Frequently Asked Questions
What is cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity has emerged as a critical domain of global competition that reaches across the social, economic, political and military realms of influence.
National Security Presidential Directive 54/Homeland Sercurity Directive 23 (NSPD-54/HSPD-23) defines cyberspace as the interdependent network of information technology infrastructures, and includes the Internet, telecommunications networks, computer systems, and embedded processors and controllers in critical industries. Common usage of the term also refers to the virtual environment of information and interations between people.
This infusion of the Internet and its related networked technologies into nearly every aspect of society, business, and government presents a target of opportunity for adversaries. As a result, it is not surprising to see nations and assorted international organizations developing new operational doctrines, advanced cyberwarfare capabilities, and the necessary domain-focused human capital needed to achieve or maintain their interests in cyberspace.
Meeting these challenges successfully requires developing qualified professionals who understand this environment and the risks (or opportunities) therein. UMBC stands ready to help build this next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Why study cybersecurity at UMBC?
UMBC is uniquely positioned to provide education and training that respond to the state’s need for qualified technical professionals in the cybersecurity field:
Reputation and Affordability: In 2009 and 2010, UMBC was ranked #1 in the U.S. News and World Report's list of "national up-and-coming" universities. Providing exceptional value at a public institution price, UMBC offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in a variety of fields relevant for cybersecurity.
UMBC is certified as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education (CAE) as well as a Center of Academic Excellence in Research (CAE-R) sponsored by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Students attending UMBC are eligible to apply for scholarships and grants through the Department of Defense Information Assurance Scholarship Program.
Industry Relevance: To ensure that UMBC’s cybersecurity programs are current, relevant, and responsive to the needs of industry, UMBC formed a Cybersecurity Advisory Board in 2009. Consisting of representatives from organizations such as MITRE, Northrop Grumman, Battelle, and others, the board continues to provide guidance on the development of UMBC’s cybersecurity programs.
Convenient Location: UMBC is conveniently located off of I-95 near the BWI Airport, approximately ten miles from Fort Meade (future home of DISA and the U.S. Cyber Command). UMBC is convenient to a host of federal agencies and government contractors that need cyber-related research, education, and training.
What programs does UMBC offer in cybersecurity?
Undergraduate and graduate students have the option to complete concentrations in Information Assurance—as part of degree programs in computer science, information systems, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.
In addition, UMBC offers two new graduate programs in cybersecurity:
Graduate Certificate in Professional Studies: Cybersecurity Strategy and Policy
This four-course graduate certificate can be completed in a year. Because these courses are not technical (although a technical background may be helpful), this program is available to students with a variety of undergraduate backgrounds. Once accepted into the M.P.S.: Cybersecurity, all four courses count toward that degree. Students may choose to take this certificate by itself, or they may take this certificate and then later complete the master’s.
Master's in Professional Studies: Cybersecurity
This ten-course master’s degree incorporates courses in cybersecurity strategy, policy, and management with more technical, hands-on cybersecurity courses. Rather than having to choose between a management or policy-oriented cybersecurity degree or a completely technical cybersecurity degree, the M.P.S. allows you to customize the mix of courses that best meets your career development needs. The master’s degree may be completed in two to three years, depending on how many courses you take each semester. Classes are offered fall, spring, and summer semesters. M.P.S. courses are offered in a classroom or hybrid (50% online, 50% classroom) format. This approach offers flexibility for students while also providing opportunities for in-person professional networking through a dynamic seminar and research experience.
How does a Master in Professional Studies degree (M.P.S.) differ from a Master of Science degree (M.S.)?
The M.P.S. is a master’s degree that combines management and courses with advanced study in a scientific or technical discipline. The M.P.S. Cybersecurity incorporates management and policy courses with more technical courses in order to prepare you for the human, political, and technical aspects being a cybersecurity professional. Rather than preparing you to perform pure research and/or pursue an academic career, this degree program is designed to help you advance your professional career.
When developing this program, our Cybersecurity Advisory Board emphasized the need for educated employees who are both technically proficient and can communicate well, manage projects, and work successfully on teams. Accordingly, several classes include relevant group projects conducted both in-person as part of their syllabus. Thus, the M.P.S. combines the practical expertise of an M.B.A. with the technical knowledge of an M.S. degree.
As a current UMBC undergraduate student, can I take cybersecurity courses as electives?
Yes. However, you should check first with your academic advisor and/or the cybersecurity graduate program director to determine course availability, your suitability for these courses and how they fit into your academic program.
I have a CISSP or other industry cybersecurity certificate. Can it transfer into the M.P.S. or graduate certificate program for credit?
Unfortunately, we do not accept industry certifications for transfer credit into our cybersecurity graduate programs. However, UMBC can assist you in obtaining such non-credit certifications through the UMBC Training Center if you are interested.
Does UMBC offer a cybersecurity Ph.D. program?
Not at this time. However, UMBC does offer postgraduate programs in computer science and/or information systems where you can pursue cybersecurity research at the doctoral level. Contact these departments for additional information. (Courses taken within the cybersecurity M.P.S. may be applied towards those programs in some situations.)
How are UMBC's cybersecurity programs courses delivered?
UMBC’s cybersecurity program courses are offered in two main formats—traditional classroom delivery and hybrid courses. Classroom courses provide opportunities for rich interaction between instructors and students, and hybrid courses add the benefit of schedule flexibility by reducing the number of in-person class sessions. Hybrid courses replace up to 50% or more of class sessions with online activities that occur asynchronously (class does not convene online at a fixed time). In the online portions of a hybrid class, students work on self-paced activities and assignments (e.g., asynchronous discussion boards) or interact as part of small groups (e.g., discussions, chats/forums, project/assignments).
Can I transfer graduate credits from another institution into the UMBC Cybersecurity Program?
You may be able to transfer up to six graduate credit hours earned from another institution into a UMBC cybersecurity program. Contact the Graduate Program Director, richard.forno@umbc.edu, to discuss your situation and be sure to include a complete course description. A 3.0 GPA is required for each course transferred. Once you are admitted and an enrolled student in UMBC's program, you must complete and submit a Transfer of Credit Request Form.
Questions regarding the cybersecurity industry & profession:
How can these programs help with my career development in a cyber-related field?
UMBC’s cybersecurity programs are designed for students and working professionals who aspire to make a difference in the security, stability, and functional agility of the national and global information infrastructure. Our graduate programs prepare students to create and lead processes, or serve as managers or team members in cyber-related fields within government, military and industry such as:
- Network and Information Security
- Intelligence
- Information Operations
- Law Enforcement and Counterintelligence
- System and Operational Requirements Analysis
- Cybersecurity Procurement
- Cybersecurity Exercise, Test and Evaluation
What’s the demand like for cybersecurity professionals?
The demand for professionals with cybersecurity expertise is strong and growing. Cybersecurity is critical to maintaining our national infrastructure—including the banking system, the stock market, the power grid, and military operations. The need for cyber-literate professionals is complex and crosses many fields. From engineers and computer scientists to information technology professionals and federal managers, qualified professionals are needed to manage cybersecurity operations, as well as to do the hands-on work.
In July 2009, Booz Allen Hamilton and the Partnership for Public Service published a valuable report on the state of cybersecurity workforce preparedness—“Cyber IN-SECURITY—Strengthening the Federal Cybersecurity Workforce.” This report highlights the critical national shortage of employees who are adequately educated and trained in the cybersecurity area.
Moves associated with the Base Realignment and Closure Act (BRAC) will create a significant increase in demand for engineering, information technology, and cybersecurity related education and training. An overall estimate of 100,000 new federal jobs and transferred positions due to BRAC has been planned for over the next seven years. The IT related positions are estimated to be over 45,000 new jobs moving to or being created in the greater Baltimore area that will have a strong connection to cybersecurity.
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