Program Overview

Master of Science in Cybersecurity

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity builds knowledge and skills of security specialists to effectively protect the safety and prosperity of companies, communities, and the nation. The mission of the program is to engage students in an interdisciplinary approach on the security aspects of software, modern cryptographic systems, and security program management.

Program Emphases

• Computer Science Emphasis: focuses on the protection of computer systems, networks, programs, critical infrastructures, and data from unintended or unauthorized access, change, or destruction.
  • Courses include:
    • CYBER 500 Introduction to Cybersecurity
    • CS 507 Computing Foundations
    • CS 508 Network and System Foundations for Cybersecurity
    • CS 523 Cyber-Physical Systems
    • CS 524 Cybersecurity of Critical Infrastructures
    • CS 547 Digital Forensics
    • CS 567 Applied Cryptography
    • CS 575 Software Security
    • CS 622 Advanced Network Security
    • CS 540 AI for Cybersecurity
• Cryptanalysis and Signals Analysis Emphasis: focuses on modern and emerging cryptographic systems, weaknesses of the underlying mathematics of a cryptographic system, weaknesses in implementation including side-channel attacks, and weak entropy inputs.
  • Courses include:
    • CYBER 500 Introduction to Cybersecurity
    • MATH 504 Number Theory
    • MATH 572 Computational Statistics
    • ECE 650 Stochastic Signals and Systems
    • MATH 508 Foundations of Cryptographic Computing
    • MATH 509 Symmetric Key Cryptography and Cryptanalysis
    • MATH 510 Quantum and Post-Quantum Cryptography
    • MATH/CS 667 Advanced Applied Cryptography
• Management Emphasis: focuses on managing the many complex systems required to run a successful information security program.
  • Courses include:
    • CYBER 500 Introduction to Cybersecurity
    • ITM 555 Information Security
    • ITM 556 Information Security Management
    • ITM 557 Security Analytics
    • BUSMBA 500 Introduction and Business Foundations
    • MBA 514 Innovation Driven Advantage
    • ORMBA 531 Strategic Perspectives
    • BUSMBA 501 Design Thinking and Strategic Management
    • MBA 503 Managing Successful Projects
    • ORMBA 549 Successful Project Management
    • BUSMBA 540 Managing Successful Projects
    • MBA 522 Leading People and Organizations
    • ORMBA 532 Organizational Issues and Leadership
    • BUSMBA 510 People and Organizations

Admission Requirements

To be considered for the Master of Science in Cybersecurity program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• At least a baccalaureate degree (in any academic discipline) from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university or a degree from a non-U.S. institution of higher education that is judged equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree.
• An undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 (based on a four-point scale) computed for all undergraduate credits from the applicant's most recent baccalaureate degree.
• Students with a GPA lower than 3.0 may require special provisions for admission to the program.

Application Materials

Applicants must submit all of the following application materials:

• Application to the Boise State University Graduate College
• Transcript
• A resume/CV
• Personal statement
• Recommendation Letter (strongly encouraged, but not required)
• Application Fee (the Graduate College requires an application fee of $65 for domestic students and $95 for international students)

Tuition and Fees

MS in Cybersecurity program tuition is set by the university and is subject to change annually. Current Graduate Tuition and Fees are detailed on the Student Financial Services website. Tuition is due prior to the start of each semester.

Financial Aid

Students admitted to the program may be eligible for merit-based scholarships through the Graduate College. Additional scholarship opportunities for international students can be found through Boise State Global Education Graduate Student Funding.

Career Outlook

The demand for career-ready cybersecurity professionals is constantly growing. According to a recent report from the Idaho Department of Labor, Idaho job openings for cybersecurity professionals have increased 160% since 2015. The program prepares students for a wide range of cyber careers, including:

• Information Security Consultant/Specialist
• Information Security Analyst
• Security Software Developer
• Security Architect
• Information Security Manager
• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
• Cybersecurity Risk Analyst
• Business Analyst
• Cryptographer
• Signals Analyst
• Quantum Information Scientist
• Cryptanalyst
• Detection Engineer
• Cryptologic Warfare Officer
• Encryption Engineer

Accelerated Master's Program

The Accelerated Master of Science in Cybersecurity is an exciting opportunity for selected Boise State University undergraduate students. This program allows current Boise State undergrads to select three graduate courses (nine credits) that can be taken during their undergraduate career and applied to both their Bachelor's degree and Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree requirements. Students accepted into the accelerated master's degree track may be able to complete their MS in as little as one year.