Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Rochester, USA
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 41,424 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* $41,424 - $54,974 | based on credits taken
Key Summary
Choose from virtual and on-campus events where you can interact with other prospective students and admissions counselors, meet with our graduate program directors, and gain insight into how applicants are reviewed and evaluated.
There is critical importance to building security and survivability into the hardware and software of computing systems as they are designed and developed, rather than trying to add it on once these systems have been designed, developed, and installed. The MS in computing security gives students an understanding of the technological and ethical roles of computing security in today's society and its importance across the breadth of computing disciplines. This cybersecurity master enables students to develop a strong theoretical and practical foundation in secure computing, preparing them for leadership positions in the computing security industry, academia, or research careers, or to pursue a more advanced degree in a computing discipline.
The program is designed for students who have an undergraduate computing degree in an area such as computing security, computer science, information technology, networking, or software engineering, as well as those who have a strong background in a field in which computers are applied, such as a computer or electrical engineering.
RIT awards more than $37 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 5% of tuition all the way up to full tuition. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
RIT awards more than $30 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 10% - 40% of tuition. Our median scholarship amount is around 30% of tuition or $13,000. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
Optional Co-Op
Cooperative education is paid work assignments with corporations and organizations around the U.S. and abroad. Co-op allows students to spend one or more semesters employed in a full-time, paid position related to their academic program before they graduate. Many students use co-op earnings to help finance their education.
Work-Study
Graduate students studying full-time may apply to work part-time on campus. RIT has more than 9,000 jobs available yearly, and students typically work 10 – 20 hours per week. International students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa may work up to 20 hours per week on campus and 40 hours during break periods.
The curriculum consists of three required core courses, up to 6 technical electives (depending on the capstone option chosen), and a thesis, project, or capstone course for a total of 30 semester credit hours.
Computing security (thesis option), MS degree, typical course sequence
First Year
- CSEC-742 Computer System Security
- CSEC-604 Cryptography and Authentication
- Research Electives
- Advanced Electives
Second Year
- CSEC-790 MS Thesis
- Advanced Electives
Computing security (project option), MS degree, typical course sequence
First Year
- CSEC-742 Computer System Security
- CSEC-604 Cryptography and Authentication
- Research Electives
- Advanced Electives
Second Year
- CSEC-792 MS Project
- Advanced Electives
Computing security (capstone course option), MS degree, typical course sequence
First Year
- CSEC-742 Computer System Security
- CSEC-604 Cryptography and Authentication
- Research Electives
- Advanced Electives
Second Year
- CSEC-793 Capstone for Computing Security
- Advanced Electives
Electives
Students can develop a specialization in one of several security-related areas by selecting technical electives under the guidance of a faculty adviser. Students are required to choose up to six technical electives.
Industries
- Internet and Software
- Computer Networking
- Government (Local, State, Federal)
- Defense
Typical Job Titles
- DevOps and Security Engineer
- Technology Analyst
- Cyber-physical Systems Engineer
- Incidence Response Consultant
- Network Systems Engineer
- Security Analyst