Master of Science in Cybersecurity
The Departments of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics, and Computer Sciences jointly offer the Master of Science in Cybersecurity (CYBM) program. The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology houses and administers the CYBM program.
MSU Denver’s Master of Science in Cybersecurity is an interdisciplinary program that combines the knowledge of cyber laws/policies, with a theoretical understanding of cyber-criminal behavior, and advanced computer science and information systems solutions.
Program Accreditation
The Metropolitan State University of Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. The Master of Science in Cybersecurity program is offered as part of the university’s accredited academic offerings.
Mission Statement and Goals
The mission of the CYBM program is to provide students with in-depth knowledge as well as practical skills in both policy and analysis of computer and network security, privacy, computer forensics, and the investigation, prosecution, and punishment of cybercrime. The CYBM program:
- Offers a multidisciplinary curriculum that combines the areas of computer science, computer information systems, cyber laws and policies, with an understanding of cyber-crimes and criminals;
- Enables students with either a technical or non-technical undergraduate field of study to obtain a graduate degree in cybersecurity;
- Prepares students to enter management or technical positions at all levels in the field of cybersecurity; and
- Provides students with leadership skills and an ability to work well in a team-based work environment.
Competencies
The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) developed the National Cybersecurity Workplace Framework, and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) developed Industry Competency Model. The CYBM competencies use the above framework and model as guides. The CYBM graduates will be able to:
- Identify, analyze, and mitigate threats to computer and information systems.
- Conceptualize, design, and build secure information systems.
- Provide support to ensure effective and efficient computer and information system performance and security.
- Provide leadership, management, strategy, development, and advocacy so that organizations may effectively conduct cybersecurity work.
- Investigate cyber events or crimes of computer and information systems and networks.
- Apply cyber laws and regulations in prosecuting and punishing cyber criminals.
- Be responsible for specialized denial and deception operations and collection of cybersecurity information that may be used to develop intelligence.
Admission to the CYBM Program:
To be eligible for admission to the CYBM program, candidates must:
- Submit a graduate application and application fee
- Submit a curriculum vitae or résumé
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
- Submit official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 is required
All submitted documentation will be reviewed by the CYBM Admission Committee for a final decision.
Application Deadline
The CYBM program is Fall-start only, please check the CYBM website for current application deadlines.
Non-degree-seeking Admission Guidelines:
Students may be admitted to the CYBM graduate degree program with a non-degree-seeking status. Non-degree-seeking students do not qualify for financial aid and must re-apply and pay a new application fee in order to become degree-seeking. Completing coursework as a non-degree-seeking student does not guarantee admission into a degree program. Students may take up to 12 credit hours. These credits will count toward transfer credits if the student is admitted as a CYBM degree-seeking student.
To be eligible for admission to the CYBM program, non-degree-seeking candidates must:
- Submit a graduate application and application fee
- Submit a curriculum vitae or résumé
- Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
- Submit official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended. A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 is required.
All submitted documentation will be reviewed by the CYBM Admissions Committee for a final decision.
Transfer Student Admission Guidelines
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No more than six (6) graduate level transfer credits (semester hours or equivalent) will be accepted for the CYBM program. The credits must have been completed no longer than six (6) years prior to the admission term and must be from a regionally accredited, U.S. institution or equivalent.
The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology Chair has discretion over acceptance of transfer courses. A minimum grade of “B” is required for each transfer course. Applicants should check the CYBM program website and/or contact the Cybersecurity Program Manager at cybersecurityprograms@msudenver.edu for details.
Please visit the CYBM program website for more information on how to request the transfer of credits into the CYBM.
Credit for Prior Learning or Life Experience
The CYBM program does not offer any credits from learning gained through life experience toward the CYBM degree.
Testing Out Policy
The CYBM program does not provide an option to test out of any coursework at the graduate level.
Readmission Policy
Students who have not been in attendance for three (3) consecutive semesters including summer must reapply to the CYBM program. Students seeking readmission must be in good academic standing.
Degree Completion
Graduate Course Registration Eligibility
Only students who are formally accepted into the CYBM program or non-degree-seeking status may register for any CYBM graduate courses.
GPA Requirements
Students enrolled in the CYBM program are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to complete the degree. A term GPA falling below 3.0 will result in an academic warning. If a student’s cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 in any term, the student will be placed on academic probation. Students who do not restore their cumulative GPA to 3.0 or above after completing nine (9) additional credit hours will be dismissed from the CYBM program.
No grade lower than a “C” will count toward the degree. Students receiving a “D” or below will be required to repeat the course.
Duplicative Coursework
The CYBM program does not allow any course to count toward both a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree.
Course Load
Students may enroll in no more than nine (9) credits per semester for fall, spring, or summer semesters without the approval of all the involved departments.
Residency Requirement
The University residency requirement for master’s programs is the total number of semester hours required for the program minus nine (9).
Grades and Notations
The CYBM Program does not grant plus and minus grades. Students should refer to the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the Graduate Catalog for a listing of all grades and notations including incompletes and withdrawals.
Program Policy for Incomplete Notation
In addition to adhering to the University requirement for Incomplete eligibility, CYBM students who have any outstanding incompletes at the start of the following semester will receive an automatic performance review which may result in an altered academic plan.
Time Limit on Completion of Degree
Students must complete the CYBM degree within six (6) calendar years from the semester of initial enrollment.
Advancement to Candidacy
All CYBM students must successfully complete all CYBM courses (totaling 36 credit hours) including CYBM 6001 - Cybersecurity Capstone and complete the senior project.
A review of a candidate’s plan of study and progress must be conducted as soon as all the minimum requirements have been met and no later than the first day of the term in which the student expects to complete the degree. Minimum requirements for the review include completion of any admission requirements, an approved plan of study that will lead to meeting the degree requirements, posting of any transfer work to the student’s record, and a grade point average of “B” or better in all work completed to that point. Successful completion of the review and approval by the appropriate faculty advisors, the Office of the Registrar, and the Office of Graduate Studies constitutes Advancement to Candidacy.
The Student Code of Conduct
The Student Code of Conduct will apply to all MSU Denver students, regardless of level. Access the Student Code of Conduct .
Internship
An internship is not required for the CYBM program. However, students may enroll in CYBM 6000 - Internship in Cybersecurity for three (3) credit hours. To be eligible, students must have completed 18 credit hours of CYBM courses and received instructor’s permission.
