Program Description

With cyberattacks increasing in frequency and severity, the Master of Science in Cyber Security, Technology and Policy degree program equips students with the knowledge, skills and training they need to be leaders in the field of cybersecurity. Taught by internationally recognized faculty at The University of Texas at Dallas, the program is designed for students from both technical and nontechnical backgrounds, allowing them to learn about the strategic, policy and analytic aspects of cybersecurity.

In addition to courses in informational systems, computer science and cognitive psychology, the program provides public policy courses regarding privacy, ethics, data security and regulations, in relation to cybersecurity, giving students both policy expertise and a knowledge of the technical skills necessary for analysis and management roles.

Focused on cybersecurity and technology issues, implementation, and analysis, within an interdisciplinary and strategic approach, the program trains students to solve complex problems using innovative methods technologies. In doing so, it meets the growing regional and national demand for experts trained in cybersecurity technologies and policy, preparing students for managerial and analyst positions in both public and private sectors.

Benefits

The Cyber Security, Technology and Policy master’s program ensures that students gain a broad understanding of their discipline, apply their knowledge and analytical skills to create effective and novel solutions to practical problems and communicate and work effectively in collaborative environments.

Other benefits include:

• World-Class Faculty: The program is led by faculty of the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences who are widely cited experts in their respective fields.
• Comprehensive Curriculum: Courses in the Cyber Security, Technology and Policy master’s program will introduce students to new ideas, technologies, and competencies while preparing them to succeed in both public and private sectors.
• Facilities: Students have full access to four state-of-the-art computer laboratories housed in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences. All computers are network linked and hold full suites of leading survey, qualitative, spatial and statistical analysis software, including Qualtrics, NVivo, ArcGis, ENVI, EViews, R, STATA, and SAS.
• Location: Situated in the greater Dallas region—recently rated by Forbes magazine as the #1 “Best City for Jobs”—UT Dallas provides students with easy access to employers and internship opportunities, not to mention a large and supportive alumni population.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Cyber Security, Technology and Policy degree program will be prepared for a variety of jobs related to information technology security in both public and private sectors, such as security, intelligence or cybersecurity analysts or managers.

Marketable Skills

Review the marketable skills for this academic program.

Application Deadlines and Requirements

Please take note of all application deadlines and visit the Apply Now webpage to begin the application process.

Applicants to the Cyber Security, Technology and Policy master’s degree program should have:

• A baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an institution of higher education. While there are no specific course prerequisites, entering students will benefit from exposure to undergraduate courses in statistics.
• A grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 out of a 4.0 scale.
• Test Scores: GRE not required.
• Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from individuals who can judge the candidate’s potential for success in the master’s degree program.
• A resume.
• Admissions Essay: Applicants must submit a narrative outlining 1) academic interests, 2) current or long-range interests in research, teaching, or other professional objectives, 3) description of publications or other scholarly endeavors and 4) listing of academic and professional organizations and fellowships, scholarships, or other honors received.
• International applicants must submit a TOEFL score of at least 80 on the internet-based test. Scores must be less than two years old. See the Graduate Catalog for additional information regarding English proficiency requirements for international applicants.

Students who meet the individual course prerequisites for the cybersecurity systems computer science graduate classes may petition the computer science director of graduate studies to substitute those courses.

About the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

Every new generation inherits a world more complex than that of its predecessors, which prompts a need for new thinking about public policies that impact people’s daily lives. In the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS), we examine the implications of innovation and change for individuals and communities. The social sciences are where the world turns to for answers to the important issues of today and the future such as education and health policy, financial crises, globalization, policing, political polarization, public management, terrorism, and the application of geographical information sciences to study social, economic and environmental issues.

As an undergraduate in EPPS, you will have the opportunity to work with professors who are probing issues that will affect your future. You will develop the vital skills you need to thrive in a rapidly evolving, highly competitive job market. EPPS will prepare you for careers in government, non-profits and the private sector that enable you to make a real difference in the world of today and tomorrow. EPPS is at the forefront of leadership, ethics and innovation in the public and nonprofit sectors. Our students and faculty look forward to new opportunities to study and address the complex and evolving issues of the future. Research informs much of the instruction. The school has four centers of excellence:

• Center for Global Collective Action
• Texas Schools Project
• Institute for Urban Policy Research
• The Negotiations Center

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts: Criminology, economics, geospatial information sciences, international political economy, political science, public affairs, public health, public policy, sociology

Master of Science: Applied sociology, criminology, economics, geospatial information sciences, international political economy, social data analytics and research

Master of Arts: Political science

Master of Public Affairs: Public affairs

Master of Public Policy: Public policy

Doctor of Philosophy: Criminology, economics, geospatial information sciences, political science, public affairs, public policy and political economy

Certificates

EPPS offers the following 15-hour graduate certificates, which generally can be completed in one year of part-time evening classes:

• Economic and Demographic Data Analysis: focusing on the understanding and application of quantitative analysis of demographic and economic data.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS): focusing on the application of GIS in government, private sector and scientific areas.
• Geospatial Intelligence: focusing on the application of geospatial ideas and techniques to national security and other intelligence activity.
• Local Government Management: designed to broaden knowledge of important issues and approaches employed by professional local public administrators.
• Nonprofit Management: designed to provide an overview of the nature and context of nonprofit organizations and develop competencies needed by nonprofit managers.
• Program Evaluation: designed to provide students the opportunity to gain competencies in the design and implementation of program evaluations in fields such as education, health care, human services, criminal justice and economic development.
• Remote Sensing: focusing on remote sensing and digital image processing.