Two graduate students interacting inside a server in the Security / Network / Programming Lab

Tomorrow Needs You. Are You Ready?

Receive a graduate education from an accredited institution.

Cybersecurity MS Program

What does it take to protect the systems people depend on—from software and networks to essential infrastructure? Michigan Tech’s MS in Cybersecurity approaches that challenge through computing, engineering, and quantitative analysis.

In the only graduate program of its kind in Michigan, you’ll explore security as a technical discipline grounded in confidentiality, integrity, and availability and develop the expertise to protect our most valuable online assets. Are you ready?

The Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students. Explore our Online Master's Program.

Who is This Program For?

This cybersecurity master's program is ideal for those who'd like to examine how digital systems can be made more trustworthy and resilient. It can be especially relevant if you hope to study security issues in software engineering or networked systems; examine threats and protections involving critical infrastructure; and develop advanced knowledge of security principles and technical risk assessment.

What You'll Study

Deepen your understanding of the security principles behind trustworthy digital systems. Three focus areas—Trusted Software Engineering, Critical Infrastructure Protection, and Network Security Management—let you examine different dimensions of cybersecurity, from reliable software to essential infrastructure and connected networks. Your selected degree pathway shapes the subjects you study in greater depth.

Where You'll Apply Your Knowledge and Skills

Cybersecurity expertise matters wherever organizations must protect software, data, networks, and connected equipment. You can apply your advanced degree to assessing vulnerabilities, analyzing network risks, reviewing trusted-software practices, or evaluating protections for industrial and other critical-infrastructure systems.

Organizations facing these risks include government cybersecurity teams, hospitals, manufacturers, and critical-infrastructure operators. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) works on national cyber and infrastructure security whereas healthcare organizations such as Mayo Clinic maintain information-security functions.

Delivery Options
- Online: MS
- Accelerated: MS
- On-Campus: MS

Cybersecurity Program Details

Choose a specific degree option or delivery type to learn more about the cybersecurity program at Michigan Tech. For international students, Cybersecurity is a designated STEM program.

On-Campus Programs

MS, Cybersecurity: Thesis Option

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	20 Credits
Thesis research	6-10 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Cybersecurity: Report Option

This option requires a report describing the results of an independent study project. The scope of the research topic should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

Of the minimum total of 30 credits, at least 24 must be earned in coursework other than the project:

Total Credit Requirements
Option Parts	Credits
Coursework (minimum)	24 Credits
Report	2-6 Credits
Total (minimum)	30 Credits

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	12 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

MS, Cybersecurity: Coursework Option

This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through coursework. A limited number of research credits may be used with the approval of the advisor, department, and Graduate Admissions. See degree requirements for more information.

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

Distribution of Coursework Credit
Distribution	Credits
5000-6000 series (minimum)	18 Credits
3000-4000 (maximum)	12 Credits

Accelerated MS, Cybersecurity

Bachelor's + 1 Year = Master's Degree

Our accelerated master's degree program is a faster, easier way for Michigan Tech students to earn a master's degree. Up to nine approved credits from your bachelor's degree can be applied towards your accelerated master's degree. Consult your graduate program director for your individualized plan. If you're thinking about pursuing a master's following your bachelor's this option may be the right choice for you.

Online Programs

MS, Cybersecurity (Online)

Gain the skills to protect digital assets and critical systems with Michigan Tech's graduate online cybersecurity program, blending theory, hands-on experience, and cross-disciplinary expertise in science, engineering, and technology. 30 credits (10 courses) can be completed in as few as five semesters.

See Online Cybersecurity MS

Accelerated MS, Cybersecurity (Online)

For Michigan Tech students with a Bachelor's degree, fast-track your career or speed progress toward advanced studies through an online Accelerated Master's Program. The program allows you to earn both a Bachelor's and Master's in as few as five years.

This online Accelerated Master’s program allows you to count up to 9 approved credits towards both degrees. It is designed for highly motivated students who wish to enter a mid-level position in their career after graduation or pursue doctoral studies. Set yourself up for success in an increasingly demanding job market with an online Accelerated Master’s from Michigan Tech.

Additional Program Information

Want to learn more about cybersecurity at Michigan Tech? Visit the department for more information:

Contact

Graduate Director

Jean Mayo

Graduate Assistant

Janna Chittick

Sample Areas of Interest

Select areas of interest to help customize your Cybersecurity MS. Sample areas include:

Trusted Software Engineering
Network Security Management
Critical Infrastructure Protection

View full listing for this program

Application Process and Admissions Requirements

Using a holistic approach, our graduate admissions team reviews applications on an individual and ongoing basis. Fill out our free graduate application online to apply to any of our programs. Official transcripts and scores are not required for the initial application, but you will need to upload them later.

Graduate Admissions Process

Applying to your graduate program is free (no application fees) and fast (no official transcripts or test scores are needed to start). The application process involves three easy steps. Please note that international applicants are required to pay a non-refundable $10 processing fee per application.

See Admissions Steps.

Graduate Admissions Options

Michigan Tech offers several admissions options in order to meet the educational needs of students from a variety of backgrounds. Students should review the options available to them and apply for the program that will best help them achieve their personal educational goals.

See Admissions Options

Graduate Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission to your program as either a degree- or certificate-seeking student, you need to:

have a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution, and
be prepared for advanced study in your chosen field, as demonstrated by your previous degree and your scholastic record.

See additional application requirements, including required materials:

Student Statements

Official Transcripts

Program-Specific Requirements

Program Specific

2 Letters of Recommendation
Admitted applicants typically have an undergraduate overall GPA of 3.0 or greater on a 4.0 scale
No GRE required
Students must choose one of the areas of interest
4-year bachelor's degree required - Must have a bachelor's degree in information technology, computer science, or computer engineering. Students with degrees in other fields may be required to take preparatory courses.

International Students

TOEFL scores as of January 21, 2026: Recommended Score of 4.5
- For tests taken before January 21, 2026: Recommended Score of 90 iBT
IELTS: Recommended Score of 6.5 overall

Michigan Tech requires a minimum 4.5 overall TOEFL or 6.5 overall IELTS score.

Admissions Decisions

For Fall: beginning January 1
For Spring: beginning October 1

Recommended Deadlines

Fall Semester: May 1
Spring Semester: September 1
Summer: Please contact the Graduate Program Director
For full financial consideration for Fall: February 1

International Student Requirements

International Students must apply and be accepted into a degree-granting program in order to earn a graduate certificate. A non-refundable $10 processing fee per application is required.

See International Applicants

Accelerated Master's Requirements

Our Accelerated Master's Program is available for current Michigan Tech students.

Program Specific

2 Letters of Recommendation
GPA of 3.0 or greater
No GRE required

Eligible Undergraduate Majors

Computer Science
Software Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Computer Engineering
Computer Network and System Administration
Cybersecurity

Accredited by HLC

Michigan Tech has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1928. We offer over 125 graduate certificates, master's degrees, and PhD programs to provide our students and the world with what tomorrow needs.

Who You'll Learn From and Work With

Learn from faculty in computing, electrical and computer engineering, and related technical disciplines. You'll be inspired by their work, which spans secure systems, data protection, applied cryptography, networks, and cyber-physical environments.

Faculty research has been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSH), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Energy (DOE), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Microsoft, Google, and others. Five faculty members and an alumnus have received NSF CAREER Awards.

Where You'll Study and Do Research

At Michigan Tech, you'll benefit from an interdisciplinary research environment that connects the Department of Computer Science, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and College of Computing. These inter-departmental connections across departments bring together specialized expertise and technologies, creating opportunities to investigate complex computing and cybersecurity challenges.

Faculty Spotlight

Bo Chen

Bo Chen
Associate Professor,
Computer Science

"It's the responsibility of security researchers to secure the cyberspace so that users feel safe."

Protecting mission-critical data has been one of the top security concerns and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Chen works on both research and education on applied cryptography and data security. He has been dedicated to investigating novel techniques to protect sensitive data in mobile devices, flash storage media, cloud infrastructures, networks, and big data infrastructures.

Program Faculty