Cybersecurity, M.S.

STEM Designation: The M.S. Cybersecurity program is STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)-designated by the Department of Homeland Security. For more information, please see https://www.newhaven.edu/admissions/stem-designated-programs.php

There are three concentrations in the Master of Science in Cybersecurity program: the General Concentration, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) Concentration, and Cyber Operations Concentration. Each of the concentrations offers a strong foundation in cybersecurity technologies, both in offensive and defensive cyber domains.  Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits to earn this degree.

• The General Concentration is designed to prepare students for opportunities and challenges in the field of cybersecurity. This concentration offers opportunities to gain subject matter expertise in a wide range of cross-disciplinary fields such as engineering, AI/ML, and Cyber Risk Management and Incident Response.
• The AI/ML concentration is designed to prepare students for opportunities and challenges in the field of cybersecurity and application of using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to address challenges in cyberspace. The concentration also offers a strong foundation in AI and ML technologies and applications. This concentration offers opportunities to gain subject matter expertise in a wide range of cross-disciplinary fields such as engineering and AI/ML.
• The Cyber Operations concentration program is designed to prepare students for opportunities and challenges in the field of cybersecurity and cyber operations. This concentration offers opportunities to gain subject matter expertise in a wide range of cross-disciplinary fields such as engineering and AI/ML.

Program Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the program students will be able to perform the following:

• Apply computing principles and technologies to design and implement defensive measures against cyber-attacks and secure data.
• Utilize ethical principles to create and use advanced cybersecurity techniques.
• Apply technologies, methods, and analytical techniques to identify and mitigate cyber incidents to secure systems, software, and networks.
• (AI/ML concentration additional program outcome):
  Use AI/ML techniques to effectively detect and counter adversary behavior.
• (Cyber Operations concentration additional program outcome):
  Use offensive cyber operations techniques to counter adversarial cyber threats.

Admission Policy:

This M.S. in Cybersecurity General concentration is designed to accommodate students who already hold an undergraduate degree in computer science, cybersecurity, computer engineering, information technology, or a related field. The AI/ML and Cyber Operations concentrations are designed to accommodate students who already hold an undergraduate degree in computer science, cybersecurity, computer engineering or a related field.

All applicants will be expected to demonstrate that they have completed a baccalaureate degree prior to enrolling in the program. International applicants are urged to submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) to be considered for admission. GRE scores are required for international applicants who wish to be considered for scholarships. The GRE is optional for graduates of regionally accredited United States colleges and universities.

Students who are admitted with an adequate background in computing must complete 30 credit hours of coursework consisting of:

• General concentration: 6 credit hours of required courses, 9 credit hours of cybersecurity electives, and 15 credit hours of other program electives for a total of 30 credits. In addition, within these 30 credit hours of coursework, students must satisfy a project requirement.
• AI/ML concentration: 15 credit hours of required courses, 3 credit hours of cybersecurity electives, 6 credit hours of AL/ML electives, and 6 credit hours of experiential learning electives for a total of 30 credits.
• Cyber Operations concentration: 15 credit hours of required courses, 9 credit hours of cybersecurity and network electives, and 6 credit hours of experiential learning electives for a total of 30 credits.

Based on students' prior academic backgrounds, students may be required to complete prerequisite core courses which vary by concentration:

• General concentration: up to an additional 12 credits of prerequisite core courses.
• AI/ML and Cyber operations concentrations: up to an additional 18 credits of prerequisite core courses.

Students will be notified about any additional coursework requirements at the time of admission. Students are expected to complete the core courses as soon as possible after joining the program. Students who choose to enroll at the institution accept these prerequisite coursework requirements as a condition of their admission.

UPE Honor Society:

The university has a chapter of the national honor society for computer science, Upsilon Pi Epsilon. Outstanding graduate students are invited by the chapter to join this organization and participate in its service projects.