Cybersecurity

FAQ's about the MS in Cybersecurity

General

• When does the program start? Can I begin anytime?

  The MS in Cybersecurity program only starts in the fall quarter. The first day of class for fall 2024 is September 9th.

• When are classes held? Are there weekend classes?

  The program is designed for working professionals with all classes being held between 5:00-9:00 p.m. on weeknights. There are no classes held on the weekend.

• What is the average class size?

  The average class size for the program is 15-20 students.

• What makes your Cybersecurity program different?

  First, our program is open to analytically minded students from diverse academic backgrounds, not just computer science. As cyberattacks become more sophisticated, leaders in industry and government have emphasized the need for professionals who not only have technical aptitude, but can also contextualize the greater social, global, and political context in which these threats occur. As part of a liberal arts university, our program prepares students to assume positions of leadership with an understanding of the broad and complex nature of cybersecurity.

  Second, our program trains you to think strategically about cybersecurity challenges and devise innovative solutions. Many programs will teach students technical skills only. However, these skills will likely become obsolete as technology evolves. Our program not only prepares you with the technical fundamentals you need, but also the ability to think strategically about the cyber threats companies, organizations and governments face and ask the right questions, even as the technology changes.

• What kind of job opportunities will be available to me with an MS in Cybersecurity?

  A few job titles potentially available to graduates of the MS in Cybersecurity program include incident responder, security analyst, penetration tester, security architect, software engineer, security consultant, and threat intelligence analyst.

  Job duties for these roles may include security planning, security strategy, programming, debugging, source code version control, and malware analysis.

Program

• How long does it take to complete the program?

  Full-time students can complete the program in 18 months. If the student needs to take the foundational courses, it will take 24 months to graduate.

• How many credit hours are required to earn the MS in Cybersecurity degree?

  For MS in Cybersecurity students who require the foundational courses, it is 60 credit hours. For students who do not require the foundational courses, the degree is 48 credit hours.

• How many credits do I need to be considered full-time? Can I enroll part-time?

  Students have the option of enrolling full or part-time. Full-time enrollment status in a graduate program is achieved by taking a minimum of 8 credit hours per quarter.

• Is it possible to work while enrolled in the master’s programs?

  Yes. The program is designed to accommodate working professionals. Many of our students maintain a full-time profession while enrolled in the program

• What if I did not major in Computer Science or a STEM field?

  A degree in Computer Science or a STEM field is not required. Foundational courses are offered for students who do not have a technical background.

• When are the foundational courses offered?

  The foundational courses are offered in the fall and winter quarters.

• Will I be required to take the pre-assessment?

  The pre-assessment is only required if a student wants to test out of the foundational courses. If a student knows they need to take the foundational courses, they are not required to take the pre-assessment and may proceed immediately to enrolling in bridge coursework.

  There are generally three outcomes from the pre-assessment. Admitted students may:

  1. Test out of all the foundational coursework entirely
  2. Test out of one or two of the foundational courses
  3. Demonstrate that they need to take all three foundational courses.

  The pre-assessments have no bearing on the student's overall GPA.

Applications and Admissions

• Do you require the GRE or GMAT for admission?

  Neither the GRE nor the GMAT is required for admission.

• Is there an application deadline?

  The priority deadline for fall 2023-2024 is May 15th, 2023 and our final application deadline is August 15th, 2023. 

• Is there a minimum GPA?

  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 who have not earned a master’s degree or higher, the GPA from the graduate work may be used to meet the requirement.

• From whom should I get letters of recommendation?

  Letters of recommendation can come from an applicant's professional or academic background. For recent graduates, ask for recommendation letters from former professors who can speak to your academic abilities as well as your character. For individuals entering the program with years of work experience, letters of recommendation from professional colleagues or supervisors.

  Applicants do not provide the actual letters of recommendation. Applicants will list their references' contact information and we will send the references a form to fill out.

• Can I defer my admission if necessary?

  Deposited students can request a one-time deferment to the following start term.

  For more information about the deferment process, contact Graduate Enrollment Manager Kevin Alt.

• What is the application fee?

  The application fee is $65.

• Do you grant application fee waivers?

  We can grant application fee waivers to current DU alumni, veterans and active duty military.

• What if I do not have a bachelor’s degree?

  Applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution. Applicants who are in the process of completing their degree are eligible for admission so long as their bachelor’s degree is conferred prior to the start of the master’s program.

Tuition and Financial Aid

• What is the cost of tuition?

  The current graduate credit costs can be found at the can be found via the University of Denver's Cost of Tuition webpage.

• Will I need to pay out-of-state tuition, or how do I get in-state tuition?

  The University of Denver is a private institution so tuition is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students.

• Do you have graduate teaching, research assistantships or additional scholarships?

  MS in Cybersecurity students are not eligible for assistantships. As tuition is already substantially reduced for all students in the program, additional scholarships and assistantships are not available.

• Is financial aid available?

  In order to apply for financial aid at the University of Denver, and be considered for federal grants and scholarships, you must have a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form on file. Federal financial aid is available to qualified students. For information on financial aid, visit the Office of Financial Aid.

International Applications

• Do you require TOEFL or IELTS?

  Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) assessment are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. We are currently accepting Duolingo as proof of English language as well. Please see DU’s English proficiency requirements for more information.

• What is OPT?

  Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a work benefit allowed to international students in F-1 immigration status who are enrolled in, or completing a degree program in the U.S. This employment can be used pre-completion of studies, over the annual vacation or leave term, or post-completion of studies, after the student finishes the degree. For more information on OPT, please visit DU’s International Student & Scholars Services OPT website.

• Will I be eligible for OPT?

  F-1 students who have been enrolled for a minimum of nine months are eligible for up to twelve (12) months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization by the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). Employment under OPT must be directly related to a student's field of study and appropriate to the level of education.

• Is this degree eligible for the OPT STEM extension?

  Yes. Eligible F-1 students with STEM degrees who finish their program of study and participate in an initial period of regular post-completion OPT (often for 12 months) have the option to apply for an OPT STEM extension. The OPT STEM extension is a 24-month period of temporary training that directly relates to an F-1 student's program of study in an approved STEM field.