Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Lead Efforts to Counter Emerging Cybersecurity Threats
online degree with a capstone
2 years
36 total credits
$850 per credit
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Prepare to Do a World of Good in Cybersecurity
Organizations throughout the world depend on trained experts to analyze cyber threats and keep their systems secure. Prepare to become a leader in this field by seeking your Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree online at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.
Our online degree program presents cybersecurity through a global lens. You’ll learn to identify and mitigate risks originating from the U.S. and abroad as you build expertise in relevant theory, policies, and technologies.
Program Details
- Learn from expert faculty with deep ties to the cybersecurity field
- Gain analytical and technical competencies for your career
- Prepare for ISC2 and CompTIA certifications through a CompTIA Authorized Academy Partner school
- Eligible students can complete the capstone where they currently work
- Our Cyber Collaborative enriches your education by exploring the implications of the cyber domain for national and international security
- Accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Develop Specialized Cybersecurity Abilities
Our online Master of Science in Cybersecurity program extends your expertise via a Cyber Defense and Intelligence track.
Earn Your Degree from a CompTIA Authorized Academy Partner
The Middlebury Institute of International Studies is an Authorized Academy Partner of the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA), a non-profit that issues professional IT certifications. Our students leverage CompTIA’s resources and benefit from discounted exam vouchers for the CompTIA Security+ and CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst Certification (CySA+) exams.
Learn MoreCybersecurity Theory Meets Hands-On Education
12 courses
36 credits
From protecting data stored in the cloud to employing AI in threat detection, cybersecurity professionals need skills at the forefront of technology. That’s why the Middlebury Institute designed the online master’s degree in cybersecurity program to blend theoretical studies and hands-on experiences to manage cutting-edge cybersecurity technologies. Our curriculum also aligns with the requirements of many certifications, including the CompTIA Security+ and CySA+ designations.
While pursuing your master’s degree, you’ll benefit from initiatives led by the Cyber Collaborative, a focal point for activities exploring the implications of the cyber domain at the Middlebury Institute. The Cyber Collaborative facilitates collaboration between relevant entities on and off campus, enriching the professionally oriented educational experiences available to students. Moreover, you’ll access opportunities to participate in student-led organizations while taking classes online.
Course Highlights
- Cryptography and Data Privacy
- Network Security
- Cyber Threat Intelligence
- Defending Critical Infrastructure and Resilience
How to Apply to the Master’s in Cybersecurity Program
Application Deadline 12/05/24
Start Date 01/06/25
Applying to the Middlebury Institute is a key step in your journey to a cybersecurity career. We offer a straightforward admissions process, with no GMAT or GRE requirements. Review the following table to learn the basic items you’ll provide when you apply.
| Online Application | Apply Now |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | $65 |
| Degree | Bachelor’s degree in any field (a STEM-related degree is recommended) |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts from all institutions attended |
| Additional Requirements |
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Some international students must submit additional requirements to join our online program. Nonnative English speakers will need:
| Test Scores |
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Tuition for Your Online Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity
Calculate your cost for attending the Middlebury Institute Use our tuition calculator to help you estimate your total tuition costs.
Completing a cybersecurity master’s degree program is an investment in your future, as you’ll open doors to rewarding roles with considerable demand and earning potential. If you want help with determining your financial aid eligibility, request information to explore your options with an enrollment advisor.
Keep in mind that many employers provide tuition assistance to promote professional development. Be sure to contact your human resources department to ask about tuition benefits that could make your online degree program more affordable.
| Cost per Credit Hour | $850 |
|---|---|
| Total Number of Credit Hours | 36 |
| Total Estimated Cost, Minus Fees* | $30,600 |
Military Students
The Middlebury Institute values the contributions of U.S. military service members and veterans to our campus community and provides advising, support, and resources to complement your experience. As a Military Friendly® School, we offer admissions benefits to help military students finance their education. Each year we offer up to 100 percent tuition coverage for 75 qualifying U.S. veterans through the Yellow Ribbon Program. For more information, contact Student Financial Services at miisfinaid@middlebury.edu.
Financial Aid Options
We are here to help you understand, manage, and finance the costs associated with your Middlebury Institute education. You may qualify for loans, veteran benefits, or external scholarships.
Tuition Details
Demand for Cybersecurity Professionals Is Rising Quickly
A 2023 study found that 62% of employers had gaps in their cybersecurity workforce,1 making them vulnerable to potential threats. By earning your Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree online, you’ll get ready to meet the demand for professionals well-versed in cyber operations, information security, and other critical competencies. Our proximity to Silicon Valley strengthens the impact of our alumni network, connecting graduates with professionals at the forefront of innovation.
Career OutlookCareers in Cybersecurity and Information Analysis
Information Security Analyst $112,000 median annual salary2
Cybersecurity Specialist $111,219 average annual salary3
“Your greatest resource at [the Middlebury Institute] is your professors. Your success is their success.”
– Matthew Levie, Graduate 2018
Program Outcomes
The Middlebury Institute’s online cybersecurity degree program emphasizes practical learning experiences, enabling you to identify and mitigate threats originating in the United States and abroad. In addition to developing technical abilities, you’ll acquire ethical skills needed by leaders who oversee efforts to secure sensitive data and critical infrastructure.
What You’ll Learn
- Threat and Vulnerability Assessment, Management, and Mitigation: Collect, analyze, manage, and mitigate threats and vulnerabilities using evidence-based decisions
- Security Architecture and Technology: Integrate and use fundamental information and emerging best practices about security architecture and technology to address day-to-day activities in the field
- Security Operations: Design and perform cybersecurity tasks following operations workflows and legal guidelines, as well as within established technology and leadership structures
- Security Program Management and Oversight: Design, implement, manage, and evaluate cybersecurity programs and projects using a systems-thinking perspective
- Cyber Defense, Threat, and Exploitation Analysis: Use defensive measures and information collected from a variety of sources to identify, analyze, and report events that occur or might occur within the network to protect information, information systems, and networks from threats
- Incident Response and Investigation: Design, develop, and deploy incident response, investigation workflows, and improvement plans
- Policy Analysis: Integrate relevant policies, standards, frameworks, and best practices into cybersecurity initiatives
- Communication: Communicate complex cybersecurity concepts, ideas, and results through multiple channels to diverse internal and external audiences
- Collaboration: Foster effective collaboration within and across public, private, and nonprofit organizations to address systemic issues that cannot be addressed via individual action alone
- Data Analysis and Evidence-Based Decision Making: Collect, analyze, manage, and visualize data to make evidence-based decisions related to cybersecurity
Expert Faculty
All faculty have diverse experience in their fields, bringing a wide range of perspectives to the table. Many of our instructors remain active in their field.
- Collaborate with faculty who bring years of industry experience to the classroom and mentor you throughout your education
- Connect with influential alumni and industry experts
- Benefit from high levels of engagement with your faculty
Cagil C. Albayrak, Program Director: Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Faculty Spotlight: Cagil C. Albayrak, Program Director
Cagil C. Albayrak’s enthusiasm for cybersecurity was kindled during a graduate course on cyber threat intelligence and further solidified through a Security Operations Center analyst apprenticeship, where he gained practical, hands-on skills in cyber defense and blue teaming. Currently, as a cybersecurity and threat management specialist at IBM, Cagil is actively involved in consulting and empowering organizations to safeguard against malicious actors. Cagil finds joy in exploring languages and technology, harbors a deep passion for Mediterranean food and culture, and is passionately dedicated to upskilling students in the Middlebury Institute’s online Master of Science program in Cybersecurity.
Serving in the military and pursuing a Ph.D. in Political Science further fueled Cagil’s interest in violent non-state actors, the politics and policies of terrorism designation, and the emerging threats to global security.
Cagil has taught and researched topics in counterterrorism and foreign policy and is a subject matter expert in cybersecurity. Cagil cultivated his interest in international relations during multinational war games focused on the laws of armed conflict in San Remo, Italy, and his participation in NATO’s Partnership for Peace mission in the Balkans.
Online Learning at Middlebury Institute
Our online programs provide the same top-level expertise and instruction that the Middlebury Institute is known for with the added flexibility for you to continue working while you earn your degree.
Our programs are:
- Asynchronous, meaning you don’t have to attend live class meetings and can complete weekly coursework on your schedule
- Available in part-time formats, so you can continue to work while you earn your degree
- Not time-zone dependent, allowing you to work worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.
If you’re ready to get started, you can fill out our online application.
We designed the online MS in Cybersecurity program for working professionals with busy lives. If something interrupts your course of study, you can take a short break without worrying about losing the credits you have accrued. We allow students to take up to five years to complete the degree.
The Middlebury Institute of International Studies is accredited as a graduate school of Middlebury College by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
You do not need a technical background or computer science degree to begin this online program, but it is recommended. To review this program’s admission requirements, visit the program overview page.
You’ll complete 36 credits to earn your master’s degree in cybersecurity. That includes nine credits for the Cyber Defense and Intelligence track. To review each course you’ll take, visit our courses page.
Our master’s in cybersecurity program includes a Cyber Defense and Intelligence track with courses on gathering and analyzing data to mitigate cybersecurity threats. Learn more about the curriculum on the courses page.
Sources and Disclaimer
- ISACA. “Track These 7 Trends for Proactive Cybersecurity in 2024.” Retrieved March 14, 2024, from https://www.isaca.org/resources/news-and-trends/industry-news/2023/track-these-7-trends-for-proactive-cybersecurity-in-2024.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Information Security Analysts.” Retrieved March 14, 2024, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm.
- Salary.com. “Cybersecurity Specialist Salaries in the United States.” Retrieved March 14, 2024, from https://www.salary.com/research/salary/position/cybersecurity-specialist-salary.
*This figure does not include additional fees and expenses such as textbooks, technology fees, supplies, etc.