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The Master of Science in Computer, Information and Network Security is intended for those students who wish to specialize in the security aspects of the Information Technology (IT) field. It is suited for students who wish to pursue work in a security related field. Students who complete the program will be prepared to:

Assess the information security risks faced by an organization;
Understand technology and human factors related to these risks;
Evaluate tools and resources currently available to limit risk, mitigate the effects of hostile action and recover from attack;
Manage the development, implementation and evolution of a security infrastructure;
Assess the impact of policy, legislation and market trends on organizational security objectives;
Design, implement and maintain software systems designed to support security policy and goals;
Develop and maintain a network architecture consistent with mitigating risk and preventing hostile attack; and
Be lifelong learners in the information security environment.

The program follows a three-phase sequence, with each phase preparing the student for the subsequent phase. The master’s degree program consists of:

Upon acceptance into the master’s degree program, the student will meet with their faculty advisor to discuss required courses for the Prerequisite Phase. The Prerequisite Phase is intended to ensure that all students enter graduate courses with an equivalent background. While completing this phase, a student is considered a conditionally admitted master’s student. In the Core Knowledge phase, a student will follow a sequence of courses to acquire an understanding of the technological and theoretical foundations for the particular degree. In the Advanced Phase of the program, the fundamental information learned previously allows a student to study advanced topics within their chosen degree. This phase adds depth to the work completed in the Core Knowledge Phase. Individual interests and needs are also addressed through a series of elective courses chosen in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor.

Grade and GPA requirements

Students must receive a grade of B- or better in each prerequisite course and a C- or better in all other courses. GPA: Students must maintain a graduate level GPA of 2.50 or higher while pursuing their degree. Students will not be approved for graduation with less than a 2.50 GPA. Students with a GPA of 3.75 or higher and a designation of distinction on at least two core examinations and no failed core examination will graduate with distinction.

Prerequisite Phase

The courses in the Prerequisite Phase for the MS in Computer, Information and Network Security are:

*CSC 224 is equivalent to both CSC 211 and CSC 212. Only students with experience in programming languages should take CSC 224.

By taking these courses and receiving a grade of a B- or better in each, the student will have completed the requirements of the Prerequisite Phase.

All or part of the Prerequisite Phase may be waived if a student has the equivalent academic background. Alternatively, students with practical experience may complete a Graduate Assessment Examination (GAE) to show competency in a prerequisite. All students are blocked from enrolling in Core Knowledge Phase courses prior to completing their prerequisites. The student must submit an online Change of Status request when the Prerequisite Phase is completed to inform the Student Services offices that the block can be removed. The online request must be submitted two weeks before the student intends to register for graduate level classes. The student will then be considered a fully admitted student, and may pass to the Graduate phase of the program. Students may submit the Change of Status request by logging in to MyCTI.

Core Knowledge Phase

Core Knowledge Courses

Fully admitted students in the Core Knowledge phase may register for a maximum of four Advanced phase courses. The Core Knowledge Phase courses for the MS in Computer, Information and Network Security are:

Core Knowledge Examination

These examinations cover the subject matter of the Core Knowledge Phase courses. Students have the option of taking one, two, or three core exams at one time after completion of the applicable course or courses. Possible grades on the Core Examinations are; Pass with Distinction, Pass, and Fail. Students are allowed at most two attempts at each exam. Two failures on one exam results in dismissal from the graduate program.

To be eligible for core exam application, a student must have completed all prerequisite courses or be registered for the final prerequisite course in the quarter before the core exam for which the student is applying. Additionally, a student must successfully complete all prerequisite courses (B- or better required) before being allowed to sit for any core exam. Failure to successfully complete a core class (grade of C- or better required) may result in an administrative cancellation of the student's core exam(s).

Advanced Phase

A student must complete 40 credits (10 courses) in the Advanced Phase to earn the MS in Computer, Information and Network Security. Students in the Core Knowledge Phase may register for a maximum of four Advanced Phase courses prior to passing the Core Knowledge Examination.
Students must complete the following four courses:

Two elective courses must also be completed. See elective course restrictions below.

Capstone

The capstone class provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate and assess the skills they have developed during the rest of the degree.

Elective Course Restrictions

Elective courses are in the range of 420-699 and must be from the school of CTI. Credit for courses taken outside of the school will only be given if approved by a faculty advisor. Courses suggested for any Prerequisite Phase in any concentration do not count for elective credit. Any course required for the student’s concentration but taken as part of the requirements of another degree earned by the student may be waived, but cannot be used for elective credit.

M.S. in Computer, Information and Network Security 2004

For transition plans and course equivalency tables, please click here