Program Overview
The Chestnut Hill College Master of Science (M.S.) in Cybersecurity is a convenient, fully online, 30-36 credit program with highly competitive tuition. The online design allows professionals to complete their master’s degree in 20-24 months. The courses are taught in eight-week modules, allowing students to complete six credits per semester over five semesters. Courses are designed and taught by subject matter experts who have diverse experience in the field of cybersecurity. The courses in the program are all cybersecurity-related courses; the only general computer science/information technology courses are the fundamental courses required for students who do not have a technology background.
Program Technology Requirements
In this program you may be asked to install, configure, and run software on your computer, a remote computer, and a virtual computer. All students are required to have the following before beginning the program:
- A Windows-based laptop or personal computer which supports virtualization.
- Operating System must be Windows 10, 64-bit version (or higher)
- A login as an Administrator account.
- computer must have 8GB RAM or more.
- Computer must have 80GB free hard disk space or more (SSD drive preferable)
- Computer must have a CPU which is an i7 Processor (minimum 2.0 GHz) comparable or better.
- Reliable, broadband Internet access.
- Installed Browser(s): Firefox, Edge, and/or Chrome
Students will be required to use a variety of tools either locally or remotely, including on virtual machines. Students should understand how to manage antivirus settings to download and install software. Students must use the Canvas LMS, and Microsoft Applications such as Office, Outlook, and Teams. Microsoft apps are provided to enrolled students through O365.
This program/course cannot be completed without meeting the above requirements. Cellphones, tablets, Apple Macs, Chromebooks, or other similar devices are insufficient to complete the program/course. Students will be solely responsible for troubleshooting any technical problems that may occur due to non-compliant hardware, software and/or services as specified above. Students will be responsible for handing in assignments by due dates despite technical difficulties.
Program Coursework
Our program includes courses in several specialized areas of cybersecurity such as:
- Cyber Physical and IoT Security
- Digital Forensics for Incident Response
- Human Factors impacting Cybersecurity
- Cyberwarfare and Cyberterrorism
- Cybersecurity Risk Management
- Vulnerability Assessment
The courses in the program combine theoretical knowledge and practical skills in various cybersecurity topic areas. Students will engage in coursework that reflects real work in the field of cybersecurity. Due to our small class sizes at Chestnut Hill College, students will be able to receive individual attention from their instructors. Students in the program will be able to pick their own capstone project involving a topic of their interest, and will work one-on-one with a faculty advisor.
Students who demonstrate technical proficiency through prior completion of academic courses, professional trainings, certifications, work experience, or a combination, may waive out of 3-6 credits of computer science coursework required for the degree (CSEC 501 and CSEC 502). Students who have been approved to waive CSEC 501 and/or CSEC 502 do not need to take additional courses in their place. Students who have both CSEC 501 and CSEC 502 waived will progress directly to CSEC 601 and begin their cybersecurity courses and will complete 30 credits to earn their degree.
