View a complete list of program courses, program-specific and degree-level requirements, recommended prep courses and previous experience, and more.
This program requires a total of 36 credits. Take the following courses in the order listed:
For some of the upper-level cybersecurity and IT courses in this program, you will need equipment that meets the following specifications. Courses in graphics- or computing-intensive disciplines may require a higher processing speed, more RAM, and/or better screen resolution.
Choose one of the following:
To be successful in this program, we recommend that students have a strong academic background in IT and familiarity with IT certifications. Strong writing skills are also encouraged.
If you completed your undergraduate degree at UMGC with a major in cybersecurity technology, an accelerated pathway between UMGC's graduate and undergraduate degree programs in this field may allow you to reduce your total coursework for this program by up to 6 credits.
By completing the coursework in this curriculum, you may be able to take the following certification exams:
This information is for students who enroll in the 2023–2024 academic year. For prior year requirements for this program or to review UMGC's complete program requirements for a specific academic year, visit our program catalog archive.
In today’s interconnected world—where vast quantities of sensitive company data are stored in computers and in the cloud—employers are on the hunt for professionals who can anticipate and protect against cyber threats. This program is designed to help students develop their skills in several in-demand areas, including risk management and assessment, corporate governance, compliance, incident response, asset management, information security, and network security.
UMGC refreshes and updates the curriculum regularly, with a focus on helping students achieve these learning goals:
UMGC has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency and as a Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence (CDFAE) by the DC3 Academic Cyber Curriculum Alliance.
This program is designed to help you prepare for cybersecurity management careers in many professional contexts. The skills you gain in this program translate to a number of industries, including healthcare, finance, homeland security, information security, and many more. UMGC courses are taught by experienced faculty and address skills and competencies that are highly valued by today’s employers.
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Throughout your curriculum, your instructors will assign coursework that will help you prioritize real-world skills and hands-on experience. In past courses, students have been able to complete the following course projects:
Gain insight from our faculty and delve deeper into a range of topics.
Get answers to questions that current and prospective students are asking about program admission, credibility, student organizations, and more.
An online master's degree in cybersecurity management and policy is an online graduate degree that can prepare you for leadership positions in the cybersecurity field. This 36-credit program covers topics like cybersecurity governance and risk management. Graduates may be well-prepared for careers in cybersecurity and policy, data protection, or information security.
You don't need to have majored in a specific area to be successful in this online master’s degree program. However, we do recommend you have work experience or certifications in information technology and computer programming. Strong writing skills are also encouraged.
This program will help you develop your skills and competencies in management and policy. The focus of the program is on policies, procedures, and management approaches that keep networks and computer assets safe from intrusions as well as public policy relating to cybersecurity. These include both national and international policies by governments and organizations. The program does require that you become familiar with computer and network technologies at a foundational level.
This program is for people who want to become managers working with policies and procedures to protect networks and computer assets within a private or public organization. It is also for those who want to work with national and international cybersecurity policy.
We recommend that students participate in the following student organizations:
The Computing Club provides a dynamic environment where members can work collaboratively, share innovative ideas, enhance their career-readiness, and gain marketable experience in their respective fields. It is available to graduate or undergraduate students, alumni, faculty, and staff members. Students and alumni can join the Computing Club group on CareerQuest.
The Cyber Competition Team represents UMGC at various cybersecurity events and tournaments nationwide. Being a member of the team gives students an opportunity to develop their cybersecurity skills and network with other students. The team is open to undergraduate and graduate students and alumni through a tryout process. Email jesse.varsalone@umgc.edu or visit the team webpage to learn more.
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 specialization 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.
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.
