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Cyber and Information Security, Master of Science

The M.S. in Cyber and Information Security at St. John’s University is a 30 credit master’s program that combines cybersecurity and information science. It is designed with cybersecurity specialists, IT enterprise professionals, and data scientists in mind. However, the knowledge it provides can serve the cybersecurity skills needs of the wider community of IT managers and computer professionals.

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The M.S. in Cyber and Information Security at St. John’s University is a 30-credit master’s program that combines cybersecurity and information science. It is designed with cybersecurity specialists, IT enterprise professionals, and data scientists in mind. However, the knowledge it provides can serve the cybersecurity skills needs of the wider community of IT managers and computer professionals.

Given the pervasive nature of cyber threats this master’s program gives students an edge in the job market and the world around them.

It appeals to students who want to become cybersecurity specialists as well as data scientists already in the field who need to upgrade their skills. It is designed to accommodate both students with undergraduate degrees in IT and Computer Science as well as career changers.

The program offers a learning path flexibility with:

  • Hybrid courses
  • The ability for career changers or those with no undergraduate computer science background to use electives to acquire the required credits in programming and networking science.
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Degree Type
MS
Area of Interest
Computing & Technology
Associated Colleges or Schools
Program Location
  • Queens Campus
  • Online
Required Credit Hours
30

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the M.S. in Cyber and Information Security program all applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 from an accredited university.

  • Resume/Curricula Vitae.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • A personal statement explaining the student’s career objectives, interests, and academic and professional background that are relevant to the degree program.
  • A base knowledge of programming and networking is required.  This knowledge can be demonstrated via transfer courses, undergraduate studies, work experience or industry certifications.  Deficiencies can be made up by taking undergraduate, graduate or other comparable courses; conditional admission may be extended to these candidates.

Program Directors or Chair will make final evaluation of all student applications.

For more information, please contact:

Office of Graduate Admission
718-990-1601
[email protected]

Degree Requirements

The M.S. degree program requires all students to complete 30 credits according to the following degree requirements. Students must complete:

  • core courses (12 credits)
  • specialization (9 credits) 
  • elective course (3 credits)
  • option of either capstone with additional elective (6 credits) or thesis (6 credits)

Coursework

  • CYB 611 - Foundations in Cybersecurity (3 credits)
  • CYB 615 - Protection of Digital Infrastructure (Network Security) (3 credits)
  • CYB 621 - Cybersecurity Laws, Regulations and Best Practices (3 credits)
  • CYB 625 - Principles of Secure Scripting and Cryptography (3 credits)

9 credits from one of the following: Cyber Security, Data and Analytics, and IT Enterprise

Cyber Security

  • CYB 711 - Intrusion Detection and analysis (3 credits)
  • CYB 715 - Penetration testing and ethical hacking (3 credits)
  • DFR 711 - Cyber-Forensic and Malware Analysis (3 credits)

Data and Analytics 

  • CUS 510 - Database System Design and Data Warehousing (3 credits)
  • CUS 680 - Distributed Big Data Analytics (3 credits)
  • CUS 610 - Data mining and Predictive modeling (3 credits)

IT Enterprise

  • IT 711 - Enterprise Architecture and IT Governance (3 credits)
  • IT 715 - System Analysis and Process Re-engineering (3 credits)
  • IT 721- IT Project Management and Agile Methodologies (3 credits)

Capstone Option:  CYB 790 Master’s Capstone Project (3 credits) and one additional elective course (3 credits)

Master’s Thesis Option: a) CYB 795 Thesis I (3 credits) plus CYB 796 Thesis II (3 credits)*

*Students who do not meet pre-requisites may need to take additional courses towards the 30 credit degree if they choose the thesis option.

Potential Elective courses that have not already been applied elsewhere in program credit requirements:

  • CYB 711 Intrusion Detection and Analysis
  • CYB 715 Penetration Testing and Ethical Hacking
  • DFR 711 Cyber-Forensic and Malware Analysis
  • CUS 510 Database System Design and Data Warehousing
  • CUS 610 Data mining and Predictive Modeling
  • CUS 680 Distributed Big Data Analytics
  • CUS 752 Machine Learning
  • IT 711 Enterprise Architecture and IT Governance
  • IT 715 System Analysis and Process Re-engineering
  • IT 721 IT Project Management and Agile Methodologies
  • CYB 798 Cyber Security Internship
  • HLS 102 Intelligence for Homeland Security: Organizational & Policy Challenges
  • HLS 103 Critical Infrastructure: Vulnerability Analysis and Protection
  • HLS 108 (becoming HLS 505) Enterprise Risk Management
  • HLS 301 Police and Homeland Security Leadership
  • HLS 302 U.S. Constitution and Homeland Protection
  • HLS 303 Issues in Global Security
  • HLS 305 Seminar in Global Terrorism
  • HLS 306 Policy Formation and Analysis.
  • HLS 307 Leadership Issues in Critical Incident Management
  • HLS 312 Court Administration and Leadership
  • (Prerequisite option) CUS 620 Programming I
  • (Prerequisite option) NET 510 Networks: Forms & Functions

Additional Information

State-of-the-art learning resources: St. John’s has a newly constructed Cybersecurity lab and classrooms. There are additional financial resources available through a donor’s endowment to support students and faculty research and student engagement.

The program supports the core Vincentian values of compassion and service in providing students with technical skills that can be used to combat poverty, disease, crime, as well as provide solutions in healthcare. It will utilize new instructional labs in St. Augustine Hall to provide maximum support for students’ academic success. 

Career Outcomes

The 30-credit M.S. degree program in Cyber and Information Security aims to prepare students with the required qualifications to become:

  • Information Security Analysts
  • IT Security Architects
  • Data Security Analysts

Cybersecurity Events and Seminars

  • The Presidential Management Fellowship Presents 
    Learning About Becoming a Presidential Management Fellow Focusing in Cybersecurity
    Click here to view our flyer!
     
  • Tyson Brooks talks about   
    Click here to view our flyer!
    The Internet of ‘Insecured’ Things
     
  • Dane Brown talks about
    Click here to view our flyer!
    Who Tracks the Trackers?
     
  • Anish Bachu Talks About
    CSIRT and Threat Intelligence/Threat Management
    Click here to view our flyer!
     
  • TJ O'Connor Talks About
    A Case Against the Smart Things
    Click here to view our flyer!

To learn more about our other Programs of Study, please visit our Cyber Security Center of Academic Excellence page.

Contact Program Coordinator

We are here to answer any questions you may have about the Cyber and Information Security program and admission process.

Dr. Suzanna Schmeelk

Program Coordinator

Interested in Computing & Technology , but not sure if Cyber and Information Security, Master of Science is right for you?

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