The School of Engineering is now accepting applications for a new Master of Science in Cybersecurity (MSCYB) program at Fairfield University. Offering dynamic, hands-on learning experiences for both remote and in-person instruction through Fairfield’s new state-of-the-art Cybersecurity Lab, classes are scheduled to begin in fall 2020.

Professionals with advanced degrees are in high demand for managerial and leadership positions in the rapidly advancing cybersecurity sector. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job opportunities for information security analysts are projected to grow 32% from 2018 to 2028 — much faster than the average for all occupations. Demand is highest for professionals with applicable cybersecurity skill sets in industries that manage large volumes of sensitive data — such as health care, finance, and retail.

The Fairfield University MSCYB degree is designed to prepare well-rounded students for leadership roles across industry, nonprofit, and government sectors “by honing technical skills as well as communication and leadership skills, through real-world projects and capstone courses,” said Adrian Rusu, PhD, professor and chair of the Computer Science and Engineering Department at Fairfield.

The 30-credit MSCYB degree program offers flexible pacing for full-time students to complete the degree in as little as one year, and for working professionals who choose to pursue coursework part-time to finish as quickly as two years. A unique, interdisciplinary curriculum blends academic core coursework, concentration options in either management or technology, customizable electives, and practical real-world experience in partnership with a local business or non-profit through a two-semester capstone sequence.

MSCYB candidates will not only learn the required techniques for detection, investigation, and analysis of existing cyber threats — they’ll also gain the problem-solving and critical thinking skills needed to manage, design, and implement secure systems to protect data assets against the risk of cyber attacks and exposures. They’ll learn to think like a potential cyber attacker, use that rationale to devise a penetration method in order to determine the exposure, and then apply preventative methodologies to remediate the exposure.

Applications to Fairfield’s MSCYB program are now being accepted for fall 2020 classes. For admission requirements and details on how to apply, visit the School of Engineering’s MS in Cybersecurity program webpage at www.fairfield.edu/MSCYB.  If you have any questions or you would like to set up an appointment with the MSCYB program director, please e-mail Dr. Adrian Rusu at rusu@fairfield.edu. Additionally, you are invited to register for the School of Engineering’s Virtual Graduate Information Session on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 at 6 p.m.