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Program Information

Interim Graduate Program Director Nathan Barker – ELC 417 – (435) 586-5415	Faculty & Staff
Administrative Assistant Mary A. Gillins – ELC 407 – (435) 586-5405	Website

Overview of Program

The Master of Science in Cyber Security and Information Assurance program focuses on the design, planning, and management of cyber systems and procedures for protecting these systems and infrastructure from external threats, including terrorism. The program is delivered online and includes instruction in cyber security and IT policy; information, vulnerability, and threat assessment; physical, personnel, and operational security; and contingency, redundancy, emergency, and disaster planning.

Mission

The Department of Computer Science and Information Systems (CSIS) supports the mission of the University and the Walter Maxwell Gibson College of Science and Engineering by providing a high-quality graduate and undergraduate education to students through certificate, associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degree programs.

The mission of the Department of CSIS is to provide a learning-centered environment that enables students, faculty, and staff to achieve their goals and to empower students to compete on a global level for careers in government, industry, secondary education, and for acceptance to graduate school.

The department provides programs in computer science and information systems. The curricula are rich with opportunities for students to develop a sound understanding of fundamentals as well as specialized theories, practices, and ethics that enhance their learning.

The CSIS faculty are committed to providing high-quality education, individual guidance and assistance to students, helping them to develop the attributes of critical thinking, effective communication, lifelong learning, and individual integrity while pursuing their academic goals. Faculty members engage in scholarly activities to enhance their classes, involve students, and assist in the economic development of the region through partnerships with industry, inventors, and entrepreneurs.

Program Learning Outcomes

The master’s degree in the department is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). As such, the M.S. degree is engineered to provide graduating students with the following learning outcomes:

1. Identify, apply, and analyze concepts and practices governing the creation and maintenance of cyber technology infrastructures, including policy development, integrated controls, and web architecture risk mitigation.
2. Design, plan, and establish Government, Risk, and Compliance (GRC), security, and cyber infrastructure frameworks.
3. Critically gather, analyze, evaluate, communicate, and translate technology-driven data for a variety of audiences, with an emphasis on how to articulate risk mitigation issues to executive and board leadership.
4. Identify, analyze, and apply ethical reasoning relating to cyber security and information assurance issues.

Admission and Graduation Requirements

Admission

Admission to the program is permitted in accordance to SUU admission requirements outlined below:

1. A letter of intent describing the following:
   • Academic background
   • Work experience
   • Intentions and desired emphasis area.
2. Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in one of the following disciplines:
   • Information Systems
   • Computer Science
   • Science
   • Related area (approved by Program Administration)
3. A minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA (on 4.0 scale) covering the last 60 semester or 90 quarter hours in the undergraduate degree. Coursework in the undergraduate degree must have been completed within the last ten years.
4. Three letters of recommendation.
5. One set of official transcripts.
6. Documentation of industry certifications (if applicable-if no current certifications exist, please note that in the application) (e.g. A+, Security+, MCSE, CISSP, etc.).
7. A minimum GRE score of 300 is required for all CSIA applicants.  
8. A minimum TOEFL score is required for international applicants: 80 for the Internet-based TOEFL exam, or 550 for the paper-based TOEFL exam.  
9. Must take a Qualifying Entrance Exam (this is not the GRE).
10. An application fee.

Program Information

• Graduate students must complete their program within six (6) years of matriculation.
• All courses must be passed with a “C” (2.0) or better to be counted in the program.
• Students must earn a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 to graduate.

Program Requirements