Cyber Security Master's Degree
A cyber security graduate degree will equip you with the required technical skills and business knowledge to protect yourself, your business, or your organizations key assets whether offline or online. CCU's online Master of Science in Cyber Security degree program will teach you cyber skills that are relevant in today's interconnected world. These cyber security courses focus on helping you learn the computer science and network security skills employers are looking for to help keep their organizations, computer systems, and computer networks secure.
In addition to gaining foundational knowledge in the key areas of the field, the Cyber Security master's degree program will also show the relationship between cyber security and Christianity – especially as it relates to cyber warfare and the opportunities to choose a life of cyber crime. This perspective will enable you to demonstrate excellence both in your workplace and life. With these skills, our online program will prepare you for careers in related fields such as digital forensics, cyber criminology, security policy, cyber entrepreneurship or leadership, cyber defense/offense, systems security, and cyber architecture, as well as other emerging cyber security fields.
M.S. Cyber Security
- Class Format: 100% Online
- 30 credit hours between core courses and electives
- Prerequisite(s) or applicable transfer credit required
- Courses are taken one at a time, and are typically completed in five-week or seven-week blocks
- Designed for busy adult learners; complete in as little as 15 months of consecutive coursework, even with a part-time or full-time job
- Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
Online Cyber Security Program Curriculum
CCU's master's in Cyber Security curriculum includes 10 courses designed to develop the skills that employers are looking for to help keep their organizations secure. Each course is typically taken over a five- or seven-week time period, and the entire program can be completed in as little as 15 months. Weekly assignments are required, but the online course design generally allows participants to complete coursework at the times and places that work best for them (prior to scheduled deadlines).
CCU students utilize Blackboard Learn, a leading solution in electronic education, to participate in Cyber Security master's classes that blend the latest in eLearning technology with the latest business theory and practice. Students in this master's program attend classes electronically, do research using the Internet, exchange email, participate in online discussions, and complete lab-based exercises within a virtual laboratory environment to reinforce cyber concepts. Assignments and tests are submitted online for in-seat students as well as those taking their program online.
Featured Cyber Security Courses
- Cyber Criminology (CYS 530) — Investigate criminology as it relates to cyber crime. Explore the social and behavioral approaches used to study the causes and consequences of crimes that occur in cyberspace. Examine various types of computer-based criminal activity as well as the social and psychological factors that contribute to the life of cyber crime.
- Digital Forensics (CYS 535) — Introduction to digital forensics as used to analyze criminal evidence in computer systems and digital media. Forensic tools and techniques for storage and memory analysis of Windows/Linux, network traffic, documentation are covered and reinforced with hands-on exercises run in a virtual machine environment.
- Ethical Hacking and Cyber Kill Chain (CYS 540) — Introduction to ethical hacking using the Cyber Kill Chain model (which consists of seven steps: Reconnaissance, Weaponization, Delivery, Exploit, Installation, Command and Control, and Actions on Objectives). The Cyber Kill Chain model describes the phases of a targeted cyber attack. Ethical hacking is used by cyber practitioners to find vulnerabilities before an attacker is able to exploit them.
- Security Policy and Governance (CYS 545) — Governance is the process of managing, directing, controlling, and influencing organizational decisions, actions, and behaviors. Learn about the major security policies through which governance is applied through compliance audits. The class covers standards in several domains including government, health, finance, and commercial industry.
Cyber Security Graduate Certificates
Graduate students may complete a cyber security certificate program, offered in conjunction with a master's in Cyber Security degree:
- Online Cyber Criminology Certificate — The online Cyber Criminology Certificate will teach you critical skills required to understand the mind of a cyber criminal. This certification will provide an in-depth introduction to the field of criminology as it relates to cyber crime.
- Online Cyber Defense Certificate — The online Cyber Defense Certificate will teach you critical skills required to go into the field of cyber defense. This certification will provide an in-depth introduction to the principles of cyber defenses: prevention and protection; detection and management of incidents; and responses and interventions.
- Online Cyber Offense Certificate — The online Cyber Offense Certificate will teach you critical skills required to go into the field of cyber offense or white hat hacking. The certification courses will cover introduction principles including ethical hacking using the Cyber Kill Chain Model. The Cyber Kill Chain model describes the phases of a targeted cyber attack.
- Online Cyber Policy Certificate — The online Cyber Policy Certificate will teach you critical skills required to set key standards within the field of cyber security. This certification will provide an in-depth introduction to cyber security governance, which is the process of managing, directing, controlling, and influencing organizational decisions, actions, and behaviors.
Admission to the Cyber Security Program
Admission to the Master of Science in Cyber Security program at Colorado Christian University is selective. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of previous academic performance, personal and professional accomplishments and goals, and strength of character. A strong desire to complete graduate-level work in a Christ-centered, biblically-based community is important.
Application Deadlines
You can enter the Cyber Security master's program at multiple points in the academic year. You should complete the admission process as early as possible so you will have adequate time to work with an advisor and qualify for financial aid.
Admission Requirements
- Complete the graduate admission application online (including essay and transcripts).
- Meet minimum entry requirements including a bachelor's degree and related experience. (See below.)
- Provide a professional resume and employment record. It is expected that candidates will have at least five years of professional experience or the equivalent.
- Submit an official transcript that reflects a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited higher education institution.
- Have a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average between 2.0 and 2.49 will be admitted on a conditional admit (CAD) basis for the first semester. CAD students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in their first nine (9) credits to remain in the program.
- The Office of Admission reserves the right to request additional information as deemed necessary to make a selection decision.
Minimum Entry Requirements
If you have completed a bachelor's degree and have related experience, you may have met minimum requirements for entry into the M.S. Cyber Security program.
Bachelor's Degree and Related Experience Options Bachelor's Degree
Related Experience
Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or Electrical & Computer Engineering None required Computer Information Systems, Information Systems, or Information Technology 5 years of professional experience in Business, Information or Cyber Security, Networking, AND Computer Programming Computer Information Systems, Information Systems, or Information Technology Professional certifications in Business, Information or Cyber Security, Networking, AND Computer Programming
- Networking: CCNP, CCNA
- Security: CISSP, CISA, CEH, GCIH
- Programming: CSSLP
- Business: PMP
Unrelated Field Completion of M.S. Cyber Security prerequisites. (Please review prior to application submission.) Unrelated Field 10 years professional experience in Business, Information or Cyber Security, Networking, AND Computer Programming International Applicants
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you are considered an international student. Learn more about whether or not you'll be required to submit TOEFL scores, and find additional information on our International Students page.
To submit application-related materials that were not already submitted through the online application, email Admissions Support or mail to:
Colorado Christian University
Attn: Service Central – CAGS Transcripts
215 Union Blvd, Suite 600
Lakewood, CO 80228
Cyber Security program benefits and distinctives for prospective students
According to Cyber Security Online, 2017 was a year dominated by news of data breaches and new cyber security threats, from major hacks affecting companies like Equifax and Verizon to ransomware attacks like the global WannaCry incident. In an article entitled, “Top 5 cyber security facts, figures, and statistics for 2018," it estimates the following: (1) Cyber crime damage costs to hit $6 trillion annually by 2021; (2) Cyber security spending to exceed $1 trillion from 2017 to 2021; (3) Human attack surface to reach 6 billion people by 2022; (4) Global ransomware damage costs are predicted to exceed $5 billion in 2017; and (5) Cyber crime will more than triple the number of unfilled cyber security jobs.
Career opportunities with a master's in Cyber Security degree
With a Cyber Security master's degree from CCU, you'll be prepared for a variety of exciting careers. Careers may include: Cyber Policy Specialist, Digital Forensics Investigator, Cyber Security Director, Cyber Network Analyst, Ethical Hacker, Cyber Security Architect, Cyber Criminologist, Chief Information Security Officer, Information System Security Officer, Information System Security Manager, Cyber Security Researcher, and Cyber Security Professor.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there will be a 28% growth for information security analysts within the next 10 years.
Some of our graduate students go on to computer security careers with the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or pursue additional higher education opportunities.
FAQs
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Related Programs
- Associate Degrees: Computer Information Technology, A.S., Computer Science, A.S.
- Bachelor's Degrees: Computer Information Technology, B.S., Computer Science, B.S., Information Systems Management, B.S., Organizational Management in Enterprise Agility, B.S.
- Master's Degrees: MBA – Emphasis in Cyber Security
- Minors: Computer Information Technology Minor; Information Systems Management Minor, Operations Management Minor