Overview
The Professional Master’s Degree in Information and Cybersecurity has a flexible design that allows students to choose from a one-year intensive program, or an extended program that allows for a summer internship:
- The one-year program begins in the Summer session (June) with two initial online foundational courses, followed by four on-campus courses each in the Fall and Spring semesters, and graduation in May.
- The extended program also begins in the Summer session (June) with two initial online foundational courses, followed by three on-campus courses each in the Fall and Spring semesters, an internship (or break) in the second summer session, then two final on-campus courses in the second Fall, and graduation in December.
To address the diverse background of the professional students, the Professional Master's Degree program begins with two foundational courses covering foundational computer science material relevant to information security. The subsequent computer science courses include two required courses and four other security courses chosen by the student to allow for some flexibility of focus. These six CS courses provide a thorough knowledge base of the technical aspects of information security with an emphasis on systems, network, data, and software security, and the use of cutting-edge security techniques. Labs and projects will develop and strengthen a students' expertise in using tools and assessing security needs. Most course work will be project-based, possibly with industry involvement.
Two electives allow a student to broaden the degree by selecting from a wide range of related courses offered at Purdue University. See the Courses page for more information.
The table below summarizes the Professional Master's Degree requirements.
| Type | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Initial | Two 3-credit foundational courses (CS 50010, CS 50011) |
| Core | Two 3-credit information security courses (CS 52600, CS 55500) |
| Focus | Four 3-credit information security courses from the list of approved CS courses (five courses total) |
| Electives | Two 3-credit courses from the list of approved electives |
| Total credits | 30 |
| GPA | At least 3.0 for plan of study courses |
| Other | Fulfill CS Department non-thesis Ethics and Communication requirements |
Basics
- Program can be completed in as little as one calendar year
- Two online summer foundational courses
- Three or four on-campus courses each in Fall and Spring semesters
- Flexibility in course selection allows specialization
- 30 credits
- 3.0 Plan of Study GPA required
- Fulfill departmental non-thesis ethics and communication requirements