Program Description:
Student Level: Graduate
Number of Courses: 10
Credit Hours: 30 Semester Credit Hours
Classes: View Course Descriptions
Delivery Method: Online, FT or PT
Between 2019-2024, the number of positions for Information Security Analysts is anticipated to grow by 31% in the US alone. Daience University’s Master of Science in Data Science and Cyber Security program prepares professionals to assume cyber security and information assurance leadership roles in corporations, agencies, and organizations. The curriculum is rich in computer security management, IT security threat assessment, incident response, organizational management and behavior and leadership, and is designed to prepare students to become creators of knowledge and inventors of processes.
The master’s degree has been divided into a set of core courses that provide the necessary skills in data science, cyber security, data mining, and programming. The program offers a selection of electives that allow students to focus on topics such as mobile forensics, Artificial Intelligence, and legal considerations. Each specialization aligns with industry skills and knowledge that have been derived from the NICE framework to enhance career applicability.
The Master of Science in Data Science and Cyber Security program is offered 100% online, on a full time or a part time schedule, providing students with the flexibility to attend classes from anywhere. Students are supported by highly qualified faculty, who provide the fundamental theory and skills needed to perform specific tasks and projects. As a result, they will have an opportunity to contextualize their learning and build skills for future careers or degrees. The program can be completed in three and a half (3 1/2) terms for full time students or five (5) terms for part time students; sample schedules for both tracks can be viewed here.
Full time students take three (3) three semester credit hour courses per term, for a total of nine (9) semester credit hours per term for 3 terms. Full time students complete their Capstone over eight (8) weeks, after required courses and electives have been completed in the first three (3) terms. Part time students take two (2) three semester credit hour courses per term, for a total of six (6) semester credit hours per term for five (5) terms.
Please refer to our school catalog for our complete Academic Calendar and additional details.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants for admission must have a bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution. Applicants must submit:
- A completed Application Form
- Official transcripts verifying completion of: a Bachelor’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education, CHEA, or listed in the International Handbook for Colleges or Universities. (Master’s Degree program only) Please refer to the international transcript requirements for degrees earned outside of the US.
- High School or the equivalent (Certificate programs only)
- A close-up copy of an official government ID or passport and a photo of the applicant holding the official government ID
- Application fee
Additional requirements for international students:
- Transcripts not in English: Transcripts that are not in English must be translated into English and evaluated by an approved third party recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Service (NACES). They may also be evaluated by a trained transcript evaluator fluent in the language on the transcript. Evaluators must possess expertise in the educational practices of the country of origin and must include an English translation of the review. All translated materials must be official.
DU’s preferred evaluating company is SpanTran, which can provide both credential evaluation and translation services. {Click here for Daience's SpanTran Credential Evaluation} Applicants are not required to use SpanTran, but all translation(s) and evaluation(s) submitted by an applicant must meet the policy requirements to be accepted by DU.
International Transcript Requirements: In order to be accepted, an official transcript for a degree program completed in a country other than the U.S. must include the following information:
- The type of degree completed (bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree)
- The date when the degree was conferred
- A list of all courses along with the corresponding credits (or units) and the grades earned
- A legend with the grading scale and the key to read the transcript
- Signature by the appropriate university official
Program Learning Outcomes
- Apply data science techniques and methods for system data gathering and analysis.
- Identify practical applications of data engineering to analyze security incident patterns.
- Apply data engineering to optimize available resources to achieve the target goal in a security system.
- Differentiate and manage the nature of risks and patterns of threat to cyber infrastructure.
- Identify and apply the right techniques, tools, and strategies to protect cyber infrastructure
- Implement research designs that require advanced tools and techniques.
- Use cyber security skills and knowledge to contribute to social responsibility in the rapidly changing global tech environment.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and ethical reasoning in problem-solving.