Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) Degree with a Concentration in Cybersecurity

Online Master's in Cybersecurity

Our Master of Science in Information Technology degree with a concentration in Cybersecurity is designed to provide abilities, skills, and knowledge relevant to pursue a career path in the cybersecurity field. This cybersecurity master’s program emphasizes problem-based, hands-on learning, helping you to understand the daily challenges of a cybersecurity problem.

   
Next Start Date:
January 10, 2024
Total Credits:
45
Offered:
Online, Houston
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Online Master's in Cybersecurity Program Details

Why Get a Cybersecurity Master’s Degree?

With the world more connected than ever, data is more important than ever before. This is evidenced by the fact that the cybersecurity market is projected to grow substantially over the next decade.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics...

  1. 35%
    it is projected that employment of information security analysts will grow by more than one-third from 2021 - 2031.*

It is expected that demand for cybersecurity professionals will remain extremely high over the foreseeable future, as cyberattacks grow in frequency and organizations of all types and sizes have to create innovative solutions to keep their networks and information safe. The increase in organizations using cloud-based services and medical institutions turning to electronic medical records is also creating a greater demand for those capable of preventing cyber threats.*

* Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Information Security Analysts, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm (visited December 29, 2022). This data represents national figures and is not based on school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.

Online IT Security Master's Program Outline

If you are thinking about pursuing a career path in cybersecurity, you may be interested in a leadership role in the fields of cybersecurity, risk analysis, disaster recovery, digital security, and cybersecurity program creation. In just one year, our master’s degree in cybersecurity program can help you work to develop industry-relevant knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career path in this exciting field.

The specialized curriculum in our cybersecurity master’s program allows you to study skills needed to protect an organization’s digital assets. Some of the topics you can learn about are cyber-risk management, cyber-risk assessments, cyber-risk management strategies, policies, procedures, business continuity, disaster recover, human risk factors, insider threats, security programs, organizational security culture, ethical decision making, and cybersecurity laws.

AIU’s Online IT Security Master's degree program can help you learn how to:

  • Create a cyber-risk management plan.
  • Evaluate components of cyber-risk assessments.
  • Analyze cyber-risk management strategies.
  • Create policies and procedures that include legal and ethical considerations.
  • Create a business continuity and disaster recovery plan.
  • Evaluate a system’s human risk factors.
  • Analyze the threat of the trusted insider to systems and data.
  • Assess organizational culture’s relation to cybersecurity.
  • Design an effective security program.
  • Develop continuous improvement strategies to sustain security program effectiveness.
  • Analyze strategies for ethical decision making of cybersecurity professionals.
  • Evaluate ethical concerns for cybersecurity staff and end users.
  • Evaluate cybersecurity laws significance and enforcement.
  • Analyze cybersecurity leadership responsibilities regarding copyright laws, ethics, and censorship.
  • Create an ethics program for a cybersecurity organization.

These are just among some of the things you can learn how to do in our cybersecurity degree program.

Download program detail PDF

Estimated Tuition and Grad Date for a Master’s Cybersecurity Degree

While many prospective students may wonder how long it takes to get a degree in cybersecurity and how much a cybersecurity degree costs, there is no uniform answer. Total tuition for the MSIT in IT Security degree program with a concentration in Cybersecurity may vary depending on your educational needs, existing experience, and other factors.

Use our Tuition & Graduation Date Calculator to get a tuition estimate and key dates for your MSIT degree.

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Courses

Degree Requirements

Courses

Program Core
Credits
ITCO502 System Analysis and Design 4.5
ITCO512 Advanced Technical Communication 4.5
ITCO522 Software Development Management 4.5
ITCO532 Global Technology Management 4.5
ITCO542 Enterprise Architecture 4.5
ITCO552 Innovations and Emerging Media 4.5
ITCO592 Capstone 4.5
Total Credit Hours: 31.5
Cybersecurity
Credits
CYB500 Risk Analysis and Planning 4.5
CYB510 Human Factors in Cybersecurity 4.5
CYB520 Cybersecurity Laws and Ethics 4.5
Total Credit Hours: 13.5

Total Credit Hours : 45

Cybersecurity Master's Degree Classes Overview

The cybersecurity classes you might take in our MSIT program will give you an opportunity to learn how to design, analyze, test, and implement systems. In this industry-focused curriculum, you can also explore software development management, global technology management, enterprise architecture, and technological innovations. You will have the chance to learn and apply advanced technical communications throughout the program. Our cybersecurity courses focus on technical topics as well as the legal and ethical issues.

As you work towards your online master’s in cybersecurity, you’ll be able to use industry software tools in our 100% online cybersecurity degree program. In our fast-paced program, you can get access to 24/7 tutoring, with no additional book or tech fees. Courses in our cybersecurity master’s degree program cover a number topics in this field—and include a capstone course to help you bring all your skills together.

In our MSIT program, your cybersecurity classes may include:

Risk Analysis and Planning

This course focuses on cybersecurity risk analysis and planning, which includes disaster recovery, business continuity, detection, incident response, mitigation strategies, and policies. The course also covers ethical and legal issues, vulnerability testing, capability planning, and external partnerships.

Human Factors in Cybersecurity

This course focuses on the human components of cyber security to include training, education, monitoring, and procedures. The course explores how to mitigate risk from human factors. Students will have the opportunity to develop policies and training that address security awareness, professional integrity, and ethics.

Cybersecurity Laws and Ethics

This course explores cybersecurity laws to include their significance and enforcement. The course also covers cybersecurity ethics from personal, team, organization, and national views. Students will have the opportunity to research selected cybersecurity laws and evaluate governmental controls and jurisdiction.

System Analysis and Design

This course focuses on advanced concepts in systems analysis, modeling, system design, testing, and implementation. Models covered in this course can include dynamic, static, and structural. Students have the opportunity to learn and use Computer-Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools.

Global Technology Management

This course focuses on the global nature of technology and the management of technology in the international business environment. Key concepts can include risk management, legal issues, ethical issues, cooperation, and competition.

Innovations and Emerging Media

This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to learn about current information technology innovations and emerging media. Contemporary topics may include artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchains, cryptocurrencies, IoT, autonomous vehicles, and digital media. Specific focus is placed on the resultant ethical, social, legal, and cultural issues such as net neutrality, broadband regulation, privacy, and intellectual property rights.

University Catalog

Course content subject to change.

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FAQ

What is a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) with a Concentration in Cybersecurity degree program?

AIU’s Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) with a Concentration in Cybersecurity is designed to provide students with the abilities, skills, and knowledge to help understand the daily challenges of a cybersecurity problem. If you’re interested in pursuing a leadership role in the fields of cybersecurity, risk analysis, disaster recovery, digital security, and cybersecurity program creation, this program gives students the opportunity to study skills needed to protect an organization’s digital assets.

What will I study in this MSIT degree program?

In this Master’s in Information Technology (MSIT) with a Concentration in Cybersecurity degree program, students have the opportunity to study program core and cybersecurity courses, including but not limited to, System Analysis and Design, Enterprise Architecture, Human Factors in Cybersecurity, and Cybersecurity Laws and Ethics. This cybersecurity degree program will teach students how to work to develop industry-relevant knowledge and skills needed to pursue a career path in this exciting field. Students have the opportunity to create a cyber-risk management plan, analyze cyber-risk management strategies, assess organizational culture’s relation to cybersecurity, design an effective security program, and so much more.

When and where can I begin my cybersecurity master’s degree classes?

The MSIT degree program is offered online or in person at AIU’s Houston campus. It starts every 5 weeks. Completion of the AIU admissions process will depend on how quickly you complete the steps in the AIU application process. You may speak to an Admissions Advisor over the phone (1-855-377-1888) or request information online. Once you’ve completed the online request, you may hear from an advisor within 24 hours to discuss the next steps toward starting your degree program.

How many credits are required to graduate with a master’s degree program?

The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) with a Concentration in Cybersecurity degree requires a total of 45 credit hours. You may be eligible for transfer credit with provided official transcripts. AIU accepts up to 18 quarter hours of the qualifying credits you need toward your degree*.

*Transfer credit is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer. See the University Catalog for transfer credit policies.

Why should I pursue a Master of Science in Information Technology with a Concentration in Cybersecurity degree program at AIU?

Students will have the opportunity to use industry software tools in our cybersecurity degree program, giving them the hands-on experience they could need in the real world. It’s a fast-paced program, and students have access to 24/7 tutoring. Courses in our cybersecurity master’s degree program cover a number of topics in this field—and include a capstone course to help them bring all their skills together.

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Next Steps

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Classes Start January 10, 2024

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