Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is critical and increasingly urgent in today’s computer network, and information systems, including cyber-physical critical infrastructures, networks, and information systems. Cybersecurity deals with how to design, protect and defend these systems by ensuring the availability, integrity, authentication, confidentiality, and non-repudiation of these systems and their services/data. The Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity curriculum includes courses designed to prepare individuals who engineer computer, network, and information systems, or develop policies for these systems with knowledge of methods, techniques, and tools used to improve security.

These courses are often offered in the late afternoon and evening to provide a more ideal time slot for working professionals.

The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. This designation covers academic years 2014 through 2027. More information about our IA programs and activities can be accessed at the Center of Information Assurance and Security Technology (CIAST) at UCCS.

The NSA (National Security Agency) Information Assurance Courseware Evaluation (IACE) Program has validated that University of Colorado at Colorado Springs courseware meets all of the elements of the Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) National Training Standards for:

• Information Systems Security (INFOSEC) Professionals, NSTISSI No. 4011
• System Administrators (SA), CNSSI No. 4013 Entry Level

Objectives:

• Graduates of the MECS program become experts in methods, techniques, and tools used in Information Assurance..
• Graduates of the MECS program serve as chief security officers for organizations.
• Graduates of the MECS program practice lifelong learning and keep themselves up to date with emerging Security Engineering knowledge.
• Graduates of the MECS program contribute to Cyber Security Journals and Conferences.

Outcomes:

• Students should know the proven principles/techniques/tools, current standards, and best practices of Cybersecurity.
• Students can perform independent research in the area of Cybersecurity.
• Students can build a secure networked system and setup/enforce security policies.
• Students can perform risk analysis and penetration testing of a networked system.
• Students has developed effective communication skills and professionalism.

• An overall 3.0 grade point average in all graduate work.
• Advisor chosen prior to completing 12 credit hours of graduate course work.
• All work applied ot the degree must be accomplished within a six-year time limit.
• Up to 9 hours of graduate work may be transferred from an accredited graduate program at another institution or taken as a non-degree seeking student at UCCS, provided:
  • Course work has not been used for any other degree,
  • Grade earned for the course(s) is B or better,
  • The course work has been taken within past six years,
  • The course coverage is equal in level, content, and depth to the course for which it is being substituted.
• All courses included to count for this degree must be part of an approved plan of study. This plan must be developed by the student and approved by the student’s advisor before completing 12 credit hours of course work.
• Knowledge of a modern programming language, such as Java, C#, or C++

For details on degree requirements, please visit the Academic Catalog.

View Program Guidelines

The Cybersecurity curriculum includes courses designed to prepare individuals, who engineer computer/network systems or develop policy for these systems, with knowledge of methods, techniques, and tools used in Cybersecurity. Courses at the graduate level are regularly offered in the late afternoon or evening to provide graduate study opportunities to working professionals.

For details on program coursework, please visit the Academic Catalog.

1. A Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics, computer science, engineering information systems, or equivalent.
2. An overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0; awarded within the past five years) or minimum 148 GRE (required for students with a GPA below 3.0), quantitative portion. Applicants with a grade point average of less than 3.0 or with degrees awarded more than five years ago will be admitted on a case by case basis. Applicants with a grade point average between 2.75 and 3.0 awarded within the past five years may be admitted provisionally. International applicants must follow the international applicant admission requirements located on the 'How to Apply' page.
3. It is recommended the applicant have two years experience with commercial, industrial or government software development or system/network administration.
4. A completed online application including a concise statement of experience, career goals and resume.
5. Three letters of recommendation.
6. Applicants with any foreign post-secondary course work should also submit a course-by-course evaluation by a NACES member.
7. Other items as required.
8. International Applicants:

• International students applying for the program should have all application materials into the Admissions Office at UCCS by March 1st for Fall Semester and by October 1st for Spring Semester. Applications received later than these dates or incomplete by these dates may be considered for the following semester. It is the student's responsibility to follow up to make sure all materials are received on time.
• All sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) are required, with at least 148 on the quantitative portion, unless one of the following conditions is satisfied:
  • The applicant has a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or above from an ABET-accredited Computer Science or a closely related program from within the U.S.
• A TOEFL score of 80 of higher, an ILETS of 6.5 or higher, or a Duolingo exam score of 115 will be required for proof of English Proficiency. If the student has completed a degree in the US, this requirement may be waived.
• Course by Course Evaluation: Upon the successful completion of your online application, you will receive a private link to upload each foreign post-secondary transcript from institutions you have attended. These transcripts must include all courses and grades, must be issued in the original language, and be accompanied by certified English translations when applicable. This service is provided at no cost for UCCS applicants. More details will be communicated to you via email after we received your completed application. Please make sure to check your email for the uploading instructions

Program Prerequisites

• Knowledge of a modern programming language, e.g., Pascal, Java, or C++
• CS 1450 Data Structures and Algorithms
• CS 2080 Programming with Unix
• CS 2160 Computer Organization and Assembly Language Programming

Financial Aid Information

For financial aid consideration we encourage you to apply by March 1st. Most scholarships and fellowships are given to Fall applicants, not Spring applicants. If you are an international student who will need a visa, we recommend you complete the application process by March 1st to give enough time for application review and visa processing. If your application comes after the posted semester deadline, it will be considered for the following term.