Find the right UMGC degree, specialization, or certificate for your professional and educational goals. Use the compare option to decide between multiple programs of interest.
Information Assurance
Graduate CertificateThese program requirements are for students who enroll in the 2022-2023 academic year.
With a graduate certificate in information assurance from University of Maryland Global Campus, you’ll gain a practical understanding of the principles of data protection, cybersecurity, and computer forensics. The curriculum has been developed in conjunction with top employers, so you'll build real-world experience through interactions with actual organizations and learn job-relevant skills from case studies of real information assurance crises.
Program Highlights
- Secure information using symmetric and asymmetric key techniques (including the Advanced Encryption Standard and RSA public key cryptography) and message integrity techniques
- Protect networks using risk analysis, defense models, security policy development, authentication and authorization controls, firewalls, packet filtering, virtual private networks (VPNs), and wireless network security
- Respond to attacks with damage assessments, data forensics, data mining, attack tracing, and system recovery processes for continuity of operation
- Identify system vulnerabilities and attack patterns and solve problems with intrusion detection tactics
Required Courses
- INFA 610
- INFA 620
- INFA 630
- INFA 640
- INFA 650
Career Preparation
This program is designed to help prepare you for work in network and Internet security, intrusion detection and prevention, and cryptology.
Experience Recommended for Success in the Program
This program is appropriate for midcareer professionals or career changers. We recommend a background in computing and programming. We recommend UCSP 605 if you'd like to improve your graduate writing skills.
Total Program Credits
15
Transfer Credits
Up to 3
Format
- All courses are available online
- Select on-site and hybrid courses available
Tuition Per Credit
- $336 per credit hour
(Europe & Downrange)
See our Tuition Rates page for details.
Admission Requirements
This program follows standard UMGC admission requirements.
Military-Specific Details
This program does not have military restrictions. It is available to all eligible civilian and military-affiliated students.
State-Specific Details
This program does not have state-specific restrictions.
Cyber Operations
Graduate CertificateThese program requirements are for students who enroll in the 2022-2023 academic year.
Protect critical cyber infrastructure with an online graduate certificate in cyber operations from University of Maryland Global Campus. This key credential may help boost your value in the marketplace while also providing you with a broad overview of the most important topics within cyber operations, including modern network infrastructure, ethical frameworks, and cyber defense. As you move through your degree, UMGC will support you via our innovative online classroom, as well as our lifetime career services that offer advising and network opportunities to you—all at no cost. Ready to advance your career? Apply today!
Program Highlights
- Evaluate systems: Evaluate and maintain systems to meet specific mission security objectives.
- Analyze ethics: Analyze the various legal frameworks and ethical guardrails that govern cyber activities.
- Address challenges: Address complex cybersecurity challenges by studying and maintaining complex computing environments.
Required Courses
Required Courses
- (3 Credits, CYOP 605)
- (3 Credits, CYOP 615)
- (3 Credits, CYOP 625)
- (3 Credits, CYOP 635)
Career Preparation
This program is designed to equip you with a key credential that can help you advance your career. Potential job titles include cyber defense analyst, forensics analyst, incident responder, cyber operator, or secure software assessor. Our courses are taught by experienced faculty and address skills and competencies that are highly valued by today’s employers.
Experience Recommended for Success in the Program
Ideally, you should have recently completed an undergraduate degree in computer science or a related discipline. You are expected to be familiar with cybersecurity and computer science concepts and be comfortable developing code in at least one programming language.
Total Program Credits
12
Transfer Credits
Up to 6
Format
- All courses available online
Tuition Per Credit
- $336 per credit hour
(Europe & Downrange)
See our Tuition Rates page for details.
Admission Requirements
This program follows standard UMGC admission requirements.
Military-Specific Details
This program does not have military restrictions. It is available to all eligible civilian and military-affiliated students.
State-Specific Details
This program does not have state-specific restrictions.
Information Technology with Information Assurance Concentration
Master's SpecializationThese program requirements are for students who enroll in the 2022-2023 academic year.
Earn an online Master of Science in IT with an information assurance concentration at University of Maryland Global Campus. This state-of-the-art program is designed to give working adults a holistic view of two important fields: cyber technology and information technology. Study in our convenient online classroom with knowledgeable professors who are leaders in the field. Learn the newest industry standards with coursework that is constantly being updated. And gain knowledge that you can apply on the job right away!
Program Highlights
- Secure information using knowledge of symmetric and asymmetric keys, protocols for exchanging secure data (including the Data Encryption Standard and the Advanced Encryption Standard), and other cryptographic methods and cryptanalysis tools
- Protect networks using risk analysis, defense models, security policy development, authentication and authorization controls, firewalls, packet filtering, virtual private networks (VPNs), and wireless network security
- Respond to attacks with damage assessments, data forensics, attack tracing, and system recovery processes for continuity of operation
- Identify system vulnerabilities and attack patterns and solve problems with intrusion detection tactics
- Navigate ethics, relevant laws, regulations, policies, and standards
- Lead successful teams with advanced project management skills
Required Courses
Initial Requirement
- (0 Credits, UCSP 615)
(to be taken within the first 6 credits of study)
The UCSP 615 requirement may be waived if you previously earned a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution. For more information, contact your academic advisor.
Core Courses
- (3 Credits, ITEC 610)
- (3 Credits, ITEC 625)
- (3 Credits, ITEC 626)
- (3 Credits, ITEC 630)
- (3 Credits, ITEC 640)
Concentration Courses
- INFA 610
- INFA 620
- INFA 630
- INFA 640
- INFA 650
- INFA 660
Capstone Course
- (3 Credits, INFA 670)
Career Preparation
This program is designed to help prepare you for a career in the cybersecurity and information assurance field in the areas of network and internet security, intrusion detection and prevention, cryptology, cyber law, and software assurance.
Experience Recommended for Success in the Program
Expectations
You are expected to have some background in information technology. This background may be acquired through noncredit preparatory coursework, listed below.
Recommendations
If you do not have previous coursework or experience in programming, you are strongly advised to first enroll in UCSP 635 and UCSP 636 to gain the appropriate foundation. Taking UCSP 605 is recommended to improve writing skills.
Program Recognition
UMGC's MS in Information Technology with a specialization in information assurance has been designated a Professional Science Master's degree program through the Council of Graduate Schools.
Cybersecurity Program Recognition
UMGC has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance and Cyber Defense Education by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security and as a National Center of Digital Forensics Academic Excellence by the Defense Cyber Crime Center Academic Cyber Curriculum Alliance.
Total Program Credits
36
Transfer Credits
Up to 12
Format
- All courses are available online
- Select on-site and hybrid courses available
Tuition Per Credit
- $336 per credit hour
(Europe & Downrange)
See our Tuition Rates page for details.
Admission Requirements
This program follows standard UMGC admission requirements.
Military-Specific Details
This program does not have military restrictions. It is available to all eligible civilian and military-affiliated students.
State-Specific Details
This program does not have state-specific restrictions.