New Graduate Degree Program Aims to Fill Major Cybersecurity Talent Gap
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents has granted its approval to offer a 12-course, 34-credit online master’s degree in cybersecurity. The program is a collaboration of University of Wisconsin Extended Campus and eight UW System campuses: UW-Green Bay, UW-La Crosse, UW‑Oshkosh, UW-Parkside, UW-Platteville, UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point, and UW-Superior.
The new online master’s degree features four unique tracks of study, allowing students to focus their education in one or more cybersecurity areas: Digital Forensics, Cyber Response, Governance & Leadership, and Security Architecture.
Courses are planned to begin in September pending approval from the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States.
“There is an incredible talent gap in cybersecurity both in Wisconsin and around the globe,” said Aaron Brower, executive director of UW Extended Campus. “We believe this program meets market needs while offering students the skills and education employers want.”
The online cybersecurity master’s degree draws upon the talent and resources of the eight participating UW System campuses and features a multidisciplinary curriculum taught by UW faculty, each contributing diverse expertise from fields including computer science, engineering, communications, economics, and mathematics.
“We are pleased to work with our sister institutions to successfully serve students in this fast-growing field,” said Joanne Wilson, provost of UW-Platteville, the lead campus for the online cybersecurity program. “Together, we’ve developed a master’s degree program that aims to prepare students to fill in-demand cybersecurity positions across all industries, in both private and government sectors.”
Graduates of the program will be prepared for positions such as cybersecurity engineer, information security analyst, network architect, and cybersecurity manager among others. Admission to the program requires a bachelor’s degree with prerequisite courses in Computer Science and Calculus or Statistics. Aptitude tests such as the GMAT and GRE are not required.
“The Master of Science in Cybersecurity program underwent a comprehensive curriculum development process,” said George Kroeninger, chief academic officer at UW Extended Campus. “Over the last 18 months, with input from industry professionals and our UW campus partners, we have established a rigorous master’s curriculum that will set graduates up for success in the cybersecurity field.”
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is intended for students with a bachelor’s degree in areas including (but not limited to) computer science, information technology, information systems, or computer engineering, and who have professional experience in the information technology field, but are looking to gain specific cybersecurity skills to qualify for in-demand positions.
The program joins a growing list of flexible, online degree and certificate programs powered by University of Wisconsin Extended Campus in collaboration with UW System campus partners.