Cybersecurity, MS

South College is currently not accepting applications and admitting new students for this program. 

Program Overview

This program is designed for those qualified individuals who wish to continue their academic credentials in the field of cybersecurity.  The required coursework consists of 45 quarter credit hours devoted to advanced system analysis and penetration testing through live ethical hacking methods in alignment with the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security standards.

Mission

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity program is designed to prepare students for cyber warfare through intrusion detection, analysis, and lawful countermeasures to protect the data and systems of an organization. The goal of the program is to provide organizations with individuals skilled at penetration testing, vulnerability analysis, and threat detection with a clear understanding of the law and ethics involved in such actions.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates completing the program will accomplish the following outcomes:

1. Create appropriate policies and documentation for managing security across an organization’s infrastructure.
2. Determine vulnerabilities in an infrastructure or system through analysis, penetration testing, and current threats.
3. Defend a system from attack and employ ethical and legal countermeasures in response.
4. Research computing problems and apply the latest technology and published findings to provide better solutions.
5. Apply theory, research, and practice to a selected project and prepare a security improvement or solution.

Admission Requirements

Applicants interested in any Master of Science program offered within the School of Computer Science and Engineering are required to meet individually, either in person or via telephone, with an admissions representative and program faculty to discuss the program and all requirements.

Applicants must provide a completed South College application for admission and application to the program. Those selected for admission will provide the following:

1. Evidence of completion of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education in computer science, information technology, information systems, or a closely related field OR evidence of completion of a bachelor’s degree in any field with a completed certificate program or qualifying bootcamp evidencing significant experience in the discipline of computer science or information technology;
2. Evidence of a cumulative 3.0 undergraduate grade point average for admittance OR evidence of a cumulative 2.50 undergraduate grade point average for conditional admittance.

Students accepted for conditional admittance are permitted to take no more than three courses in the Master of Science program. If a 3.0 graduate grade point average is achieved in the three courses, full admittance will be granted.  Applicants not possessing a minimum 2.50 grade point average at the institution awarding the bachelor’s degree may include all undergraduate coursework from other institutions in the grade point average calculation. If the applicant has a minimum 2.50 grade point average for all undergraduate coursework, the applicant will be granted conditional admittance.

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity program is offered Online.