Program Overview

Overview of the Master of Cybersecurity and Digital Trust Program

The Master of Cybersecurity and Digital Trust program at The Ohio State University is designed to equip students with the expertise to secure systems, protect sensitive data, and build trust in a digital world. This fully online program focuses on both foundational and emerging areas of cybersecurity, preparing students for real-world challenges.

Why Choose Ohio State's Online Master of Cybersecurity and Digital Trust?

• Career-focused curriculum: Develop skills that align with the evolving needs of the cybersecurity industry, taught by expert faculty from Ohio State's College of Engineering.
• A high-demand industry: Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing fields, with job openings expected to increase 33% from 2023 to 2033 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
• NCAE designations: Ohio State maintains National Centers of Academic Excellence designations in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) and Cyber Research (CAE-R) for its commitment to excellence in cybersecurity education, research, and workforce development.
• Fully online: All courses are 100% online, with most taught in a live, interactive format, providing real-time engagement.
• Networking opportunities: Connect with industry professionals and peers through student-led cybersecurity organizations, competitions, and events.

Admission Criteria

To be considered for admission to the Master of Cybersecurity and Digital Trust, applicants must have:

• A completed bachelor's degree in computer science, cybersecurity, electrical or computer engineering, information technology, or a similar field, with at least one year of professional work or internship experience, is recommended. Applicants with non-traditional degrees may be considered if they demonstrate relevant workforce experience or training.
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• Proficiency in Python and C (with an emphasis on memory management) and familiarity with Linux are beneficial.

Application Process

1. Application: Applicants for admission to the program must complete an Ohio State Graduate Admissions online application.
2. Resume: Include an updated copy of your resume listing work experience. Applicants should have at least one year of professional work or internship experience.
3. Academic credentials and transcripts: To complete your application and verify your degree and undergraduate GPA, you must submit transcripts from all educational institutions you have attended.
4. Letters of recommendation: Please arrange to have two recommendations prepared. These can come from academic or professional connections who are familiar with your qualifications and potential for graduate study.
5. Statement of Purpose: Include a short essay about why you wish to enroll in the program.
6. Nonrefundable application processing fee: A non-refundable application fee of $60 is required.
7. Test Score: A GRE score is not required.

Curriculum

The Master of Cybersecurity and Digital Trust curriculum blends foundational principles with emerging trends to address the increasing demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals. This practical, interdisciplinary program offers two specialized tracks: Offense & Defense and Design & Implementation, allowing students to tailor their education to their career goals.

Core Courses General

• IS 5195: Ethics in the Information Age
• ECE 5561 / CSE 5471: Introduction to Cybersecurity Technical fundamentals of data, software, component, network, and system security. Cybersecurity from an organizational and societal viewpoint, including human factors.
• ECE or CSE 6193: Independent Studies

Core Courses Design and Implementation

• ECE 5024: Introduction to Hardware Security
• ECE 5555: Securing Autonomous Systems The course covers different security measures for safeguarding against cyberattacks, detecting cyberattacks, and mitigating the effects of cyberattacks on autonomous control systems.

Core Courses Offense and Defense

• CSE 5472: Information Security The course covers an introduction to the security of digital information; threats and attacks; regulations; risk management; attack detection and response; cryptography; forensics; technical training and certifications.
• CSE 5474: Software Security Software security fundamentals, secure coding principles and practices, common software vulnerabilities, memory exploits (shell code), vulnerability analysis (e.g., reverse engineering, fuzzing and symbolic execution), and defenses against common vulnerability exploitation.

Electives

Select 9 credits

• CSE 5473: Network Security Security threats and services, elements of cryptography, protocols for security services, network and internet security, advanced security issues and technologies.
• CSE 5351: Introduction to Cryptography Foundations of cryptography; mathematical formulations/proofs of security goals; theory and practical constructions of encryption schemes, MACs, digital signatures; zero-knowledge proof systems; cryptographic protocols.
• ECE 5567.01 / CSE 5477.01: Offensive Security This course will give students an overview of existing offensive computing techniques, which include well-known attacks that break confidentiality, integrity, and availability of computing resources. Attacks targeting human weaknesses without taking special care to security will also be discussed.
• ECE 5567.02 / CSE 5477.02: Reverse Engineering and Malware Analysis This course will give students an overview of cutting-edge reverse engineering techniques as well as software security and defense practices. Programming experience in C required.

Career Outlook

Cybersecurity professionals are essential across medium-to-large corporations, federal and local government agencies, and the military. Employers demonstrate a robust demand for master's-level cybersecurity professionals, with job growth projected at 33% from 2023 to 2033 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Top Occupations by Median Income

• Information Security Analysts: $124,910
• Information Security Engineers: $108,970
• Digital Forensics Analysts: $108,970

Program Faculty

• Carter Yagemann: Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering
• Julia Armstrong: Managing Director, ICDT, Computer Science and Engineering
• Zhiqiang Lin: Distinguished Professor of Engineering, Department of Computer Science and Engineering; Director, Institute for Cybersecurity and Digital Trust
• Irem Eryilmaz: Professional Practice Assistant Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Shaileshh Bojja Venkatakrishnan: Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering
• Abhishek Gupta: Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Tuition Fee Overview

Investing in your future with a higher education degree is one of the best investments you can make for your future success. At Ohio State, we know understanding your program's cost is an important part of your decision-making process.

Estimated Cost

The Master of Cybersecurity and Digital Trust program requires 30 credit hours for degree completion.

• Instructional Fee: $1,170.00 per credit hour
• General Fee: $32.63 per credit hour
• Learning Technology Fee: $42.50 per credit hour
• Distance Learning Fee: $100.00 per semester
• Non-Resident Surcharge (if applicable): $200.00 per semester

Tuition fees are subject to change. The table above serves as a guide and not an official bursar's bill. Full-Time costs are total tuition costs per semester.