Cybersecurity MS, Computer Science Emphasis Accelerated Master's Degree

The Department of Computer Science offers the Accelerated MS degree in Cybersecurity available to departmental undergraduate majors. Student may join the program and work toward MS in Cybersecurity regardless of the departmental BS program (BS in Computer Science; BS in Computing Technology; BS in Cybersecurity, Computer Science Emphasis; BS in Data Science and Analysis, Computer Science Emphasis).

A student accepted to the Accelerated MS in Cybersecurity degree program can double count up to 12 credit hours toward both their BS degree and the MS in Cybersecurity degree, reducing the total credits required to earn both degrees by up to 12 credits. The student must still complete their BS requirements, as well as entry and graduation requirements for the MS in Cybersecurity program. In the program, the student will complete the BS first and can continue the MS in Cybersecurity program part-time after transitioning to a job. To gain the dual benefits, the student should begin working with a designated advisor before BS graduation, at least a year before graduation.

Admission

Provisional Admission

An applicant is considered for provisional admission if they meet the following criteria.

  • Working toward one of the departmental BS programs with at least 60 credits completed
  • Completed at least the following Computer Science courses:
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Have met with the program advisor as listed

After provisional admission, but while in provisional standing, the student continues working toward their BS program but can take courses, including graduate-level courses, to count toward both degrees, while still paying undergraduate tuition rates. These courses must be approved in advance to count toward both degrees.

Graduate Admission

A student in their final semester as a provisional undergraduate student must apply and be admitted to the graduate program to work toward the MS in Cybersecurity. An applicant must meet the following criteria for graduate admission.

  • Are in their final semester in undergraduate status
  • Maintained a GPA of a minimum of 3.0 in the provisional status
  • Submitted to the Graduate Director for MS in Cybersecurity a 1 – 2 page statement of purpose briefly explaining what and why they intend to study
  • Meet the entry requirements for admission to the MS degree in Cybersecurity other than having received the BS degree

Awarding of Degrees

The student may apply for and receive the bachelor’s degree in the semester when all the undergraduate requirements are completed. In their final semester in undergraduate status, the student must apply and be admitted to the graduate program, to begin the following semester. The student will apply to receive the master’s degree in the semester that the requirements for the graduate degree will be completed.

If the student fails to enroll for more than one year after receiving the bachelor's degree, the student can still earn the master’s degree, but the graduate-level credits earned as an undergraduate cannot be used for the graduate degree.