Here's the requirements for GATech's standard Cybersecurity MS:
Core:
CS 6035 Intro To Info Security
PUBP/CS/MGT 6725 Info Security Policies
CS/ECE/PUBP 6727 Cyber Sec Practicum
Elective (CS/PUBP/ECE 6000-level)
Tech Specialization:
CS 6260 Applied Cryptography
CS 6238 Secure Computer Systems
CS 6262 Network Security
CS 6265 Information Security Lab
Any 2:
CS 6210 Adv Operating Systems
CS 6250 Computer Networks
CS 6255 Network Management
CS 6300 Software Dev Process
CS 6310 Software Arch & Design
CS 6340 Software Analysis & Test
CS 6365 Intro Enterprise Comput.
CS 6390 Programming Languages
CS 6400 DB Sys Concepts& Design
CS 6675 Advance Internet Comput
CS 7210 Distributed Computing
CS 7230 Software Dsgn,Impl& Eval
CS 7260 Internet Arch& Protocols
CS 7270 Networked Apps&Services
CS 7292 Reliable Secure Comparch
CS 8803 Mobile Applications and Services
Energy Systems Specialization:
ECE 8813 Smart Grids
ECE 8813 Introduction to Cyber-Physical Electric Energy Systems
ECE 8813 Introduction to Cyber-Physical Systems Security
ECE 8803 Computational Aspects of Cyber-Physical Systems
And any 2:
ECE 6550 Linear Sys and Controls
ECE 6607 Computer Comm Networks
ECE 6615 Sensor Networks
ECE 6102 Dependable Distribut Sys
ECE 6320 Power Sys Ctrl&Operation
ECE 6323 Power System Protection
ECE 8813 Advanced Computer Security
ECE 8813 Network Forensics
Policy Specialization:
Select 4 courses:
PUBP 6502 IT/Comm/Telecom Policy
MGT 6726 Privacy Tech Policy Law
PUBP 6111 Internet & Public Policy
INTA 6014 Scenario and Path Gaming
INTA 8803 Data Analytics and Security
PUBP 6501 Information Policy & Mgt
INTA 8803 Challenge of Terrorism in Democratic Societies
And any 2:
PUBP 6701 Energy Technol & Policy
PUBP 6014 Organization Theory
PUBP 6401 Sci,Tech & Public Policy
INTA 6103 International Security
INTA 6015 Technology& Military Org
I'm pretty meh about this. In particular: when we think about the "cybersecurity talent shortage" (I don't believe that one exists, but whatever), we're thinking about what this degree program considers "technical specialization" roles. I don't look at that course list and think of a consistent cohort of people it produces that are especially ready to take on jobs in my field.
I'm also: why do they make Cybersecurity MS candidates take that pointless Applied Cryptography class? I read the lecture slides for it, and, like most university crypto classes, it's "just enough cryptography to make you dangerous, with just enough math notation to make you think you learned something really hard that you didn't really learn".
The MS core classes are an intro to computer security that might be workable as a 100-level class in a serious CS program, a "policies" class that looks just absolutely deadly (1 week on "HIPAA, GLBA, FISMA", then a week on the "NIST cybersecurity framework", then a week on "cybercrime and cyberwar"), and a capstone independent study program.
My advice: get an internship and skip the MS. They'll pay you to learn this stuff.
I'm also: why do they make Cybersecurity MS candidates take that pointless Applied Cryptography class? I read the lecture slides for it, and, like most university crypto classes, it's "just enough cryptography to make you dangerous, with just enough math notation to make you think you learned something really hard that you didn't really learn".
The MS core classes are an intro to computer security that might be workable as a 100-level class in a serious CS program, a "policies" class that looks just absolutely deadly (1 week on "HIPAA, GLBA, FISMA", then a week on the "NIST cybersecurity framework", then a week on "cybercrime and cyberwar"), and a capstone independent study program.
My advice: get an internship and skip the MS. They'll pay you to learn this stuff.