Online Master's Degrees in Cybersecurity: Finding Your School

Explore Online Cyber Security Master’s Degrees

Cybersecurity lends itself well to online study, and many schools offer most or all of their master’s degree courses fully online. The affordability, convenience, and flexibility of online study make cybersecurity master’s degree programs popular. Many students pursuing these degrees are also working professionals who maintain full-time jobs while studying. Each program varies in format – synchronous, asynchronous, or a mix. Take a look at the programs highlighted below to learn about the benefits of earning a master’s degree in cybersecurity and how these programs can help you achieve your goals.

Online Cyber Security Master’s FAQs

How does an online master’s in cybersecurity work?

Each online cybersecurity master’s degree program features its own combination of curriculum requirements, program formats, and course delivery. Many are fully online, but some require on-campus immersion sessions that feature guest speakers and workshops. Classes can be asynchronous, meaning you can complete them at the time that suits you, or synchronous, meaning you must attend lectures online in real time. Many master’s students are working, so programs offer both full- and part-time options. Think through both your learning style and lifestyle to determine if an online college is right for you.

Are online cybersecurity master’s programs accredited?

Accreditation assures students that their degree program meets standards of academic quality. As you evaluate programs, you’ll hear about two types of accreditation.

• Institutional accreditation is granted by agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Institutional accreditation is required for student eligibility for federal student aid (scholarships, grants, and loans).
• Programmatic accreditation isn’t universal for cybersecurity master’s degree programs. However, programs may receive one or more designations from the National Security Agency-sponsored CAE-CD and/or Cyber Operations (CAE-CO) programs. For example, Bellevue University’s cybersecurity master’s holds the CAE-CD designation.

Can I get into cybersecurity if my undergraduate degree is in another field?

Yes, if you have a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. The University of Rhode Island offers the OnRamp to Cybersecurity program as a bridge to prepare students who are changing fields.

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

Program lengths vary depending on format (traditional vs. accelerated), full- or part-time study, the number of previously earned credits applied to the program, and the program length. For example, the online Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering at the University of Southern California requires 28 credits, and the Online Master of Science in Cybertechnology at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota requires 36 credits. Full-time students typically take two years to finish; part-time students take three to five years.

How much does an online cybersecurity master’s degree cost?

The total cost varies significantly depending on the school and program, including whether it’s public or private and whether the student is a resident of the state where the school is located. The best way to keep costs under control is to ask about financial aid and scholarships as you investigate programs.

Cyber Security Master’s Concentrations

In many programs, students choose from specialization options to tailor their studies to meet individual interests and career goals. Many programs offer no specializations, while others have multiple options. Finding a program with a specialization can take it from a good fit to a great fit. Below are examples of specializations you may encounter.

Assured Autonomy

Autonomous systems bring a new level of complexity to cybersecurity. Coursework delves into intelligent and autonomous vehicles, robotics, and machine learning to make sure that these systems do no harm even if they’re subjected to an attack. Assured autonomy is one of six focus areas you can choose for a cybersecurity master’s degree at Johns Hopkins University. Courses include Introduction to Assured AI and Autonomy; Logic: Systems, Semantics, and Models; Principles and Methods in Machine Learning; and Advanced Machine Learning. The program offers online and hybrid options, along with graduate certificates and post-master’s certificates.

Business

Some programs combine MBA coursework with cybersecurity, preparing you to do risk assessment, security frameworks, and computer security. This unique combination of skills can give you a competitive edge if you’re vying for a position as a chief information security officer, security consultant, security systems administrator, or vulnerability assessor. Florida Tech offers an MBA in Cybersecurity that is 100% online.

Healthcare Administration

Like cybersecurity, healthcare is also a booming field. Combine the two for a specialty packed with potential. At Southern Utah University, you’ll prepare for a leadership role focused on protecting patient information in a healthcare organization. You’ll learn about the legal and ethical aspects of global cybersecurity law, cybersecurity practices in the healthcare realm, and evaluation of threats unique to a medical environment. The program at Southern Utah University is 30 credits, with 12 in your area of emphasis.

Information Security

Information security focuses on safeguarding computers and networks. Courses go in-depth on cryptography, secure computer systems, network security, system network and defense, and more. The program at Georgia Tech requires 12 credits within this specialization and six credits of electives. You’ll also complete a five-credit practicum that involves solving real-world security problems for a business, academic institution, or government office.

Security Management and Compliance

This specialization builds your expertise in managing security operations, meeting industry standards for security and privacy, and auditing systems to assess risks. You’ll be prepared to prevent attacks, respond to cybersecurity incidents, and protect the data in your system. Dakota State offers this concentration in a 30-credit program (with 18 of those credits in the specialization) available both online and on campus. Courses include Incident Response, Data Privacy Management, and Compliance and Audit. The school holds the CAE-CD designation.

Online Cyber Security Curriculum

A school’s curriculum reflects the expertise of its faculty. The bigger the faculty, the wider the range of possible courses. The list below gives you a look inside popular courses that you’re likely to see as you dive into the curriculum.

Applied Cryptography

Offering an in-depth exploration of modern cryptography and using coded algorithms to protect information, this course places particular emphasis on cryptographic primitives, which are basic algorithms that cybersecurity experts can build on. Topics include symmetric and asymmetric encryption, hash functions, random oracles, pseudorandom functions, message authentication codes, digital signatures, and authenticated key exchange.

Cyber Law and Ethics

This course addresses the legal and ethical issues related to cybersecurity, particularly within e-business and e-commerce. Emphasis is placed on government approaches to a range of subjects, including personal information, antitrust law, digital property rights, fraud, U.S. and international law, and more. Coursework informs your strategies and ensures you’re on the right side of the law.

Internet Security

Take an in-depth look at network attack techniques and the methods used to defend against them in this course. Threats and vulnerabilities covered include attacks on DNS servers, routing attacks, denial of service, vulnerabilities of TCP/IP protocols, and TCP hijacking. Defending mechanisms include anonymous communication, firewalls, intrusion detection, and tracing the source of attacks.

Modeling and Simulation of Complex Systems

This course focuses on the application of modeling and simulation principles of complex systems, which are large-scale nonlinear systems consisting of interwoven or interconnected parts. An overview of complex systems is followed by modeling techniques based on networks, nonlinear differential equations, and stochastic models.

Principles of Operating Systems

You’ll find a comprehensive review of classical operating system concepts in this course, including device drivers, file systems, process and memory management, process coordination, starvation, and deadlock. Additionally, modern file system topics, such as distributed, log-structured, and memory-based systems, are covered. The course assignments emphasize operating system design, multiprocessor issues, and security-related aspects. Students also gain practical experience in inspecting and modifying operating system code.

Careers for Cyber Security Master’s Holders

Cybersecurity Architect

Cybersecurity architects help develop security hardware and software based on their analyses of security threats. They may also install security infrastructure and educate employees on identifying and responding to cybersecurity threats. Cybersecurity architects must be analytical and detailed yet able to take the lead if a cyberattack occurs. As a cybersecurity architect you’ll not only be dealing with computer systems but also with employees, so good interpersonal skills are an asset. The BLS predicts 13% growth and media salaries over $129,000 for a similar job title, computer network architect.

Cybersecurity Software Developer

As the job title suggests, these professionals develop software to aid in cybersecurity efforts based on specific organizational needs. Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving, and the software deployed to combat them must be constantly evolving as well. According to the BLS, the median wage for a software developer is $138,110, with the potential for higher salaries given the more specialized area of cybersecurity. Cybersecurity software developers work for software publishers, computer systems manufacturers, and tech companies.

Information Security Analyst

Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect computer networks and systems and, if an attack happens, follow disaster recovery plans. In this position you might work for a computer company, consulting firm, or business. While you can enter the field with a bachelor’s degree, having your master’s positions you for leadership roles. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts 33% growth in this field and median wages of over $120,000.

Top Online Master’s Programs in Cyber Security

If you feel like you’re on the right track and are ready to pursue an online master’s degree in cybersecurity, then it’s time to dig into our rankings. Focused on institutions accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, our rankings showcase schools that offer robust academic and career resources. We evaluate key factors such as the variety of online programs available, the proportion of online learners, tuition rates, and financial aid options. Additionally, we consider student retention, faculty-to-student ratios, and graduation outcomes. Based on these considerations, the cybersecurity master’s programs featured below stand out as excellent options to explore.