Master of Science in Cybersecurity

UT's Master of Science in Cybersecurity prepares students for careers in the dynamic cybersecurity industry. Rapid technology changes and the evolving threats that face modern organizations require educated and equipped cybersecurity professionals. This 32 credit hour program develops students' depth and breadth of information security knowledge so they can successfully protect information assets for organizations regardless of industry and business. Topics include cloud system security, risk assessment, data analytics, contingency planning, incident response management, digital forensics, penetration testing, secure software design, project management, technology governance, compliance and security leadership. Several of our courses are designed to cover the top professional certifications in the industry (e.g., Certified Information System Security Professional).

The M.S. in Cybersecurity also offers a thesis track. Students considering this option take a course sequence that includes a research seminar and a thesis writing course. This 34 credit hour alternative prepares students who wish to pursue a research-oriented career as an academic, consultant or practitioner.

Other cybersecurity graduate programs are available, including a graduate certificate in cybersecurity and an MBA concentration in cybersecurity.  

Degree Requirements

Business courses:

Students are required to complete two business courses totaling at least 6 credit hours. It is recommended that a student complete these before taking graduate CYB courses, but it is not a requirement. The two courses must be:

• One course in business statistics.
• One additional business course in either economics, finance or accounting.

Note: These may be waived if the student has completed a business degree in the past 7 years from an AACSB-accredited school and earned a grade of “B” or better in the course.

Required Information Technology Qualification Courses (minimum 3 credit hours in each of three topics, undergraduate or graduate)

• Programming Fundamentals
• Network or Data Communications
• Information Security Principles

Note: Must earn a B grade or better in these qualification courses. Certain certifications or experience may substitute for these courses.

Non-Thesis Track Requirements

Choose eight from the following CYB and ITM 600-level courses:

CYB 610	Cloud Systems Security	4
CYB 620	Risk Assessment & Contingency Planning	4
CYB 630	Incident Response Management	4
CYB 640	Secure Software Design	4
CYB 650	Security Governance & Leadership	4
CYB 660	Penetration Testing	4
CYB 670	Cybersecurity Research Seminar	4
CYB 695	Special Topics in Cybersecurity	4
CYB 699	Independent Study in Cybersecurity	1-8
ITM 608	Information Systems and Operations Management	4
ITM 614	Effective Project Management	4
ITM 615	Business Analytics	4
ITM 619	Enterprise Systems	4
ITM 630	Managing the IT Organization	4
Total Credit Hours:		32

Note: Of the eight courses, a maximum of three may come from ITM 600-level courses.

Thesis Track Requirements

Choose six from the following CYB and ITM 600-level courses:

CYB 610	Cloud Systems Security	4
CYB 620	Risk Assessment & Contingency Planning	4
CYB 630	Incident Response Management	4
CYB 640	Secure Software Design	4
CYB 650	Security Governance & Leadership	4
CYB 660	Penetration Testing	4
CYB 695	Special Topics in Cybersecurity	4
CYB 699	Independent Study in Cybersecurity	1-8
ITM 608	Information Systems and Operations Management	4
ITM 614	Effective Project Management	4
ITM 615	Business Analytics	4
ITM 619	Enterprise Systems	4
ITM 630	Managing the IT Organization	4
Total Credit Hours:		24

Note: Of the six courses, a maximum of three may come from ITM 600-level courses.

Thesis track students must take

CYB 670	Cybersecurity Research Seminar	4
CYB 675	Cybersecurity Graduate Thesis	6
Total Credit Hours:		10

Total Credit Hours: 66