Information Assurance and Cyber Security Masters Degree

Become a highly sought-after leader in cybersecurity

Master of Science Information Assurance - Cybersecurity (31 credits)

Learn to protect organizations from cyber-attacks with a cybersecurity degree that offers a unique blend of technology and management. Through Davenport University’s master of science information assurance and cybersecurity degree, you’ll develop in-demand risk management and analysis skills and work through legal and ethical issues in cybersecurity such as data protection — domestically and internationally.

You may qualify for full-tuition National Science Foundation scholarships and DoD scholarships when you earn your cybersecurity degree from Davenport — a registered Cisco Networking Academy. Davenport is one of only a select number of schools in Michigan designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE CDE) by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The information assurance and cybersecurity degree is delivered online through Davenport’s innovative Global Campus and on our W.A. Lettinga Campus in Grand Rapids. No GRE or GMAT score required.

What is cybersecurity? What is information assurance?

Cybersecurity is the art of protecting networks, devices and data from unlawful access or criminal use and ensuring the security model known as the CIA triad: confidentiality, integrity and availability of information. Information assurance involves managing information-related risks and the steps taken to protect information systems such as computer and network systems.

Explore classes for Davenport’s cybersecurity degree

The curriculum for the degree in cybersecurity is aligned to industry certification exams and tests so you’re prepared for long-term success in a wide array of cybersecurity jobs. Davenport’s cybersecurity degree is 31 credits: nine core courses and two industry-specific electives such as health care security or banking and financial security. From the start of your degree in cybersecurity, you’ll receive the support and guidance you need to submit and present your thesis.

Prerequisite: Information Security and Assurance (IAAS581), Cryptography (IAAS591), Data Communications and Networks (NETW520) and Statistics for Business (STAT500) are required prerequisites that must be completed prior to taking the following courses in the Master of Science Information Assurance - Cybersecurity.

See Full Course List

Core Courses		24 Credits
IAAS600	Information Security Planning This course is a comprehensive study of the techniques used to protect information infrastructure and assets, with a primary focus on the Defense In Depth model that emphasizes the role of people, process and technology. Topics include security problems in computing, networks and distributed systems, and the criticality of the CIA triad; confidentiality, integrity and availability of technology-based resources. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): Required undergraduate or 500+ level prerequisite courses	3
IAAS660	Project Mgt/Risk Mitigation This course covers the practices used in managing information systems and organizational change projects. Topics include protection of information infrastructure and assets utilizing a Defense In Depth model that emphasizes the role of people, process, and technology. Vulnerabilities and risks, computer crime, law, disaster recovery, contingency planning, physical security, operational security, and information security will be covered. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): IAAS581 or IAAS600	3
IAAS667	Legal/Ethical Security Topics This course provides students with real-world ethical issues facing public and private institutions involving privacy, data integrity, authentication, and internal malicious activity. Professional decision-making requires a thorough understanding and respect for intellectual property, corporate governance, and legal restrictions and regulations. This class will give students the framework to make legal, ethical decisions in their careers. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): IAAS600	3
IAAS710	Application Security This course provides the framework of design and development techniques for assuring securities of software applications, concentrating on cultivating software that is problematic to malicious intent. Topics include the security effects of applications, including class, field, and method visibility, sending data between components of a distributed program, data integrity, and configuring the security policy for distributed program components. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): IAAS600	3
IAAS715	Network Security This course will analyze point products, such as firewalls, intrusion prevention systems, antivirus programs, and other components of the security infrastructure as they relate to network security. Topics include data events and conditions, filtering, correlation, and reporting actionable information as determined by the security infrastructure. Special-purpose protocols, error-correcting codes, and social engineering will also be covered. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): IAAS600	3
IAAS735	Advanced Computer Forensics This course will provide the framework for the techniques and tools used for the extraction of information from digital equipment. Computer forensic tools will be used to gain a thorough understanding of the processes and techniques used in acquiring information and evidence. Topics include federal guidelines for search and seizures, investigating network intrusions, software forensics, and audit logs. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): IAAS715	3
IAAS786	Research Technq for Info Assur This course introduces graduate students to basic ideas for conducting research. Students will learn methods for reading technical papers, selecting research topics, devising research questions, reviewing current literature, and proposal writing. Additional topics will be discussed including methods of conducting research and working with the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Note: This class is preparatory to beginning the Information Assurance Thesis and should be completed, at minimum, the semester prior to registration for CAPS795. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): STAT615	3
STAT615	Analytical Statistics for Mgmt This course explores applications for the practitioner in industry. Included are data descriptions, measures of central tendency and variability, probability, tests of hypotheses, regression analysis and analysis of categorical data. Selection of research problems, analysis of literature, individual investigations, preparing reports, and proposal writing are detailed. The course will also survey decision making and making recommendations using qualitative and quantitative data. Students will also discover threats to internal and external validity for quantitative research. Minitab will be used throughout the course. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): Completion of an undergraduate course in introductory statistics (STAT220) course or STAT500	3

Elective Courses - Select one of the following:		3 Credits
GPMT699	Cert Proj Mgt Prof (PMP) Prep This course prepares students for the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification exam developed and conducted by the Project Management Institute (PMI). This PMI® Authorized PMP® Exam Prep course provides a focused review of subject matter for the current exam and includes PMI-developed course content. Note: Successful completion of this preparatory course does not guarantee passing the exam. In addition, to sit for certification exams, students must meet educational and work experience requirements. Please refer to www.pmi.org for specific exam requirements. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): GPMT287 or equivalent experience. NOTE: PMP®, Project Management Professional (PMP)®, PMBOK® and PMI® are registered marks of the Project Management Institute, Inc.	3
IAAS651	Applied Cryptography This course applies mathematical foundations and algorithms to develop and solve cryptosystems. Topics include Private and Public Key cryptography, message authentication, digital signatures, secure hash functions, and key distribution. Computational complexity will be examined to determine the security of current protocols and standards, including AES and RSA. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): IAAS591	3
IAAS670	Wireless and Mobile Security This course will provide the framework for identifying and solving the security issues in wireless networks and mobile applications. An in-depth understanding of mobile agents, wireless WAP, WEP and other protocols will be covered. Real-time wireless and mobile security will be applied, with a strong emphasis on security techniques used for wireless and embedded devices. Topics will include cryptography, wireless ad-hoc networks, wireless transport layer security, Bluetooth, wireless information warfare, and optimizing wireless security solutions. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): IAAS651	3
IAAS675	Health Care Security This course will provide the framework for developing and integrating security, critical infrastructures and assets prevalent in the healthcare and hospital industries. Legislation, policies, and case studies specific to the healthcare services field will be highlighted. Topics will include risks and vulnerabilities, security safeguards and standards, access control, audits, disaster recovery planning, security policy and procedures, and physical and logical security systems. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): IAAS600	3
IAAS738
IAAS740	Comprehensive Issues	3
IAAS790	Information Assurance Intern Attend Mandatory Internship Workshop at least two semesters prior to your desired internship course semester. The required internship workshop and approval process can be found at:https://my.davenport.edu/internships This graduate-level internship is the integration of previous classroom instruction with new learning acquired through on-the-job work experience. The experience should be related as closely as possible to the student’s major field and individual interest. 150 hours of career-related work time shall be required for the three credit course pursued. Internship hours will be scheduled in partnership between the student and the site and reported via weekly reports filed by the student in the academic course. Students will be supported to identify site possibilities; however, responsibility for selection by the internship employer rests with the student. The internship may be either paid or unpaid. An appropriate faculty member and the internship site supervisor will evaluate t	3

Capstone		4 Credits
CAPS795	Information Assurance Thesis A thesis project forms the capstone of this Master of Science in Information Assurance program. In order to register, a student must complete all course requirements for this degree and submit an acceptable proposal to the computing security and information assurance faculty. Note: A grade of B or better must be earned to pass this course successfully. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): IAAS786, last semester, and Information Assurance core courses completed.	4

Which class should I take? When should I take it?

See our Recommended Program Sequences:

$4M

$4M in National Science Foundation scholarships available

$136,625

Average annual cybersecurity manager salary

<2 years

Finish your cybersecurity degree in as little as 2 years

1 of 14

Davenport is 1 of only 14 Michigan schools designated a CAE CDE

Why study cybersecurity & information assurance at Davenport?

You’ll learn from industry experienced Davenport faculty and receive extensive real-world experience through hands-on case studies in high-tech labs. Go on to earn advanced cybersecurity certifications, such as CISSP, one of the world’s most valued certifications in information technology and information security.