2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

Master of Science in Cybersecurity

CIP Code

43.0403

SAJAL BHATIA, PhD

Program Director, Assistant Professor (Cybersecurity)

Phone: 203-396-6335

Fax: 203-371-7869

E-mail: bhatias@sacredheart.edu

 

IGOR KHOKHLOV, PhD

Assistant Professor (Cybersecurity)

Phone: 203-396-6027

Fax: 203-371-7869

E-mail: khokhlovi@sacredheart.edu

 

Master of Science in Cybersecurity

The Master’s Program in Cybersecurity is designed to provide individuals with an in-depth knowledge to information and network security, risk and threat management, digital forensics, and security architecture. It will give students the skills to effectively address the constantly changing threat landscape faced by people, companies, and governments today. The courses in the program will:

  • provide a broad knowledge of information and network security;
  • provide an understanding of technology risk management practices;
  • help the individual to identify new and existing threats and to determine methods to mitigate them;
  • provide the individual the skills to handle security incidents;
  • provide the individual with skills to build secure systems; and
  • provide the ability to address and respond to the pressing need for cybersecurity professionals.

Courses and Degree Requirements

MS in Cybersecurity degree program consists of 10 courses (30 credits) or 12 courses (36 credits) with prerequisites that can be completed over 12-15 months following a trimester-based schedule (fall, spring, and late spring). Distribution of courses that must be taken is as follows:

  • Prerequisite courses (if required): 2 courses
  • Foundational courses (required): 5 courses
  • Thesis or Non-thesis option (any one): 2 thesis courses or 1 non-thesis (capstone project) course
  • Elective courses: from the list of elective courses below, any 3 courses for the thesis option or any 4 courses for the non-thesis option

 

Prerequisite Courses (If Required)

All undergraduate majors are welcome. The following prerequisites are required for students without professional experience or knowledge equivalent to the following courses. Additional prerequisites may be recommended by the program director. All prerequisite courses must be taken in the first trimester and completed with a grade of B or better.

 

CS 504

Introduction to Programming Using Scripting

3

CS 505

Computer Networks

3


Foundational Courses (Required)

All students are required to complete the following foundational courses unless waived by the program director.

CS 622

Network Security

3

CS 625

Cryptography

3

CS 626

Intro to Cybersecurity

3

CS 628

Security Management

3

CS 635

Digital Forensics

3


Thesis or Non-thesis Option (Any One)

Students can choose between the thesis or the non-thesis option. The thesis option comprises of two sequential courses that can only be taken in the final two trimesters. The non-thesis option comprises of one capstone project course that can only be taken in the final trimester of the program.

CS 670

Research Project Seminar

3

CS 690

and

CS 691

Thesis I

 

Thesis II

3

 

3

 

Elective Courses

Students pursuing the thesis option in their program of study are required to take any 3 elective courses. Students pursuing the non-thesis option are required to choose any 4 elective courses from the list below.

CS 627

System Security

3

CS 629

Ethical Hacking

3

CS 636

Secure Programming Techniques

3

CS 639

Vulnerability Management

3

CS 641

Securing the Cloud

3

CS 645

Advanced Digital Forensics

3

CS 646

Mobile Device Forensics

3

CS 660

Special Topics in Cybersecurity

3

CS 680

Cybersecurity Practicum

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prerequisite Courses

(if required)

All undergraduate majors are welcome. The following prerequisites are required for students without professional experience or knowledge equivalent to the following courses. Additional prerequisites may be recommended by the program director. All prerequisite courses must be taken in the first trimester and completed with a grade of B or better.

CS 504Introduction to Programming Using Scripting

3

CS 505Computer Networks

3

Cybersecurity Master’s Degree Program

The Graduate Master’s Program in Cybersecurity is designed to provide individuals with an introduction to information security, risk and threat management, and security architecture. It will give students the skills to effectively address the constantly changing threat landscape faced by people, companies, and governments today. The courses in the program will:

  • provide a broad knowledge of networking and network security;
  • provide an overview of proper technology risk management practices;
  • help the individual to identify new and existing threats and to determine methods to mitigate them;
  • provide the individual the skills to handle security incidents;
  • provide the individual with an introduction to building secure and defendable systems; and
  • respond to the pressing need for cybersecurity professionals in the 21st century.

Requirements

Thesis or Non-Thesis Options

Students can choose between the thesis or the non-thesis option. The thesis option comprises of two sequential courses that can only be taken in the final two trimesters. The non-thesis option comprises of one capstone project course that can only be taken in the final trimester of the program.

CS 690Thesis I

3

and

CS 691Thesis II

3

  

or

CS 670Research Project Seminar

3

Required Courses (15 credits)

CS 622Network Security I

3

CS 625Cryptography

3

CS 626Intro to Cybersecurity

3

CS 628Security Management

3

CS 635Digital Forensics

3

Elective Courses (9–12 credits)

Students pursuing the thesis option in their program of study are required to take any 3 elective courses. Students pursuing the non-thesis option are required to choose any 4 elective courses from the list below.

CS 627System Security

3

CS 629Ethical Hacking

3

CS 636Secure Programming Techniques

3

CS 639Vulnerability Management

3

CS 641Securing the Cloud

3

CS 645Advanced Digital Forensics

3

CS 646Mobile Device Forensics

3

CS 660Special Topics in Cybersecurity

3

CS 680Cybersecurity Practicum

 

Degree Total: 36 credits