Online Master's in Cybersecurity Degree Programs by State

As cybersecurity threats become more prevalent and sophisticated, there has been an increased demand for highly trained information security professionals who can protect companies and agencies in the private and public sectors, as well as consumers, from digital security threats. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.org) projects the need for information security analysts will grow 33 percent between 2023 and 2033. Master’s degrees in cybersecurity offer students who hold a bachelor’s degree the opportunity to gain advanced training in cybersecurity concepts, tools, and tactics so they can assess cybersecurity vulnerabilities and both prevent and address network and information security attacks.

Online master’s degree programs in cybersecurity allow students who are already in the workforce to pursue a graduate degree without having to attend on-campus classes during the evening after the workday. These programs require between 30 and 36 credits of core and elective courses that cover topics such as cryptography, advanced computer systems security, advanced computer architecture, machine learning, incident response, information technology policies and law, and data analytics for cybersecurity. In addition, online master’s in cybersecurity programs typically culminate in a capstone project, practicum, or other final graduation requirement that allows students to apply the concepts and skills they have learned to real-world cybersecurity threats and challenges.

Types of Online Master’s Degree Programs in Cybersecurity

CyberSecurityDegree.com features a comprehensive directory of online master’s in cybersecurity degree programs. Due to the breadth and depth of the field of cybersecurity, we also include online master’s programs in cyber operations, digital forensics, and information assurance and security, as well as online master’s programs in information systems, information technology, computer science, and engineering that feature specializations or concentrations in cybersecurity. Degree types include Master of Science (MS), Master of Professional Studies (MPS), and Master of Engineering (MEng) programs. (Note: Online MBA programs with a Specialization in Cybersecurity are listed separately from the types of master’s in cybersecurity programs noted above.)

On this site, programs are classified as online programs if they require three or fewer visits to campus annually — this encompasses programs with 100% online instruction that have no required campus visits, as well as programs that require students to attend up to three campus visits per year. For programs that require campus visits, these sessions are often scheduled over the summer and typically last three to five days in length. Each session is counted as one visit for classification purposes, regardless of the number of days students are required to be on-campus — for example, an on-campus session lasting three consecutive days would be counted as one campus visit.

State Authorizations and Tuition Information for Online Master’s in Cybersecurity Programs

Students who are interested in online master’s in cybersecurity programs should take into consideration several key aspects of online programs, including state authorizations for admission of out-of-state online students, and tuition costs for in-state students versus out-of-state students. The vast majority of schools that offer online programs accept out-of-state students, thanks to their state’s membership with NC-SARA, a non-profit organization that standardizes the quality of inter-state online education. Presently, 49 out of the 50 states in the United States are members of NC-SARA, along with the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. While students considering out-of-state online master’s in cybersecurity programs are most likely eligible to apply for admission, prospective students should always check with the admissions offices of their programs of interest to confirm eligibility for admission based on their state of residence.

Public colleges and universities that receive state funding traditionally charge different tuition rates for in-state students versus out-of-state students; however, with schools starting to compete for the increasing number of students looking to earn their degree online, as well as initiatives such as the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) and the Midwest Student Exchange Program (MSEP) that seek to lower tuition costs for out-of-state students, traditional tuition structures are starting to change. For example, some universities have begun offering in-state tuition rates to out-of-state online students, while other schools offer a flat tuition rate for their online students regardless of their state of residence. Prospective students should always check with the bursar’s offices of the programs they are interested in for the most accurate and up-to-date information on tuition rates and program fees.

For more information about the curriculum, types of online instruction methods, fully online programs versus online programs with limited campus visits, final graduation requirements, admissions requirements for online master’s programs in cybersecurity, and more, please refer to our Online Master’s in Cybersecurity Programs page.