Online Degrees
Master's Degrees
Information Technology (MS)
Information Technology (MS) - Information Security

Information Technology professional working across multiple monitors

Online Master's Degree MS in Information Technology Information Security

Protect Against Ever-Present Threats to Data and Networks with a Master’s in Information Security

Be a clutch player on any organization's IT team with an online Master of Science in Information Technology with a concentration in Information Security degree from Southern New Hampshire University. This hot, growing field involves managing and evaluating internal and external threats to security, system integrity and networks. Investigate human factors present in cyber security related to ethics, integrity, practices, policies and procedures. Learn the ins and outs of enforcing network-level security policies and how to ultimately "lock down" an organization's Internet entry.

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See Yourself Succeed in Cyber Security

SNHU's MS in Information Technology with an information security concentration equips you with the foundational knowledge and analytical skills necessary to prevent, mitigate and respond to cyber security threats. You'll learn how to recommend best practices for planning, implementing and managing enterprise-level security and system integrity and develop organizational policies and procedures to evaluate and manage potential security threats related to human behaviors.

As a private, nonprofit university, SNHU has one mission – to help you see yourself succeed. The benefits of earning your MS in IT at SNHU include:

Affordability. Take advantage of some of the most affordable tuition rates in the nation
Convenience. Attend class when it’s convenient for you – online education means 24/7 access
Efficiency and flexibility. Complete your graduate degree in as few as 15 months, with two courses per 10-week term
Expert instruction. Learn from instructors with relevant, real-world experience
Minimal requirements. No GMAT or GRE required for admission
Networking. Tap into our nationwide network of alumni for internship and career opportunities
Student support. Count on the ongoing support of dedicated academic and career advisors specialized in your area of study

Admission Requirements

Acceptance decisions are made on a rolling basis throughout the year for our 5 graduate terms. You can apply at any time and get a decision within days of submitting all required materials. To apply, simply contact an admission counselor, who can help you explore financial options. Your counselor can also walk you through the application process, which involves completing a graduate application ($40 fee) and providing undergraduate transcripts.

Candidates must also submit a professional resume.

Career Outlook

Occupations related to information and cyber security are in very high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects positions as an information security analyst will grow by 28% through 2026.* Use your master's in information security degree to launch a cyber security career in a variety of roles, including information security specialist, network firewall security analyst, security administrator, security architect, system security technician and web security analyst.

Cyber Security Center of Excellence

Through our Cyber Security Center of Excellence, SNHU proudly supports cyber security students across the globe. To learn more about our contributions to the field, and connect with our academic leaders, visit our Cyber Security Center of Excellence page.

Curriculum

This unique master’s program reinforces your foundation in IT principles while enhancing your cyber security skills and experience. Courses are taught by knowledgeable faculty with years of real-world, hands-on experience.

SNHU provides cloud-based virtual environments in some courses to give you access to the technology you need for your degree – and your career. Learn more about our virtual environments.

View Full Curriculum in the Catalog

MS in Information Technologies - Information Security

Courses May Include

IT 549 Foundation in Information Assurance

This course explores the basic concepts and prepares students with the foundation skills for the protection of networks, communication, and data, as well as the knowledge base for planning, implementing, and managing enterprise level security and system integrity. Topics include approaches in an organization to prevent, detect and recover from the loss of information, cryptography and its applications, security in networks and distributed environments.

IT 552 Human Factors in Security

This course examines the human factors present in cyber security related to ethics, integrity, practices, policies and procedures. Students will design information technology security awareness training and optimize information technology organizational factors to foster a healthy security culture within an organization. Additionally, students will recommend mitigation strategies to protect an organization from human behaviors that could potentially cause a security threat.

IT 643 Network Assessment and Defense

Explore a broad range of topics from secure network fundamentals, protocols and analysis; threats and vulnerabilities; application, data and host security, access control and identity management. Examine defensive measures to secure an organization's network. Identify overall network security posture and the basic practices in vulnerability assessment.

IT 510 Advanced Information Technology

This course focuses on the principles and practices underlying the analysis, design, implementation and management of information technology systems. Topics include information system development methodologies, systems planning, requirements analysis, systems implementation, software engineering, project management, and interface, database and process design.

IT 511 Object Oriented Application Development

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles and practices of object- oriented software development and provides a foundation for developing quality software. Students develop skills in applying object- oriented concepts to solve software problems and implement solutions. The course also teaches the concepts and design of algorithms for problem solving and includes the topics of data structures as they are related to the algorithms that use them. The course provides the technical foundation necessary to handle the material covered in the subsequent IT courses.

IT 515 Innovations in Information Technology

In this course, students strengthen their understanding of leadership theory and ethical frameworks in the context of a technology enterprise. Students will apply this understanding to business cases that reflect the need for innovative technology solutions in today's workplace in order to transform the thinking of an organization when change is required or to develop ideas that enable new business strategies.

IT 520 Technical Communication

The course focuses on the essential oral and written technical communication skills needed for producing technical documentation and presentations in many different forms for varying business situations. The course enables students to understand the needs of stakeholders in order to develop different technical documents such as white papers, design specifications, project plans, test plans, user manuals, etc. The ability to communicate research findings using appropriate academic formatting will also be addressed.

IT 600 Operating Systems

This course focuses on computer architecture and the operating systems of digital computers. Students learn about the operational methods of hardware; the services provided by operating systems' software; acquisition, processing, storage and output data; and the interaction between computers. Topics include widely used operating systems such as DOS, Windows, and UNIX.

IT 625 Information Technology Project and Team Management

This course introduces the students to the principles and practices necessary to be an effective IT project manager. The course covers project scope, time, cost, quality and human resource management techniques as applied to the kinds of project management problems and issues unique to the IT environment. Students learn how to design an actual IT project structure and will obtain hands-on experience using project management software. Emphasis is on the techniques of project management, leadership, teamwork and project risk management as applied to the IT environment. Case work is an important part of this course.

IT 640 Telecommunications and Networking

Telecommunications is a business resource that must be well managed. This includes the technical aspects and the application of telecommunications technology to solve specific business problems and enhance the strategic position of a business enterprise. Topics include the importance of telecommunication in today's business environment, the analysis, design and implementation of telecommunications systems, the scope of the telecommunications industry and current trends; telecommunications hardware, the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) network model, networking technologies and telecommunications software, protocols and standards.

IT 650 Principles of Database Design

This course is a study of the design, development and implementation of database management systems (DBMS) that emphasize relational DBMS architecture using SQL. Students will design and implement projects and complete case exercises as they are introduced to new developments in database design.

IT 700 Capstone in Information Technology

This capstone course is the culminating experience for the M.S. in Information Technology program. The aim of the capstone is to assess students' ability to synthesize and integrate the knowledge and skills they have developed throughout their coursework, rather than introducing new concepts. This course is structured to support student success in fulfilling program requirements.

Total Credits: 36

Program Outcomes

Recommend best practices for planning, implementing, and managing enterprise level security and system integrity
"Develop organizational policies and procedures to mitigate potential security threats related to human behaviors "
Analyze the overall network security posture of an enterprise in a given scenario
Develop innovative and agile, computer-based solutions to business problems through a systems analysis approach and technology integration and application
Design a plan for implementing and monitoring solutions that incorporate core information technologies, concepts and methods appropriate for secure information use across an enterprise
Collaborate and communicate effectively in a variety of environments through situational awareness and audience analysis
Develop an implementation plan for systematic information risk assessment for change management plans and processes within enterprise business and information technology environments
Using computational logic and critical analysis, construct ethically sound, technology-informed procedures to ensure legal compliance and maintain security within enterprise information technology environments

Minimum Hardware Required Specifications

Component Type	PC (Windows OS)	Apple (Mac OS)
Operating System	Windows 7^* or newer Note: If your computer runs on Windows 7, see the information regarding Windows 7 End of Life below	Mac OS X Snow Leopard (10.6) or newer
Memory (RAM)	4 GB or higher	4 GB or higher
Hard Drive	100GB or higher	100GB or higher
Office Suite	Office 2010 Professional or newer	Office 2011 for Mac
Antivirus Software	Required for on campus students. Strongly recommended for online students	Required for on campus students. Strongly recommended for online students
Optional Accessories	CD/DVD drive. External hard drive. Extra power cord. Headphones/earbuds	CD/DVD drive. External hard drive. Extra power cord. Headphones/earbuds
SNHU Purchase Programs	Visit Dell	Visit Apple

Notes:

Laptop or Desktop? Whichever you choose depends on your personal preference and work style though laptops tend to offer more flexibility.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Chromebooks (Chrome OS) and iPads (iOS) do not meet the minimum requirements for coursework at SNHU, nor does the Microsoft Surface RT. These offer limited functionality and do not work with some course technologies. They are not acceptable as the only device you use for coursework. While these devices are convenient and may be utilized for some course functions they cannot be your primary device.
Office 365 Pro Plus is available free of charge to all SNHU students and faculty. The Office suite will remain free while you are a student at SNHU. Upon graduation you may convert to a paid subscription if you wish. Terms subject to change at Microsoft's discretion. The following platforms are no longer supported by Office 365:
- Android 4.3 and earlier versions
- Firefox version 5.0 and earlier versions
- Internet Explorer 8-10 on Windows 7 and earlier versions
- Internet Explorer 10 on Win Phone 8.0
- Safari 6.0.4/OS X10.11 and earlier versions
Antivirus software: Check with your ISP as they may offer antivirus software free of charge to subscribers.
Optional Accessories:
- Many laptops on the market today do not include CD/DVD drives. While SNHU typically does not utilize CD/DVD content, this is a good accessory to have.
- External Hard Drive - it is always a good idea to back up your files and an external hard drive is a great way to do that.
- Extra power cord - if you have a laptop and are frequently on the move, many people find it useful to have a second power cord - one for home and one for your bag.
- Headphones/earbuds - many SNHU courses include audio and video content. These will make viewing and listening easier.

^*Windows 7 End of Life Statement for Students

Effective Jan. 14, 2020, Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7. What does this mean for you?

As part of the continuing evolution of computer systems, Microsoft will no longer provide security updates for Windows 7. Keeping your computer current with security updates helps your computer run better and protect your information. Since Microsoft will no longer release updates, the information on your computer will be more vulnerable and your computer may not function as well.

We strongly recommend you update to Windows 10 at your earliest convenience. You can upgrade to Windows 10 for free.

Have questions? Contact the ITS help desk via the service portal or by phone at 1.855.877.9919. Technical support is available 24/7.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition rates for SNHU's online degree programs are among the lowest in the nation. We offer a 25% tuition discount for U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty.

Online Graduate Programs	Per Course*	Per Credit Hour*
Degree/Certificates	$1,881	$627
Degree/Certificates (U.S. service members, both full and part time, and the spouses of those on active duty)	$1,410	$470

*Tuition Rates are subject to change and are reviewed Annually.

Additional Costs:
$150 Graduation Fee, Course Materials ($ varies by course)

University Accreditation

Southern New Hampshire University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) as well as several other accrediting bodies.

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm (viewed online Dec. 13, 2017). Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.