Master of Science in Cybersecurity

UH NAMED CENTER OF EXCELLENCE FOR WORK ON CYBER DEFENSE

The University of Houston’s educational and research programs in cybersecurity and cyber defense have been recognized by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security.

UH first received the “Center of Academic Excellence” designation for its education programs in 2007, after the creation of the Center for Information Security Research and Education. This is the first time it has received the research designation. 

Admission Requirements

 

Admission Requirements

An undergraduate or graduate degree in a technology discipline from an accredited university or college is required for unconditional admission to the cybersecurity graduate program. The applicant's undergraduate education must reflect a firm foundation in a computing technology discipline, the equivalent of 24 hours within a computing major or 18 advanced hours within a computing minor. Students who do not meet the necessary requirements will be requested to complete prerequisites before entering the program.

• Admissions Test - Students must submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
• A grade point average of 3.0 or better (4.0 scale) for the last 60 hours of academic course work is required for unconditional admission.
• Three letters of recommendation from persons who can address the applicant's ability and potential for graduate education and a leadership position in a technological-intensive organization (i.e., former professors, employment supervisors, professional colleagues).
• A personal narrative statement reflecting the applicant's academic and employment histories and prior experience on technology projects, as well as interest in achieving a leadership position in a technology-intensive organization.
• A demonstrated understanding of statistics is required. Prospective students should have taken and passed a course in statistics (e.g., TMTH 3360) with a grade of C or higher.
• A demonstrated understanding of the basics of cybersecurity is required. An undergraduate degree with coursework in cybersecurity, or Security+ certificate is recommended.

Proficiency in English

 

Proficiency in English

International applicants are required to provide official TOEFL scores. Students whose written or spoken English proficiency is marginal in relation to the communication skills of the information technology industry may be required to seek instruction outside the college.

A personal interview may be requested by Graduate Admissions Committee or by the applicant. The Graduate Admissions Committee may identify pre-admission foundation courses, as part of or in addition to the list given above, that need to be taken before entering the program.

Application Process

 

Application Process

Complete application for Graduate Studies and return as instructed with official transcripts and $75.00 application fee. Arrange to complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and submit official scores to the University of Houston. You can arrange to take the GRE on campus by calling 713-743-5444. Submit a personal statement of intent and three letters of recommendation.

International applicants must also pay an additional $75.00 international application processing fee and submit official TOEFL scores.

Courses Offered

CIS 6321 – Introduction to Cybersecurity
Cr. 3. (3-0). Overview of contemporary cybersecurity issues for technology professionals from an applied perspective; search current syllabus.
Prerequisite: Graduate standing

CIS 6322 – Secure Enterprise Computing
Cr. 3. (3-1). Enterprise security administration for technology professionals through server operating systems architecture and configuration; hands-on experience with UNIX and Windows operating systems; search current syllabus.
Prerequisite: CIS 6321 or consent of graduate faculty advisor

CIS 6323 – Cryptography and Cybersecurity
Cr. 3. (3-1). Practical issues in cryptography, including examples of current historical cryptography systems; major types of cryptosystems and cryptanalytic techniques, and how they operate; hands-on experience with current cryptographic technology; search current syllabus.
Prerequisite: CIS 6321 or consent of graduate faculty advisor

CIS 6324 – Cybersecurity Risk Analysis
Cr. 3. (3-0). This course focuses on the organizational issues of risk analysis in the legal context of the Internet. Organizational problems involving reliability, safety, security, privacy, and human well-being are addressed; search current syllabus.
Prerequisite: CIS 6322 or CIS 6323 or consent of graduate faculty advisor

CIS 6325 – Network Security
Cr. 3. (3-0). This course focuses on the introduction to Network Security, including foundations of networking, applying security functionality via protocols and controls, security architectures, and network security operations; search current syllabus.
Prerequisite: None

CIS 6337 – Digital Forensics
Cr. 3. (3-0). Explores the realm of digital forensics, including media analysis, data reconstruction, network forensics and the legal issues surrounding the use of forensic data; search current syllabus.
Prerequisite: CIS 6321 or consent of graduate advisor

CIS 6347 – Advanced Digital Forensics
Cr. 3. (3-0). Advanced digital forensics processes and procedures, e-discovery, media analysis, data reconstruction, reporting and legal issues surrounding digital data in criminal and civil litigation; search current syllabus.
Prerequisite: CIS 6337

CIS 6357 – Control Systems Security
Cr. 3. (3-0). An exploration of security functionality for control systems and networks. This hands-on course examines threats, vulnerabilities and appropriate security responses to protect critical infrastructure components; search current syllabus.
Prerequisite: CIS 6321

CIS 6358 – Secure Software Design
Cr. 3. (3-0). Examines the management of software engineering process with an emphasis on security, including common bugs and tools to prevent them in a secure development process; search current syllabus.
Prerequisite: CIS 6321

CIS 6359 – Penetration Testing
Cr. 3. (3-0). Application of tools, techniques, and procedures to perform penetration testing on networks and applications; search current syllabus.
Prerequisite: CIS 6321, 6322 and 6323

CIS 6396 – Internship in Information Security
Cr. 3. (3-0). Cybersecurity internship in a public or private organization. May be repeated for credit; search current syllabus.
Prerequisite: At least 12 hours in the MS/ISS program and prior written approval of the graduate faculty advisor

Contact Information

For more information about this program, contact the CCE Technology Division graduate advisors: cotgrad [at] uh.edu (cotgrad@uh.edu).