Key Takeaways
- USD’s Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering is available 100% online, expanding access for working professionals nationwide. Students can earn an advanced cybersecurity degree while balancing work and family commitments.
- USD offers three advanced cybersecurity degree options — two formats of the Engineering degree plus the online Operations and Leadership program. This gives prospective students more flexibility to choose the path and format that fit their goals.
- The online Engineering program features hands-on training in simulated cyber environments and connections to a network of cybersecurity stakeholders. It’s designed to equip graduates with the practical skills and industry relationships needed to advance their careers.
December 13, 2019, (SAN DIEGO, Calif.) – The University of San Diego, a leading provider of advanced training for cybersecurity professionals, is excited to announce that one of its most popular programs — the Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering — will now be offered 100% online.
With news reports sounding the alarm about how a serious shortage of cybersecurity professionals affects the ongoing cybercrime epidemic, it’s no secret that organizations across all industries are seeking qualified employees to safeguard their systems and data from the widespread threat of online lawlessness.
The decision to expand its cybersecurity programming means that USD now offers three high-quality advanced degree options designed to help students position themselves for success in this lucrative and fast-growing field:
- Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering – online
- Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering – on-campus
- Master of Science in Cyber Security Operations and Leadership – online
This is bad news for black-hat hackers, but great news for current and aspiring cybersecurity professionals, as well as the countless companies that are seeking skilled employees amid a landscape of “zero unemployment.”
Featuring dynamic, highly relevant curriculum delivered by experienced instructors, the new degree offering equips students with the advanced knowledge and hands-on training needed to engineer innovative tools, solutions and systems, and to become thought leaders in the cybersecurity engineering domain.
Career advancement is a central focus, as students gain real-world experience in simulated cyber environments and the opportunity to connect with a network of local, regional and national cybersecurity stakeholders.
The decision to offer the cybersecurity engineering degree online is also in keeping with USD’s mission to create flexible opportunities for working professionals to earn their master’s degree while balancing work and family life with their academic studies.
For more information about the University of San Diego’s online Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering program, please visit the program page or call [phone number].
About the University of San Diego
Designed in close collaboration with business, military and government stakeholders and taught by expert faculty practitioners, the University of San Diego’s highly regarded online cybersecurity master degree programs provide essential knowledge and skills training for information security practitioners (public or private) who work to protect the safety and prosperity of companies, communities and the nation.
Media Contact
Name: Courtney Legoll
Company: University of San Diego
Phone Number: 619-260-2961
Email: [email protected]
frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between USD’s Cyber Security Engineering and Cyber Security Operations and Leadership master’s programs?
The difference between USD’s Cyber Security Engineering and Cyber Security Operations and Leadership master’s programs comes down to their career focus. The Cyber Security Engineering program, offered through the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, emphasizes the technical and engineering aspects of cybersecurity, including designing, developing and deploying secure systems and solutions. The Cyber Security Operations and Leadership program focuses on cybersecurity operations, strategy, management and leadership for professionals preparing to lead teams and security programs. Both programs are offered online, so the choice generally depends on whether you want to deepen your technical engineering skills or develop your leadership and program management capabilities.
Do you need an engineering or computer science background to enroll in the Cyber Security Engineering program?
No, you don’t need an engineering or computer science background to apply to USD’s Cyber Security Engineering program, although students without a relevant technical background may be required to complete a prerequisite course. CYBR 505, Computational Roots of Cybersecurity, provides an accelerated foundation in programming, computer architecture and operating systems. The six-unit course can be waived based on a student’s academic and professional background, and completing it adds six units to the program and may extend the completion timeline. Because prerequisite requirements can change, prospective students should confirm their individual requirements with USD before applying.
How long does the online Cyber Security Engineering program take to complete?
The online Cyber Security Engineering program typically takes 20 to 24 months to complete, depending on whether a student needs the prerequisite course and other factors affecting their academic plan. The online program consists of 30 units for students who don’t need the prerequisite or 36 units for those who do. Students take one seven-week course at a time, with courses offered year-round across three terms. Students who need CYBR 505 should expect the program to take about 24 months.
Is USD’s Cyber Security Engineering program recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity?
Yes, USD’s Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) by the federal government. The designation recognizes academic programs that meet established requirements for cybersecurity education and have curricula aligned with the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework. The designation can be relevant for students interested in federal or defense-sector careers and may provide access to certain government-sponsored cybersecurity education opportunities. NCAE-C designations are awarded for defined periods and require institutions to maintain the program requirements, so prospective students should verify the program’s current designation status.
