M.S. in Cybersecurity
Lead security initiatives with a degree in cybersecurity.
Data is critical to the way we work—and the way we live. In our ever-evolving digital world, experts are needed in every industry to safeguard all types of data against theft and loss.
With an M.S. in cybersecurity from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, you’ll gain an understanding of the fundamental principles of cybersecurity and develop expertise in cybersecurity applications. Foundational cybersecurity knowledge is built through required core courses and a rich set of technical electives that let you customize your cybersecurity expertise based on what you want to accomplish as a cybersecurity specialist.
A collaboration between the College of Engineering and the College of Science and Technology, our degree in cybersecurity leverages the strengths of well-known and respected education and research across these two colleges so you’re prepared to:
- Design systems that are inherently secure and protect systems and networks from attacks.
- Analyze and detect malware and other cyberattacks and identify suspicious cyber behavior.
- Assess the damage, type, and impact of cyberattacks and provide guidance on how to recover.
- Develop policies and plans that support cybersecurity initiatives.
Created for working professionals, you can complete our cybersecurity master’s degree completely online.
Why choose an M.S. in cybersecurity at N.C. A&T?
If you want to play a critical role in protecting information, managing threats and risk, and continually learning about new technologies, consider a cybersecurity degree from N.C. A&T. This new program offers:
A clear pathway to a lucrative career path. Employers are looking for knowledgeable, diverse, and cyber-savvy professionals with the hands-on experience to establish and maintain cybersecurity strategies and framework and fill the field’s significant talent gap. There are many opportunities to lead cybersecurity initiatives in a field that interests you—and an M.S. in cybersecurity is the key that can get you in the door.
Hands-on labs and centers. To provide the real-world experience that gives you a competitive edge, we offer many lab spaces dedicated to cybersecurity research and experimentation, including our Cyber Defense and AI Lab, Human-Centered AI Lab, Secure Software Engineering and ML Lab, Network and Data Science Lab, and AR/VR Lab. Designated as the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, our on-campus Center for Cyber Defense educates and prepares you to serve as a cybersecurity professional. You will also be able to engage with the Center of Excellence in Cybersecurity, Research, Education and Outreach, a university center at A&T.
The right combination of hard and soft skills. In addition to helping you develop the necessary technical skills, our cybersecurity degree program empowers you with soft skills that are critical for senior-level roles in cybersecurity. Improve your leadership, project management, communication, presentation, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
Great career value. N.C. A&T is a highly affordable school for in-state and out-of-state students—and it’s a top-ranked school for social mobility, too. You’ll earn an affordable cybersecurity master’s degree that can help you take advantage of abundant opportunities to advance and grow your career. Scholarship programs are also available to students who choose to study cybersecurity.
Dream. Career paths for M.S. in cybersecurity graduates
The advanced skills you’ll build in computer security, information security, network security, secure software engineering, database management, and data analytics will qualify you to develop innovative solutions and defenses to help organizations address increasing numbers of cyberthreats and cyberattacks.
You’ll learn how to effectively protect sensitive and personal data, defend health information and personally identifiable information, safeguard intellectual property, and protect government and business information systems. Graduates with a cybersecurity master’s degree can apply their newfound skills in roles like:
- Chief information security officer
- Cybersecurity architect
- Cybersecurity director
- Cybersecurity manager
- Ethical hacker
- Forensics investigator
- IT security risk analyst
- IT security specialist
- Security engineer
Connect. M.S. in cybersecurity faculty
Our highly qualified faculty come with impressive cybersecurity credentials and are passionate about teaching emerging leaders how to manage the latest cybersecurity threats.
Many of them are involved in our Center for Excellence in Cybersecurity Research, Education, and Outreach (CREO), which helps bring the cybersecurity industry straight to N.C. A&T’s campus.
The professors you’ll work with are dedicated to finding and sharing interdisciplinary and innovative approaches that help you translate knowledge into solutions for cybersecurity challenges.
Achieve. Cybersecurity courses and curriculum
N.C. A&T’s M.S. in cybersecurity leverages the knowledge and expertise found in the university’s College of Engineering and the College of Science and Technology.
These two colleges come together to inform our degree in cybersecurity coursework and provide practical education about cybersecurity and cyber identity, artificial intelligence and machine learning, secure software engineering, biometrics, computer vision, the Internet of Things, edge computing, and much more. In two years or less, our cybersecurity degree courses will transform you into an expert who can embrace and respond to future trends in the security landscape.
In addition to foundational core and cybersecurity courses that are part of our cybersecurity master’s degree program, you’ll choose from several electives ranging from data warehousing to web security.
Your advisor will help you select courses to set you on the right path to earn your degree in cybersecurity. Examples of cybersecurity courses include:
- Computer Architecture and Operating Systems
- Security Policy, Laws, and Ethics
- Digital Communications
- Advanced Big Data Analytics
Explore. Scholarships and financial aid for cybersecurity degree students
N.C. A&T is committed to making cybersecurity education practical and affordable. We keep our tuition and fees as low as possible, which makes us a top college for students who want to step out as leaders. In addition to providing in-state tuition remittance opportunities and financial aid offerings, our Federal Cyber Corps Scholarship for Service (SFS) program provides grants to students who study cybersecurity.
Graduate students can take advantage of teaching and research assistantships as well, getting hands-on research experience while also receiving financial support as they earn a degree in cybersecurity.
Discover. Programs related to the M.S. in cybersecurity
N.C. A&T offers many opportunities for students who want to pursue careers in cybersecurity. If this field is your passion, you may want to explore these other programs as well:
Do. Begin your master’s in cybersecurity application today
