In today’s world, cyber security is key to almost every business and organization. Professionals in computer and information security defend digital information on computers and their servers, mobile devices, networks and other electronic systems from cybercrime and attack. They have a wide range of responsibilities with different roles in government, industry and other organizations. On the job, they are expected to safeguard an organization’s data, computers and networks, as well as creating security plans and monitoring activities. If a breach occurs, they’re responsible for identifying the problem and finding a solution quickly. It requires well-trained professionals skilled in network security, information security and application security to help organizations remain safe from the risk of digital attacks, and we at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, prepare our students well for these challenges. For more information on the program.
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Cyber security has moved to the forefront for organizations and governmental agencies with high demand, and in an ever changing technological environment the need for cyber security experts will continue to grow.
Cyber security professionals are among the most highly paid, post a 9% salary premium over other IT jobs. A security software engineer receives an average annual salary of $233,333, while a chief security officer brings in an annual salary of $225,000.
The drastic skill gap between cyber security job requirements and the level of skills of fresh bachelor of science graduates has led the government and private sector to offer financial incentives for those looking to pursue a degree in cyber security, such as the National Science Foundation Scholarship for Service (SFS), the Information Assurance Scholarship Program (IASP) and more.
Department of Computer Sciences and Electrical Engineering at Marshall University offers an accelerated path for students to obtain a bachelor’s and master’s degree on an accelerated path. It is offered as an accelerated bachelor’s plus master’s degree with:
Undergraduates accepted to an Accelerated Master’s Degree (AMD) program can begin taking graduate coursework while still in the B.S. program. These graduate credits can be taken in their senior year up to a maximum of 12 hours in place of electives. AMD will facilitate an easy and fast transition into the graduates program.
We encourage qualified undergraduates to consider doing an accelerated Master’s degree and please meet your advisor to see if you qualify for the program.
Advantages of an Accelerated Degree
- Complete the Bachelor’s degree with up to 12 fewer credit hours, (must meet all other degree requirements for the Bachelor’s degree);
- Begin work on the master’s degree during the senior year;
- Complete up to 12 graduate credits at undergraduate tuition rates;
- Earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in less time.
Eligibility Requirements for the Accelerated Master’s Degree Program
- Must have completed at least 90 hours toward the Bachelor’s degree;
- Must have at least a 3.30 overall undergraduate GPA;
- Must have at least a 3.50 GPA in the major;
- Must submit two reference letters, a personal statement, a graduate application and fee but are exempt from submitting GRE scores and a final transcript.
How to Apply
- During the junior or senior year, eligible students should meet with their Undergraduate Advisor and the Chair/Director of the chosen Master’s degree program to develop an AMD Plan of Study. This form is available from this Link. The completed, signed, and approved Plan of Study must be submitted to the Graduate College. Any changes to the AMD Plan of Study must be approved by the Undergraduate Advisor and Chair/Director of Graduate Studies and submitted in writing to the Dean of the Graduate College.
- The student’s acceptance into the AMD program is subject to the approval of the Plan of Study by the Dean of the Graduate College.
- Students accepted into the AMD program should apply for admission to the chosen Master’s degree program for the first semester after the Bachelor’s degree is awarded. Applications should be submitted during the last semester of the senior year.
- Information Security Analyst
- Security Specialist
- Cryptographer
- Security Administrator/Manager
- Security Architect
- Security Consultant
Admission Requirements and Transfer Criteria
Applicants should follow the admissions process stated in the graduate catalog or the graduate admissions web site. Minimum requirements for admission is a four-year bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 2.75 or higher out of 4.0 in Cybersecurity or computer science related programs.
Whether a student meets the above requirements will be determined by the chair or designee of the Department of Computer Sciences and Electrical Engineering, based on the information provided in the admission application and transcripts. Applicants with a four-year bachelor’s degree in a major other than a cybersecurity or computer science related program may be admitted to the program with a condition of successful completion of the following three bridge courses with a grade of B or above in the first two semesters of the program:
- Data Structures and Algorithms (CS 210 Data Structures and Algorithms)
- lnternetworking (CS 320 Internetworking)
- Statistics (STA 225 Introductory Statistics (CT) or STA 345 Applied Prob and Stat)
Foreign nationals must provide proof of English proficiency with a minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS or 80 on the TOEFL IBT (or 550 paper-based) and must have met all other admission criteria prior to registering for the first semester of courses.