Master of Science in Cyber Security and Operations

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The Master of Science in Cyber Security & Operations degree program is designed for students who wish to help meet the challenges posed by increasing cyber-threats. Using a multidisciplinary approach, the program is designed to provide students with a focused education within a broad analytical framework for evaluating, understanding, and solving cyber security problems. This program offers thesis or non-thesis options.

Program highlights:

Fixed on defeating the full spectrum of cyber-attacks, Mississippi State’s NSF CyberCorps program is the 3rd largest in the country.
Recognized nationally for its leadership in cyber security, MSU is one of only nine schools in the U.S. to hold all three of the National Security Agency’s centers of academic excellence credentials: CAE-Cyber Defense Education, CAE-Cyber Defense Research, and CAE-Cyber Operations.
Via its nationally ranked cybersecurity program, MSU’s M.S. in Cyber Security and Operations was selected by the US Navy as a model curriculum.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition per credit hour	$558.50
Instructional Support Fee per credit hour	$25.00

Tuition and fees listed are subject to change and do not include all possible charges. Additional fees may apply. Please refer to the master class schedule for individual course charges.

This degree focuses on those aspects of cyber security that are needed to operate in the cyber domain. Material will prepare the student for advanced operations in the cyber domain such as penetration testing, after action analysis, and malware analysis. This degree is designed to satisfy the requirements for the Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations program of the Department of Defense.

What are some potential careers?

Program Structure

The program of study of a Master of Science in Cyber Security and Operations (MS CYSO) degree includes advanced courses in computer security that are selected according to the goals of the student. The program of study includes a thesis option, a professional project option, or courses-only option.

Master of Science in Cyber Security and Operations - Thesis

Major Required Courses
CSE 8011	Graduate Seminar	1
CSE 6243	Information and Computer Security	3
CSE 6173	Cryptography	3
CSE 6363	Software Reverse Engineering	3
CSE 6383	Network Security	3
CSE 8713	Advanced Cyber Operations	3
CSE 8763/ECE 8823	Wireless Networks	3
	Electives	3
CSE 8000	Thesis Research/Thesis in Computer Science and Engineering	6
Total Hours		31

Master of Science in Cyber Security and Operations – Non-Thesis

Major Required Courses
CSE 8011	Graduate Seminar	1
CSE 6243	Information and Computer Security	3
CSE 6173	Cryptography	3
CSE 6363	Software Reverse Engineering	3
CSE 6383	Network Security	3
CSE 8713	Advanced Cyber Operations	3
CSE 8763/ECE 8823	Wireless Networks	3
	Electives	3
	Non-Thesis Option: 6 hours of CSE or ECE electives	6
Total Hours		31

Admissions Requirements

Students seeking full admission into this program should apply as a classified student. Non-degree seeking students wishing to take classes offered through the Online program should apply as an Unclassified student.

Applications for the degree programs are reviewed two times a year. The application deadlines for those semesters are as follows:

Spring Enrollments need applications by November 1
Fall Enrollments need applications by June 1

An applicant for admission to graduate study must hold a bachelor's degree from a fully recognized four-year educational institution that has unconditional accreditation with appropriate regional accrediting agencies. They must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate School and the Cyber Security and Operations program.

Regular admission to graduate study in the program requires a minimum grade point average (last four semesters of undergraduate work) of 3.00/4.00. When a student is deficient in one of the criteria cited, the student's application, nevertheless, may be considered for admission based on the strength of other materials contained in the student's application.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores are NOT required for entry into this program.

Bagley College of Engineering programs may accept transfer work previously completed by the student. Transcript reviews to determine transfer or prerequisite work will be evaluated AFTER students are granted full admission. Once admitted an academic coordinator can review those transcripts for more information.

To meet admission requirements, submit a separate official final transcript from each college or university attended; faxed transcripts will not be accepted. An applicant may not ignore previous college attendance and must list all colleges attended on the application for admission. You must be in good standing at the last college or university attended.

Attention International Students

International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and score greater than 550. Detailed information regarding international applications can be found in the Graduate Catalog. Questions regarding international applications can be addressed to the Office of the Graduate School at gradapps@grad.msstate.edu.

ETS is providing home testing for the TOEFL iBT test, and MSU is encouraging students to take advantage of this testing option. For those students applying who have taken the TOEFL within five years of the semester they plan to enroll and are unable to access the TOEFL iBT test from home, we will accept your previous test scores.

Admission Options

Domestic/International Classified Admissions
Domestic Unclassified Admissions
International Unclassified Admissions

Provisional Admissions
Readmission
Transfer Credit

Domestic/International Classified Admissions

Submit online application. You will choose Cyber Security and Operations as your Program of Study and Online Education as your campus.
Statement of Purpose
Three letters of recommendation
- You will be asked to submit three names and three email addresses of individuals you are using as references. Once you click submit, these individuals will be sent an email from MSU, which will provide a link to an online form for completing their recommendations.
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Payment of $60 non-refundable application processing fee for domestic students.
Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.
Once you are admitted, you will receive an email with complete instructions on registering for classes and contacting your advisor

Domestic Unclassified Admissions

Only NINE (9) hours of course work taken as an "Unclassified Student" can be applied toward a degree program. All Unclassified students should submit a classified application once they have reached the maximum of nine hours. Full admission into the Cyber Security and Operations online program will be based upon successful completion of all classified admissions requirements.

Submit online application
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Pay $60 non-refundable application processing fee

PLEASE NOTE
In general, students who are not admitted into a degree program are not eligible for student financial aid funds. For more information please visit Student Financial Aid to see if you will be eligible or not while taking courses as an Unclassified graduate student.

International Unclassified Admissions

If you are applying unclassified, select "Graduate School - Unclassified" as the college.

Submit online application
TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international students.
One copy of academic records showing degree(s) (in native language along with translated copies if appropriate)
One official transcript showing bachelor’s degree or progress toward degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
One official transcript showing ALL work after bachelor’s degree. (For international students, please submit a copy in native language along with translated copies, if appropriate.)
- Electronic transcripts should be sent to: gradapps@grad.msstate.edu Mississippi State University, Graduate School. Only one copy of an electronic transcript is required.
- Paper Transcripts Address (USPS):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  P.O. Box G
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
- Physical Street Address (for DHL, Fed Ex, UPS, DHS, etc.):
  Mississippi State University
  The Office of the Graduate School
  175 President Circle
  116 Allen Hall
  Mississippi State, MS 39762
Must obtain application approval from the Dean of the Graduate School
Payment of $80 non-refundable application processing fee for international students.

Provisional Admissions

A student who has not fully met the requirements stipulated by the University and the department for admission to graduate study may be granted admission as a degree-seeking graduate student with provisional status. Such student must have as his/her initial objective advancement to regular status. A provisional student must receive a 3.00 GPA on the first nine hours of graduate level courses on the program of study taken at Mississippi State University (transfer hours or unclassified graduate hours will not apply) in order to achieve regular status. If a 3.00 is not attained, the provisional student will be dismissed from graduate study.

Readmission

Once enrolled in graduate study, a student who fails to meet the continuous enrollment requirement must complete an Application for Readmission to register for classes. Continuous enrollment is defined as enrollment in two of three semester terms (Fall, Spring, or Summer) with Fall enrollment required. Students who have not been enrolled for a period of three years or longer and are in good academic standing, are eligible to reapply to through the Lapsed Student Program. Readmission is not guaranteed and must be approved by the Department Head, Academic Dean, and Dean of the Graduate School. Interested students or academic departments should contact the Graduate School for more information.

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer up to twelve (12) hours of graduate level credits from regionally accredited institutions. The decision to grant transfer credit is made by the advisor and the student’s graduate committee. If you wish to transfer credits, contact your advisor. You will need to provide an official transcript showing the courses you wish to transfer.

Courses

BIS 6113 Business Information Systems Security Management: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: BIS 3233 or any 3 hours of computer-related coursework). Three hours lecture. Concepts, skills, tools, and analytical techniques involved in management of computer security as it applies to today's business environment

CSE 6173 Cryptography: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: CSE 2383 Data Structures and Algorithms). Three hours lecture. Discrete probability, Information theory, Symmetric Cryptography, Introductory Number Theory, Asymmetric Cryptography, Standard Cryptographic Primitives, Cryptographic Protocols

CSE 6243 Information and Computer Security: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: Credit in CSE 3183). Three hours lecture. Topics include encryption systems, network security, electronic commerce, systems threats, and risk avoidance procedures

CSE 6273 Introduction to Computer Forensics: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: Senior standing in CSE/SE/CPE/MIS/CJ) Three hours lecture. Introduction to computer crime and the study of evidence for solving computer-based crimes. Topics: computer crime, computer forensics and methods for handling evidence

CSE 6363 Software Reverse Engineering: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in CSE 3183). Three hours lecture. Software specification recovery and malicious software analysis. Tools and techniques for analyzing compiled programs and communications in the absence of documentation

CSE 6383 Network Security: 3 hours.

(Prerequisites: CSE 4173/6173 Cryptography; and credit or registration in CSE 4153/6153). Three hours lecture. Basic and advanced concepts in cryptography and network security: symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, key management, wired and wireless network security protocols, network systems security

CSE 8011 Graduate Seminar: 1 hour.

One-hour seminar. Reports on recent advances and problems in computer science by guest speakers, faculty, and students, student participation, general discussion

CSE 8753 Wireless Networks: 3 hours.

Three hours lecture. Wireless network protocol design, theoretical analysis, and security and privacy. (Same as ECE 8823)

ECE 8823 Wireless Networks: 3 hours.

(Prerequisite: ECE 4813/6813 Communications Theory or equivalent). Three hours lecture. Wireless network protocol design, theoretical analysis, and security and privacy. (Same as CSE 8753)

Accessing Online Courses

Accessing Course Videos

Videos recorded during our on campus class sessions are uploaded for online students to view within our online course repository. Online students will have access to course videos within 24 hours of the on campus course completion. Students should visit Engage to access the course videos. Instructions for viewing the recordings and downloading the recordings are offered below.