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
- (3 Credits, INFA 610)
- (3 Credits, INFA 620)
- (3 Credits, INFA 630)
- (3 Credits, INFA 640)
- (3 Credits, 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
- $350 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.
With an online graduate certificate in cyber operations from University of Maryland Global Campus, you'll learn the essential aspects of cyber operations, risk analysis, cyber defense, and cryptography. You'll also learn how to build defenses as an integral part of a computing system and how to detect and defend against vulnerabilities and intrusions on a variety of platforms.
Program Highlights
- Refine your communication, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning, and leadership skills
- Design systems that are based on security design principles and employ multiple layers of protection to meet mission security goals
- Perform risk assessment to identify risk to an organization and facilitate appropriate responses
- Develop appropriate cryptographic solutions for a given enterprise architecture scenario
Required Courses
Required Courses
- (6 Credits, DCL 600T)
- (6 Credits, COP 610)
- (6 Credits, COP 620)
Career Preparation
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. Experience performing cybersecurity tasks in a work environment would enhance the learning experience.
If you do not have work experience in information technology, computer networks, or cybersecurity, you are advised to take ASC 605 first. If you have not taken programming courses previously, you are strongly encouraged to take ASC 609. Taking ASC 601 is recommended to improve your graduate writing skills.
Total Program Credits
18
Transfer Credits
Exactly 6
Format
- All courses are available online
- Select on-site and hybrid courses available
Tuition Per Credit
- $350 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 Specialization
Master's SpecializationThese program requirements are for students who enroll in the 2022-2023 academic year.
The online master’s degree in information technology with an information assurance specialization provides a practical understanding of the principles of data protection, cybersecurity, and computer forensics. Perfect for midcareer professionals or career changers, this University of Maryland Global Campus program offers sought-after skills in network and internet security, intrusion detection and prevention, and cryptology, while also strengthening core IT knowledge and project management abilities.
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)
Specialization Courses
- (3 Credits, INFA 610)
- (3 Credits, INFA 620)
- (3 Credits, INFA 630)
- (3 Credits, INFA 640)
- (3 Credits, INFA 650)
- (3 Credits, INFA 660)
- (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 6
Format
- All courses are available online
- Select on-site and hybrid courses available
Tuition Per Credit
- $350 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.