Master of Science in Cybersecurity (CYBM Program)

The graduate program combines advanced computer/information system knowledge of combating cybercrime, analytical skills to analyze and manage cyber threats and security, the understanding of human factors in cyber operations, as well as the adaptation of laws to create policies to investigate, prosecute, and to punish cybercriminals. 

The United States is facing an increasing vulnerability of a wide range of risks stemming from cyber-attacks, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Such attacks have caused the loss and corruption of valuable digital information in cyberspace, may it be in transit or stored. DHS further points out that “of growing concern is the cyber threat to critical infrastructure, which is increasingly subject to sophisticated cyber intrusions that pose new risks.

CyberSeek, a non-profit information security advocacy group, states that there is a dangerous shortage of cybersecurity professionals in the United States. Employers are struggling to fill thousands of cyber-security related roles. On average, cybersecurity roles take 21% longer to fill than other IT jobs.

Cyber operations involve a complex interplay between technology and human behavior. To meet the sociotechnical needs from industry, MSU Denver has taken a unique approach by combining the Departments of Criminal Justice & Criminology (CJC), Computer Information Systems & Business Analytics (CIS & BA), and Computer Sciences (CS) to jointly create a multidisciplinary Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree program.

Mission Statement and Goals

• The mission of the Master of Science in Cybersecurity (CYBM) program is to provide students with in-depth knowledge as well as practical skills in both policy and analysis of computer and network security, privacy, computer forensics, and the investigation, prosecution, and punishment of cybercrime. 

The CYBM program:

• Offers a multidisciplinary curriculum that combines the areas of computer science, computer information systems, cyber laws and policies, with an understanding of cyber-crimes and criminals;
• Enables students with either a technical or non-technical undergraduate field of study to obtain a graduate degree in cybersecurity;
• Prepares students to enter management or technical positions at all levels in the field of cybersecurity, and
• Provides students with leadership skills and an ability to work well in a team-based work environment.

Program Accreditation

• The Master of Science in Cybersecurity at Metropolitan State University of Denver is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Benefits of Earning an M.S. Degree

• The National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) developed the National Cybersecurity Workplace Framework, and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) developed Industry Competency Model. The M.S. in Cybersecurity competencies use the above framework and model as guides.

The M.S. in Cybersecurity graduates will be able to:

• Identify, analyze, and mitigate threats to computer and information systems
• Conceptualize, design, and build secure information systems
• Provide support to ensure effective and efficient computer and information system performance and security
• Provide leadership, management, strategy, development, and advocacy so that organizations may effectively conduct cybersecurity work
• Investigate cyber events or crimes of computer and information systems and networks
• Apply cyber laws and regulations in prosecuting and punishing cyber criminals
• Be responsible for specialized denial and deception operations and collection of cybersecurity information that may be used to develop intelligence

Career Opportunities for Our Graduates

• Nationwide, the demand for positions in cybersecurity continues to grow. More than 200,000 cybersecurity jobs are unfilled in public and private sectors, and postings are up 74 percent over the last five years. The demand is expected to remain high as the need for cybersecurity professionals has grown three times as fast as traditional IT jobs. If you’re a veteran or work in law enforcement even better. These employment backgrounds and the security clearances that accompany them are particularly attractive for jobs relative to cybersecurity.

Depending on work experience graduates can land the following positions:

• Chief Information Security Officer
• Computer Security Incident Responder
• Cybersecurity Analyst
• Cybersecurity Penetration Tester
• Cybersecurity Specialist
• Forensic Computer Analyst
• Forensics Expert
• Information Security Analyst
• Information Security Crime Investigator
• IT Security Consultant
• Risk Manager/Analyst
• Security Analyst

Fall Semester: 9 Credits

• CYBM 5000 Cyberlaws Regulation and Prosecution
• CYBM 5020 Cybersecurity Infrastructure
• CYBM 5205 Information Systems Strategy Planning

Spring Semester: 9 Credits

• CYBM 5002 Theories of Cybercrime
• CYBM 5021 Network and Internet Security
• CYBM 5242 Security Risk Analysis and Risk Management

Summer Semester: 9 Credits

• CYBM 5001 Cybercrime Investigation
• CYBM 5022 Intrusion Detection and Prevention
• CYBM 5244 Incident Detection and Response

Fall Semester: 9 Credits

• CYBM 5023 Computer and Mobile Device Forensics
• CYBM 5248 Information Assurance
• CYBM 6001 Cybersecurity Capstone

Fall Semester (Term 1):

CYBM 5000 Cyberlaws Regulation and Prosecution

• Criminal Justice and Criminology

CYBM 5020 Cybersecurity Infrastructure

• Computer Sciences

CYBM 5205 Information Systems Strategy and Planning

• Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics

Spring Semester (Term 2):

CYBM 5002 Theories of Cybercrime

• Criminal Justice and Criminology

CYBM 5021 Network and Internet Security

• Computer Sciences

CYBM 5242 Security Risk Analysis and Risk Management

• Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics

Summer Semester (Term 3):
CYBM 5001 Cybercrime Investigation

• Criminal Justice and Criminology

CYBM 5022 Intrusion Detection and Prevention

• Computer Sciences

CYBM 5244 Incident Detection and Response

• Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics

Fall Semester (Term 4):
CYBM 5023 Computer and Device Forensics

• Computer Sciences

CYBM 5248 Information Assurance

• Computer Information Systems and Business Analytics

CYBM 6001 Cybersecurity Capstone

• Criminal Justice and Criminology