View a complete list of program courses, program-specific and degree-level requirements, and more.
This program requires a total of 36 credits.
This course must be taken within the first 6 credits of study (if required). The UCSP 615 requirement may be waived if you previously earned a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. For more information, contact your academic advisor.
(3 Credits, INFA 670)
This is our recommended course sequence to progress through this program. This sequence incorporates course prerequisites and program requirements but does not list course alternatives that may be available. We recommend you take a maximum of 6 credits per term. You cannot take a prerequisite with its subsequent course during the same session. Your plan will be unique and dependent on multiple factors, including the number of credits you transfer to this program.
Contact an advisor if you have any questions about this plan, course alternatives, or your course load limit.
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:
You are expected to have some familiarity with Microsoft Excel. You are also expected to have some background in information technology and programming. Strong writing skills are also encouraged.
If you completed your undergraduate degree at UMGC with coursework in management information systems, 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.
Not sure whether you want to sign up for a master’s program? Earn an online graduate certificate in information assurance and get a head start on your master’s. The certificate program consists of only six courses and 15 credits. Once you have successfully completed the certificate, you may be able to apply that credit toward this master’s program.
This program is designed to help prepare you for 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.
Today’s employers understand that one of their most vital missions is the protection of sensitive company data. That’s why companies are looking for employees who understand how data can be protected and are able to anticipate and protect against cyber intrusions. Our online information assurance program is designed to help you develop career-relevant knowledge in crucial areas like forensic support, threat identification and remediation, information security, and cyber defense.
UMGC’s program directors stay up-to-date and refresh the curriculum regularly, with a focus on helping students achieve these learning goals:
Pursue Highly Valued STEM Skills
This program has received a special designation as a Professional Science Master’s Degree program through the Council of Graduate Schools.
"Professional Science Master’s (PSMs) are designed for students seeking a STEM graduate degree who understand the need for developing workplace skills valued by top employers. The PSM is a perfect fit for professionals because it allows you to pursue advanced training and excel in science or math without a PhD, while simultaneously developing highly-valued business skills."
Source: Professional Science Masters Website
This program is designed to help you prepare for career paths in information security and cyber defense. Potential job titles include security architect, cloud security specialist, IT security analyst, and quality assurance engineer. UMGC courses are taught by experienced faculty and address skills and competencies that may be highly valued by today’s employers.
Throughout your curriculum, your instructors will assign projects that will help you develop and practice in-depth, industry-specific knowledge. In past courses, students have been able to complete the following course projects:
Gain insight from our faculty and staff and delve deeper into a range of cybersecurity- and information assurance-related topics.
Get answers to questions that current and prospective students are asking about program details, length, cost, and more.
This program can help provide you with a high-level understanding of information security, cybersecurity, and computer forensics. UMGC’s online master’s degree in information technology with an information assurance specialization is a 36-credit program that also covers cryptology, systems analysis, and project management.
This is a 36-credit program with courses offered year-round. You can expect to finish the program in about two years or less, depending on how many credits you complete each term and the number of credits you may be able to transfer. Plus, if you completed a bachelor’s at UMGC with courses in management information systems, you may be eligible for an accelerated pathway between UMGC's undergraduate- and graduate-level programs that can reduce your total curriculum by up to 6 credits, saving you time and money.
UMGC is committed to keeping our tuition and fees as affordable as possible. The online master’s degree in information technology with an information assurance specialization 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.
You don't need to have a bachelor's in a related field to be successful in this program, but we do recommend that you have some familiarity with Microsoft Excel, and some background in information technology and programming. Strong writing skills are also encouraged.
You don't need any certifications to begin or complete this UMGC program.
We recommend that information assurance 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.
