Georgia Tech Online Course Highlights
Online Course Details:
Cybersecurity isn’t just about keeping your individual computers and devices safe, it’s about safeguarding our society and our world. Whether that’s from rogue criminals and gangs who want to steal your money or identity, or nation-states and terror groups who want to disrupt defense systems, elections, or cripple our energy infrastructure, the need for well-trained cybersecurity professionals who can stop these attacks has never been greater.
Georgia Tech’s OMS Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity is the only interdisciplinary degree in cybersecurity from a U.S. News & World Report Top 10-ranked public university that you can earn online, on your own schedule, for tuition less than $10,000.
This online Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity provides the foundations so you can:
- Understand the nature of risks and pathways of threats to cyber and cyber-physical systems.
- Develop an awareness of vulnerabilities to software, networks, and computer systems.
- Comprehend methods and strategies for protecting data on networks, in software, as well as other cyber and cyber-physical systems.
- Examine the constraints and costs of cybercrime and espionage to privacy, communication, and use of technology.
- Investigate the role that government, corporate, and coalition policies can have towards slowing and stopping cybercrime and surveillance.
Prerequisite coursework:
For admission into the Information Security Track of the OMS Cybersecurity program, all applicants are expected to have:
- A Bachelor of Science from an accredited institution in Computer Science or Computer Engineering.
- A good understanding of computer science fundamentals such as processor architectures, operating systems, and networking protocols.
- At least one college-level course or equivalent knowledge in discrete mathematics.
- Strong programming skills.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Qualified applicants with other degrees and relevant work experience in cryptography, secure computer systems, and/or network security are also encouraged to apply.
For admission into the Energy Systems Track of the OMS Cybersecurity program, all applicants are expected to have:
- A Bachelor of Science from an accredited institution in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering.
- Basic familiarity with energy systems fundamentals and systems and controls is preferred.
- Strong programming skills.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Qualified applicants with degrees in related fields and relevant work experience in cyber-physical, power, and/or embedded systems are also encouraged to apply.
For admission into the Policy Track of the OMS Cybersecurity program, all applicants are expected to have:
- Technical backgrounds:
- A Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution in Engineering or Computer Science.
- Relevant experience in information system security management in a government, military, or business setting.
- Two- to-three college-level courses in political science, law, public policy, economics, or international relations.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Non-technical backgrounds:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Business, Economics, International Relations, Political Science, or Public Policy. Pre-law or law degrees.
- Practical experience in information management and programming.
- At least one college-level course in computer science or programming.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).
- Applicants who are accepted into the program, and lack sufficient technical background, are encouraged to take a computer science course to ensure success in the program (we recommend Introduction to Computing in Python). It is yours responsibility to start the program with this foundation knowledge.
Application requirements:
- Official transcripts for each institution attended.
- Lawful present document (U.S. Citizens Only)
- TOEFL Score (International Applicants Only. Minimum score of 100 required.)
- 3 Personal References
- GRE or GMAT scores (Optional)
- Program-Specific Questions/Materials
- Personal Statements
- Professional Resume
Curriculum:
The OMS Cybersecurity degree requires 32 hours of coursework. Core and elective courses are each 3 credit hours, with the practicum being 5 credit hours.
Full curriculum breakdown:
- Introductory Core – 9 hours
- Specialized Tracks – 12 hours
- Electives – 6 hours
- Practicum – 5 hours
Students will have the flexibility to focus on a specific area of interest by selecting to concentrate on one of three tracks. Each track requires an additional six courses — four track-specific courses and two elective courses.
Tracks include:
- Information Security Track
- Energy Systems Track
- Public Policy Track
Just like students in our Master of Cybersecurity program on-campus, you’ll get the opportunity to work in a commercial, industrial, academic, or government setting to help solve security issues through our five-credit-hour cybersecurity practicum.