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Online IT Master's Degree

Information Assurance

IT: Information Assurance
Master's Specialization
AT A GLANCE
  • 36 credits
  • Transfer up to 12 credits
  • All courses available online
  • Select hybrid courses available
TUITION
  • $524 per credit (in-state)
  • $659 per credit (out-of-state)
  • $480 per credit (military)
  • Other fees may apply
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Build skills to stand out in the fast-growing fields of information assurance and cybersecurity.

The online master’s degree in information technology with an information assurance specialization provides a practical understanding of the principles of data protection, cybersecurity, and computer forensics. Perfect for midcareer professionals or career changers, this University of Maryland Global Campus program offers sought-after skills in network and internet security, intrusion detection and prevention, and cryptology, while also strengthening core IT knowledge and project management abilities.

Total Credits Required: 36

Initial Requirement

  • (0 Credits, UCSP 615)
    (to be taken within the first 6 credits of study)

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.

Core Courses

  • (3 Credits, ITEC 610)
  • (3 Credits, ITEC 625)
  • (3 Credits, ITEC 626)
  • (3 Credits, ITEC 630)
  • (3 Credits, ITEC 640)

Specialization Courses

  • (3 Credits, INFA 610)
  • (3 Credits, INFA 620)
  • (3 Credits, INFA 630)
  • (3 Credits, INFA 640)
  • (3 Credits, INFA 650)
  • (3 Credits, INFA 660)

Capstone Course

  • (3 Credits, INFA 670)

  • (3 Credits, ITEC 610) must be taken in the first term of coursework.
  • (3 Credits, INFA 610) must be taken as the first specialization course.
  • You must complete all other specialization coursework before taking (3 Credits, INFA 670).

General Master's Degree Requirements

  • You must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher at all times.
  • All degree requirements must be fulfilled within five consecutive years.
  • Any transfer credits must have been earned within the above five-year time frame to be applied toward a graduate degree.
  • Please review the overall master’s degree requirements for additional considerations.
Sequence Course
1 (0 Credits, UCSP 615)
2 (3 Credits, ITEC 610)
3 (3 Credits, ITEC 625)
4 (3 Credits, INFA 610)
5 (3 Credits, ITEC 626)
6 (3 Credits, INFA 620)
7 (3 Credits, ITEC 630)
8 (3 Credits, INFA 630)
9 (3 Credits, ITEC 640)
10 (3 Credits, INFA 640)
11 (3 Credits, INFA 650)
12 (3 Credits, INFA 660)
13 (3 Credits, INFA 670)

Accelerated Pathway: Management Information Systems

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 allows you to reduce your total coursework for this program by up to 6 credits.

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Search Course Catalog

These requirements are for students who enroll in the 2023–2024 academic year. For prior year requirements, visit our catalog archive.

Master’s Degree Requirements

In addition to the specific course requirements outlined on each master's degree webpage, UMGC maintains certain requirements for all master’s degrees.

Program Highlights

Develop skills and gain knowledge through coursework that draws from the expertise and experience of our respected faculty.

Industry Snapshot

This program is designed to help prepare you for a career in the cybersecurity and information assurance field in areas such as network and internet security, intrusion detection and prevention, cryptology, cyber law, and software assurance.

Faustina A. (left), Lancaster, PA & Diana M. (right), Elkridge, MD

508K
Job Openings
U.S. employers advertised nearly 508,000 job openings for cybersecurity workers between June 2019 and May 2020.
Source: Burning Glass Technologies | "CyberSeek™ Releases New Cybersecurity Job Market Data" | July 15, 2020

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Industry Certification Exams

This program is designed to help prepare you for the following certification exams:

 

Accreditations

Professional Science Master's Degree

Professional Science Master’s Degree

Professional Science Master’s Degree logo

Professional Science Master’s Degree

This program has received a special designation as Professional Science Master’s Degree program through the Council of Graduate Schools.

Professional Science Master's (PSM) programs are designed for students who are seeking a graduate degree in science or mathematics and understand the need for developing workplace skills valued by top employers.

Additional Program Information

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.

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.

Hardware Requirements

  • 64-bit processor, Intel Core i5 (7th generation or higher), or equivalent (e.g., AMD, M1) 
  • Processor speed: 1.5 GHz or higher (2 GHz recommended) 
  • Storage: At least 250 GB (SSD [preferred] or HD), with at least 30 percent free space 
  • RAM: At least 4 GB (8 GB recommended) 
  • Display/monitor: Minimum 13” 
  • Screen resolution: Minimum 1280 px x 1024 px 
  • Keyboard and mouse/trackpad 
  • High-speed Internet connection (Ethernet or Wi-Fi) 
  • 32-bit video card

Operating System

Choose one of the following:

  • Windows 10 (recommended; version 1909 or higher required for any course using Adobe Creative Cloud) 
  • Mac OS X 10.15 or higher 
  • Ubuntu 18.04+ (or other Linux LTS) 

Software

  • Microsoft Office 2019 or later (Office 365 Education is available for free with your student email address.) 
  • Most recent version/update of a web browser (Firefox, Safari, or Chrome) 
  • Antivirus software 
  • Adobe Acrobat PDF Reader 

Additional Recommendations

  • Built-in camera (or USB port for a webcam)
  • Built-in microphone and speakers (or USB ports for external audio devices)

Computing Club

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.

Cyber Competition Team

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 (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 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.

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