Pathways & Curriculum
Cybersecurity Pathway
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LEAD THE FIGHT AGAINST CYBER THREATS WITH STRATEGIC, IN-DEMAND EXPERTISE
The Cyber Security pathway within the MS in Information Technology Leadership (MS-ITL) program is designed for IT professionals and aspiring leaders who want to lead cyber security initiatives, not just implement them.
These elective courses draw on the expertise, curriculum and faculty of USD’s federally recognized Cyber Security Engineering program, which has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity.
By taking elective courses built on USD’s recognized excellence in cybersecurity education, you’ll be ready to step into leadership roles that help organizations defend against cyber threats through forward-thinking solutions. The Cyber Security elective courses emphasize real-world applications of cybersecurity leadership, helping you build technical fluency and the high-level leadership skills to:
- Align IT security strategies with organizational goals
- Mitigate risks at the infrastructure, application and human levels
- Oversee cybersecurity initiatives, cyber risk governance and resilience planning
Course of Study
The Master’s of Information Technology Leadership Cybersecurity pathway offers a customizable foundation to cyber leadership. You have the freedom to complete this pathway in one of two pathways:
- Cybersecurity Engineering Pathway: 7 MS-ITL core courses (21 units) + (2) Cyber Security electives:
- CYBR 505 – Computational Roots of Cyber Security (6 units) and
- CYBR 501 – Introduction to Cybersecurity Concepts and Tools (3 units)
- Cybersecurity Leadership Pathway: 9 MS-ITL core courses (27 units) plus (1) approved Cyber Security Leadership elective for 3 units:
- CSOL 530 – Governance & Risk in Cybersecurity or
- CSOL 540 – Cybersecurity Law & Policy
Both approaches build technical depth and expertise in cybersecurity and provide a strong foundation in IT leadership development. In either pathway, the program concludes with a Capstone Seminar, where you’ll apply what you’ve learned from both core and elective courses to real-world challenges.
The flexible course requirements, combined with the 100% online format and the steady pace of the program (seven weeks per course, each taken one at a time) make it accessible to working professionals.
PROGRAM COURSE CURRICULUM
MS-ITL is a 30-unit program consisting of 10 courses. Courses are offered year-round with three semesters every year: spring, summer and fall. Each semester lasts 14 weeks with courses running for seven weeks each. Students take two courses per semester with a one or two week break between semesters.
This concentrated format enables students to focus on one course at a time and still complete the degree program in 20 months. Students are advised to spend 15-20 hours per week on each course in order to be successful.
The curriculum of this specialized track blends IT leadership core courses with cybersecurity-focused electives as shown below. Please note that students taking the Cybersecurity electives will be required to utilize CompTIA as part of the curriculum (1 course- CYBR 501*). CompTIA is an online service for students working on certifications. It consists of courses taught through “lab sim (simulation)” with text, videos, labs, and assessments.
*The Security Pro CompTIA course is required for the CYBR 501 course at a cost of $159. This will prepare students for CompTIA Security Pro CompTIA Security+ (SY0-501). Fees are subject to change without notice. Additional CompTIA fees may apply.
Core ITL Courses
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
|
Introduction to the IT leadership program. Understanding an organization’s (your own or a customer’s) mission, resources, and co… |
3 |
|
Information technology projects operate in an environment where information moves rapidly and expectations continually evolve. Although proj… |
3 |
|
Server operations with emphasis on design and deployment of large-scale computing environments using on-premises data centers and cloud serv… |
3 |
|
Explores the critical role of IT leadership in orchestrating the continuous lifecycle of software engineering, staging, and production deplo… |
3 |
|
IT Service Management (ITSM) encompasses the activities by which IT organizations manage the end-to-end delivery of services to customers. I… |
3 |
|
This course focuses on a big-picture overview of the economic and social role of IT professionals. IT professionals are a strategic workforc… |
3 |
Cybersecurity Electives (can complete up to 9 units)
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
|
This course will feature a comprehensive overview of concepts and tools essential to cybersecurity for IT professionals. Students will learn… |
3 |
|
This course discusses and explains the fundamentals of risk governance, the processes to follow, compliance regulation, and the security con… |
3 |
|
This course provides students with an introduction to and discusses the relationship between cybersecurity, cybersecurity law and privacy la… |
3 |
|
An introduction to the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including the notion of policy as the definition of “security” for a system and th… |
3 |
|
This course is a prerequisite for the MS in Cyber Security Engineering program. Students without specific training in cyber engineering and/… |
6 |
Capstone Course
| Course | Units |
|---|---|
|
The program capstone focuses on developing a proposal for a significant IT infrastructure initiative, e.g., implementation of a new enterpri… |
3 |
TEACHING AND LEARNING Methods
Recorded Lectures
Recorded Computer Programming Videos
Live Weekly Office Hours*
Channel-based Messaging Platform
Supervision of Final Projects
Real-world Dataset Applications
*Not required or part of the final grade
Assessment Methods
Programming-based Assignments
Interactive Discussions
Project Based Assignments
Writing Professional Reports
A Comprehensive Capstone
DEGREE PLAN
Degree candidates are admitted throughout the year to begin their program during one of three semesters (spring, summer or fall). Students will take two courses during each 14-week term, focusing on one seven-week course at a time with short breaks between semesters.
This master’s degree program can be completed, on average, in five semesters (20 months).
Cybersecurity Example Degree Plan
| Term | Course 1 (7 weeks) | Course 2 (7 weeks) |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 1 | ITL 540 | ITL 502 |
| Summer 1 | ITL 535 | ITL 530 |
| Fall 1 | ITL 501 | ITL 525 |
| Spring 2 | CYBR 505* | CYBR 505 |
| Summer 2 | ITL 590 | ITL 595 (Capstone) |
*CYBR 505 comprises 6 total units. Other courses are 3 units apiece.
Because this degree plan is designed for flexibility to accommodate working professionals, courses and sequence may vary based on your start term and chosen electives.
Success Stories
The support structure with the school itself, with the professors, was excellent. They were always available to answer questions and, more than that, their feedback on assignments was really invaluable.
The support structure with the school itself, with the professors, was excellent. They were always available to answer questions and, more than that, their feedback on assignments was really invaluable.
It has been a rewarding experience. I’m able to put my new knowledge to work right away, and the faculty and staff are there to help you. This program has helped me be a better leader for my team and I would like to be a CIO someday.
It has been a rewarding experience. I’m able to put my new knowledge to work right away, and the faculty and staff are there to help you. This program has helped me be a better leader for my team and I would like to be a CIO someday.
Frequently Asked Questions
For further admissions and financial aid information, please refer to the University of San Diego’s main FAQ page.