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A Guide for Choosing the Right Cyber Security MSC online

online master’s in cybersecurity

Cyber Security msc online – People enrol in an online master’s in cybersecurity for a variety of reasons, including career development, better pay, more opportunities, advanced study, and changing fields. A master’s degree is a great way to remain competitive in this fast-paced field, learn the latest technologies and strategies, and develop a valuable professional network.

The good news is that students seeking flexibility when studying can choose from a variety of online cybersecurity degree programmes. In the end, students who complete online cybersecurity programmes earn the same degree as their peers on campus. And cybersecurity master’s degree holders are expected to remain in high demand for the foreseeable future.

One thing is certain: given the variety of graduate education opportunities in cybersecurity, there is bound to be a programme that is a good match for your career ambitions, professional and academic context, and level of commitment.

“Our graduate degrees are all online, 100 percent either asynchronous or synchronous…You can take them in-person or online. Our online offerings allow us to be truly global. For example, we have students in South America and Afghanistan, and an instructor in Australia.”

— Ralph Russo, director of Tulane University’s Professional Advancement Information Technology Program.

Indeed, this guide is inspired in part by the fact that there are so many good choices out there that prospective students often need to invest time and energy in finding the right fit.

What is an cyber security msc online and why get one?

An online master’s degree in cybersecurity is intended to provide the same education as a traditional master’s degree in cybersecurity. The key difference is that instead of in-person lectures, the course material is delivered online.

An online master’s degree offers more versatility than a traditional master’s degree. Students may choose to take courses full-time or part-time, and synchronous or asynchronous lessons, allowing them to fit them into their schedules. Furthermore, online coursework allows students to learn from any place.

A master’s degree in cybersecurity may be required for advancement and comes with a substantial pay increase. According to PayScale, an MS in cybersecurity pays $87,292 on average, compared to $71,033 for a BS in cybersecurity. In less than a year, the $16,259 gap in average pay will offset the expense of the most accessible online master’s programmes.

Cyber security msc online coursework (what you will learn)

Online master’s degrees are structured to replicate the experience of traditional master’s degrees. As a result, these systems are likely to address the same key principles, such as:

    • An overview of cybersecurity
    • Network safety
    • Security on the computer
    • The rules and ethics in cybersecurity

Students may have the option of taking electives or pursuing a specialty in addition to the core curriculum. The following are a few examples:

    • Forensics of digital data
    • Cybercrime is on the rise.
    • Infrastructure that is critical
    • Analysis of Malware
    • Answer to an incident
    • Testing for penetration
    • Cryptology is a branch of mathematics that deals with

A cybersecurity master’s programme should also include laboratories, internships, and capstone projects that enable students to gain hands-on experience working in the field. Students will meet people in the industry and discuss new opportunities and job prospects after graduation through these and other career-building and networking activities.

Online master’s in cybersecurity requirements

An online master’s degree in cybersecurity, like every other degree programme, has certain admissions criteria. The following are some of the most common requirements:

Bachelor’s degree: A bachelor’s degree is required for admission to several online cybersecurity master’s degree programmes. In certain cases, an applicant may be able to meet this criteria by demonstrating years of appropriate work experience.

Prerequisites: Coursework or work experience in some fields is often required as a prerequisite for cybersecurity master’s degree programmes. Computer systems, networking, and programming are examples of common prerequisites.

Recommendations: As part of the acceptance process, many master’s degree programmes require two or three letters of recommendation. Professors or colleagues who are familiar with the applicant’s work should include these.

Different schools may have additional qualifications for admission to an online master’s degree programme in addition to these core requirements. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admission Test are required for certain programmes (GMAT). As part of the admissions process, applicants can be asked to submit a resume or CV, write an essay, or participate in interviews.

Examine the admissions process of prospective online master’s programmes before making your decision. The admissions criteria and acceptance rate will reveal information about the master’s program’s quality and how well the online degree will be respected.

Funding an cyber security msc online

The cost of an online degree can vary from the cost of an on-campus degree. The cost of the degree programme and the availability of scholarships and other forms of financial assistance are two significant factors to consider.

For a variety of factors, online degrees are also less expensive than on-campus degrees:

Courses in an online degree will include pre-recorded lectures along with virtual Q&A sessions and office hours, unlike on-campus classes. Since courses may be larger or more frequent, this can lower the cost per credit.

Infrastructure: Compared to in-person courses, online courses need fewer infrastructure (classrooms, dorms, etc.). This means that a college’s overhead for online courses is lower, lowering the cost.

Housing: When enrolling in an on-campus degree programme, it is important to live near the school that is offering the degree. This necessitates either paying on-campus room and board or renting nearby. There is no need to move or pay rent to be closer to a specific campus if you have an online degree. Students may also take advantage of regional arbitrage, which allows them to live in one place while attending a more competitive or less costly college in another.

Check out our most affordable online master’s page to compare and contrast programme costs and learn more about can online master’s programmes are the most affordable.

Financial assistance and scholarships

Although online master’s programmes are often less expensive than on-campus programmes, they are still costly. However, there are a few options available to deal with tuition costs.

Government agencies offer a variety of cybersecurity master’s scholarships, demonstrating the need for well-qualified experts in both the public and private sectors. The following are a few examples of cybersecurity master’s scholarship opportunities:

Graduate Research Fellowship Program of the National Science Foundation. This is a fantastic funding tool as well as a fantastic resume-building opportunity. Both master’s and doctoral candidates are qualified for the fellowship.

The Navy’s Information Assurance Scholarship is available to all service members and civilians pursuing bachelor’s and doctoral degrees (although civilians are required to work for the Navy in a non-uniformed role upon graduation).

The Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program is offered by the Department of Defense. This programme is open to students from bachelor’s to doctoral level, and cybersecurity is a key component.

The government isn’t the only place where you can get money for graduate school. The following are some alternative sources of possible tuition assistance:

Corporate sponsorship: Many businesses are concerned about the cybersecurity skills deficit. As a result, a company might be able to provide tuition assistance or complete reimbursement to workers pursuing a cybersecurity degree.

Private scholarships: In addition to federal scholarships, private scholarships are available. Scholarships are available from certain businesses and professional societies for students seeking degrees in specific fields.

Research assistantships are a popular source of funding for on-campus Master’s degree programmes, and they may be available to online students as well. Graduate study in cybersecurity may be done off-site without the need for a specialised facility.

Prize money: Every year, a variety of cybersecurity capture the flag (CTF) competitions take place. Some of these have scholarships or other cash prizes that can be used to help pay for an online cybersecurity Master’s degree.

Career paths with a cybersecurity master’s degree

With an estimated 3.12 million unfilled vacancies worldwide, the cybersecurity industry is facing a major skills shortage. The demand for cybersecurity specialists is expected to continue to rise, opening up a plethora of opportunities for skilled individuals.

A cybersecurity master’s degree’s core curriculum is structured to give students a comprehensive understanding of cybersecurity. This prepares a student for a career as a security operations centre (SOC) analyst, which is a job that involves identifying and resolving threats to a company.

Cybersecurity master’s programmes, on the other hand, have electives and specialisation options. By taking advantage of these resources, a student will lay the groundwork for more advanced positions like cloud security architect, forensic analyst, and so on.

Although cybersecurity professionals are in high demand in general, these specialised skills could be even more so. During a master’s programme, you can pursue specialisations and learn these skills, which opens up a range of job opportunities.
FAQs for online cybersecurity master’s programmes

Is an online master’s in cyber security worth it?

The average salary for a master’s degree in cybersecurity is more than $16,000 more than the average for a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity. This is more than the cost of many of the most accessible online master’s degrees in cybersecurity. A graduate degree can also open up new career pathways and opportunities.

What can I do with an online master’s degree in cybersecurity?

A master’s degree in cybersecurity offers a solid foundation in the field as well as electives that enable students to pursue different cybersecurity specialisations. Via lab experiments, internships, and capstone projects, it also offers hands-on training. An MS in cybersecurity provides students with the expertise and qualifications they need to pursue a range of cybersecurity careers.

Is an online master’s in cybersecurity a hard degree?

An online master’s degree in cybersecurity is intended to be a flexible programme. A student should be able to complete the programme successfully if they have the necessary pre-requisites or equivalent experience.

How long does an online master’s in cybersecurity degree take?

The majority of online graduate programmes require 27 to 45 credit hours. This is equivalent to one to two years of full-time education. However, since online degrees are mostly intended to be completed part-time, the length of time it takes to complete one is determined by the student’s course load.

Is an online master’s in cybersecurity math-heavy?

Cybersecurity isn’t typically a math-heavy area, and master’s in cybersecurity programmes represent this. A student pursuing an MS in cybersecurity should be able to programme (which necessitates some mathematical understanding), but advanced mathematics is not needed.

Cybersecurity schools online: Complete listings

A full list of all schools that offer an online master’s in cybersecurity can be found here.

School Location Link to Program Website
Albany Law School Albany, New York Master Degree in Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
American Public University System Charles Town, West Virginia Master of Arts in National Security Studies – Capstone Option
American Public University System Charles Town, West Virginia Master of Science in Cybersecurity Studies
Auburn University Auburn University, Alabama Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering
Augusta State University Augusta, Georgia Master of Science in Information Security Management
Bay Path University Longmeadow, Massachusetts Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management
Bellevue University Bellevue, Nebraska Master of Business Administration – Information Security Concentration
Bellevue University Bellevue, Nebraska Master of Business Administration – Information Security Management Concentration
Bellevue University Bellevue, Nebraska Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Boston University Boston, Massachusetts Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice with Concentration in Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity
Boston University Boston, Massachusetts Online MS in Computer Information Systems with Concentration in Security
Brandeis University Waltham, Massachusetts Master of Science in Information Security Leadership
Brown University Providence, Rhode Island Executive Master in Cybersecurity
Capella University Minneapolis, Minnesota MS in Information Assurance & Cybersecurity
Capitol Technology University Laurel, Maryland Master of Science in Cyber Analytics
Capitol Technology University Laurel, Maryland Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Capitol Technology University Laurel, Maryland Technical Master of Business Administration in Cybersecurity
Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Master of Science in Information Technology – Information Security & Assurance
Central Washington University Ellensburg, Washington Master of Science in Information Technology and Administrative Management – Cybersecurity Management
Champlain College Burlington, Vermont Master of Science in Digital Forensics
Champlain College Burlington, Vermont Master of Science in Information Security Operations
Citadel Military College of South Carolina Charleston, South Carolina Master of Arts in Intelligence and Security Studies – Cybersecurity Concentration
City University of Seattle Seattle, Washington Master of Science in Information Security
Cleveland State University – Cleveland-Marshall School of Law Cleveland, Ohio Master of Legal Studies in Cybersecurity and Data Privacy
Columbia University in the City of New York New York, New York Master of Science in Technology Management – Cybersecurity Focus
Columbia University in the City of New York New York, New York Online Master of Science in Computer Science – Computer Security Track
Dakota State University Madison, South Dakota Master of Science in Cyber Defense
Davenport University Grand Rapids, Michigan Master of Science in Information Assurance and Cyber Security
DePaul University Chicago, Illinois Master of Science in Cybersecurity
DeSales University Center Valley, Pennsylvania Online Master of Criminal Justice: Digital Forensics
Drexel University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Master of Science (MS) in Cybersecurity
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania Information Security, M.S.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Daytona Beach, Florida Master of Science in Information Security and Assurance
ECPI Richmond, Virginia Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Excelsior College Albany, New York Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with dual degree option for MS (Cybersecurity)
Excelsior College Albany, New York Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology with dual degree option for MBA (Cybersecurity)
Excelsior College Albany, New York Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Florida Institute of Technology Melbourne, Florida MS – Information Assurance & Cybersecurity
Florida International University Miami, Florida Master of Science in Computer Engineering with a concentration in Network Security
Fordham University Bronx, New York Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Fort Hays State University Hays, Kansas Master of Professional Studies – Cybersecurity
Fort Hays State University Hays, Kansas Master of Professional Studies – Information Assurance Management
George Washington University Washington, District of Columbia Online Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity Policy & Compliance
George Washington University Washington, District of Columbia Online Master of Professional Studies in Cybersecurity Strategy and Information Management
Georgetown University Washington, District of Columbia Master of Professional Studies in Technology Management : Information Security
Georgetown University Washington, District of Columbia Master’s in Cybersecurity Risk Management
Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, Georgia Online Master’s of Science in Cybersecurity
Hampton University Hampton, Virginia Master of Science degree in Information Assurance
Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts Online Master of Liberal Arts in Information Management Systems – Cybersecurity Certificate
Indiana University Bloomington Bloomington, Indiana Master of Science in Cybersecurity Risk Management
Iowa State University Ames, Iowa Master of Engineering (MENGR) in Information Assurance
Iowa State University Ames, Iowa Master of Science (MS) in Information Assurance (IA)
Jacksonville State University Jacksonville, Alabama MS in Computer Systems and Software Design – Information Security and Assurance Concentration
James Madison University Harrisonburg, Virginia Master of Science in Information Security
Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, Maryland Online Masters in Cybersecurity
Johnson & Wales University Providence, Rhode Island Online Master of Business Administration – Information Security/Assurance
Kennesaw State University Kennesaw, Georgia Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Kentucky State University Frankfort, Kentucky M.S. in Computer Science Technology – Cybersecurity Option
La Salle University Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Lewis University Romeoville, Illinois Online Master of Science in Computer Science – Cyber Security Concentration
Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia Master of Science in Cyber Security
Liberty University Lynchburg, Virginia Master of Science in Information Systems – Information Assurance
Marymount University Arlington, Virginia Cybersecurity (M.S.)
Marquette University Milwaukee, Wisconsin Online Master of Science in Computing: Information Assurance and Cyber Defense
Maryville University Saint Louis, Missouri Online Master of Science in Cyber Security
Mercy College Dobbs Ferry, New York Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Middle Georgia State University Cochran, Georgia Master Of Science In Information Technology – Cyber Security & Forensics
Minnesota State University-Mankato Mankato, Minnesota Master’s in Information Security & Risk Management
Mississippi College Clinton, Mississippi Master of Science in Cyber Security and Information Assurance
National University La Jolla, California Master of Science in Cyber Security and Information Assurance
New York University New York, New York Master of Science in Cybersecurity
New York University New York, New York Master of Science in Cybersecurity Risk and Strategy
Norfolk State University Norfolk, Virginia MS Cybersecurity
Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois Online Masters in Information Systems – Information Systems Security Specialization
Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, Florida Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management
Nova Southeastern University Fort Lauderdale, Florida Master of Science in Information Assurance & Cybersecurity
Old Dominion University Norfolk, Virginia Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Our Lady of the Lake University San Antonio, Texas Master of Science in Information Systems and Security (MS-ISS)
Pace University-New York New York, New York Master of Science in Internet Technology – Cybersecurity
Pace University-New York New York, New York Online Master of Science in Internet Technology – Cybersecurity
Pennsylvania State Main Campus University Park, Pennsylvania Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security – Cyber Threat Analytics and Prevention Option
Pennsylvania State Main Campus University Park, Pennsylvania Master of Professional Studies in Homeland Security – Information Security and Forensics Option
Pennsylvania State Main Campus University Park, Pennsylvania Master of Professional Studies in Information Sciences – Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
Purdue University Global Indianapolis, Indiana Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management
Purdue University West Lafayette, Indiana Master of Science in Computer and Information Technology – Cyberforensics
Quinnipiac University Hamden, Connecticut Online Master of Science in Cyber Security
Regis University Denver, Colorado Master of Science in Information Assurance – Cyber Security Specialization
Robert Morris University Moon Township, Pennsylvania Master of Science in Cyber Security and Information Assurance
Saint Leo University Saint Leo, Florida Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Sam Houston State University Huntsville, Texas Master of Science in Digital Forensics
Sam Houston State University Huntsville, Texas Master of Science in Information Assurance and Security
Sans Technology Institute Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Cyber Security Master’s Degree
Southern Arkansas University Main Campus Magnolia, Arkansas Master of Science in Computer and Information Science – Cyber Security and Privacy Option
Southern Methodist University Dallas, Texas Online Masters in Cybersecurity
Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, New Hampshire Master of Science in Cyber Security
Southern New Hampshire University Manchester, New Hampshire Master of Science in Information Technology – Information Security
Southern Utah University Cedar City, Utah Master of Cyber Security & Information Assurance
St. Bonaventure University St. Bonaventure, New York Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, New Jersey Master of Science – Cybersecurity
Stevens Institute of Technology Hoboken, New Jersey Master of Science in Computer Science – Secure Systems Focus
Stevenson University Stevenson, Maryland Online Master of Science in Cyber Forensics
Stevenson University Stevenson, Maryland Online Master of Science in Digital Forensics
Stratford University Fairfax, Virginia Master of Science in Digital Forensics
Strayer University Arlington, Virginia Master of Science in Information Assurance
Strayer University Arlington, Virginia Master of Science in Information Systems: Computer Forensic Management
Sullivan University Louisville, Kentucky Master of Science in Cyber Security
Syracuse University Syracuse, New York M.S. In Cybersecurity Online
Talladega College Talladega, Alabama Master of Computer Information Systems – Cybersecurity Concentration
The University of West Florida Pensacola, Florida Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Towson University Towson, Maryland MS in Applied Information Technology: Information Security and Assurance
Tulane University New Orleans, Louisiana Master of Professional Studies in Cybersecurity Management
University of Advanced Technology Tempe, Arizona Master of Science in Cyber Security
University of Alabama and Birmingham Birmingham, Alabama Online Master of Science in Management Information Systems – Cyber Security Management
University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona MS in Management Information Systems with Emphasis in Information Assurance
University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona Online Master’s in Cybersecurity
University of Central Florida Orlando, Florida Digital Forensics MS
University of Charleston Charleston, West Virginia Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity
University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, Colorado Master of Science in Technology, Cybersecurity and Policy
University of Colorado Denver Denver, Colorado Master of Science in Recording Arts – Media Forensics Emphasis
University of Dallas Dallas, Texas Master of Business Administration – Cybersecurity Concentration
University of Dallas Dallas, Texas Masters of Science (M.S.) in Cybersecurity
University of Delaware Newark, Delaware Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity
University of Denver Denver, Colorado Information Systems Security Master degree
University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, Michigan Master of Science in Information Assurance (MS-IA)
University of Fairfax Roanoke, Virginia Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management
University of Fairfax Roanoke, Virginia Master of Science in Information Security Management ( MSISM )
University of Houston – Downtown Houston, Texas Master of Security Management (MSM)
University of Idaho Moscow, Idaho MS in Computer Science – Information Assurance
University of Maryland – Global Campus (formerly UMUC) Adelphi, Maryland Master of Science in Cybersecurity
University of Maryland – Global Campus (formerly UMUC) Adelphi, Maryland Master of Science in Cybersecurity Policy
University of Maryland – Global Campus (formerly UMUC) Adelphi, Maryland Master of Science in Information Technology – Homeland Security Management
University of Maryland – Global Campus (formerly UMUC) Adelphi, Maryland Master of Science in Information Technology – Information Assurance
University of Massachusetts-Lowell Lowell, Massachusetts Online Master of Science in Security Studies: Cyber Security Concentration
University of Missouri-Saint Louis Saint Louis, Missouri Master of Science (M.S.)in Cybersecurity
University of Nevada-Reno Reno, Nevada Online M.S. in Cybersecurity
University of New Haven West Haven, Connecticut Master of Science in Investigations – Digital Forensics
University of New Mexico-Main Campus Albuquerque, New Mexico The Master of Science in Information Systems and Assurance
University of North Dakota Grand Forks, North Dakota Online Master of Science in Cyber Security
University of Rhode Island Kingston, Rhode Island Master’s in Computer Science – Digital Forensics
University of Rhode Island Kingston, Rhode Island Professional Science Masters in Cyber Security
University of San Diego San Diego, California Master of Science in Cyber Security Operations and Leadership
University of South Florida-Main Campus Tampa, Florida Master Degree in Cybersecurity with a concentration in Cyber Intelligence
University of South Florida- Main Campus Tampa, Florida Master’s in Cybersecurity – Digital Forensics
University of Southern California Los Angeles, California Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering
University of Cumberlands Williamsburg, Kentucky Master of Science in Digital Forensics
University of Cumberlands Williamsburg, Kentucky Master of Science in Information Systems Security
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Green Bay, Wisconsin Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Valparaiso University Valparaiso, Indiana Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Villanova University Villanova, Pennsylvania Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Virginia Tech Blacksburg, Virginia Online Master of Information Technology – Security Track
Walden University Minneapolis, Minnesota Master of Science in Information Technology – Information Assurance and Cyber Security Track
Western Governors University Salt Lake City, Utah Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, California Master of Information and Cybersecurity (MICS)
Utica College Utica, New York Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Mark Funk
Mark Funk is an experienced information security specialist who works with enterprises to mature and improve their enterprise security programs. Previously, he worked as a security news reporter.