Online Master's in Security Studies, Cybersecurity Concentration
Develop the ability to address the technology, security and human weaknesses that leave organizations vulnerable to data breaches and cyberattacks with UMass Lowell's Master of Science in Security Studies: Cybersecurity concentration.
This 10-course program offers a combination of Criminal Justice and Information Technology courses. You will learn contemporary issues in security management, intelligence policy, national security and cybercrime trends. Simultaneously, you will explore computer and network security topics such as virtual systems management, secure mobile networks, cloud computing and digital forensics.
Career Outlook
Median Annual Wages for Information Security Analysts in the Top Industries
Industry |
Median Annual Wages |
---|---|
Computer systems design and related services | $102,620 |
Finance and insurance | $101,130 |
Information | $96,580 |
Management of companies and enterprises | $94,180 |
Administrative and support services | $94,120 |
"Employment of information security analysts is projected to grow 32 percent from 2018 to 2028, much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for information security analysts is expected to be very high, as these analysts will be needed to create innovative solutions to prevent hackers from stealing critical information or causing problems for computer networks."
Key Takeaways
Deepen knowledge on a range of topics, including:
- Computer network security principles
- Intelligence collection and analysis
- The history and evolving nature of the relationship between technology, crime and security
- Domestic and international security threats and responses
- Critical infrastructure protection
- Strategies and agencies (federal and state) that aim to protect the nation from cyber attacks
Leaders in Terrorism and Security Studies Research
The Center for Terrorism and Security Studies (CTSS) was established in 2013 to bring together faculty from several colleges at UMass Lowell and other institutions and organizations in the Commonwealth. The CTSS collaborates on research projects addressing the evolution, convergence and complexity of domestic and foreign security challenges such as terrorism, cyber security, transnational crime and weapons of mass destruction.
Learn from CTSS faculty, staff and fellows who are internationally recognized experts in their respective fields, representing psychology, criminology, political science, education, philosophy and computer science disciplines.


Curriculum Outline
- Total Number of Courses: 10 (30 credits)
Required Core Courses (7 Courses / 21cr)
- CRIM.5750 Contemporary Security Studies - Available Summer 2023!
- CRIM.5780 Intelligence Analysis Policy and Practice - Available Summer 2023!
- CRIM.5910 Research Design - Available Summer 2023!
- CRIM.6580 Issues in Computer Crime and Cyber Security
- CRIM.6680 Scientific & Technological Dimensions of National Security - Available Summer 2023!
- MSIT.5450 Designing and Building a Cybersecurity Program - Available Summer 2023!
- MSIT.5610 Computer Network Security
Concentration Elective Courses (Choose 3)*
- MSIT.5110 Network and Systems Administration - Available Summer 2023!
- MSIT.5190 Virtual Systems - Available Summer 2023!
- MSIT.5410 Information Security, Privacy and Regulatory Compliance
- MSIT.5430 Intrusion Detection Systems
- CRIM.5900 Descriptive & Inferential Statistics - Available Summer 2023!
- MSIT.5600 Network Infrastructures
- MSIT.5620 Digital Forensics
- MSIT.5630 Secure Mobile Networks - Available Summer 2023!
- MSIT.5650 Cloud Computing
- MSIT.5140 Systems Security and Auditing - Available Summer 2023!
*Note: Additional elective courses may be available on-campus for students who are interested in taking a mix of on-campus and online courses. Call 978-934-4106 or send an email to CJGradAdvisor@uml.edu for more information.
Course Descriptions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
MSIT, IT Certificate Program
Prerequisites:
MSIT,IT Certificate Program
Prerequisites:
MSIT, IT Certificate Program
Prerequisites:
MSIT,IT Certificate Program
Prerequisites:
MSIT,IT Certificate Program
Prerequisites:
MSIT, IT Certificate Program
Prerequisites:
MSIT, IT Certificate Program
Prerequisites:
MSIT, IT Certificate Program
Prerequisites:
MSIT, IT Certificate Program
Prerequisites:
MSIT, IT Certificate Program
Program Requirements
To be recommended for a University of Massachusetts Lowell master's degree, candidates must satisfy all of the general requirements below, plus any additional requirements that may be required by the department through which the program is offered. Any additional requirements for this program are either listed below or may be found in the University's Graduate Program Catalog.
General Requirements:
- Students must complete the program of study designed by the Department in which they are enrolled and approved by the University.
- Satisfactory grades in all subjects offered for the degree must be earned. See Academic Standing.
- All financial obligations, including tuition, fees and expenses, must be satisfied as evidenced by completion.
- Upon completion of all their courses, graduate degree candidates must submit a signed Declaration of Intent to Graduate (DIG) form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.
Graduate Program Policies
In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on our website. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Program Policies found within the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.
Summer 2023 Tuition |
Cost Per Credit | Cost Per 3-Credit Course* |
---|---|---|
Graduate |
||
Online† | $585 | $1,755 |
Online Business** | $655 | $1,965 |
Online IT and Engineering*** | $600 | $1,800 |
Online Education | $470 | $1,410 |
Online Education for Ed.D. and Ph.D.† | $495 | $1,485 |
On Campus | View Here | View Here |
Additional Costs |
|
---|---|
Term Registration Fee | $30 |
Late Fee | $50 |
Graduate Degree and Certificate Application | $50 |
Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Estimate the cost of this program with our online tuition calculator
Looking for Financial Assistance?
Apply
Applying into the Security Studies: Cybersecurity Concentration Program
Applications to the Graduate Program in Security Studies are accepted and processed year-round. Students accepted into the program can begin their courses in the Fall, Spring or Summer terms. To be considered for admission to this program, applicants must have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher education, with a final cumulative GPA of at least 3.0.
All applicants must submit the following:
- A completed application
- Official transcripts: An undergraduate degree in computer science or relevant professional experience is required for many of the technical courses in this graduate degree program.
- A statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation (2)
- No GRE or MAT required.
- International students: Submit your official test results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam. See Graduate Admissions International Graduate Application Requirements page for additional details.
- F1 student visas are not issued for this program since it is offered exclusively online.
Graduate Program Admissions Requirements
Admission to all graduate programs at UMass Lowell is contingent upon successful completion of a bachelor's degree. In many cases, applicants may register for a course before formally applying to the program; however, students requiring financial aid may want to wait until they have been formally accepted into the program to ensure that their course(s) will be covered. Contact UMass Lowell's Office of Graduate Admissions if you have questions about the application process.
Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?
Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).
For General Assistance:
For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!