Cybersecurity
FAQ
What are the requirements to apply for this program?
A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Math, or Information Systems. A bachelor's degree in another field may be acceptable given relevant work experience. Applicants should have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (Applicants with an appropriate level of knowledge and professional experience in the IT or Cybersecurity fields are strongly encouraged to apply.)" GRE scores are not required for admission
How do I apply and where should I send my completed application form and other supplemental documents?
Students should follow the application procedures set by UMBC's Graduate School. The application process is available on the UMBC Graduate School website.
You may apply online or send all the supporting materials to:
UMBC Office of Graduate Enrollment,
M.P.S. Cybersecurity
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
Students can also apply online.
What are the application deadlines for this program?
August 1, 2013 for Fall 2013
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.
I have a CISSP or other industry cybersecurity certificate. Can it transfer into the M.P.S. or graduate 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.