Online Master's in IT Security Program Details
Why Get an IT Security Master’s Degree?
With the world more connected than ever, protecting individuals’ and organizations’ data is more important than ever. The demand for IT security professionals is high—and still growing. Over the next decade and beyond, it is projected that there will be numerous new opportunities for IT security professionals in private industry, government and law enforcement.1
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics...
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35%
It is projected that employment of IT security analysts will grow by more than one-third from 2021 - 2031—much faster than average for all occupations.1
Entering this exciting field now can help you prepare to pursue numerous roles in IT security, including IT Security Manager, Information Security Analyst, Information Security Manger, Information Systems Security Officer, Incident Analyst/Responder and more.2
1 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.
2 AIU cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. The list of career paths related to this program is based on a subset from the Bureau of Labor Statistics CIP to SOC Crosswalk. Some career paths listed above may require further education or job experience.
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Online IT Security Master's Program Outline
As more and more of our world moves online, the importance of keeping Information Technology safe grows greater by the day.
If you are interested in obtaining an Information Technology security degree, you may be looking to pursue a leadership role in the fields of IT security, information security, systems security, or IT incident response. Our MSIT in IT Security is designed with you in mind. This one-year program can help you work to develop industry-relevant knowledge and skills you may need to help you prepare to pursue the next step in your career path.
As you work towards your IT security degree in this specialized curriculum, you can study skills needed to design IT security programs, evaluate security techniques, programs, and processes, develop information assurance strategies, and design risk response plans. You will also have the opportunity to explore the impact of risk on projects, IT crimes, and licenses and contracts.
AIU’s Online IT Security Master's degree program can help you learn how to:
- Design security governance and awareness training plans.
- Design and communicate a business continuity plan.
- Evaluate asset security techniques.
- Evaluate policies and procedures for securing communication systems.
- Analyze security techniques to prevent and respond to security incidents.
- Develop information assurance strategy as part of a risk-based organizational approach.
- Design risk response plans for IT projects, programs, and operations.
- Evaluate IT risks and how they may impact the project and outcomes.
- Evaluate risks to identify the qualitative and quantitative impact of the risk on the project.
- Create a risk assessment plan to include risk management decisions, risk probability, and impact.
- Analyze privacy, intellectual property rights, and legal issues impacting information technology.
- Evaluate the significance of technology details regarding licenses and contracts.
- Evaluate the impact of information technology crimes and the related ethical issues.
- Critically evaluate IT security and ethics case studies.
- Evaluate the legal obligations of IT professionals regarding cyber laws and ethics.
Why pursue an advanced degree in IT security?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of information security analysts to grow 35% from 2021 to 20311.
Download program detail PDF
1 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.
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Estimated Tuition and Grad Date
While many prospective students may wonder how long it takes to get a degree in IT Security and how much it costs for a master’s degree, the simple answer is that there is no simple answer. Total tuition for the MSIT in IT Security degree program 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 Master’s in IT Security degree program.
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Courses
Degree Requirements
Courses
Program Core
CreditsITCO502 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 IT Security
CreditsITSEC500 Advanced Information Assurance 4.5 ITSEC510 Security Risk Management 4.5 ITSEC520 Security Laws and Ethics 4.5 Total Credit Hours: 13.5 Total Credit Hours : 45
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IT Security Master's Degree Classes Overview
In this industry-focused curriculum, our IT security classes you will have an opportunity to learn how to design, analyze, test, and implement systems. You can explore software development management, global technology management, enterprise architecture, and technological innovations, and will have the chance to learn and apply advanced technical communications throughout the program. Our IT Security courses focus on technical topics as well as legal and ethical issues.
For an Online IT Security Master's Degree, your classes may include:
Advanced Information Assurance
This course explores the authenticity, availability, confidentiality, integrity, and security of information and information systems. Students will have the opportunity to analyze the risks and issues related to transmission, use, storage, and protection of information by information systems. Emphasis is placed on data loss prevention, encryption, and data recovery techniques.
Security Risk Management
This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and mitigate risks. Emphasis is placed on managing risk from both an organizational perspective and at the systems level. Students will have the ability to conduct risk assessments on IT systems, programs, and policies and develop risk mitigation strategies.
Security Laws and Ethics
This course focuses on current laws relevant to IT security and ethical issues. Students have the opportunity to explore case studies and analyze ethical and social issues with regards to current policies, regulations, and laws. Emphasis is placed on creating safe and compliant computing environments at the organization level.
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.
Course content subject to change.
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Ways to Save on Your Online IT Security Master’s
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FAQ
What is a Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) with a Concentration in IT Security degree program?
AIU’s Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) with a Concentration in IT Security is designed for those looking to pursue a leadership role in the fields of IT security, information security, systems security, or IT incident response. Students may prepare to pursue numerous roles, including IT Security Manager, Information Security Analyst, Information Security Manager, Information Systems Security Officer, Incident Analyst/Responder, and more. 1
1AIU cannot guarantee employment, salary, or career advancement. The list of career paths related to this program is based on a subset from the Bureau of Labor Statistics CIP to SOC Crosswalk. Some career paths listed above may require further education or job experience.
What will I study in this MSIT degree program?
In this Master’s in Information Technology (MSIT) with a Concentration in IT Security degree program, students study program core and IT security courses, including but not limited to, Global Technology Management, Innovations and Emerging Media, Security Risk Management, and Security Laws and Ethics. This IT security degree program will teach students how to design security governance and awareness training plans, evaluate policies and procedures for securing communication systems, design risk response plans for IT projects, programs, and operations, and analyze privacy, intellectual property rights, and legal issues impacting information technology.
When and where can I begin my IT security 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 from a master’s degree program?
The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) with a Concentration in IT Security 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 IT Security degree program at AIU?
This program is designed to emphasize problem-based and hands-on learning, helping our students to prepare for the challenges posed by real-world cybersecurity. Students will be taught skills needed to design IT security programs and evaluate security techniques, programs, and processes. They will also have the opportunity to explore the impact of risk on projects, IT crimes, and licenses and contracts.
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Next Steps
Estimate your costs, potential savings and graduation date.Take the next step. Classes Start October 25, 2023
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Classes Start October 25, 2023