MS in Cyber Security
The Master of Science in Cyber Security degree program is designed to provide a strong foundation and detailed technical knowledge in information security, computer security, network security, software security as well as an appreciation of the social, policy, ethical and legal aspects of security and privacy. A natural continuation of studies is offered for students who have received a baccalaureate in computer science, information technology, computer engineering, electrical engineering, information systems, mathematics, software engineering, or a related technical area, and are interested in furthering their knowledge in Cyber Security. The program offers two tracks: a research track and a professional track.
Academic Programs Coordinator
Dr. Hua Ming
ming@oakland.edu
248-370-3769
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Degree requirements
The Master of Science in Cyber Security degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 32 credits in an approved program of study.
1. Research track (32 credits)
The research track requires 32 credits including 2 to 8 credits of thesis to graduate. The structure of credits is as follows:
a. Foundation requirements (12 credits)
Must complete 12 credits of the following Foundation Group courses:
Foundation Group courses
- CSI 5450 – Database Systems I (4 credits)
- CSI 5500 – Operating Systems I (4 credits)
- CSI 6470 – Advanced Computer Networks (4 credits)
b. Core requirement (4 credits)
Must complete 4 credits of the following Core course:
- CSI 5460 – Information Security (4 credits)
c. Depth requirement
Depth Group courses
- CSI 5480 – Information Security Practice (4 credits)
- CSI 5230 – Mobile and Smart Phone Application Development (4 credits)
- CSI 5240 – Cloud Computing (4 credits)
- CSI 5490 – Wireless and Industrial Networks (4 credits)
- CSI 5720 – Software Security (4 credits)
- CSI 5730 – Non-Cryptographic Methods for Network Security and Privacy (4 credits)
- CSI 5740 – Cyberlaw, Forensics and Electronic Discovery (4 credits)
- CSI 6600 – Network Security (4 credits)
- MIS 6410 – IS Privacy (3 credits)
- MIS 6430 – Intellectual Property and the Public Domain in the Age of Remix (3 credits)
- MIS 6900 – Special Topics in Management Information Systems (3 credits)
d. Electives
Students on a research track must complete a thesis for 8 credits.
Elective Group courses
- CSI 5970 – Independent Study (1 TO 4 credits)
- CSI 6998 – Master’s Thesis Research (2 to 8 credits)
- CSI 7995 – Research Initiation (2 credits)
- CSI 7940 – Research Seminar (2 credits)
- Note: The program will require 16 semester hours of foundation and core courses and 16 semester hours of depth/elective course work for a total of 32 semester hours. Research track students are required to take Master’s Thesis Research plus at least 2 depth courses.
2. Professional track (32 credits)
The professional track requires 32 credits of graduate coursework. The structure of credits is as follows.
a. Foundation requirements (12 credits)
Must complete 12 credits of the following Foundation Group courses:
Foundation Group courses
- CSI 5450 – Database Systems I (4 credits)
- CSI 5500 – Operating Systems I (4 credits)
- CSI 6470 – Advanced Computer Networks (4 credits)
b. Core requirement (4 credits)
Must complete 4 credits of the following Core course:
- CSI 5460 – Information Security (4 credits)
c. Depth requirement
Depth Group courses
- CSI 5480 – Information Security Practice (4 credits)
- CSI 5230 – Mobile and Smart Phone Application Development (4 credits)
- CSI 5240 – Cloud Computing (4 credits)
- CSI 5490 – Wireless and Industrial Networks (4 credits)
- CSI 5720 – Software Security (4 credits)
- CSI 5730 – Non-Cryptographic Methods for Network Security and Privacy (4 credits)
- CSI 5740 – Cyberlaw, Forensics and Electronic Discovery (4 credits)
- CSI 6600 – Network Security (4 credits)
- MIS 6410 – IS Privacy (3 credits)
- MIS 6430 – Intellectual Property and the Public Domain in the Age of Remix (3 credits)
- MIS 6900 – Special Topics in Management Information Systems (3 credits)
d. Electives
Elective Group courses
- CSI 5970 – Independent Study (1 TO 4 credits)
- CSI 7995 – Research Initiation (2 credits)
- CSI 7940 – Research Seminar (2 credits)
- Note: The program will require 16 semester hours of foundation and core courses and 16 semester hours of depth/elective course work for a total of 32 semester hours. Professional track students are required to take at least 3 depth courses
Satisfactory academic progress
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.
Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details.
Good academic standing
All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.
Good academic standing is a requirement for:
- Holding a Graduate Assistantship
- Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
- Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
- Going on a leave of absence
- Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.
Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.
Department requirements: The minimum satisfactory grade for graduate work is B. Credit for completion of a course in the Master of Science program will be given for grades of B- or above but no more than two grades may be B-. Graduate credit will not be awarded for grades below B-. To repeat a course, a student must have the permission of the graduate committee of the school.
All grades received as a graduate student are used in computing the GPA except that, if a course has been repeated, the most recent grade is used in the calculation of the GPA. A graduate student is placed on academic probation if the student’s overall GPA drops below 3.0 or if the student receives more than one grade below 3.0, including the original grade(s) of any repeated course(s). A graduate student receiving a grade less than 3.0 while on probation is subject to dismissal. A graduate student receiving more than two grades below 3.0 is subject to dismissal whether or not the student was put on probation previously.
In all programs the minimum grade point requirement is an average of at least 3.0. If a student’s GPA is less than 3.0 after having attempted 16 credits, the student will be recommended for dismissal from the program.
Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study.