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Why Enroll in a Master's in Cybersecurity Program?
Gain the knowledge to fight cyber crime. Cyber defense education immerses you in an exciting field where you’re constantly kept on your toes. Students in our master of science in cybersecurity program discover how to make the online world safer. Through the program, you’ll apply leadership abilities as well as deeper expertise in specialized cybersecurity skills. This knowledge prepares you to fight hostile forces with a combination of strategic, communication, and technical skills.
The Future for Cybersecurity Professionals
Government agencies and major corporations are under siege from well-financed cyber threats. The World Economic Forum has warned that cybercrime and cyber insecurity are among the world’s top 10 global risks. With cyber attacks against national security targets on the rise, the Department of Defense reported a need to build up its cyber workforce to fortify against attacks by adversaries.
Effective cybersecurity is necessary for protecting everything from the integrity of elections to the safety of food supplies. U.S. Army officials have been speaking up about the need for military personnel to be equipped with cyber defense education.
Likewise, defense leaders have reported a shift from warfighting power to battling cyber forces to protect national security.
The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have launched initiatives to grow their cybersecurity workforces. The demand remains high across the public and private sector, with a pressing need for cybersecurity talent existing nationwide. Employment of information security analysts, for example, is projected to increase 32 percent between 2022-2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, [career information accessed January 2024] https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm Employment conditions in your area may vary.
What You Will Gain in our Cybersecurity Graduate Program
Cybersecurity master's degree programs provide an opportunity to hone and focus your cybersecurity knowledge. While a bachelor’s degree teaches students the fundamentals of cybersecurity, the master’s degree program deepens your knowledge of topics such as digital forensics, secure networking protocols, and cloud security.
Taught by highly experienced practitioners in the cybersecurity field, the master’s degree program offers academic and professional development for those looking to expand their knowledge. Learning from diverse faculty provides exposure to what’s happening across the industry. This broadens your learning of how cybersecurity programs are applied in different environments.
Cybersecurity Master's Degree Program Highlights
Cybersecurity master’s degree program graduates will gain the knowledge to analyze the national cyber threat landscape and cybersecurity challenges from both external entities and domestic sources. Students learn about a range of topics, such as cyber intelligence, cybercrime analysis, information assurance, risk assessment, network security, and more.
Cybersecurity graduates gain the knowledge to assess risk management approaches, understand the application of security solutions, and adapt to changing cyber threats. In addition to understanding the technical aspects of security solutions, you will explore information security policies and practices and how they are applied in different sectors.
At the completion of the online master’s degree program, you will undertake a Capstone project demonstrating mastery of cybersecurity and information assurance knowledge.
Why Earn your Cybersecurity Degree at American Military University?
Gain a cutting-edge cyber defense education. The National Security Agency has recognized American Military University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense. This designation validates that our cybersecurity degree programs provide students with the critical skills to lead effective missions in both government and business.
Complete cybersecurity courses entirely online. With a 100% online degree program, you have the flexibility to attend courses and complete weekly assignments when it works best for you. This allows you the freedom to learn while managing your other military, work, and life responsibilities. Plus earning your master’s degree in cybersecurity online eliminates the need for commuting to and from a physical classroom.
Earn your master’s degree in an affordable way. As part of our commitment to make quality education affordable, we offer a Preferred Military Rate1 for master's degree courses, a grant program for veterans and family members2, no-cost admission applications, no-cost review of transfer credit opportunities, as well as low- or no-cost ebooks.
Build your professional network. When you attend our cybersecurity master's degree program, you’ll build a network of students and faculty working across cybersecurity in different capacities. This can help you to expand your knowledge, gain industry insights, and learn about new opportunities.
Make a smooth transition. Becoming a full-time student can be an adjustment, whether you’re used to the structure of the military or are coming from another professional role. Our advisors are here to make this transition easier. They can help you access military benefits and financial aid, maximize transfer credits, manage your academic schedule, and more. Our military education managers also support active-duty servicemembers and spouses stationed at bases around the country and can meet virtually with servicemembers stationed overseas.
Leverage career support. American Military University participates in the U.S. Department of Defense’s Military Spouse Employment Program, which offers connections to hundreds of employers looking to hire military spouses. Learn more about program-specific career services at American Military University.
1All U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, Reservists, and military families, (parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents) are eligible for the Preferred Military Rate for undergraduate and master’s-level courses. The Preferred Military Rate, which is applied automatically, supersedes all other university grants and special rates, and cannot be combined with any other special promotions.
2All veterans and family members (parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents) are eligible to receive a Veteran Grant on standard undergraduate and master’s-level tuition. Tuition grants cannot be combined with any other special rates, promotions, or grants and only one can be applied per course.
Cybersecurity Master's Program Faculty
American Military University is discerning in its selection of faculty. All faculty members teaching our master’s degree in cybersecurity courses have a terminal degree in their field as well as a decade or more of experience working in the field. Our faculty members have included leaders in cyber intelligence, cybersecurity, cyber warfare, network security, risk management, computer forensics, computer science, computer security, and homeland security across corporations as well as all branches of the military.
Faculty with military experience bring unique insights into the needs of active-duty and veteran students. They’re accustomed to teaching and mentoring students who are actively deployed or looking to transition into professional life after their military career.
Making the Most of Military and Other Tuition Assistance
Our financial advisors bring a depth of experience helping students make the most of tuition assistance and other financial aid programs. Ways to pay for your cybersecurity master’s degree include:
- Military tuition assistance
- Veterans benefits
- Employer benefits
- Federal Student Aid
- Scholarships and private loans
Scholarship and grant highlights include:
- Everyday Heroes grant—Provides a 10% grant for bachelor's degree and master's degree programs for public safety professionals and their families
- Air Force Association—Helps fund education for the Air Force and Space Force communities
- Hope for the Warriors—Pays for a portion of tuition for qualifying associate degree, bachelor’s degree, master's degree, or doctoral programs for spouses and caregivers of post-9/11 veterans
- Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) Scholarship Fund Association of America (MOAA) Scholarship Fund—Includes grants as well as interest-free loans for children of MOAA members
- National Family Military Association—Provides scholarships for military spouses
- Pat Tillman Foundation—Funds a portion of undergraduate, graduate, and professional education for active-duty servicemembers and veterans as well as military spouses
- The National Association of Institutions for Military Education Services— Covers scholarships for active-duty personnel, veterans, and active-duty military spouses from all service branches
Learn more about additional scholarships through Military.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many cybersecurity professionals and information security professionals, including chief information officers, chief security officers, and chief technology officers, have a master's in cybersecurity. This specialized knowledge is typically sought by large corporations, military branches, as well as government agencies.
With a master’s in cybersecurity you can acquire the management practices needed to lead cybersecurity operations. Many director- and executive-level cybersecurity jobs on career sites like LinkedIn and Indeed.com list a master in cybersecurity or a related field as a requirement.
Cybersecurity jobs may involve working for a large organization, a military installation, a public entity, or striking out on your own to start a business. Many people are drawn to cybersecurity careers for the excitement of working in an ever-changing field or the work/life balance gained through many remote cybersecurity jobs.
With the right time and attention to detail, earning a master's in cybersecurity isn't overly difficult. The knowledge gained through cybersecurity master’s programs tends to come more easily to those with a passion for technology and an aptitude for problem-solving.
Having experience in IT or a similar field can help provide the foundational knowledge necessary to master cybersecurity courses.
For all prospective students, we take into consideration experience, education, professional involvement, and other factors. Many students in our master’s of science in cybersecurity program have completed an associate or bachelor’s degree in IT or a related field such as computer science, have work experience, and/or IT certifications such as EC-Council’s Ethical Hacking. Learn more about our admissions requirements.
Core courses in a cybersecurity graduate program typically include network security, cryptography, information security management, ethical hacking, and digital forensics.
Most cybersecurity masters degree programs last one to two years. Time to completion can vary depending on how many hours you put in each week and whether you’re attending part- or full-time.