Master of Science in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity

Advance Your Career by Securing Information Systems

Credit agencies, social media giants, health care networks, retailers, government, and financial organizations—all keep and maintain data that impact our lives. This data, or information, is often personal, and securing it is vital—especially when it’s being stored and used in many places. NSU’s M.S. in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity prepares you to build better infrastructures, with security mechanisms to help protect all that data.

Your strong mathematical aptitude and interest in algorithms and data structures make you a good candidate for a master’s degree in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity. This is a technical degree that comes with global opportunities and great earning potential. You can work in public or private sectors, in a vast number of industries.

NSU’s Information Assurance and Cybersecurity program focus on the protection and mechanisms associated with the technology infrastructure of applications, systems, and networks. You will learn how to design systems that help maintain the confidentiality and integrity of information. In this multidisciplinary program, you’ll gain specialty knowledge in cybersecurity, computer science, user experience, and more. Our curriculum evolves based on the needs of the real world, which means you’ll always be current with what’s happening in the industry.

Upon completion of the program, you’ll be prepared for careers as a chief information security officer, information systems security officer, cyber defense analyst, cyber defense infrastructure support specialist, cyber defense incident responder, vulnerability assessment analyst, and more. And you’ll have a wide variety of technical and soft skills to help you succeed.

Accelerate Your Information Assurance and Cybersecurity Degree

In the tech world, every second counts. Advance your future with new 8-week courses designed to be completed in 1 year.

Program Format

Students can select to take online or on-campus classes. Online classes can be taken from anywhere in the world where Internet access is available. NSU utilizes Canvas as the learning management system to deliver online course content. On-campus classes are held on the main campus in Fort Lauderdale. Each on-campus class meets once a week from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. 8-week courses are available, so you can earn your degree in 1 year.

Here are some of the reasons why students chose NSU

The National Security Agency (NSA) and its affiliated federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)/National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education (NICE), the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Defense Office of the Chief Information Officer (DoD-CIO), and US Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) have designated NSU as a National Center of Academic Excellence (NCAE) in Cybersecurity and have certified that NSU’s curriculum in cybersecurity meets or exceeds the requirements and standards expected of a leader in cybersecurity education. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Information Security Analysts earned an average of $99,730 per year in 2019, and job growth in this field is expected to grow 32% from 2018 to 2028. Small class sizes give you one-to-one access to professors. All our classes are exclusively taught by faculty members with doctoral degrees from accredited institutions. Our faculty are internationally recognized scholars in computing, engineering, and information science. We focus on degree programs that prepare you for careers listed by U.S. News & World Report 100 Best Jobs in 2021. You can even ask our alumni who work at Fortune 500 organizations, federal and government agencies, and universities around the world. Vibrant campus life includes NCAA Athletics, social and professional organizations, cultural activities, and wellness and fitness. Ranked a top 200 best colleges among national universities in 2018. Prestigious graduate programs in medicine, law, psychology, business, education, pharmacy, dentistry, and more. A diverse student population includes 1200 international students from 116 countries on five continents. State-of-the-art facilities include the latest classroom technology, advanced laboratories, and the best research libraries. Many NSU graduates go on to earn master's, doctoral or professional degrees at NSU or other universities. Undergraduate students participate in NSU research in fields like medicine, oceanography, cancer, psychology, dentistry, and autism. Students build relationships by participating in numerous community events, many held on NSU’s campus. Our beautiful main campus is just minutes from Fort Lauderdale's beach, South Beach, Las Olas nightlife and the Everglades.

NSU's College of Computing and Engineering supports niche specializations and enjoys a stellar national reputation

Welcome to the College of Computing and Engineering (CCE) at Nova Southeastern University. Since the industrial revolution, engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of innovation and change in the world. Today, we face a dynamic, challenging world that calls for urgent solutions to balance both human needs and natural concerns. The demand for problem-solving leaders with engineering and computational proficiencies has never been greater. A major force of educational innovation, the College of Computing and Engineering provides educational programs of distinction to prepare students for leadership roles in information technology. The college's strengths include a distinguished faculty, a cutting-edge curriculum, and flexible online and campus-based formats for its bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs.

At the CCE, we are educating today’s engineers and computing professionals to be tomorrow’s problem-solving leaders through innovative curricula and research activities. Our distinguished faculty engage students in a unique, interactive learning environment that facilitates academic excellence and prepares our students for their future careers while they earn a B.S., M.S., or Ph.D. degree. All programs enable working professionals to earn the M.S., or Ph.D. without interrupting their careers. Companies seeking new sources of talent are looking at our college because of our commitment to our students and quality programs.

Our History

In 1964 the Nova University of Advanced Technology was chartered as a graduate institution in the physical and social sciences. Nova Southeastern University sits on land that was formerly Foreman Field, a training field for naval aviators during WWII located in Davie, Florida. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy designated what is now the 300-acre campus for educational use only.

Beginning in 1975 with the creation of a graduate computer science program under the direction of Dr. Edward Simco, the school has been a pioneer in computing research and education. With its first general-purpose computer, a VAX 11/780, the school began offering online programs in 1983 and created the first electronic classroom in 1985.

In 1981 Drs. John Scigliano and Abraham Fischler brainstormed on the prospect of starting a Doctorate in Information Science to information library science professionals using telecommunications as the major delivery medium.

The Center for Computer-Based Learning (CBL) was formed in 1983 to build a new delivery mechanism for learning computer-mediated communications for "online" learning. The Doctorate in Information Science (DAIS) starts.

The school creates the first electronic classroom (ECR) in 1985 with the Master of Science in Computer-Based Learning online program. This program had eight common core courses and seven specializations of study, including training and learning (MSTL), information resource management (MIRM), and information systems (MIS).

In 1989 the Center for Computer-Based Learning (CBL) and Center for Computer Science (CCS) merge to form The Center for Computer and Information Sciences (CCIS). The new school now supported areas of specializations in computer science, computer information systems, information systems, information science, and computing technology in education. Dr. Edward Lieblein, dean of the school from 1993 - 2009.

Fast facts

The College of Computing and Engineering prepares leaders for the challenges of the 21st century. Working professionals appreciate flexible formats to complete degree programs without career interruption. NSU serves the nation as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance & Cyber Defense Education.NSU offers the first Engineering bachelor's degree in Florida. Since 1975, NSU has been a regional pioneer of computing research and education. Distinguished faculty research and teach a range of systems and emerging technologies. Updated curricula make our undergraduate and graduate programs truly current. The College was online in 1983 and created the first electronic classroom in 1985. Concentrations in our graduate programs cover fields of urgent needs, such as cybersecurity, software engineering, and data science. Alumni work at Fortune 500 organizations, various federal and government agencies, and universities around the globe.

Alumni

Over 4,500 students have graduated from the College of Computing and Engineering. Alumni are a very special part of the College of Computing and Engineering community and we are proud of all of them; our graduates have achieved success in the industry, higher education, and government.

Our graduates work at major organizations such as Boeing, IBM, Apple, Microsoft, Google, and various United States government agencies, as well as at colleges and universities around the globe in faculty and administrative positions.

The NSU Alumni Association and the College of Computing and Engineering offer a wide variety of alumni events throughout the year in South Florida and across the country. Join former classmates to reconnect, network, socialize, learn, and have fun. We encourage you to frequently check your mailbox, e-mail, and the Alumni Association Web site to learn about upcoming events in your area.