Online Programs

Information Assurance with a major in Cybersecurity

Master of Science

Fully Online Program
30 Total Credits
$917 per Credit Hour
18 monthsMinimum

Secure Information in a World Full of Digital Threats

Cybersecurity ensures comprehensive protection against all forms of digital threat. Cybersecurity professionals identify weaknesses and vulnerabilities in the organization's operation; then, they design and deploy effective security responses to each threat. Cybersecurity professionals also create and sustain the requisite organizational control and accountability architecture to ensure that cyber-technology assets remain secure and that information that is processed and transmitted will remain confidential, trustworthy and available.

University of Detroit Mercy is recognized by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense from 2004-present. The University has more than a decade of expertise behind each class that drives you as a professional to be the best in your field.

Learning Outcomes

A graduate with an M.S. in Information Assurance/Cybersecurity will have the ability to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental concepts, technologies, and challenges of ensuring network security.
  2. Make informed judgments in computing practice based on legal and ethical principles.
  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the key concepts of information security governance and risk management to include best practices in disaster recovery planning and business continuity.
  4. Analyze and evaluate systems with respect to maintaining operations in the presence of risks and threats.
  5. Apply security principles and practices to the organizational environment, hardware, software, and human aspects of a system.

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

Cybersecurity is an exciting new profession; and qualified individuals with strong foundations in information assurance and cybersecurity are in high demand. It is estimated that the increase in jobs in this field will outpace supply well into the year 2023, according to the National Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Is This the Right Degree for You?

University of Detroit Mercy's Master of Science in Information Assurance with a major in cybersecurity is applicable across a broad range of careers and interests. Below are some of the types of people who have taken this course and advanced their careers. If you have an interest in cybersecurity, please contact us to discuss how this degree may be right for you.

  • Bachelor's degree with an interest in employment in government or business security work
  • Management or technical position in cybersecurity with interest in developing their careers into more advanced managerial roles
  • Individuals who are currently employed in software or systems development with interest in transitioning to software assurance
  • Individuals who are currently employed in information systems or networking positions with interest in transitioning to enterprise network security
  • Individuals who are currently employed in compliance or physical security sectors with interest in transitioning to cybersecurity
  • Former military any MOS interested in transitioning to/entering field of cybersecurity
  • Law enforcement or first responder interested in transitioning to/entering field of cybersecurity
  • Individuals with a legal background who are interested in transitioning into specializations in cyber-law, or legal and regulatory compliance

Complete Your Degree in One Year Online

The University of Detroit Mercy Master of Science in Information Assurance with a major in cybersecurity consists of 30 credits and can be completed in one academic year. This program is currently only available online. Students who take their degree program online through our online campus realize a substantial savings in tuition.

What You Will Learn

University of Detroit Mercy's master's program in Information Assurance will provide you with comprehensive knowledge of the entire field of cybersecurity. This holistic understanding will allow you to developing total protection solutions that will mitigate cyber-risks to acceptable levels in government, business and industry. You will learn all of the basic cybersecurity principles, technologies and processes.

Specialty courses range from technical classes like ethical hacking, incident response and digital forensics to strategic and managerial knowledge in cybersecurity operations, software and system assurance, supply chain risk management, secure governance and controls and regulatory compliance.

These courses are taught by experts in the field. Daniel Shoemaker, Ph.D., is one of the primary instructors. He is also one of the authors of the National Software Assurance Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) for the Department of Homeland Security. Shoemaker has written and lectured on cybersecurity and information assurance topics throughout the eastern United States and Canada. He founded the International Cybersecurity Education Coalition (ICSEC), which is an NSA-sponsored consortium of higher education institutions located in Michigan and Ohio.

To learn more or request information, email: clae@udmercy.edu.

Daniel Shoemaker, Ph.D., is one of the primary instructors. He is also one of the authors of the National Software Assurance Common Body of Knowledge (CBK) for the Department of Homeland Security. Shoemaker has written and lectured on cybersecurity and information assurance topics throughout the eastern United States and Canada. He founded the International Cybersecurity Education Coalition (ICSEC), which is an NSA-sponsored consortium of higher education institutions located in Michigan and Ohio.

To learn more or request information, email: shoemadp@udmercy.edu.

Apply Now
Admissions & Application Questions Jennifer Goethals, Graduate Admissions Counselor goethajm@udmercy.edu 313-993-3309
 
College of Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences
 
Daniel Shoemaker, Ph.D. Program Director 313-804-0544 shoemadp@udmercy.edu

Daniel Shoemaker is full time professor at Detroit Mercy, director of the Master of Science in Information Assurance Program with a major in Cybersecurity, and a principal investigator and senior research scientist at Detroit Mercy's Center for Cyber Security & Intelligence Studies. He is a former chair of the Computer & Information Systems Department at Detroit Mercy for more than 25 years. As the co-chair for the National Workforce Training and Education Initiative, he is one of the authors of the DHS Software Assurance Common Body of Knowledge (CBK). He also helped author the DHS IA Essential Body of Knowledge and serves as a subject matter expert for the NIST-NICE workforce framework. Shoemaker also enjoys editing journals, and his publications number are well over one hundred.

2023-24

A student must complete 30 credit hours, which is comprised of eight core courses and two electives. This degree program is available online only.

8 Core Courses

CYBE 5700 Principles of Cybersecurity 3 cr.
CYBE 5730 Cyberlaw 3 cr.
CYBE 5740 Secure Acquisition 3 cr.
CYBE 5750 Cybersecurity Technologies 3 cr.
CYBE 5770 Cyber Defense Operations 3 cr.
CYBE 5780 Risk Management Processes 3 cr.
CYBE 5790 Cybersecurity Control Processes 3 cr.
CYBE 5910 Information Audit 3 cr.

Electives (Choose two, 6 credits)

CYBE 5200 Specification 3 cr.
CYBE 5300 Software Assurance 3 cr.
CYBE 5580 System Forensics 3 cr.
CYBE 5710 Ethical Hacking 3 cr.
CYBE 5760 Automotive Cyber Security Management Systems 3 cr.
CYBE 5800 Special Topics in Cybersecurity 3 cr.
CYBE 5900 Security Analyst 3 cr.

Catalog Year Course Rotation

Please note that elective availability is subject to change each semester

Fall

CYBE 5700 Principles of Cybersecurity 3 cr.
CYBE 5730 Cyberlaw 3 cr.
CYBE 5780 Risk Management Process 3 cr.
CYBE 5710 Ethical Hacking (elective) 3 cr.

Winter

CYBE 5750 Cybersecurity Technologies 3 cr.
CYBE 5770 Cyber Defense Operations 3 cr.
CYBE 5790 Cybersecurity Control Processes 3 cr.
CYBE 5580 System Forensics (elective) 3 cr.

Summer I

CYBE 5910 Information Audit 3 cr.
CYBE 5300 Software Assurance (elective) 3 cr.
CYBE 5710 Ethical Hacking (elective) 3 cr.

Summer II

CYBE 5740 Secure Acquisition 3 cr.
CYBE 5800 Special Topics in Cybersecurity (elective) 3 cr.
CYBE 5580 System Forensics (elective) 3 cr.

Total: 30 credit hours

 
Course descriptions can be found in the graduate Catalog, linked here.

Admissions Criteria

Apply using Detroit Mercy's online portal at udmercy.edu/apply. That will create your account to which you can upload all of your application materials.

If you have questions about the application process, please contact Jennifer Goethals, Graduate Admissions, goethajm@udmercy.edu.

Applicants should submit the following materials:

  1. A University of Detroit Mercy Graduate Application form;
  2. Official transcripts for all previous academic work; and
  3. Any other information that the applicant feels is important to the admission decision (e.g., letters of recommendation).