Program Overview

---

Introduction to the Master of Cybersecurity Leadership and Cyberpreneurship

The Master of Cybersecurity Leadership and Cyberpreneurship program at the University of Guelph is a unique offering that combines advanced technical training with business insight. This program is designed to prepare graduates to lead cybersecurity initiatives in enterprise settings, helping to close the gap between business leaders and cybersecurity experts.

Program Overview

The program is delivered jointly by the School of Computer Science and the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics. It is optimized for working professionals, with remote learning throughout the year and a one-time in-person intensive course. The program welcomes applicants with a tech background, but it is also suitable for those with non-specialist degrees who are seeking to integrate more technical knowledge.

Why a Degree in Cybersecurity Leadership and Cyberpreneurship?

The program was created to provide students with the skillset and experience required to build cybersecurity start-ups, lead cybersecurity teams in companies, or become cybersecurity thought leaders or policy makers. The program has an equal focus on cybersecurity and management, as well as in-depth and specialized training in cybersecurity management, governance, and cyberpreneurship.

Career Opportunities

Samples of intended careers graduates could pursue include:

• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): Oversees cybersecurity strategy and ensures the company's protection from digital threats.
• Security Audit and IT Systems Control Specialist: Conducts cybersecurity audits and implements controls to mitigate risks.
• Cyberpreneur (Cybersecurity Entrepreneur): Launches and leads businesses offering cybersecurity products or services.
• Security Governance Manager: Aligns cybersecurity policies with business strategies, focusing on compliance and risk mitigation.
• Cybersecurity Policy Advisor: Provides guidance on cybersecurity laws, regulations, and policies to government bodies or private firms.
• Board of Directors Member: Responsible for overseeing cybersecurity as part of the company's governance and risk management strategy.
• Fiduciary Officers and Trustees: Protect digital assets and data by ensuring appropriate cybersecurity strategies are implemented to uphold fiduciary duties.

Degree Details

• Faculty/College: College of Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences; Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics
• Degree name: Master of Cybersecurity Leadership and Cyberpreneurship
• Delivery method: Hybrid: Asynchronous and synchronous online learning combined with once annual on-campus intensive
• Start dates: Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Fall 2026
• Length: 12-24 months
• Program load: Part-time, Full-time

Hands-on Learning

The program offers experiential learning opportunities, including:

• CIS*6710: Working in teams to solve a real-world security and privacy issue.
• CIS*6720: Developing and monitoring an information security program.
• CIS*6790: Interacting with guest government and industry cybersecurity experts.
• Opportunity to participate in a Major Research Project alongside an industry partner.

Affiliations: Canada Cyber Foundry

The Canada Cyber Foundry at the University of Guelph aims to bridge the digital divide where organizations lack sufficient cybersecurity resources. The CCF works through four main pillars: collaborating with industry partners, education and training, accelerating cybersecurity start-ups, and supporting the commercialization of cybersecurity businesses.

Guaranteed Admission Pathway (GAP) for U of G Students and Alumni

The program offers guaranteed admission to eligible University of Guelph students and alumni, with benefits including reimbursement of the application fee and no requirement for references in the application.

Course Outline

The program includes the following courses:

CIS*6710 – Principles and Practices of Information Security

Covers the foundational aspects of cybersecurity, focusing on risk assessment, identifying cyberattacks, and implementing defenses.

CIS*6720 – Cybersecurity & Privacy Management and Governance

Provides an in-depth look at privacy legislation, ethical theories, and risk mitigation strategies.

BUS*6180 – Financial and Managerial Accounting

Focuses on the fundamentals of financial and managerial accounting, emphasizing fiscal responsibility in management roles.

BUS*6190 – Cyberpreneurship

Merges entrepreneurship with cybersecurity, guiding students through the process of launching new ventures in cybersecurity-dependent markets.

LEAD*6200 – Leadership of Organizational Change

Examines leadership's role in managing organizational change, exploring how leaders build trust, loyalty, and inspire high-performance teams.

MGMT*6400 – Project Management

Prepares students for roles managing projects within cybersecurity and beyond, focusing on professional ethics and leading teams to successful project completion.

CIS*6730 – Cybersecurity Management and Governance Project

A project-based course where students apply the principles of cybersecurity management to a real-world problem.

CIS*6790 – Executive Seminar in Cybersecurity

A multidisciplinary forum for discussion of topics related to cybersecurity, fostering professional skills development and collaboration between industry experts and graduate students.

Admissions Information

Applicants must meet the following minimum admission requirements:

• A four-year honours degree (or equivalent) with a minimum B- or 70% average.
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience, with relevance demonstrated in the statement of intent and resume.
• Statement of Interest outlining interest in the field, objectives, business/managerial/cybersecurity experiences, core values, and areas for development.

Application Opening/Deadline

Applications open October 15 and are accepted on a rolling basis. International applicants are encouraged to apply a minimum of 6-9 months in advance.

Part-time Study Options

The program offers a two-year part-time pathway, with flexible course delivery and no prerequisites for courses, allowing students to take courses in any order.

Scholarships and Funding

The program is self-funded, with more details on funding graduate studies available on the Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies website.

Tuition Fees and Living Expenses

For Fall 2025, the domestic one-year program fee is $37,000, and the international one-year program fee is $43,000. More information on the fee structure and cost of living in Guelph is available.

Flexible Learning

The program offers hybrid course delivery, with both synchronous and asynchronous learning options, ideal for international students and working professionals.

FAQs

• I have an honours degree in an unrelated field. Can I still apply?: Yes, but you must demonstrate how your prior coursework and/or work experiences have prepared you to meet the eligibility requirements.
• Do I need to find a supervisor for the program?: No, a faculty supervisor is not a program requirement.
• Is a GMAT/GRE or WES Report required?: No, these are not required for this program.
• Can I enroll as a part-time student?: Yes, part-time study is an option, but it may impact eligibility for international students to gain a post-graduate work permit.
• Is an English Proficiency test required?: Yes, if your first language is not English, you must submit the results of a standardized language test with your application.