Return to: Graduate Majors (A-Z)

Degree Information

Priority Admission Application Deadlines:  http://www.grad.usf.edu/majors

Minimum Total Hours: 30*
Level: Masters
CIP Code: 43.0303
Dept Code: —
Major/College Codes: CYS / GS
Effective: Fall 2014

Concentrations

Digital Forensics (CYC)
Computer Security Fundamentals (CYF)
Cyber Intelligence (CYI)*
Information Assurance (CIA)
*Cyber Intelligence requires 33 minimum total hours

Contact Information

College: Graduate Studies
Department: Cyber Florida
Contact Information: http://www.grad.usf.edu/majors

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is an interdisciplinary major that utilizes talent across the Colleges of Business, Engineering, Arts & Sciences, and Behavioral and Community Sciences. The major prepares students for leadership, managerial and domain-specific roles in Cybersecurity and for employment in managerial and operational positions that require quick analytical thinking, decision-making under uncertainty regarding critical resources, and domain-specific technical skills for managing secure operations. Specifically, based on the design of the concentrations and the core of this major, the major is also expected to prepare students for

1. intelligence positions that require innovative, analytical, decision-making, and technical skills for providing cybersecurity intelligence,
2. information assurance positions that require secure management of information and data transferred, used, stored, and processed in information systems,
3. law enforcement positions that are required to deal more and more with cyber-crimes, and
4. cybersecurity positions that require deep technical skills in the security domain.

Because this is a graduate-level major, to ensure that students possess the foundational knowledge for academic success, students admitted to this major are most likely to be successful if they have academic or work experience in the areas of C/C++ programming, computer networks, operating-system design, algorithms, data structures, and computer organization. An undergraduate degree in computer science, computer engineering, MIS, or IT is recommended for admission. Note: For the Information Assurance Concentration it is recommended that students have a background in accounting information systems, database management, and systems analysis and design.

Major Research Areas:

Cyber, Cybersecurity, Cyber Security, Information Assurance, Secure Software, Information, Analytics, Intelligence, Computer, Network, IT, Software, Testing, Security, Analytic Communication, Data Communications, Cryptography, Information Security, Risk Management, Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, Digital Forensics, National Security

Admission Information

Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements, as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.

Applicants also must submit the following with their application:

• A 250-500 word essay in which the student describes her or his academic and professional background, reasons for pursuing this degree, and professional goals pertaining to cybersecurity
• Two letters of recommendation, at least one of which should come from a faculty member familiar with the applicant’s academic performance and potential. If the applicant is unable to provide the letter from a former professor, with approval from the program’s admission coordinator, letters from other professional sources will be accepted
• Current Resume or CV
• Scores from the GRE General Test. Applicants with degrees from regionally-accredited U.S. universities, however, may request a waiver of the GRE requirement.

The graduate admissions committee may request a video or phone admission interview or additional documentation, if necessary.