Cybersecurity & Information Assurance, MS (53-875) (30 hours) [Also available as an accelerated program]

Student Learning Outcomes - The graduate with a Master of Science degree in Computer Science will use the knowledge and skills obtained in the program to:

• An ability to apply algorithmic principles and formal models to solve advanced problems in cybersecurity and computing.
• Design and analyze an organizations information security policies to meet security requirements.
• An ability to design, select, and execute a cybersecurity mechanism to conform to security policy.
• An ability to evaluate and maintain cyber systems for secure and reliable operations.
• An ability to communicate effectively to a range of audiences, work effectively in a team environment, and recognize the need for continual professional development.

This program is designed to prepare graduates with advanced skills in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. The graduates from the program can apply these skills to protect resources in the cyber domain and work as senior cybersecurity professionals in various sectors of industry that have significant online resources.

Admission Requirements — Admission is granted on the basis of applicant’s academic aptitude and potential which will be evaluated through academic record, test scores and/or work experience. To be admitted to the program,

• a student must have an undergraduate degree in computer science or a related discipline. Applicants who have degrees in some non-computing fields will also be considered for admission provided they have completed at least one programming course with a grade of B or better.
• a student must have a minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.80.
• applicants must complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) with a minimum combined score of 291 in Verbal and Quantitative reasoning. Applicants must submit official GRE test scores by Educational Testing Services (ETS) directly to the University of Central Missouri. The ETS institution code for sending GRE scores to UCM is 6090, program code is 0402.  The GRE test requirement can be waived if any one of the following condition is satisfied:
  • the student is a graduate of a regionally accredited college or university with a degree in Computer Science/Cybersecurity/Information Technology/Information Systems and a GPA of 3.25 or more. Students not in the above mentioned discipline list should have a GPA 3.5 or more.
  • the student has earned an M.S. or more advanced degree in a closely related discipline.
  • the student has a minimum 3 years of relevant work experience in a US based corporation or a reputed multinational organization.

International students whose native language is not English and do not have a US degree are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper based) or 213 (computer-based) or 79 (Internet based) is required. IELTS scores are also accepted at UCM. Regular graduate students should have a band score of 6.0 in IELTS. The English requirement is waived for applicants who have completed a minimum of 60 semester credit hours or have earned a bachelor or graduate degree from an accredited college or university in the USA. Submission of a Statement of Purpose and 3 letters of recommendation is OPTIONAL for admission. They may however be required if the student
applies for Graduate Assistantship or Student Worker positions. Applicants who have degrees in some non-computing fields will also be considered for admission. Students may make up their deficiencies in computer science by completing the required undergraduate background courses.

Full time students with no deficiencies can expect to complete this program in two academic years.