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While increased access to technology improves your life, it also threatens your personal data. This rapid development has made cybersecurity crucial. 

The Cybersecurity MS program at DU blends cybersecurity and computer science education to give you a solid technical foundation with essential skills. We offer three introductory courses for those entering from other fields. What sets us apart is our tool-agnostic approach, focusing on technical skills and foundational knowledge. This approach not only prepares you for any cybersecurity job as the industry evolves but also opens a world of possibilities for your learning journey.  

We are a National Security Agency (NSA) accredited National Center of Academic Excellence-Cyber Defense. We were also recently recognized by Fortune Recommends as one of the best in-person cybersecurity master's program. 

Start Dates: Fall

Curriculum: 48-60 Credit hours completed in quarter terms

Program Length: 18-24 Months 

 

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10-20 Students per cohort to work closely with program faculty

15,000 Unfilled, open cybersecurity jobs in Colorado (2024)  cyberseek.org

50% Tuition discount for all students in the program

Master of Science in Cybersecurity

How our curriculum prepares you for your career in cybersecurity

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    Gain experience from practical hands-on projects

    Your learning will be reinforced with practical, hands-on cybersecurity projects, giving you several opportunities to apply your skills and build a portfolio of project experience upon graduation.

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    Courses that teach you to think strategically about cybersecurity

    Learn to ask the right questions and address cybersecurity challenges in any context. Our courses provide you with a comprehensive understanding and tools across the cybersecurity domain, including protecting security information systems and infrastructure; detecting, countering, recovering, and preventing cyber incidents; ensuring availability and integrity of data resources; assessing security risk; and cybersecurity policy.

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    Learn from full-time faculty

    Our program faculty are full-time and have industry experience in cybersecurity. Our small cohort sizes allow you to work closely with cybersecurity faculty in your projects and coursework.  

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    Pursue your career interests with your capstone

    Our program includes a capstone that allows students to focus on what aspect of cybersecurity interests them most. Students can also choose to intern in the field or work on cutting-edge research or projects in whatever space they choose.

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    Preparation for industry certifications 

    The courses align closely with industry-recognized certifications, including CompTIA Security+ and Network+, and CEH etc. While we don’t provide the certifications, the courses cover more in-depth material to help you take the certifications without much additional preparation. 

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Application Information

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Admission Steps

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Tuition

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Admission Requirements 

  • Degree and GPA Requirements 
    • Bachelor's degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.  
    • Grade point average: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree. An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution supersedes the minimum standards for the baccalaureate. For applicants with graduate coursework but who have not earned a master’s degree or higher, the GPA from the graduate work may be used to meet the requirement. The minimum GPA is a cumulative 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework undertaken.  
    • Program GPA requirement: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for this program is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.  
  • Undergraduate Prerequisites, Placement Exam or Foundational Courses
    • Applicants must have the prerequisite knowledge equivalent to an undergraduate minor or greater in computer science and are required to pass a computer science placement exam prior to matriculation into the graduate program.  
    • Students with deficiencies will be eligible to complete the foundational courses or pass the computer science placement exam prior to matriculation. The foundational courses are COMP 3003: Foundations in Computer Systems, COMP 3004: Foundational in Discrete Structures & Algorithms, and COMP 3005: Foundations in Python Programming.  
  • English Language Proficiency Test Score Requirements 

    The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test score requirements for this degree program are:  

    • Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80  
    • Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5  
    • Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 176  
    • Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 115  

    English Conditional Admission: No, this program does not offer English Conditional Admission.  

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Advance your career with a Master of Science in Cybersecurity.

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Master of Science in Cybersecurity Courses

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Foundational Courses - 12 Credit Hours 

Foundational Courses provide a computer science foundation for students who do not have a computer science background. The department pre-assesses Foundational Course needs. Students may test out one or more Foundational Courses. 

  • COMP 3003 - Foundations in Computer Systems 
  • COMP 3004 - Foundations in Discrete Structures & Algorithms 
  • COMP 3005 - Foundations in Python Programming 

  • Required Courses

    48 Credit Hours
    • COMP 3006 - Python Software Development 
    • COMP 3356 - Introductory C/C++ Programming 
    • COMP 3361 - Operating Systems I 
    • COMP 3731 - Computer Forensics 
    • COMP 4455 - Shell Scripting and System Tools 
    • COMP 4384 - Secure Software Engineering 
    • COMP 4621 - Computer Networking 
    • COMP 4721 - Computer Security 
    • COMP 4722 - Network Security 
    • COMP 4723 - Ethical Hacking 
    • COMP 4799 - Capstone Project in Cybersecurity  

  • Electives

    4 Credit Hours

    Elective credits must be either a pre-approved cybersecurity course at DU, or with advisor approval. 

    Pre-approved courses: 

    • COMP 4732 - Human-Centered Data Security and Privacy 
    • COMP 3421 - Database Organization & Management I 
    • COMP 3424 - NoSQL Databases 
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Cybersecurity is in Demand

Industry experts predict a 35% growth rate in cybersecurity jobs from 2021-2031. Through DU's cybersecurity program, you'll be ready to enter the workforce and make a meaningful impact. According to Cyberseek.org, there are approximately 15,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in Colorado as of 2024, with over 450,000 openings in the US.  

Our alumni work with local companies like DarkOwl, as well as big names like Zoom, IBM, and Microsoft. They hold a variety of positions, ranging from Tier 1 analysts and penetration testers to cybersecurity managers, software engineers, and security specialists. Our degree equips you with the skills needed to pursue any cybersecurity career you desire. 

Preparing you for Careers in Cybersecurity 

Our program is a jumping-off point into a career in cybersecurity. Cybersecurity has become more and more important as our lives have moved more and more online, and cyber-attacks have increased apace. Graduates from our program can jump into virtually any field related to computer science and cybersecurity, including:

Security Analyst 

Pen Tester/Red-Teamer 

Security Engineer 

Network Security Operations 

Cloud Security Engineer 

Nadia

Featured Alumna of MS Cybersecurity

Nadia Sharifi (MS 2018)

Nadia Sharifi is a cybersecurity professional who pursued a master’s degree in Cybersecurity to gain the foundational technical knowledge needed for a successful career. While pursuing her degree, Nadia also gained work experience as an intelligence analyst, where she learned about the tactics and techniques used by real-world threat actors. Driven by a moral obligation to safeguard information systems and her love of technical challenges, she pursued penetration testing as a career path. Nadia is currently employed at IBM X-Force Red, where she hacks companies of all shapes and sizes.  

The Ritchie Distinction

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Best In-person Cybersecurity Master's Program

Fortune Recommends ranked our MS in Cybersecurity program as one of the best in-person cybersecurity master's program in Colorado. 

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Get Started on Your MS in Cybersecurity

Build your cybersecurity career with a master's degree at the University of Denver’s Ritchie School of Engineering. 

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