CYBER SECURITY
MASTER OF SCIENCE
Prepare for in-demand jobs in cybersecurity with the Master of Science in Cyber Security at Mercyhurst University.
As the world has become more connected, cybercrime has risen exponentially. The demand for cybersecurity professionals has never been higher — and it’s only going up. In fact, there’s a projected shortage of hundreds of thousands of qualified candidates for cybersecurity jobs in the coming years.
As an international leader in applied intelligence and cyber education, Mercyhurst University offers an online or on-campus cybersecurity master’s program that will prepare you for these roles, even if you have no prior experience in computer science.
When you study cybersecurity at Mercyhurst, you’ll gain the knowledge and skills you need to excel in your career, including Cloud Security Skills, Web Security Skills, Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing Skills, and how to evaluate the legal, regulatory, and ethical issues related to cybersecurity and privacy, as well as how to effectively communicate complex cybersecurity information.
Cyber Security Master’s Program Overview
- Location(s): Online or On Campus
- Credits: 36
- Duration: Minimum 24 months
- Cost: $1,026 per credit; $39,000 total
- Deadline: Rolling admissions
- Start term(s): Fall or Spring semester
As new threats and technologies have emerged, Mercyhurst has invested heavily in both data science and cybersecurity with the development of new master’s programs. Drawing on the diverse learning resources and experienced faculty of the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences, home to our world-renowned applied intelligence studies department, these programs harness our national security bona fides to offer unparalleled instruction in some of today’s most dynamic fields.
2-Year Degree Program
Small Class Sizes
100% Online or On Campus
A Leader in Cybersecurity Education
Benefit from the diverse learning resources and experienced faculty of the Ridge College of Intelligence Studies and Applied Sciences, home to our world-renowned applied intelligence studies department. Our cybersecurity master’s program engages national security experts and professionals to offer unparalleled instruction in some of today’s most dynamic fields.
Learning Outcomes
You’ll gain a competitive edge that will put you in high demand in the marketplace when you study cybersecurity at Mercyhurst. When you finish the cybersecurity program, you’ll be able to:
- Analyze various cyberthreats to individuals and organizations
- Perform risk management for organizations
- Recognize different risks that threaten an organization’s business and make recommendations on how to manage those threats
- Evaluate the United States and international legal, regulatory, policy, and ethical issues involved in cybersecurity
Career Outlook in Cybersecurity
As a graduate of our master’s in cybersecurity program, you’ll be in high demand for jobs across a wide range of industries, including banking, finance, insurance, as well as many government agencies. Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing professions with an expected 31% increase in jobs through 2029, well above the national average of 4% for all jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Admissions Requirements
Prospective applicants for the Master of Science in Cyber Security must fulfill the following admission requirements. At the discretion of the director of the Cyber Security graduate program, acceptance may be granted to applicants who have not fulfilled all the admission requirements provided they agree to the conditions of the acceptance prescribed by the director.
Admission decisions are made by the program director on a rolling basis after a holistic review. Applicants can choose to start in either the Fall (preferred) or Spring semester.
- Completed (free) online application
- A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited school with a preferred overall minimum GPA of 3.0
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you’ve attended
- A current resume
- A 500- to 750-word personal statement outlining your reasons for enrolling and personal and professional goals
- A letter of recommendation (1) from a professional or academic source (ex. employer or professor)
- International applicants whose records are written in a language other than English must have their documents translated into English and a notarized statement attesting to the accuracy of the translations
- International applicants whose primary language is not English must attain a TOEFL score of at least 79 on the internet-based exam OR an IELTS score of at least 6.5 OR a Duolingo English Test score of no less than 100.
Ready to get started on your master’s in cybersecurity?
Mercyhurst’s Master of Science in Cyber Security will prepare you to advance in your career or start an entirely new one within the rapidly growing cyber professions spanning most industries.
Apply Today
If you’re ready to get started on the Cyber Security master’s program at Mercyhurst University, complete your free online application today.
Explore Financial Aid
Mercyhurst’s Cyber Security master’s program is affordable with competitive per-credit costs. Visit our Graduate Cost and Financial Aid webpage or contact us at grad@mercyhurst.edu or 814-824-3351.
Request More Information
If you need more information about our master’s in cybersecurity program, complete this brief form and we’ll be in touch to ensure you have what you need to make a well-informed decision.
CIS 500 Computing & Information Science Concepts
Computing & Information Science studies the design, application, use, impact and ethical implications of computational principles and technology. This foundational class prepares students for advanced courses in Data Sciences, Cyber Security, and Cyber Risk Management. Topics covered include: computer organization, data structures, computer programming, networking concepts, computer security, and ethics.
CIS 501 Probability and Statistics
This course introduces students to concepts in probability and statistics including sampling distributions, normal theory estimation and hypothesis testing, regression and correlation, exploratory data analysis, logistic regression, discriminant analysis, resampling methods and linear model selection. Learning to do statistical analysis on a personal computer is an integral part of the course.
RMGT 520 Cyber Risk Management
This course covers the introduction to Risk Management to understand and mitigate cyber risk exposures. This course will review the risk management process, cyber risk exposures, cyberinsurance, regulatory environment and how cyber risk management applies to the enterprise.
CIS 510 Algorithm Development
This course introduces students to fundamental concepts of computer programming. Topics include: algorithms, abstract data types, linear and non-linear data structures, and software engineering. Students will get hands-on experience with the use of a high level programming language to search and sort data.
CIS 560 Cyber Networks
This foundational course prepares students to better understand today’s cybernetworks and how they can support the requirements of organizations. It introduces networking basics and demonstrates how networks can support the increasing demands of advanced communications. The course examines networking standards, protocols, architectures, management and security.
CIS 561 Cyber Security
This course provides a comprehensive overview of essential concepts to better understand cyber security. This course explores the risks, threats, and vulnerabilities associated with the digital world and introduces students to the principles of risk management, security standards, access controls, security audits, cryptography, compliance laws and privacy issues.
CIS 562 Digital Forensics
This course introduces students to the principles and practice of digital forensics, including computer crime, intellectual property, privacy issues, legal codes; risks, vulnerabilities, and countermeasures; methods and standards for data extraction, preservation, analysis; and deposition of legal evidence in a court of law.
CIS 563 Cryptography & Network Security
The Cryptography & Networks Security course covers the aspects of computer communications and networking security to secure data while in transfer or in storage. This includes cryptography, secret and public key cryptography, message digests, password-based, address-based, and cryptographic authentication, privacy, access controls, network security protocols and wireless security.
CIS 564 Cyber Law & Policy
The Cyber Law & Policy course covers different aspects of national and international legal issues concerning cyberspace. This includes computer-related crimes, legal rights and liabilities associated with computer security, computer fraud and unauthorized computer use, information privacy, espionage, HIPPA, Gramm-Leach-Bliley, GDPR and Digital Rights Management.
CIS 565 System & Application Security
This course focuses on the security aspects of systems that are composed of components and connections, and use software. It addresses the security issues of connecting components and using them within larger systems. It covers the concepts, principles, models and techniques of access control, authentication, secure communication and audit, system’s virtualization, real-time systems, software security, and operating systems security.
CIS 598 Research Methods
This course prepares students for planning, conducting, and reporting on research in information sciences. Topics include literature survey to formulate a scientific research question; research methods used in data science, cyber security, and cyber risk management; and scientific writing and publishing. Completion of the course will provide the student with skills needed to undertake supervised thesis or research project work in the area of Information Sciences.
CIS 599 Research Project
The capstone course experience is designed to allow students to work under the supervision of a cyber risk management faculty member to solve a real world problem and present their findings to the faculty before graduation.
Successful completion of the Cyber Risk Management coursework will earn students two course waivers toward the prestigious Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designation from The Institutes.
Contact Us
Chad Redmond, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Computing and Information Science
Office: Library 408A
Phone: 814-824-2355
Email: credmond@mercyhurst.edu
Colleen Hordych
Assistant Director, Graduate Admissions
Phone: 814-824-2297
Email: chordych@mercyhurst.edu
