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Montclair State to Offer Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity

New program prepares students for careers in high-growth field

Posted in: Science and Technology

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There is an increasing demand in industry, government and academia for cybersecurity professionals trained to protect complex information infrastructures. A recent jobs report by Cybersecurity Ventures predicts, in fact, that there will be as many as 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity-related positions by 2021. Beginning in fall 2019, Montclair State’s new Master of Science in Cybersecurity program will enroll its first students, who will be prepared for career success in this rapidly growing field.

“The Graduate School’s new master’s in Cybersecurity program is an exciting addition to our portfolio of graduate programs. Cybersecurity is one of the nation’s fastest growing job opportunities, offering jobs with excellent earnings potential,” says Vice Provost for Research and Graduate School Dean Scott Herness. “We’re pleased to now be able to provide our students with training that will lead to fulfilling careers for them in this area of the workforce.”

Graduates of the full-time, 30-credit program will gain the state-of-the-art cybersecurity skills needed to pursue careers managing the rising volume of data in industries such as finance, health care and retail, as well as in government agencies. In addition, graduates will be prepared to help protect data from the threat of potential cyber attacks.

“This degree will give students the tools they need to be leaders in the cybersecurity workforce,” says College of Science and Mathematics Dean Lora Billings. “Because this discipline touches all industry sectors, we know the demand for our graduates will grow and that the opportunities are endless.”

According to Computer Science Department Chair Constantine Coutras, the MS in Cybersecurity will open new doors in cybersecurity education and research to students of diverse backgrounds. “We are excited that many of our undergraduate students want to pursue careers in cybersecurity,” he says. “One of our program goals is to retain these students, while also attracting students who are pursuing undergraduate degrees elsewhere.”

While students will pursue a flexible curriculum under the guidance of a faculty of PhD-level cybersecurity experts, they will also have opportunities to work on cutting-edge research projects.

Students will learn in the University’s new Center for Computing and Information Science building, which features state-of-the-art computing equipment as well as dedicated instructional and research spaces such as smart teaching labs and classrooms, a specialized computer hardware lab and nine research labs – including data science, networking and mobile computing labs. In addition, the building’s third floor Center for Cybersecurity and Privacy offers a research space where students will be able to actively participate in diverse, security-related collaborative research projects.

“With the new MS in Cybersecurity degree program, the Computer Science department is looking forward to increasing its local, national and international visibility and supporting faculty and students in building and expanding dynamic global collaborations,” says Coutras.

Interested applicants can register to learn more from a free Program Webinar on January 24th from 1-2pm.

Register today to attend our Graduate Open House – Sunday, February 24th at 11am. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the new MS in Cybersecurity degree program – and receive an application fee waiver. Register today.

For specific program information, please visit: https://www.montclair.edu/graduate/programs-of-study/cybersecurity-ms/