Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Specialized degree to protect our digital world.
Drawing on faculty from both the information technology and the computer science programs at UW-Whitewater, the Master of Science in Cybersecurity is an interdisciplinary degree that will allow students to develop deep expertise in current cybersecurity issues. All courses in the program are focused on cybersecurity, and the curriculum has been designed to align with the National Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE) program, which is jointly sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency. The goal of the CAE program is to reduce vulnerability in our national information infrastructure by promoting higher education and expertise in cyber defense.
Why UW-Whitewater Online?
- Flexible and convenient for your schedule
- Top-notch, 100% doctoral instructors
- Scholarships available for qualifying students
- 98% employment rate for college graduates
Fully Online
No requirements to come to campus.
CAE Aligned Curriculum
Aligns with the National Centers of Academic Excellence program.
Advanced Skill Development
In current cybersecurity issues.
Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Program Overview
Beyond theoretical knowledge, UW-Whitewater’s Online Cybersecurity Program will provide extensive hands-on learning. Collaboration with the Cybersecurity Center for Business at UW-Whitewater will offer opportunities for students to work with businesses and learn from real-world case studies.
Leadership in cybersecurity education
UW-Whitewater's highly qualified faculty are fully committed to cybersecurity and have industry contacts throughout the Midwest. This commitment, together with the close association with the Cybersecurity Center for Business, the strength of the university's other computer science and information technology programs, and the specialized Master of Science in Cybersecurity, positions UW-Whitewater to lead cybersecurity education activities in Wisconsin.
Curriculum
Core Courses (15 credits)
The five courses below will provide the critical operational knowledge required in cybersecurity careers.
- Fundamentals of Ethical Hacking (3 credits)
- Management of Information Assurance and Security (3 credits)
- Cybersecurity and Privacy Law (3 credits)
- Computer Forensics (3 credits)
- Intrusion Prevention and Detection (3 credits)
To earn the Master of Science in Cybersecurity, you must also complete either the Cyber Resilience Emphasis or the Security Engineering Emphasis.
More information on each emphasis structure and courses can be viewed in the Graduate Catalog.
Cyber Resilience Emphasis - Graduate Catalog
Security Engineering Emphasis - Graduate Catalog
Program Prerequisites (dependent on emphasis and work experience)
Students who do not meet basic admissions requirements may take prerequisite courses before starting the graduate coursework.
- System Fundamentals of Cybersecurity (3 credits)
- Introductory Programming (3 credits)
- Intermediate Programming (3 credits; applies to Security Engineering emphasis only)
Admission Requirements
To ensure a high-quality graduate student group, all MS in Cybersecurity students must have a bachelor's degree from a recognized institution and meet graduate admission criteria.
If you do not meet the graduate admission criteria, please email us to determine if you could be admitted on a conditional basis.
International students must meet additional criteria and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Contact us for information and assistance.
Students enrolling in the program are also expected to have existing knowledge in information technology or computer science. Students who do not meet basic requirements may need to take prerequisite courses listed at the bottom of the Curriculum section above.
Career Outcomes
From the theft of personal data to threats against critical infrastructure systems, cybersecurity is a national concern impacting businesses as well as government agencies. Because of these rapidly growing threats, there is a shortage of qualified cybersecurity professionals.
Recent data from CyberSeek—a project supported by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce, and National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education—showed that there were nearly 1,000,000 persons employed in cybersecurity and that there were over 500,000 additional job openings, while in Wisconsin there were over 10,000 persons employed in cybersecurity and nearly 5,000 additional job openings.1
In addition, CyberSeek's national data showed the average salary for a Cybersecurity Engineer was $106,000 and the average salary for a Cybersecurity Manager/Administrator was $105,000.2
1CyberSeek.org Cybersecurity Supply/Demand Heat Map
2CyberSeek.org Cybersecurity Career Pathway
Tuition
Online business graduate programs at UW-Whitewater are a superior value at $678 USD per credit for the 2023-24 academic year — whether you are a Wisconsin resident, an out-of-state student, or an international student.
What creates this value?
- Full-time faculty with doctoral degrees teach all classes.
- Faculty complete specific training for online teaching.
- Faculty lectures are recorded in a state-of-the-art media studio and included with each course.
- An external team reviews online courses.
- High levels of student/faculty interaction are standard.
- Helpdesk technical staff are dedicated to assisting master's students with online technology.
Course materials
Graduate students can purchase textbooks and other instructional materials through the University Bookstore or elsewhere online. Students should verify what materials are needed with their instructor.
Financial aid
UW-Whitewater students may apply for financial aid in the form of grants, loans, scholarships, or employment. All of these make up a “Financial Aid Package” and may be offered singly or in various combinations. Since funds are limited, priority for aid is based on financial need and how promptly applications are filed. For more information, please reach out directly to the Financial Aid department.
