Master’s in Cybersecurity Online MS Graduate Degree Program

Yes, earning a master's in cybersecurity can certainly be worth it, particularly if you're looking to move into advanced roles in the field.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 25% of information security analysts 25 or older had earned a master's degree in 2022.²

SNHU offers an online MS in Cybersecurity, making it easier for busy adults to reach their goals. With 24/7 access to the classroom and no live lectures, you can take your graduate courses when it's convenient for you.

"I am a mother of two and I work full time," said Beth Maldonado '20 '21G. "I am a full-time student. SNHU helps me manage to get it all done and get As."

The application process here is simple: You'll receive a decision just days after submitting the required materials. You can begin when the time is right for you, since SNHU has 5 graduate term starts each year.

As a student, you'll build a relationship with an academic advisor and you'll learn from instructors with experience in their field.

Jillian Seabrook ’17 ’18G chose to study cybersecurity at the graduate level after she discovered an interest in it while working at a bank. A co-worker refused to help her with a task, afraid that passing the information along would remove job security. Seabrook said she didn't want to be the person who couldn't help others when it came to such risky topics.

“I just saw fraud happen all the time,” Seabrook said. “At least once a week someone came in with a fake check or a sob story about how they got scammed on Craigslist, and I was like, this is interesting. I want to go do something about that.”

If you don't have a tech background but still want to pursue an MS in Cybersecurity, SNHU offers plenty of support and resources through our academic advising team, library, technology partners and social communities.

Read more: Is a Cybersecurity Degree Worth It?

The time it takes to complete your master’s degree in cybersecurity at SNHU depends on your schedule, pace and whether you have any previously earned graduate credits.

This program in particular is 36 credits with a maximum of 13 courses, and we accept up to 12 graduate transfer credits. That means, as a full-time student (2 courses per 10-week term), you could finish in as few as 15 months — or even faster with transfer credits.

If you prefer a part-time pace (1 course per 10-week term), you’ll have the flexibility to balance your studies with work and personal commitments. Many part-time students complete their degree in about 2 or 3 years, depending on their course load and any breaks they take along the way. Your academic advisor can help you map out a schedule that supports both your goals and your lifestyle.

Read more: How Long Does It Take to Get a Master's Degree?

With a master's in cybersecurity, you can gain more focused skills and the ability to lead information security strategies that can identify and respond to risk.

An MS in Cybersecurity might be ideal for those who already work within the field, but are looking to move up the ladder in their career. By developing your skill set with leadership, communication and collaboration traits, you can set yourself apart from other mid-level candidates.

Jobs available to those holding a master's in cybersecurity may include:

• Cybersecurity analyst/consultant
• Computer information systems manager
• Information systems security manager/officer
• Cybersecurity director

No matter what your current role is, there can be value found in earning your master's in cybersecurity.

"Though I do not currently work in a security-specific department, I do find that broadening my security awareness and education has improved my life as an engineer," said Mallory Quaintance '21G. "I can look at problems with a different lens having completed this degree."

Richard Sebastian '21G adds that having a master's degree is a huge advantage in offering him more options in life.

"Life is about options," said Sebastian. "The more you give yourself, the better the quality of life you and your family will have."

Read more: Types of Cybersecurity Roles: Job Growth and Career Paths

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for information security analysts was $120,360 in 2023.²

Similar occupations that require a master's degree include computer and information research scientists, with a median annual wage in 2023 of $145,080, according to the BLS.²

And, according to the BLS, those who held master's degrees in 2022 earned close to 16% more than those with only a bachelor's degree in terms of median weekly pay.²

Yes! In SNHU's online master's in cybersecurity program, you'll gain the same hands-on, real-world experience that you would in a traditional campus environment – but on a convenient schedule that works for you.

You'll get lab experience in several classes, like:

• Incident Detection and Response: Explore topics like detection, investigation and response by developing plans that use industry-standard processes and tools to investigate incidents and recommend processes for incidence response.
• Investigation and Digital Forensics: Learn the theory, practice and principles of digital forensics through investigation of computers, networks, operating systems and mobile devices. You'll develop skills for all steps in the evidence cycle: identification, collection, acquisition, authentication, preservation, examination, analysis and presentation.
• Network Assessment and Defense: Examine defensive measures to secure an organization’s network, and study topics like secure network fundamentals, protocols and analysis; threats and vulnerabilities; and application, data and host security, access control and identity management.

With your capstone course, you'll have the opportunity to demonstrate what you've learned with a project that's structured around emerging concerns in the cybersecurity profession. By creating a real-world project that highlights your mastery of cybersecurity, you have an example of large-scale work that you can show employers.

Another way to get hands-on experience with your cybersecurity master's degree is by incorporating an internship into your program, giving you the ability to take your learnings into the workforce. When you're able to add experience to your resume before you graduate, you indicate to employers that you're ready to take on a role that can help them advance their organization.

A bachelor’s in cybersecurity is a 120-credit undergraduate degree. An online master’s degree in cybersecurity at SNHU is a shorter, focused degree suited for students who have already completed a bachelor’s and are looking to advance or shift their career.

Though you do need a conferred bachelor’s degree to apply for any master’s program at Southern New Hampshire University, it does not need to be in the same field. You can pursue the online master’s in cybersecurity with a bachelor’s in another field, allowing you to further expand your skill set or even make a change in your career.

Learn more about bachelor's vs. master's degrees.

Because you can enter the master’s program without a bachelor’s specifically in cybersecurity, providing a professional resume helps the admission and academic teams determine if a student with little to no IT experience should take the foundational course, IT-505: Core Technologies. This course provides you the opportunity to get to know the basics of information systems, including hardware, software, networks and delivery systems.

If your bachelor’s is in a different field, like psychology for example, but you have worked in IT for most of your career, your professional resume may indicate the foundation course is not necessary. However, if you haven’t worked in a related field for any length of time, the resume may indicate the foundation course is required. The more details included relating to your responsibilities in your previous roles as it pertains to IT/cybersecurity, the better we can determine your readiness.

The best way to see how many credits would be required for your program is to start the application process with one of our admission counselors and have an official evaluation completed. This process can help you make an informed decision about your program choice.

Companies are paying high salaries for well-trained and well-educated cyber professionals, and even so, there are more than 700,000 unfilled cybersecurity jobs in the U.S. alone.¹ On top of that, the job market for information-security analysts, including cybersecurity professionals, is projected to grow 32% by 2032.²

The growing threat of cybercrime is creating urgency, thus creating new positions every day. However, with the increasing urgency and high stakes, there aren’t nearly enough qualified workers to meet the demand. This skill gap creates a problem that earning an online master’s in cybersecurity can help to solve.

A bachelor’s degree is only the minimum requirement for most cybersecurity jobs, meaning earning an online master’s degree in cybersecurity from SNHU can give you the credentials needed to qualify for these high-demand and high-paying positions.

To break it down, earning your master’s degree can benefit you in these key areas:

• Cybersecurity skills and career mobility: A master’s covers the basics plus leadership, management and more. With this training, you become a stronger candidate for higher-level positions, positioning you to potentially move up and around in your career.
• Job security and growing career options: With a shortfall in talent, job security for those qualified is strong, and opportunities are plenty.
• Higher salary: Likewise, with a shortage in the supply of qualified professionals, the demand is greater and salaries reflect accordingly. In 2023, the median annual wage for computer and information technology IT professionals, including cybersecurity, was $104,420.²

When it came to choosing a school for his master's degree, Richard Sebastian '21G landed on SNHU for many reasons, one being the curriculum for his career advancement.

"I felt like SNHU offered a broader and more relevant group of classes that would make me a better cybersecurity professional," he said. "The discussions and feedback from the instructors helped me keep on track and point me to new ideas and new ways of thinking about information technology security."

Yes, you can earn your master’s in cybersecurity online at SNHU. With 24/7 access to coursework and no set class times, you can complete your degree on your schedule — wherever you feel most comfortable learning, whether that’s from home, a library or your favorite coffee shop. Throughout each term, you’ll connect with experienced instructors who are available to answer questions and support your success. You’ll also connect with classmates through interactive online forums, where you can share ideas, collaborate on projects and more.

The best cybersecurity master’s program depends on what matters most to you — whether that’s flexibility, affordability or hands-on experience. At SNHU, our online master’s in cybersecurity is built to meet you where you are. You’ll learn from instructors with real-world industry experience, gain practical skills you can apply right away and study on your own schedule with no set class times. With personalized support and the option to transfer up to 12 graduate credits, we make it easier to take the next step toward your goals.

Like any advanced degree, a master’s in cybersecurity can be challenging — but it’s designed to help you succeed. At SNHU, you’ll gain hands-on experience through coursework and practical projects that build skills in areas such as risk assessment, threat management and data protection strategies. Along the way, you’ll have access to instructors and dedicated academic/career advisors who can provide guidance.

SNHU is proud to offer some of the lowest online tuition rates in the country. For full- and part-time students, our graduate programs cost $659 per credit, so a 36-credit master’s in cybersecurity degree would cost $23,724 in full.

To save money, you have the option to transfer up to 12 previously earned graduate credits toward this degree. Active-duty military members and their spouses may also qualify for tuition discounts. In addition, our Financial Services team can help you explore ways to make your education more affordable and create a payment plan that fits your needs.

Read more: How Much Does a Master's Degree Cost?

In our MS in Cybersecurity program, you’ll build on foundational concepts like discrete math, statistics and basic calculus, but you don’t need to be an expert in advanced math to succeed. Rather than doing complex calculations, we'll focus on applying these concepts to real-world security challenges. It’s about analytical thinking, problem-solving and recognizing patterns — skills that are essential for tackling today’s cybersecurity issues.