30 semester hours
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity prepares information technology professionals to be leaders in the field of cybersecurity. Ultimately, graduates may pursue executive cybersecurity management positions or may progress to a doctoral program.
The DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and NSA (National Security Agency) designated OLLU as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. The MS in Cybersecurity curriculum maps to NSA curriculum requirements. Program coursework covers Common Body of Knowledge topics included in the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification exam and others.
MS in Cybersecurity students have access to the resources of OLLU’s Center for Cybersecurity Leadership, a virtual center focused on providing OLLU and the local community with cybersecurity support services and education. The MS in Cybersecurity is a fully online program, but Computer Information Systems and Security faculty members are available for individual or group consultation with students throughout each academic term.
Admission Requirements
See Admission Requirements in this catalog for general OLLU graduate admission standards.
Regular Admission to the MS in Cybersecurity Program
In addition to the requirements for graduate admission to Our Lady of the Lake University, MS in Cybersecurity applicants should provide evidence of:
- An earned baccalaureate or graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution in an information technology-related discipline, or in another discipline with additional credit hours of information technology-related courses
- A grade point average of at least 3.0 for cumulative undergraduate work or 3.2 in the information technology-related major field of study
- A satisfactory score (as determined by the CISS graduate faculty) on either the GRE or GMAT entrance exam
The Computer Information Systems and Security department reserves the right to limit enrollment in the MS in Cybersecurity program, therefore meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee immediate admission to the program. The admissions committee bases its decision on a holistic review of all components of the application. Therefore, higher achievement in any of these requirements may compensate for a deficiency in one of them. The program may offer successful applicants full admission or conditional admission.
Conditional Admission to the MS in Cybersecurity Program
Applicants not meeting the requirements above may receive conditional admission on a case-by-case basis. Applicants whose earned degree is not in an information technology-related discipline may receive conditional admission with full admission conditional on successfully completing a foundation course (CISS 6600 - Fundamentals in Information System Technology) or equivalent undergraduate coursework. (Note: “Successful completion” of CISS 6600 requires a passing score on each of the required modules in the course.)
Academic Standing Requirements for the MS in Cybersecurity Program
See “Academic Standing” in the Policies and Procedures section of this catalog for general OLLU graduate academic standing requirements.
Students in the MS in Cybersecurity program who complete a course earn a grade of A, B, C, or F.
Earning one “F” will place the student on Enforced Scholastic Withdrawal for the following term (fall, spring, or summer) with the requirement to apply for readmission to the program. If readmitted, the student must repeat the course for which the student earned an “F” and earn an “A” or “B” on the second attempt or be placed on Scholastic Probation. Earning a second “F “in any course will result in dismissal from the program with no opportunity for readmission.
Earning one “C” in the program will place the student on Scholastic Probation. The student must have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher in the program at the end of the following term (fall, spring, or summer) to earn removal from Scholastic Probation. Earning a second “C” grade in any course places the student on Enforced Scholastic Withdrawal with the requirement to apply for readmission to the program. If readmitted, the student must have an overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher in the program at the end of the following term (fall, spring, or summer). Failure to maintain a 3.0 grade point average will place the student on Scholastic Probation. Earning a third “C” grade in any course will result in dismissal from the program with no opportunity to for readmission.
