Program Overview

Master of Science in Cybersecurity Program

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity program is a 30-credit hour program that can be completed in one year by proficient students. This program is designed to assist individuals seeking to advance their careers or transition into the field of cybersecurity.

Program Structure

The program's structure features all courses scheduled in 7-week sessions, providing students with the flexibility to take two classes concurrently, ultimately completing the program in 5 sessions.

Important Policies to Know

• GPA Requirements: To remain in Good Standing, students must maintain a 3.0+ GPA. If a student's GPA falls below 3.0, they will be placed on Academic Probation.
• A student can be Academically Dismissed if they do not achieve the following while on probation:
  • While on probation, the student obtains a SEMESTER GPA below 3.0.
  • The student does not obtain a CUMULATIVE GPA of 3.0 after two semesters.
• Important KSU Policies for Cybersecurity Students:
  • You can only repeat 2 classes throughout your entire time in the program.
  • Grades for repeated courses do not replace grades already received. This means grades for every attempt at a course are calculated into a student's GPA.

Program Requirements

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity program can be completed 100% online in as little as 12 to 18 months. The On Campus program modality is pending USG approval, which is expected by October 1, 2024.

Foundation Prerequisites

Students who have not taken the following subjects as part of another degree program must complete these three courses:

• Programming Principles: In this course, students analyze and formulate software solutions appropriate for a business organization. Topics may include foundational program constructs, requirement analysis, and software design & development.
• Computing Infrastructure: This foundation course will provide an overview of computer organization, architecture, and operating systems. Topics include computer infrastructure, operating systems fundamentals, and system management.
• Data Communications and Networking: This course will provide an overview of computer networks. Topics include network technologies, protocols, and traffic analysis.

Admission Requirements

• Online Graduate Application: There is a non-refundable $60 application fee.
• Transcripts: Official transcripts from EACH College and/or University you have attended. Must be in a sealed envelope from the institution or sent electronically from the institution directly.
• Resume/Vita: Clearly indicate any professional certifications and a detailed educational background.
• Minimum Undergraduate GPA: 2.75*, with professional growth plan required for exceptional applicants not meeting minimum g.p.a.
• Optional: Statement of Purpose - describe in 2 pages or less why you want to enroll in the MS Cybersecurity and what you plan to do with the information you learn.
• Letters of Recommendation: (2)

International Students

International Students requiring an F-1, J-1, H1-B, or Permanent Resident Alien (Green Card Holder) must follow these steps:

1. Completed Online Graduate Application for Admission to KSU.
2. Non-refundable $60 application processing fee, payable to Kennesaw State University.
3. Transcripts must be evaluated by one of the following agencies: Evaluations must come from either an AICE or NACES accredited evaluation service. Evaluations must include course-by-course and a calculation of your GPA.
4. Test of English Proficiency: Applicants from the following countries are exempt from the English Language Proficiency requirement: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Ghana, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tobago, Trinidad, United Kingdom, United States, or Zimbabwe.

Conditional Admission to the Program

Students who do not meet the admission requirements for the program based on prior course work can be conditionally admitted. A conditionally admitted student will be assigned pre-program modules or classes to complete within the College of Graduate and Professional Education or the College of Computer Software and Engineering.

Tuition and Fees

The MS Cybersecurity program is now available both online and in-person. As a result, MS-CYBR students can choose their preferred mode of study. For online students, the E-Tuition rate is $383 per credit hour, with no distinction between Resident and Out-of-State students for tuition purposes.

Personal Computer Hardware Recommendation

Windows-based machines are generally recommended, however MacOS/iOS/Linux machines may be used successfully in many cases. Many courses will assume that the student operates from a current-generation Windows-based desktop or laptop computer and will provide instruction for student work using tutorials and instructions written for Windows.

Required Courses

Students must complete all nine of the following courses:

• CYBR 7000 Cyber Law, Policy, and Enforcement (3 credit hours)
• CYBR 7050 Cybercrime Detection, Analysis, and Forensics (3 credit hours) Pre-requisite: CYBR 7000
• CYBR 7100 Secure Application Development (3 credit hours) Pre-requisite: Programming Principles
• CYBR 7200 Securing Enterprise Infrastructure (3 credit hours) Pre-requisite: Computing Infrastructure and Data Communications & Networking
• CYBR 7220 Mobile and Cloud Security (3 credit hours) Pre-requisite: CYBR 7200
• CYBR 7240 Cyber Analytics and Intelligence (3 credit hours) Pre-requisite: CYBR 7200
• CYBR 7300 Management of Cybersecurity (3 credit hours)
• CYBR 7350 Contingency Planning for Cybersecurity (3 credit hours) Pre-requisite: CYBR 7300
• CYBR 7400 Introductions to Cryptography and Its Applications (3 credit hours) Pre-requisite: CYBR 7200

Capstone Course

Students must select ONE of the capstone courses listed below:

• CYBR 7910 Capstone in Cybersecurity Practicum (3 credit hours) Pre-requisite: CYBR 7100, CYBR 7220 & CYBR 7240
• CYBR 7930 Capstone in Cybersecurity Management (3 credit hours) Pre-requisite: CYBR 7350

Forward Planning Schedule

The program offers courses in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters, with specific courses offered in each 7-week session.

Plans of Study

KSU offers the Double Owl Pathway which allows undergraduate students to take graduate-level courses that will count in both their undergraduate degree and in a graduate degree at Kennesaw State University. Current KSU students interested in the MS in Cybersecurity degree may have an option to consider for a Double Owl pathway, including these:

• Computer Science BS / Cybersecurity MS
• Criminal Justice BS / Cybersecurity MS
• Cybersecurity BS / Cybersecurity MS
• Cybersecurity BS / Information Technology MS
• Cybersecurity BS / Software Engineering MS
• History BA / Cybersecurity MS
• Information Technology BAS / Cybersecurity MS
• Information Technology BS / Information Technology MS
• Interdisciplinary Studies BS / Cybersecurity MS