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Dual Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Management Information Systems

Overview

Duration

3 years (full time)

Required Credits

48

Location 

UNLV campus

Five Reasons to Get a Dual Cybersecurity/MIS Degree at UNLV:

  • Prepare yourself for professional careers in the management of information technology and start your pathway towards cyber or technology leadership in an organization.
  • Experience the collision of backgrounds as you work with students who participate in the program from vastly different industries.
  • Meet, connect, and engage with research experts in technology, cybersecurity and business.
  • Double your networking opportunities by working with faculty, professionals, and fellow students in two fields of study.
  • Dual specialty gives you an edge over the competition in the job market.

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Lee Business School

The Dual Degree to Deepen Your Technical and Managerial Prowess

Bringing together two programs, the dual Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Master of Science in Management Information Systems (MIS) degrees immerse students into a mix of applied technical classes and practical managerial coursework. Students learn to anticipate information security threats and to develop effective strategies to defend against them. Master the core concepts of information security and get experience with cybersecurity tools in an immersive cyber range. You will learn different tactical, strategic, and organizational factors relative to various information systems, as well as how to gauge the effectiveness of an organization’s information technology program.

Students will be introduced to an applied curriculum that instructs them to understand technological innovations and how technology can be used to solve organizational problems and further organizational strategies. On the cybersecurity side, students will complete core foundational areas in cyber analytics, networking, system hardening, management of cyber functions, and strategic alignment between cybersecurity, technology and the business. Graduates will be well positioned to work in IT, cybersecurity, and more to start a career pathway towards cyber or technology leadership in an organization.

Shu Zhang Headshot
"I participated in two internships during my study in the program. I appreciate that the program provided students with many opportunities to connect with experts and higher management in the industry. It trained me on how to showcase myself and helped me to jumpstart my career. I highly recommend the dual program to anyone interested in technologies in the business world."

Shu Zhang
MS Cybersecurity/MIS Student

Admission Process

The dual master's degree in Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Master of Science MIS is open to graduates from technology programs, such as computer science, information systems, security, and engineering. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution in the United States or proof of equivalent training at an international college or university. Applicants will submit one application and pay one application fee. Your application will be reviewed by both the Lee Business School MIS program and the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering Cybersecurity department for admission consideration.

Program Structure

The dual Master of Science Cybersecurity and Master of Science MIS degree is a 48-credit hour program in which students take 24 credits in Management Information Systems courses and 24 credits in Cybersecurity courses. Upon graduation, students receive two degrees: a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and a Master of Science in Management Information Systems. Full-time students typically receive their degree within three years, while part-time students average between three and a half and five years.

Application Deadlines

Fall Term:
May 1 – International applicants
August 1 – Domestic or permanent residence applicants

Spring Term:
October 1 – International applicants
December 1 – Domestic or permanent resident applicants

Summer Term:
March 15 â€“ International applicants
May 1 – Domestic or permanent resident applicants

Faculty

The dual Master of Science Cybersecurity and Master of Science MIS degree program consists of faculty from both the Lee Business School and the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering. These faculty are world-recognized experts in numerous business and technology sectors, publish in top-tier internationally recognized academic journals, and are engaged in their respective communities.

More Skills Means More Career Opportunities

Currently, there is a demand at the local, state, regional, and national levels for individuals to be trained in the knowledge of computers, networks, and risk and security management. This has been identified by the Department of Labor and other sources as one of the most needed professions and skills, yet the traditional sources of such skills (i.e., higher education) is not producing graduates as fast as this field is growing.

Our students will be trained in technical and managerial aspects of cybersecurity. Further, UNLV is a recognized center of academic excellence (CAE) for cybersecurity. This is a prestigious recognition from the U.S. Federal Government that is only awarded to several universities in the entire country.

The Master of Science in Cybersecurity degree will enable those already in the field to hone their managerial skills and enter into the management of cybersecurity, or provide those with other related skill sets to move from a related/technical field into cybersecurity. This focus is distinct compared to an undergraduate degree in cybersecurity, which typically focuses on basic skills.

The Master of Science in MIS degree prepares graduates for professional careers in the management of information technology (IT). The program focuses on the application of technology to help achieve organizational goals and solve business problems. MIS students earn competency in IT within a business context, which provides them with well-rounded preparation for occupations in high demand. Recent graduates are pursuing careers in a variety of roles, such as business analyst, systems analyst, security analyst, IT manager, and systems administrator.

The dual Master of Science Cybersecurity/Master of Science MIS degree has been certified as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Designated Degree Program by the Department of Education and maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. Under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, international students who graduate from colleges and universities in the United States are able to remain in the country and receive training through work experience for up to 12-months. Students who graduate from a designated STEM degree program can remain for an additional 17-months on an OPT STEM extension.

Career Options

With your dual MS Cybersecurity/MS MIS degree, you'll have the knowledge and skills to succeed in a variety of roles, including:

  • Security Operations Center (SOC) or Networks Operations Center (NOC) analyst
  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Incident Responder/Forensic Analyst
  • IT Advisory Risk Consultant
  • Director of Strategic Technology Initiatives
  • Chief Technology Officer
  • Manager of Information Security and Risk Management
  • Careers within the intersection of cybersecurity and law enforcement

Program Advisors Contact

Lee Business School
MS Management Information Systems
Han-fen Hu, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator for IS Programs
702-895-3796
han-fen.hu@unlv.edu

Lee Business School
MS Cybersecurity Program
Greg Moody
Associate Professor, Lee Professor of Information Systems, Program Director of the MS in Cybersecurity Program
702-895-1365
gregory.moody@unlv.edu

Prospective Student Contact

Lee Business School
Graduate Student Services
702-895-3655 
LEEogss@unlv.edu

Catalog Information

Visit our Degrees Directory to view our catalog information.