Is a Master's in Cybersecurity Worth It?

You may not need a master’s degree to start your cybersecurity career, but for some, earning one could make all the difference.

If you’re a career-changer, skills-expander or ambition-chaser, a master’s in cybersecurity could be a worthwhile endeavor.

Is a Master’s in Cybersecurity More Appealing to Employers?

It entirely depends on the role you’re pursuing and the employer. Some job listings may note an advanced degree as a requirement. Others may not — but they could seek candidates with the skills and technical knowledge you gain in a master’s program.

According to Dr. Susan McKenzie, a senior associate dean at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), cybersecurity is a highly valuable master’s degree within the 2025 job market.* According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), information security analyst roles, for instance, are projected to grow 29% over the next decade. That's nearly 10 times faster than the expected 3% growth BLS noted for all occupations.*

She said a master’s degree can help you:

• Build deep expertise beyond undergraduate training
• Develop critical thinking, problem-solving and applied research skills
• Open doors to career growth, including leadership roles and advanced technical positions
• Signal a commitment to your profession and mastery of complex subjects

McKenzie has spent the last three decades dedicated to advancing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields and, at SNHU, ensures STEM programs and courses are of high quality with relevant learning outcomes.

If you have a bachelor’s degree in a different field and have decided to shift careers, earning a master’s in cybersecurity could help you gain access to entry-level jobs.

If you’re a career-changer, McKenzie shared what to look for when selecting a program in a different field than your bachelor’s degree. “Look for foundational coursework in early terms, and programs that demonstrate aptitude, such as work experience, certifications or prior learning assessments,” she said.

Those new to the field may need to take a foundational course before diving into a master's in cybersecurity program. This course can help you become acquainted with the basics of information systems that you'll need to carry into advanced courses.

Learn more about the top jobs with a master's in cybersecurity.

So, is It Worth Getting a Master’s in Cybersecurity?

It was for Josiah Lee ’25G, a veteran of the U.S. Army.

After working his way through the program, Lee said he traveled from New Jersey to New Hampshire to have his “moment” at Commencement.

“It was all worth it,” he said. “I’m proud to be here.”

Just one week after inquiring about SNHU’s master’s in cybersecurity program, Lee was registered for classes. His goal was to become a “one-stop” cybersecurity professional, and he discovered a passion for digital forensics along the way.

“We at digital forensics ... recover the deleted data and make sure legal prosecution is done to (hackers),” Lee said. “So, the digital forensics class was the best class I’ve ever had.”

Through his program, he also gained a deeper understanding of what it means to be a manager — and even a chief information security officer.

SNHU graduate Prince Gelito ’24G had a similar experience. With a desire to become a leader in cybersecurity and protect the world from cybercriminals, he found his digital forensics course to be particularly beneficial, too.

In his day-to-day work, Gelito applied what he learned in that course and others throughout the master’s in cybersecurity program. “Especially understanding the technical words — using them during meetings (and) presentations,” he said.

Earning a master’s in cybersecurity was also a personal achievement for Gelito. He’s the first in his family to earn a graduate degree, and it felt important to make the drive from Pennsylvania to New Hampshire to mark the occasion at his Commencement ceremony.

Should you choose to earn a master’s degree in cybersecurity, the place you decide to earn it at makes a difference.

As a service member in the U.S. Army Reserves, Gelito said the staff at SNHU worked with him whenever he had field operations. “The advisors are here to help me, and the professors as well,” he said. “Just give them a heads up about what is going to happen in the future, and they can work with you.”

He decided to earn his degree at SNHU after his colleague recommended the school. “This university has a lot to offer to me,” he said. "Especially the degree – it's well-known to other organizations.”

How Long Would It Take to Get a Master’s in Cybersecurity?

A master’s degree in cybersecurity can be completed in as little as 15 months if you attend school online full-time. But that timeline can change, depending on the college you attend, your pace and whether you have a background in the field.

For instance, if you’re a busy person or have other priorities that need your attention, you could take one class at a time as a part-time student. If that’s the case, your path to graduation day will take longer. You may also choose to sometimes take two courses per term — or take others off.

All these decisions can impact your timeline, and your academic advisor can help you make a plan and modify it as needed.

As parents with full-time jobs, husband and wife duo David and Irina Roach '24G took almost four years to earn their master’s degrees in cybersecurity at a pace that fit their lives.

They learned a lot about time management and working together, Irina said — and they shared a lot, too: from an academic advisor to words of encouragement along the way. They were also soundboards for each other as they navigated their assignments.

Irina was able to apply what she learned in classes immediately in her cybersecurity role.

“At my work, (the degree) just helped with having a solid foundation," she said. “I do learn on the job a lot, but having that academic knowledge certainly helps.”

David, who earned a master’s in cybersecurity after his organization dissolved during the pandemic, planned to use the new credential to help his career direction.

To anyone interested in earning a master’s degree in cybersecurity? “Go for it," he said. "The program has been fantastic (with) some really great teachers.”

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Rebecca LeBoeuf Blanchette '18 '22G is a writer at Southern New Hampshire University, where she fulfills her love of learning daily through conversations with professionals across a range of fields. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Professional Writing at SNHU’s campus in Manchester, New Hampshire, and followed her love of storytelling into the online Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing at SNHU. Connect with her on LinkedIn.