research or project or participate in a capstone experience based on your preference.
You are required to have scored a minimum of 3.00 GPA in your bachelor’s degree program and must have taken up the GRE as an international student however, there are no minimum score requirements for this exam. Students who are non-native English speakers require English Language test scores as follows
- TOEFL: > 88
- IELTS: > 6.5
- PTE Academic: > 60
If you are a Cybersecurity aspirant, what are you waiting for?
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