Master of Science - Cybersecurity & Master of Science - Management Information Systems

Program Overview

This dual degree program in Management Information Systems and Cybersecurity prepares students for careers in technology and cybersecurity leadership. It combines technical expertise in cybersecurity with a strong understanding of business and management principles. Graduates are well-positioned for roles in IT, cybersecurity, and technology management. The program is STEM-designated, allowing international students to extend their Optional Practical Training (OPT) period.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This program permits students who are captivated by technology, particularly in cybersecurity, to attain two reciprocal degrees (MS Management Information Systems and MS Cybersecurity) at the same time within an abbreviated time frame. Rather than obtaining each degree independently, recognizing the convergence between the disciplines, credits, and concepts from the program are shared, hence students can accomplish the program with fewer overall credits than completing each discretely. This dual degree program is tailored towards individuals who aspire to work with technology and also seek a broader understanding of cybersecurity as a technical specialization within their skillset. Students will be acquainted with applied curriculum that instructs them to apprehend technological innovations and how technology can be harnessed to resolve organizational challenges and propel organizational strategies. In the cybersecurity domain, students will master core foundational areas encompassing cyberanalytics, networking, system fortification, administration of cyber functions, and strategic alignment between cybersecurity, technology, and the business. Such students would be well-positioned to secure employment in IT, cybersecurity, and more notably embark on a professional pathway towards cyber or technology leadership within an organization. The Master of Science - Management Information Systems (MS MIS) program prepares graduates for professional careers in the management of information technology (IT). The MS MIS accentuates the application of technology to facilitate the realization of organizational objectives and the resolution of business challenges. MIS students attain proficiency in IT, interwoven with a business context, which furnishes them with multifaceted preparation for professions in high demand. Recent graduates are pursuing careers in a spectrum of roles, including business analyst, systems analyst, security analyst, IT manager, and systems administrator. The MS MIS has been certified as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) - Designated Degree Program by the Department of Education and upheld by the Department of Homeland Security. Under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, international students who graduate from colleges and universities in the United States are empowered to remain in the country and obtain training via work experience for up to 12 months. Students who graduate from a designated STEM degree program are eligible to remain for an additional 17 months on an OPT STEM extension. The MS MIS program code is 11.1005. This program is an interdisciplinary master of science in cybersecurity offered by the Lee Business School and the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering. Currently, there is a demand at the local, state, regional, and national levels for individuals to be educated in the knowledge of computers, networks, and risk and security management. This has been identified by the Department of Labor and other sources as one of the most indispensable professions/skills, yet the conventional sources of such skills (i.e., higher education) are not producing graduates as expeditiously as this field is expanding. Students will be trained in technical and managerial facets of cybersecurity. Furthermore, UNLV is a recognized center of academic excellence (CAE) for cybersecurity. This is a prestigious acknowledgment from the US Federal Government that is solely bestowed upon a select few universities in the entire nation. This program leverages the strengths within the Computer Science department in the College of Engineering, which can impart the technical expertise of dealing with data, computers, and networks. This program also capitalizes on the strengths of the management information systems group within the Management Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MET) department in the Lee Business School to provide the expertise in managerial dimensions of security, compliance, and risk management. The graduate program in cybersecurity will also empower those already employed in the field to hone their managerial capabilities and transition into the management of cybersecurity, or furnish those with other related skill sets to shift from a related/technical field into cybersecurity. This emphasis is distinct in comparison to an undergraduate degree in cybersecurity, which typically focuses on foundational skills.

Outline:

• MS Cybersecurity Portion
• Evaluate the computer network and information security needs of an organization
• Assess cybersecurity risk management policies in order to adequately protect critical resources and assets
• Demonstrate a mastery of in-depth knowledge of cybersecurity
• Formulate, update and communicate regarding organizational cyber-related strategies and policies
• MS MIS Portion
• The ability to interpret the role of information systems to enhance organizations
• The ability to manage an information systems project
• The ability to analyze business problems and apply technological solutions
• The ability to work effectively with others in teams