OVERVIEW
A Cybersecurity Master's Degree and IT Certifications in One Program
WGU's Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance prepares you to expand your arsenal to better protect invaluable data at top organizations. This online degree program also gives you the opportunity to earn multiple industry-recognized certifications at no extra cost. These certifications include:
- EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker
- EC-Council Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
You can earn while you learn with this information technology degree. These two EC-Council certifications are built into the IT degree program and do not add time or additional costs—but do add to your résumé as soon as you've earned them!
70% of students finish within
22 Months*
WGU lets you move more quickly through material you already know and advance as soon as you're ready. The result: You may finish faster.
*WGU Internal Data
Tuition per six-month term is
$4,655
Tuition charged per term—rather than per credit—helps you control the ultimate cost of your degree. Finish faster, pay less! Plus, you can earn valuable industry certifications for no extra cost.
Income growth after 2 years
$18,200*
Just two years after graduation, WGU students report earning $18,200* more per year. Four years after graduation, they report earning $25,900 more than before they enrolled.
*Source: 2021 Harris Poll of 1,252 WGU graduates
COURSES & COMPETENCIES
Courses in the Cybersecurity Master's Degree
This cybersecurity program is composed of the following courses. You will typically complete them one at a time as you make your way through your program, working with your Program Mentor each term to build your personalized Degree Plan. You’ll work through each course as quickly as you can study and learn the material. As soon as you’re ready, you’ll pass the assessment, complete the course, and move on. This means you can finish as many courses as you're able in a term at no additional cost.
The M.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance program is an all-online program that you will complete through independent study with the support of WGU faculty. You will be expected to complete at least 8 competency units (WGU's equivalent of the credit hour) each 6-month term. (Each course is typically 3 or 4 units).
The WGU M.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance online degree program was designed, and is regularly updated, with input from the experts on our Information Technology Program Council, ensuring you learn best practices in systems and services, networking and security, scripting and programming, data management, and the business of IT. The experts who make up the WGU IT Program Council know exactly what it takes for a graduate to be successful in the fast-paced, ever-changing world of information technology.
10 Courses
Program consists of 10 courses
At WGU, we design our curriculum to be timely, relevant, and practical—all to help you show that you know your stuff.
Capstone Project
Special requirements for this program
Using knowledge acquired through your studies at WGU, you will complete a final assignment that challenges you to propose a solution to a real-world business issue relevant to today’s IT industry.
“WGU’s advantage is its flexibility. The education itself is top-notch, and the flexibility allows busy people to get through school. I recommend WGU to everybody, particularly in IT fields. The certifications you get at WGU are fantastic—some of the best in the industry”
—Ken Krauss
M.S. Information Security and Assurance
WGU vs. Traditional Universities
Compare the Difference
Traditional Universities
AVG. cost
For 3RD PARTY IT CERTIFICATIONS
$350*
Included with your tuition cost
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 2 years, minimal acceleration options
As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 2 years
*The cost of valuable industry certification exams can range from $150 to $400. At WGU, we offer vouchers for certification exams, so the cost is included in your tuition price. Students may have to pay some fees for membership to complete their certification requirements.
Traditional Universities
AVG. cost
For 3RD PARTY IT CERTIFICATIONS
$350*
AVG. cost
For 3RD PARTY IT CERTIFICATIONS
Included with your tuition cost
TUITION STRUCTURE
Per credit hour
TUITION STRUCTURE
Flat rate per 6-month term
SUPPORT
Schedule and wait days or even weeks to meet with one of many counselors
SUPPORT
Simply email or call to connect with your designated Program Mentor who supports you from day one
EXAMS
Scheduled time
EXAMS
Whenever you feel ready
SCHEDULE
Professor led lectures at a certain time and place
SCHEDULE
Courses available anytime, from anywhere
TIME TO FINISH
Approximately 2 years, minimal acceleration options
TIME TO FINISH
As quickly as you can master the material, typically less than 2 years
*The cost of valuable industry certification exams can range from $150 to $400. At WGU, we offer vouchers for certification exams, so the cost is included in your tuition price. Students may have to pay some fees for membership to complete their certification requirements.
Why WGU?
Earning Potential
According to a 2023 Harris Poll, just two years after graduation, WGU grads report earning $22,200 more per year, and that amount increases to $30,300 four years after graduation.
On Your Schedule
No class times, no assignment deadlines. You are in charge of your learning and schedule. You can move through your courses as quickly as you master the material, meaning you can graduate faster.
Entirely Online
The cybersecurity master's degree at WGU is 100% online, which means it works wherever you are. You can do your coursework at night after working at your full-time job, on weekends, while you're traveling the world or on vacation—it's entirely up to you.
Accredited, Respected,
Recognized™
One important measure of a degree’s value is the reputation of the university where it was earned. When employers, industry leaders, and academic experts hold your alma mater in high esteem, you reap the benefits of that respect. WGU is a pioneer in reinventing higher education for the 21st century, and our quality has been recognized.
Additionally, as an AWS Academy member institution, WGU has access to a computing curriculum developed and maintained by AWS.
IT CERTIFICATIONS
3rd Party Certifications Included
These valuable industry certifications can help you boost your résumé as soon as you earn them, even before you finish your degree. Your low, flat-rate tuition and fees cover exam costs and two EC-Council certifications.
- EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker
- EC-Council Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI)
WGU Ranked #3 Best Online Cybersecurity Master's Program
Fortune.com ranked WGU's Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance as the third best online master's program for cybersecurity in the country.
COST & TIME
An Affordable Cybersecurity Master's Degree
By charging per six-month term rather than per credit—and empowering students to accelerate through material they know well or learn quickly—WGU helps students control the ultimate cost of their degrees. The faster you complete your program, the less you pay for your degree.
A College Degree Within Reach
There is help available to make paying for school possible for you:
The average student loan debt of WGU graduates in 2022 (among those who borrowed) was less than half* the national average.
*WGU undergraduate students have approximately half the debt at graduation compared to the national average, according to the Institute for College Access and Success (2022).
Most WGU students qualify for financial aid, and WGU is approved for federal financial aid and U.S. veterans benefits.
Find out if you're eligible for the $5,000 WGU Cybersecurity Scholarship.
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE
Competency-Based Education Puts Cybersecurity Professionals in Control of Their Education
Online. Competency-based. Student-obsessed. Countless things make our programs a great fit for today’s working students—and make WGU a different kind of university. Our learning model is just one of those.
Competency-based degree programs allow you to speed up your progress. No waiting for other class members to catch up or for a new semester to start. Taking a course covering concepts you’ve been applying for years? Review the online course material, take the online assessment, and move on. Taking a course in a subject you’ve never tried? Maximize all available resources to ensure you’re comfortable with the material by the time you take the assessment.
"Because of WGU's competency-based model I was able to leverage my experience and progress through the courses at my rate. My degrees have opened many doors for me and prepared me with the skills and knowledge I need to succeed.”
—Jason Franklin
M.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance
CAREER OUTLOOK
Become a Leader in the Dynamic and Lucrative Cybersecurity Field, Where you can Outsmart Criminals
We constantly share data, socialize, and complete transactions online, making the need for experts who can protect our information increasingly critical. The knowledge, techniques, and certifications you’ll earn as you complete your cybersecurity and information assurance degree will prepare you to:
- Fight cybercrime
- Strengthen online systems
- Create a safer online environment
Top industries have sensitive data that cybercriminals are after. A master's degree in cybersecurity prepares you to successfully fill the ever-growing demand for information security specialists to protect vital information. An online degree in cybersecurity from WGU allows you to become a leader of any security team, protecting reputable organizations and government agencies from attackers.
Return on Your Investment
On average, WGU graduates see an increase in income post-graduation
Average income increase from all degrees in annual salary vs. pre-enrollment salary. Source: 2023 Harris Poll Survey of 1,655 WGU graduates.
Survey was sent to a representative sample of WGU graduates from all colleges. Respondents received at least one WGU degree since 2017.
35%
The number of positions for information security analysts is expected to grow by 35% from 2021 to 2031.
—U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Our Cybersecurity Master's Degree Alumni Are Making a Real Difference in Protecting Data and Information
Our M.S. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance alumni have great jobs and satisfying careers:
Job Titles
- Information security manager
- Risk manager
- Cyber security consultant
- CISO
Diverse Industries
- Private business
- Government
- Law enforcement
- Higher education
Major Employers
- National Security Technologies (NSTec)
- Boeing
- City, county, and state governments
WGU Grads Hold Positions With Top Employers
ADMISSIONS
Admissions Requirements Unique to The Cybersecurity Master's Program
To be considered for enrollment in this program, you must:
1. Possess a bachelor’s degree in a STEM field, a business degree (Quantitative Analysis, Accounting, Economics, Finance), or degree with a similar quantitative focus.
OR
2. Possess any bachelor’s degree PLUS one of the following:
- Two years of related work experience
- Relevant and current IT certification
- Related IT coursework
NOTE: You do not need to take the GRE or GMAT to be admitted to this program. Learn why we don't require these tests.
Get Your Enrollment Checklist
Download your step-by-step guide to enrollment.
Get Your Questions Answered
Talk to an WGU Enrollment Counselor.
FAQs about Cybersecurity Master's Programs
- General IT Program Questions
- Cybersecurity Master's Program Questions
You should speak with an Enrollment Counselor. WGU can often provide advice or resources to help a prospective student fulfill enrollment prerequisites.
When you enroll in a WGU degree program, our goal is to see you through to graduation. Admission requirements are designed to increase your likelihood of success. Years of data and experience with the nontraditional students WGU serves have shown us how various types of academic and professional experience can be highly important in helping a student persist to graduation. Industry certifications are one of many ways a student can meet eligibility.
WGU has an obligation to our graduates—and their current and future employers—to ensure WGU alumni have mastered the most up-to-date, current competencies and skills needed in the workplace. Recency of certifications helps us ensure that students have demonstrated competency in skills as they are needed in today's working world.
As a full-time student, you will be required to maintain a minimum pace of 12 competency units (CUs) per term for undergraduate programs or 8 CUs per term for graduate programs. However, there is no maximum speed—once you complete a course, you move immediately to the next, and you complete a course not by waiting for the syllabus, the professor, or the rest of the class. You progress by learning the material and proving it—so you can move through your coursework at the speed of your own learning and experience.
Instructors are highly educated, experienced experts in the subject matter of a course. Unlike in a traditional university where going to class means listening to an instructor lecture while you take notes and try to learn in a group setting, WGU's Instructors provide one-on-one instruction and support when you need it—tailoring the instruction to your precise needs when you need it. Instructors also provide additional resources, lead topical discussions in online communities, and find countless other ways to bring a specific course to life for students.
If you currently work in IT or security, a cybersecurity master's degree can help you be prepared to take the next step in your career. It can prepare you to move forward to positions such as a CISO, CIO, CTO, cybersecurity manager, cybersecurity director, and more.
A master's degree in cybersecurity can be ideal for those who are looking to move up the career ladder, earn more money, and be qualified for additional responsibilities. A master's degree in cybersecurity can help you move into a more security focused field, increase your earning potential, and add on your current skills to make you more valuable to employers.
Some jobs that are available with a master's degree in cybersecurity include:
- Chief information security officer (CISO).
- Chief technology officer (CTO).
- Computer information systems manager.
- Computer network architect.
- Cybercrime analyst/investigator.
- Cyber security analyst/consultant.
- Cyber security architect.
- Cyber security director.
- Cyber security engineer.
Earning a master's degree in cybersecurity can be well worth the time and effort. Many graduates will see an increase in earning potential, promotion opportunities, and increased job stability as a result of their higher education.
There are a wide variety of career paths you can pursue with the help of a master's degree in cybersecurity. You can move up the ladder and become a cybersecurity senior analyst, a cybersecurity architect, a cybersecurity consultant, a cybersecurity manager, or even a CISO with the help of this advanced degree.
Those who are looking to advance their professional career in information security or cybersecurity analysis may want to earn a cybersecurity master’s degree. Those who are feeling they lack upward mobility in their current role may be interested in pursuing an advanced cybersecurity degree. Those who enjoy solving complex problems are good candidates for a master’s degree in cybersecurity.
For the best jobs in cybersecurity, you will want to earn a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance. The more education, experience, and certifications you have, the more qualified you will be for advanced positions with higher influence and salary potential. A master’s degree in cybersecurity may prepare you for jobs including chief information security officer and information security manager.
If you’d like to pursue a career in cybersecurity, the best degree might be a specialized cybersecurity bachelor’s or master’s degree. In these types of degree programs, you’ll learn about basic computer science, information security, cybersecurity architecture and engineering, and secure network design.
Traditionally it will take 2 years to earn a master's degree in cybersecurity. However, online options like the program at WGU may allow you to accelerate and work at your own pace, giving you the opportunity to finish much faster. At WGU, students the cybersecurity and information assurance master's degree in less than 2 years.*
*WGU Internal Data
If you already have one of the certifications that are offered in this program, you will submit it for a transfer evaluation. It’s possible that it will transfer in and it can shorten your pathway to graduation.
Ready to Start Your WGU Journey?
