MSHS in Cybersecurity

Area of Study Overview

Return to the John S. Watson School of Public Service Homepage

Partnering with the Heavin School of Arts, Sciences and Technology, Cybersecurity provides students with the applied knowledge and skills needed to secure and defend information systems and digital assets. Students will learn important theoretical concepts combined with real-world applications and hands-on experience. Our innovative curriculum is designed with input from an advisory board of cybersecurity experts from industry and government. Courses are taught by scholar-practitioner faculty who are experts in the field of cybersecurity.

Credit Distribution

I. Core Courses (18 Credits)

HLS-505	Foundations of Homeland Security	3
MPL-510	Research Methods in Public Service	3
HLS-611	International Legal and Ethical Issues	3
HLS-625	Technology and Information Security	3
HLS-640	Funding and Program Administration for Homeland Security	3

Students select one of the following

MPL-510	Research Methods in Public Service	3
MNP-515	Leading Strategic Change in Public Service	3

II. Area of Study (12 Credits)

CYB-510	Cybersecurity Foundations	3
CYB-520	Network Defense and Security	3
CYB-560	Cyber Forensics and Investigation	3
CYB-570	Cyber Risk Management and Incident Response	3

III. Homeland Security Electives (3 credits)

Select one of the following:

CYB-580	Cybersecurity Strategy, Governance, and Ethics	3
HLS-500	Terrorism and Homeland Security in the U.S.	3
HLS-501	Natural Disasters and Security Planning	3
HLS-510	Protecting the Homeland: Balancing Security and Liberty	3
HLS-610	The Psychology and Sociology of Disaster	3
HLS-615	Domestic and Global Intelligence for Security Management	3
HLS-620	Homeland Security Preparedness: Prevention and Deterrence	3
HLS-630	Protecting the Homeland: Response and Recovery	3
HLS-645	Pandemics, Bioterrorism, and Biosecurity	3

Note: Students who want to earn the Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity while completing the degree can take CYB-580: Cybersecurity Strategy, Governance, and Ethics as their area of study elective. For additional homeland security elective course options, please contact an Advisor.

IV. Capstone in Homeland Security (3 Credits)

MPL-710

Public Service Capstone

Total Credit Hours: 36