Shape the future of digital safety.
No matter what field your bachelor’s degree is in, our M.S. program in computer science with a specialization in cybersecurity will put you on the fast track to a rewarding and in-demand career. Our innovative curriculum will prepare you to excel in leadership and technical roles in cybersecurity and IT security management.
You’ll be prepared to obtain the following certifications:
30 credit hours
Hybrid (fully online option also available)
Full or part time
Start in the fall or spring semester
Average mid-career salary for alumni:
Top job titles for alumni:
Top employers for alumni:
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You can apply if you have a bachelor’s degree in any area. If you don’t have a background in information technology, you may be required to take deficiency courses, some of which count toward degree requirements.
You’ll apply through the Graduate School.
Your application materials will include:
Our competitive tuition and fees helps ensure an excellent return on the investment of your time and resources. Learn about additional funding opportunities for graduate students.
Many NIU graduate students have an assistantship, which provides financial support (typically a tuition waiver and stipend), as well as career preparation.
Based on current industry standards, our rigorous curriculum is aligned with the NIST’s National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education (NICE) knowledge units, as well as the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designation.
You’ll have opportunities to customize your studies with electives and take courses that develop your research and technical writing skills.
Our faculty bring diverse experiences and expertise from various areas in cybersecurity and computer science, such as information visualization, bioinformatics and artificial intelligence. They’re committed to helping students achieve their goals and advance their careers.