What is an online master's degree in cyber operations?

An online master's degree in cyber operations is a graduate program that can help you build the skills you need to perform critical cyber tasks. This is a 36-credit program that covers topics like global cyberwarfare, cybersecurity defense, and cyber law. Graduates may be well-prepared for careers in cyber defense analysis, forensics, or software security.

How long does it take to get an online master's degree in cyber operations?

UMGC's online master's degree in cyber operations is a 36-credit program with courses offered year-round. Depending on how many credits you complete each term and the number of credits you may be able to transfer, you can expect to graduate in as little as 18 months. Plus, if you completed your undergraduate degree at UMGC with a major in cybersecurity technology, you may be able to take advantage of an accelerated pathway that could reduce your coursework for this program, saving you time and money.

How much does an online master's degree in cyber operations cost?

UMGC is committed to keeping our tuition and fees as affordable as possible. This program follows the standard graduate program tuition rates, which appear at the top of this webpage. We also offer scholarships for eligible students, an interest-free monthly payment plan, and no-cost digital materials in place of most textbooks to help make your education more affordable.

What background do I need to get an online master's degree in cyber operations?

You don't need to have majored in a specific area to be successful in this program. Ideally, you should have recently completed an undergraduate degree in computer science or a related discipline. We also recommend you have work experience in information technology, computer networks, or cybersecurity, and previous coursework in programming. Strong writing skills are also encouraged in this program.

What student organizations are available to cyber operations students?

Upsilon Pi Epsilon (Computing & Technology Disciplines) Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the international honor society for the computing and IT disciplines, is designed to promote the computing and information sciences and to encourage the enhancement of knowledge in the field. Upsilon Pi Epsilon is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing a degree in the computing and information science disciplines. Membership is by invitation only. Undergraduate membership is open to students majoring in one of the computing disciplines who have completed at least 45 credit hours towards their degree, including 30 or more credits at UMGC (in graded coursework) and at least 15 credits from information technology and computer science courses. Undergraduate students need to have a cumulative GPA of a 3.5 or higher and a GPA of 3.5 or higher in all coursework taken from the information technology and computer science courses. Graduate student membership is open to students pursuing a master's degree in cloud computing systems, cyber operations, cybersecurity management and policy, cybersecurity technology, data analytics, or digital forensics and cyber investigation; a master's degree in information technology with a concentration in database systems technology, informatics, information assurance, software engineering, or systems engineering; or a legacy master's degree in cybersecurity. Graduate students must have completed at least 18 resident credits towards their degree at UMGC, with a cumulative GPA of a 3.5 or higher. For more information, please email upe@umgc.edu.Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) The Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) Student Chapter at University of Maryland Global Campus aims to build a community within UMGC that promotes women’s education, participation, and leadership in the field of cybersecurity. It is available to graduate or undergraduate students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. Interested students and alumni are invited to join the Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) group on CareerQuest.

Online Cyber Operations Master's Degree

DEGREE AT A GLANCE

36 credits
Transfer exactly 6 credits
All courses available online

TUITION RATES

$544 per credit (in-state)
$659 per credit (out-of-state)
Other fees may apply

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Earn a Master of Science in cyber operations at University of Maryland Global Campus with just six graduate-level courses. This career-relevant online master’s degree program will give working professionals the skills they need to compete in a highly competitive job market. Study in our convenient online classroom with knowledgeable professors who are leaders in the field. Learn the newest industry standards with coursework that is constantly being updated. And gain knowledge that you can apply on the job right away!

Learn How to Perform Critical Cyber Operations Tasks

UMGC’s online master’s degree program in cyber operations is a great fit for working adults looking to build crucial new skills and advance in this fast-growing field. Combining skillsets from the fields of computer science, software engineering, and cybersecurity, our state-of-the-art cyber operations curriculum is designed to help students build the skills needed to defend organizations and assets through the appropriate use of technology. This program responds to a growing national need for cyber professionals with advanced training.

Here are a few of the ways we’ve geared the curriculum toward working professionals:

By taking one course per term, you can complete this program in less than 18 months.
You can join one of our cyber- or IT-focused student organizations like Upsilon Pi Epsilon (the international honor society for computing and IT).
If you completed your bachelor’s in cybersecurity technology at UMGC, an accelerated pathway between our graduate and undergraduate degree programs in this field allows you to reduce your total coursework for this program by up to 6 credits.
If you earn a graduate certificate in cyber operations, you can apply all 18 of those credits toward this program.

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Discover Career Opportunities in Cyber Operations

UMGC's master's degree in cyber operations can help you gain valuable industry skills such as protecting networks and identifying system vulnerabilities. You'll also learn to follow secure coding standards that will help you develop, test and perform critical analyses, allowing you to help meet employers' cybersecurity needs.

Explore the MARS Program in Your Courses

Some of UMGC's online cyber graduate courses utilize the Multi-Dimensional Applied Relevant System (MARS), an AI-driven virtual learning platform that allows students to demonstrate their abilities and apply their cyber skills in a practical, immersive environment.

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Gain Experience for an In-Demand Cyber Career

Today’s employers understand that one of their most vital missions is the protection of sensitive company data. That’s why organizations are looking for cybersecurity professionals with hands-on experience using the appropriate tools, technologies, and processes to identify, detect, and mitigate cyber threats. Our online cyber operations program is designed to help you develop career-relevant skills in crucial areas like malware analysis, code writing, network protection, risk assessment, information security, information systems, and reverse engineering.

Our program directors refresh and update the curriculum regularly, with a focus on helping students achieve these learning goals:

Design Systems

Design systems that are based on security design principles and employ multiple layers of protection to meet mission security goals.

Assess Risk

Perform risk assessment to identify threats to an organization, facilitate appropriate responses, and mitigate vulnerabilities.

Develop Solutions

Develop appropriate cryptographic solutions for a given enterprise architecture scenario.

Protect Networks

Protect networks, hosts, and applications using intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS).

Create Virtual Environments

Use virtualization to create multiple simulated environments from a single hardware system to reduce IT expenses.

Reverse Engineer

Perform reverse engineering on software or malware of potentially unknown origin to understand functionality, intent, and code constraints.

Understand the Field

Explain processes, laws, and issues associated with conducting cyber operations.

Write Code

Write high-quality, defect-free software code.

Unlock Your Career Potential

This program is designed to help you prepare for high-demand cyber careers in several professional contexts. The skills that you’ll learn in this program may translate to a number of industries, including companies in the public sector, the private sector, and the non-profit sector. Potential job titles include cybersecurity analyst, cybersecurity engineer, cloud security engineer, information security analyst, product security engineer, and information security manager. Our courses are taught by experienced faculty and address skills and competencies that are highly valued by today’s employers.

Daniel O., Anchorage, AK

750K+

Job Openings

35%

Jobs Increase

$10.5T

Annual Cost of Cybercrime

Practice Real-World Skills in Your Online Courses

Throughout your curriculum, your instructors will assign coursework that will help you prioritize real-world skills and gain hands-on experience. In past courses, students have been able to complete the following course projects:

Identify and mitigate risks on a website within an isolated, secure virtual environment using popular scanning tools and techniques.
Conduct a Security Technical Implementation Guide (STIG) on a Linux operating system and Relational Database to identify and mitigate any findings and vulnerabilities that may negatively impact system security.
Install, use, and test an intrusion detection system (IDS) and an intrusion protection system (IPS) to implement specific rules and alert security analysts when those rules are violated.
Analyze a desktop image from a person of interest who may have been involved in the importation of illegal weapons, and then use forensic tools to analyze internet and email communications and provide a report of the findings.
Assume the roles of an adversary and defender in a cyber attack scenario to identify and prevent cyber intrusion activities safely, ethically, and within the scope of applicable.

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Mission to MARS

UMGC launches the Multi-Dimensional Applied Relevant System (MARS) virtual learning environment.

Cyber Operations

Master of Science

Cyber Operations

Graduate Certificate

Cybersecurity Technology

Master of Science

Online Master's Degree: Cyber Operations

Cyber Operations

DEGREE AT A GLANCE

TUITION RATES

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Learn How to Perform Critical Cyber Operations Tasks