Why this degree?

Earn a Master of Science in Cybersecurity Engineering degree (MS-CYBE) from one of only ten universities in the nation designated as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education, Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Research, and Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Operations  by the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency. This degree program focuses on the engineering and technical aspects of cybersecurity. Please direct inquiries regarding the MS-CYBE degree to  cybe@auburn.edu.

• Program Brochure
• Program Overview
• Program Outcomes
• Admission Requirements
• Program Requirements

Program Overview:

Auburn University’s cybersecurity engineering graduate program (i.e., MS-CYBE) prepares students for analyzing, developing, investigating, protecting, and defending the cyber ecosystem of organizations. As such, it focuses on the engineering and technical aspects of cybersecurity. The degree is designed to appeal to practitioners as well as research scholars through the requirement of capstone experience.

The Cybersecurity Engineering graduate degree can be earned entirely through on‐campus instruction, through the Engineering Online Graduate Program, or a combination of the two. Distance students should note that MATH 6180, Cryptography, is offered only in an on‐campus format and cannot include it as one of their elective cybersecurity‐specific courses.

Students who complete the MS-CYBE degree also receive the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) designation.

Program Outcomes:

• Outcome 1: Students have an understanding of fundamental concepts of cybersecurity.
• Outcome 2: Students know prevalent cybersecurity threats, threat models (such as Man-in-the-Middle), and canonical defenses.
• Outcome 3: Students have the ability to identify, assess, and defend against cybersecurity threats; develop defendable and resilient network and software mechanisms; and detect and investigate cybersecurity breaches.
• Outcome 4: Students are versed in techniques for gathering and preserving digital forensic evidence relating to a cyber event.
• Outcome 5: Students possess a knowledge of computer science (e.g. algorithms, operating systems, computer architectures, ethics, etc.), and have the ability to leverage this knowledge for a deeper contextualized understanding of cybersecurity.
• Outcome 6: Students communicate cybersecurity issues effectively.
• Outcome 7: Students have the ability to apply their cybersecurity capabilities in an integrated manner to address specific cybersecurity problems.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants should have a baccalaureate degree in computer science, software engineering, or an equivalent technically‐deep software‐oriented equivalent discipline from an institution of recognized standing. Degrees or significant work experience in information technology, electrical engineering, or other related disciplines may also be suitable. Application will be evaluated on an individual basis by the department's graduate admission committee.

Program Requirements:

The MS-CYBE degree entails a minimum of 33 semester graduate credit hours:

Foundational Courses: 3 Credit Hours

• COMP7500 Advanced Operating Systems*

Required Cybersecurity Courses: 18 Credit Hours

• COMP6530 Secure Cloud Computing
• COMP6350 Digital Forensics*
• COMP6370 Computer and Network Security*
• COMP6830 Cybersecurity Threats and Countermeasures*
• COMP7720 Software Reverse Engineering
• COMP7370 Advanced Computer and Network Security*

Elective Cybersecurity Courses: 9 Credit Hours

• COMP6000/7000/8000-level coursework relevant to cybersecurity.

Approved MS CYBE elective courses: 

• Computer Science and Software Engineering 
  • COMP 6700: Secure Software Process 
  • COMP 6800: Artificial Intelligence for Security: Foundations (currently offered as a special topics course COMP 7970) 
  • COMP 6970: Special Topics: Cyber-Physical Security 
  • COMP 6970: Special Topics: Security in Wireless Networks 
  • COMP 6970: Special Topics: Binary Program Analysis 
  • COMP 6970: Special Topics: Distributed Systems Security 
  • COMP 7800: Artificial Intelligence for Security: R&D 
  • COMP 7930 Directed Study (with Cybersecurity focus and written approval by the Cyber Program Committee Chair)
  • COMP 7970: Special Topics: Additive Manufacturing Security 
• Mathematics: 
  • MATH 6180: Cryptography
• Electrical Engineering  
  • ELEC 6210 Hardware Security 
  • ELEC 6290 Hardware Security II 

Capstone Experience: 3 Credit Hours

• COMP7980 Capstone Engineering Project*

Courses that satisfy the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity requirements for Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) are marked with an asterisk (*).