M.S. Cybersecurity

Meeting the Demand

There are currently about half a million unfilled Cybersecurity-related positions in the U.S. Cybersecurity job openings in Idaho have increased 160% since 2015, according to a recent Idaho Department of Labor report, and the University of Idaho is offering a master’s degree program to meet state and national demand. 

Can you earn this degree online?
Yes. The M.S. Cybersecurity degree is available on-campus and also fully online. Tuition costs for fully online students are the same as in-state tuition costs. However, fully online course sections carry additional course fees. Please visit the tuition and fees page for detailed information on tuition costs. Prospective students interested in pursuing the M.S. Cybersecurity degree fully online are strongly encouraged to contact the CS department early in the process at csinfo@uidaho.edu; This will help us ensure prospective applicants receive the best possible service and the most up to date information.

For students intending to complete this degree fully online, some courses may be offered fully synchronously (Virtual Meeting section using Zoom) and others may be offered fully asynchronously and/or through the Engineering Outreach program (EO). EO program course sections carry an additional per-credit fee. The availability of synchronous versus asynchronous and EO course sections vary on a per-semester basis depending on the availability of instructional resources.

Can you earn this degree at a center?
Yes, the M.S. Cybersecurity degree is available on-campus at three campuses: Moscow, Coeur d'Alene, and Idaho Falls. However, each of these three campuses have specialized laboratory capabilities and faculty areas of expertise. Hence, while the degree is available at these three campuses and on-line, some specialized research fields and courses may only be available for students at a specific campus. Prospective applicants that are unsure whether a particular area of interest or specialization is available or not at a given campus are encouraged to request additional information by email at csinfo@uidaho.edu.

Career Options and Pathways:

• The M.S. in Cybersecurity degree prepares students for most of the work roles listed by the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework; This depending on the student's interests, career objectives, and tailored study plan.
• Reference the NICE Cybersecurity Workforce Framework work roles for more information.
• Examples of these work roles are: Communications Security Manager, Cyber Crime Investigator, Cyber Defense Analyst, Cyber Defense Forensics Analyst, Cyber Defense Incident Responder, Cyber Operator, Exploitation Analyst, Information Systems Security Developer, Information Systems Security Manager, Secure Software Assessor, Systems Security Analyst, Target Network Analyst, Vulnerability Assessment Analyst.
• The CyberSeek site provides a navigation tool and detailed information on potential career pathways and expected salaries.

Availability

Fast Facts

• More than 15 Recognized Faculty in Cybersecurity – Students receive 1-on-1, personalized attention from nationally and internationally recognized professional faculty with Ph.D.s in the field of cybersecurity, with expertise in power engineering, information assurance, industrial control systems and transportation. U of I Distinguished Professors Jim Alves-Foss, Ph.D. and Brian Johnson, Ph.D., P.E. lead the cybersecurity program.
• CyberCorps^®: Scholarship for Service (SFS) Participant  – U of I is one of a few universities nationwide participating in the CyberCorps: Scholarship for Service (SFS) program. The program covers tuition and fees, and students earn an annual stipend of $25,000 for undergraduates and $34,000 for graduates while earning their degree to train for cybersecurity positions at federal executive agencies. 
• Full Access to Cyber Attack and Defend Simulation Equipment – Students have access to a Real Time Digital Simulator (RTDS) capable of simulating any modern high voltage power grid configuration. The College of Engineering is one of a few nationwide to offer this equipment to its students. The RTDS Lab on the Moscow campus is also connected to a local control hub in the Integrated Research and Innovation Center, allowing students to mimic control operations and simulate what a cyberattack might look like as it occurs.
• No. 1 Best Value Public University in the West – ranked by U.S. News and World Report. We’re also the only public university in Idaho to be ranked best value by Forbes, Money, and The Princeton Review.
• Highest Salary Earnings for early- and mid-career undergraduate degree recipients than any other public university in Idaho – Payscale