Master's Degree in Cybersecurity

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MS Cybersecurity) at the University of Delaware (UD) is an advanced graduate program designed to develop expertise in computer and network security, secure software development, security analytics, cyber defense, and secure business systems. Offered through the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE), the program prepares students to address complex cybersecurity challenges through advanced technical knowledge, practical security techniques, and the development and management of secure computing environments.

The program requires 30 graduate credit hours and offers both thesis and non-thesis options, as well as a 100% online format. Students can choose from four specialized concentrations: Security Analytics, Secure Software, Secure Systems, and Security Management. The thesis option includes 24 credits of coursework and six credits of master's thesis research, while the non-thesis option requires 30 credits of coursework. The university also offers an accelerated 4+1 bachelor's-to-master's pathway for eligible students.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students begin by developing a strong foundation in cybersecurity principles, computer and network security, system protection, cryptography, and secure software development. The core curriculum emphasizes confidentiality, integrity, availability, security policies, vulnerability identification, defensive techniques, and the protection of computer systems against cyber threats.

Example coursework includes:

• Introduction to Cybersecurity (CPEG 665)

• Advanced Cybersecurity (CPEG 697)

• System Hardening and Protection (CPEG 694)

• Digital Forensics (CPEG 695)

• Secure Software Design (CPEG 676)

• Pen Test and Reverse Engineering (CPEG 671)

• Applied Cryptography (CPEG 672)

Students complete 15 credits of fundamental cybersecurity coursework, developing practical skills in security assessment, digital investigations, vulnerability detection, cryptographic methods, system protection, and secure software development.

Year 2

During the second year, students pursue advanced electives and specialized coursework aligned with their preferred cybersecurity concentration. They can explore secure software architecture, network protection, security analytics, artificial intelligence, enterprise security management, and advanced computing systems.

Available concentrations include:

• Security Analytics: Focuses on big data, statistical learning, machine learning, anomaly detection, and identifying cybersecurity risks.

• Secure Software: Emphasizes secure software development, application security, software testing, compiler construction, and vulnerability prevention.

• Secure Systems: Covers computer networks, wireless communication, embedded systems, virtualization, cloud security, and infrastructure protection.

• Security Management: Focuses on enterprise security controls, risk management, project management, organizational security, and telecommunications.

Example coursework includes:

• Web Applications Security (CPEG 670)

• Computer Networks (CISC 650 / ELEG 651)

• Operating Systems (CISC 663)

• Network Management (CISC 853)

• Virtualization and Cloud Security (CPEG 673)

• Search and Data Mining (CPEG 657)

• Introduction to Machine Learning (CISC 684)

• Security and Control (MISY 650)

Students following the thesis pathway complete six credits of master's thesis research (CPEG 869) under faculty supervision. Non-thesis students complete the remaining credits through advanced electives and concentration-related coursework.

Focus Areas

Cybersecurity; Information Security; Network Security; Security Analytics; Secure Software Development; Secure Systems; Security Management; Digital Forensics; Ethical Hacking; Penetration Testing; Applied Cryptography; Cloud Security; Computer Networks; Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity; Machine Learning; Vulnerability Assessment; System Hardening; Reverse Engineering; Enterprise Security; Risk Management.

Learning Outcomes

Develop expertise in cybersecurity fundamentals, secure software design, computer and network security, digital forensics, penetration testing, cryptography, system hardening, vulnerability assessment, threat detection, incident response, security analytics, machine learning, cloud security, enterprise security management, risk assessment, and secure computing architecture.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program prepares students for careers in cybersecurity engineering, information security, network security, secure software development, digital forensics, security analytics, and enterprise security management. Its curriculum combines theoretical foundations with practical security applications, enabling graduates to identify vulnerabilities, defend computing infrastructures, develop secure software, and manage organizational cybersecurity operations.

Students benefit from:

• National Security Recognition: The University of Delaware is designated as a National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).

• Practical Cybersecurity Training: Opportunities to develop skills in penetration testing, digital forensics, system hardening, cryptography, and vulnerability assessment.

• Specialized Concentrations: Four concentration pathways covering secure software, secure systems, security analytics, and security management.

• Advanced Technical Learning: Coursework in cloud security, machine learning, computer networks, software engineering, and enterprise security.

• Research Opportunities: Thesis-based research under faculty supervision for students interested in advanced cybersecurity investigations.

• Flexible Learning: On-campus and fully online study options, along with an accelerated 4+1 pathway for eligible undergraduate students.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Delaware offers cybersecurity education focused on secure computing infrastructure, software protection, network defense, security analytics, and enterprise security. The university's recognition as an NSA and DHS National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education reflects its institutional commitment to developing cybersecurity professionals and strengthening national cyber defense capabilities.

Students benefit from:

• NSA and DHS Recognition: Access to an academic environment recognized for cybersecurity and cyber defense education.

• Cybersecurity Research: Opportunities to explore advanced topics in computer security, network protection, secure software, and security analytics.

• Interdisciplinary Learning: Exposure to computer science, electrical engineering, information systems, business, and management-related subjects.

• Specialized Technical Training: Advanced knowledge of digital forensics, penetration testing, cryptography, system protection, and security management.

• Flexible Study Options: Opportunities to pursue the degree through traditional on-campus or fully online learning.

Graduates can pursue careers as Cybersecurity Engineers, Information Security Analysts, Security Architects, Network Security Engineers, Digital Forensics Analysts, Penetration Testers, Security Consultants, Security Operations Center (SOC) Analysts, Incident Response Specialists, Cloud Security Engineers, Application Security Engineers, and Cybersecurity Researchers. They can explore employment opportunities in government agencies, defense organizations, financial institutions, technology companies, consulting firms, healthcare organizations, and cybersecurity service providers.