All courses are conducted asynchronously online. Beyond course materials, students have access to interactive discussion forums, immersive virtual labs, and dynamic virtual classrooms.
Our program offers tailored support with as few as 33 credit hours of graduate coursework. For those transitioning from other fields, we provide additional resources, potentially requiring up to 45 hours, ensuring success in core courses even without a computer science background.
If students adhere to the cohort-based schedule of two courses per semester, they can anticipate completing the program in five semesters, encompassing one summer course.
Applications are accepted year-round and are placed into the next available term.
Recommended Program of Study
Depending on their background, students may be required to take one or more preparatory courses before beginning core program coursework.
Preparatory Courses:
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Core Program Curriculum:
Course sequence is dependent upon the semester enrolled and at the discretion of the program director.
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Thesis Option
Students complete the thesis option during their final two program terms. Students register for CS 700 (Thesis) during one term when they propose and conduct research. During a second term students finalize and defend their thesis. Students completing the thesis option do not take a comprehensive examination and they do not need to take Special Topics courses (CS 685).
Non-Thesis Option
Students who choose to complete the non-thesis option complete a Comprehensive Exam during their final fall semester that will demonstrate their knowledge of operating systems, network security, cryptography, and forensics. This exam may be repeated during the final spring semester if necessary. Students choosing this option also complete CS 685, Special Topics in Information Security, during both their final fall and spring semesters.
