https://www.uwplatt.edu/program/master-science-cybersecurity

Dr. Joshua Yue, Academic Director
Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Address: University of Wisconsin-Platteville
1 University Plaza
Platteville, WI 53818-3099
Phone: 608.342.3984
Email: yues@uwplatt.edu

Statement of Purpose

The demand for skilled professionals who can secure our nation's cyber assets against a variety of threats continues to outpace the supply. This program has been designed to provide working professionals skills they need to pursue careers in this rapidly growing field.  Students will learn ethical hacking skills and how to effectively develop, implement, and maintain a security strategy within diverse organizations and industry sectors.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will:

• Analyze and resolve security issues in networks and computer systems to secure an IT infrastructure
• Design, develop, test, and evaluate secure software
• Develop policies and procedures to manage enterprise security risks
• Evaluate and communicate the human role in security systems with an emphasis on ethics, social engineering vulnerabilities, and training
• Interpret and forensically investigate security incidents

Introduction

The M.S. in Cybersecurity responds to the recognized shortage of cybersecurity professionals throughout the state and region. This program represents a comprehensive, multidisciplinary curriculum that prepares students to advance their careers and pursue their academic ambitions through leadership and management positions within the cybersecurity field. The program will equip students with the skills needed to effectively develop, implement and maintain a security program within diverse organizations and industry sectors. Core courses provide students with a solid foundation in data and network security, compliance, strategic planning, security program design and management, legal and ethical issues in cybersecurity, cryptography, risk management and technical communications. In addition, the program offers two unique emphases to assist students in tailoring their coursework to meet their career goals: Secure Systems Design and Digital Forensics & Security Management. The M.S. in Cybersecurity represents a fully online, asynchronous curriculum comprised of 31 credits to include a culminating, project-based Capstone experience. Graduates of the program will gain the core competencies required to assume a variety of roles across a wide range of industries to include cybersecurity analyst, security consultant, cybersecurity manager, computer system analyst, security application analyst, and information technology specialist. The curriculum was developed in alignment with defined requirements of the Center for National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD).

Admission Requirements for Master of Science in Cybersecurity

Admission to the Master of Science in Cybersecurity requires:

• Prerequisite coursework in Introduction to Computer Science (with a programming emphasis) and Calculus or Statistics
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
• Employment résumé
• A personal statement of not more than 1000 words

To be eligible for admission in full standing, a student must have an overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0.  Students who do not qualify for admission in full standing may be admitted in full standing on probation if justified by the admitting department and approved by the College Dean. 

Program entrance requirements and degree completion requirements are consistent with those of the other collaborative degree-granting institutions offering this program. Applicants should follow the instructions found in the Admission Policies and Procedures section of this catalog.

Special Students

Students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from a nationally or regionally accredited institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or U.S. Department of Education (USDE) may register as a Special Student. Special students receive full academic credit for credit-bearing courses taken while they are on special student status. The special student may later be considered for admission into a degree program if a 3.0 grade point average has been maintained in all graduate-level work and all other admission requirements are met.  All UW-Platteville graduate-level work will be included in computing the student’s academic average. Students are encouraged to talk to the appropriate program coordinator if they have questions about which courses to take as a special student. Students can earn up to 12 credits as a special student; additional credits may be allowed with special permission from the Provost Designee. A maximum of 12 credits earned as a special student may be applied to a degree-seeking program. This may limit the number of transfer credits or waivers a student may receive from other institutions.

Curriculum

The Cybersecurity degree program has a 31-credit curriculum, wherein students will complete a 19 core credits (including a 3-credit Capstone course) and 12 credits from one of two emphases to satisfy degree requirements.  Graduate credits in which a grade lower than a "C" has been earned will not be counted toward the degree; however, these lower grades will be reflected in the student's grade point average.

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Core courses
CYB 7000	Fundamentals of Cybersecurity	3
CYB 7010	IT & Operating System Security	3
CYB 7030	Network Security	3
CYB 7050	Cyber Crime	3
CYB 7200	Cybersecurity Ethics & Communication	3
CYB 7890	Cybersecurity Pre-Capstone	1
CYB 7900	Cybersecurity Capstone	3
Emphasis		12
Total Credits		31

Areas of Emphasis

Digital Forensics and Security Management Emphasis

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
CYB 7070	Cybersecurity Program Planning	3
CYB 7150	IT Security Risk Management	3
CYB 7250	Digital Forensics	3
CYB 7650	Security Program Management	3
Total Credits		12

Secure Systems Design Emphasis

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
CYB 7100	Introduction to Cryptography	3
CYB 7700	Security Architecture	3
CYB 7750	Advanced Cryptography	3
CYB 7800	Software Security	3
Total Credits		12