Master of Science

Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity

Stop Hackers and Preserve Sensitive Data

Launch your career as an information technology security analyst, cyber defense manager or risk manager in the private or public sector.

UAlbany’s master’s in digital forensics and cybersecurity will teach you how to rapidly detect and deter malicious network intruders and use special forensics tools to gather and analyze digital evidence.

Choose from one of three concentration options: Cybersecurity; Risk, Policy & Compliance; or Health Security & Privacy.

Program of Study
Career Paths
Why Enroll?
4+1 Master’s
Admissions Requirements
The Graduate School Home

Program of Study

programofstudy

This program includes 30-33 credits of coursework over two semesters followed by a 3-6-credit summer internship or thesis in which you solve real-world problems.

You can complete this master’s degree through full-time or part-time study. Evening classes are available to all students enrolled in the program.

Concentrations

Cybersecurity

This track covers computer hardware and operating systems, cybersecurity threats and controls, network monitoring, vulnerability scanning, anomaly and intrusion detection, incident response methods, and machine learning and artificial intelligence in cyber defense.

By the end of the program, you’ll know how to set up a monitoring system and analyze network traffic, identify system threats, analyze cybersecurity incidents, reverse engineer malware, manage risks, and develop regulation-compliant security policies.

Fall Courses

Advanced Data Analysis
System Administration and Operating System Concepts
Cyber Threats and Defense
Computer Forensics
Open Source Intelligence and Social Network Analysis
Database Security and Forensics

Spring Courses

Information Security Analysis
Cyber Incident Analysis
Security Implementation
Hacking for Penetration Testers (TBH2)
SCADA Security and Forensics
Cloud Security and Forensics
Cyber Law and Ethics
Cyber Incident Analysis

Summer Courses

Internship/Thesis

Additional Program Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact Zina Lawrence at [email protected].

Cybersecurity Scholarship

Up to 20 full-time students who begin the MS in Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity program in the fall of 2022 will be eligible for a $5,000 competitive scholarship, nearly half the cost of the master’s program, through a grant from the National Security Agency.

All students who submit a scholarship application and successfully complete five program courses with an overall GPA of 3.0/B or higher will be considered. Recipients will be selected prior to the start of the program, contingent on meeting the grade requirement.

Scholarship winners will be announced in January 2023.

See the scholarship application for details. For more information, contact [email protected].

Risk, Policy & Compliance

This track covers policy and risk management, with a focus on how cyber incidents and cybersecurity programs impact the security of organizations and government. It also incorporates a focus on homeland security.

By the end of the program, you will be equipped for occupations such as security manager, IT project manager, emergency management director, document control/management specialist or cybersecurity analyst.

Core Courses (27 credits)

Advanced Networking and Security OR Advanced Networking
Information Security and Privacy OR Introduction to Information and Cybersecurity
Human Aspects of Cybersecurity OR Psychology of Security
Principles and Practices of Cybersecurity
Information Security Compliance Auditing
Computer and Network Security
IT and Homeland Security
Cybersecurity Risk and Policy
Cybersecurity: Long Term Planning and Risk Management

Cybersecurity Tool (3 credits)

Choose ONE:

Hacking for Penetration Testers
Computer Forensics
Incident Handling
Fundamentals of Information Technology (3 one-credit modules)

Electives (3 credits)

Choose ONE:

Cyberlaw & Ethics
Cyber Threat Hunting
Cyber Physical Systems Security
Cybersecurity Policy, Law and Institutions
Cyber Threats and Intelligence
Prevention and Protection Strategies in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity Practicum

Thesis Project or Internship (3 credits)

Additional Program Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact [email protected].

Health Security & Privacy

This track prepares you to apply security analytics, risk assessment and policy management to protecting health information.

By the end of the program, you will be equipped for occupations such as health information security director, health IT project manager or cybersecurity analyst for medical records.

Core Courses (27 credits)

Advanced Networking and Security OR Advanced Networking
Cyber Physical Systems Security
Information Security and Privacy OR Introduction to Information and Cybersecurity
Principles and Practices of Cybersecurity
Information Security Compliance Auditing
Computer and Network Security
Cybersecurity Risk and Policy
Health Information Technology
Topics in Health Policy & Mgt: Health Analytics

Cybersecurity Tool (3 credits)

Choose ONE:

Hacking for Penetration Testers
Computer Forensics
Incident Handling
Fundamentals of Information Technology (3 one-credit modules)

Electives (3 credits)

Choose ONE:

Human Aspects of Cybersecurity OR Psychology of Security
Cyber Threat Hunting
Cybersecurity Policy, Law and Institutions
Prevention and Protection Strategies in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity Practicum

Thesis Project or Internship (3 credits)

Additional Program Information

See the Graduate Bulletin for details.

For more information, contact [email protected].

Career Paths

career

Virtually every enterprise in operation today relies on computer systems and digital networks to stay in business.

This means that millions of trained cybersecurity and digital forensics experts are needed to set up and maintain protected information systems across all industries and in global corporations, small companies, nonprofit organizations, and federal, state, and local government offices.

Because national security depends on corporations and governments preventing criminal access to large-scale industrial and critical infrastructure systems, graduates of this program enjoy many employment opportunities in public utilities companies, nuclear power plants, water distribution departments, medical facilities, health insurance companies and communication networks.

Sample Employers

Center for Internet Security
Ernst and Young
General Electric
Rational Enterprises
Albany Medical Center
GreyCastle
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Forensics Analytics of Complex Energy & Transportation Systems
UAlbany Information and Technology Services

Why should I enroll in this program?

enroll

Many students completing their undergraduate studies at UAlbany and other colleges and universities see the value in earning this specialized master’s before they join the workforce.

The program is especially attractive to recent graduates with degrees in emergency preparedness, homeland security, cybersecurity, applied engineering, mathematics, and computer science.

If you’re earning your bachelor’s in digital forensics at UAlbany, you’ll have an even greater advantage in the job market with this graduate degree on your resume.

If you’re an early- or mid-career working professional wanting to advance your career, you can finish the program part-time by registering for evening classes.

Not ready to commit to a master's program? Get ahead by completing the five-course graduate certificate in information security, and then apply your credits to the master’s program when you’re ready.

Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity

UAlbany is a designated Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity program at the National Security Agency (NSA). This designation recognizes our superior standards and abilities to educate the future cyber workforce.

International Students

This degree is designated as a STEM program. International students maintaining F-1 status are allowed to apply for up to 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT) following completion/graduation from their degree program. Currently, this degree program is also designated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an eligible degree for the F-1 STEM OPT work authorization extension; students who secure qualifying employment may be eligible to apply for the STEM OPT extension for a cumulative total of up to 36 months of F-1 OPT work authorization.

Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Option

If you’re a current UAlbany undergraduate student with at least a 3.2 GPA, you can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework as early as your junior year. Up to 12 academic credits, billed at the undergraduate rate, will count towards both degrees – so you can complete your combined program in only 5 years and spend less than you would if you completed each program separately.

Contact your undergraduate advisor to see if you’re eligible and learn about your combined graduate program options.

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

Fall: Rolling
Spring: December 15
Summer: May 1

There is no departmental assistantship consideration for this program.

Required Application Materials

Transcripts from all schools attended
Three letters of recommendation
Resume
Personal Statement
Official GMAT or GRE scores*

*The GMAT and GRE will be waived as a requirement for admission to the Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity program through Fall 2023.

Available information for International Applicants.

Special Notes

Must have undergraduate degrees in computer security, information assurance, digital forensic, cyber security, computer science, information science, computer engineering, business, or MIS/Information Technology Management.

If you are a UAlbany undergraduate student in the BS Informatics program or the BS Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (Cybersecurity Risk Management concentration) you can apply for the accelerated bachelor’s-master’s option in the Risk, Policy & Compliance and Health Security & Privacy concentrations of the MS Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity to complete your combined program in only five years. You can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework while still enrolled as an undergraduate student.

This program requires an internship, field experience, study abroad component, or clinical experience requirement. Students who have previously been convicted of a felony are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of certain academic programs and/or to meet licensure requirements for certain professions. If you have concerns about this matter please contact the Dean’s Office of your intended academic program.

admissions

Student Learning Objectives

Master of Science

Students will demonstrate comprehension of top five foundational concepts in information technology, including programming, operating systems, cryptography, databases, and networking.
Students will be able to report ideas in written, oral, web, and interactive formats to diverse audiences.
Students will have operational knowledge of cybersecurity tools in the domains of anti-virus, anti-malware, network defense, intrusion detection, and encryption.
Students will be able to conduct security risk analysis and audits aimed at both assessment and mitigation of risks.
Students will be able to collect and analyze forensic data in order to establish timelines and artifacts across a range of digital devices and formats.

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