Online Master of Science in Cybersecurity
Houston Christian University (HCU)’s fully online Master of Science (MS) in Cybersecurity program facilitates new skills in cybersecurity and information technology to prepare you for security and systems operations analyst roles, administrative and supervisory roles, and impactful lifelong learning and upskilling.
In convenient online courses and portfolio-strengthening practical assignments, a combination of engaging learning experiences ensures your confidence on the journey through top professional pathways in cybersecurity. Gain a distinct skill set shaped around critical skills and approaches to cybersecurity issues through a fully online program underscored by project-based learning.
Program Highlights
- 30 Credits
- Complete in One Year
- Part-Time Format Available
- Focus on Practical Experience
- Graduate Capstone Project
- Information Technology Emphasis
Online Master’s in Cybersecurity Requirements
Components of the 30-credit MS in Cybersecurity online program prepare you to accurately and efficiently identify and address cyber risks and vulnerabilities experienced by organizations and individuals. Online course topics include system administration, system and network security, cloud computing, cybersecurity risk analysis, wireless, mobile, IOT device computing and security, legal compliance, and ethics.
Through project-based learning and a graduate capstone, you graduate equipped to utilize common cybersecurity tools and hypothesize and apply solutions to real-world cybersecurity issues. You can choose a general cybersecurity graduate training course track or a tailored track in Information Technology. Beginning in the 2025/2026 Academic Year, F-1 visa students participating in the CPT program must complete DSCI 5395 – Applied Learning Practicum.
Degree Plan
Courses and Information Technology Track
The Information Technology track helps draw connections between the development and analysis of cybersecurity products and software and the service to teams and organizations through information technology or network administration.
Courses you may take will include:
- Applied Cryptography and Cybersecurity
- Ethical Hacking and Penetration Testing
- Graduate Capstone Project
- Information Assurance
Program Benefits and Opportunities
Leverage your critical thinking and technical skills to analyze complex security problems and design effective solutions with our online Master’s in Cybersecurity. This program will empower you to implement secure systems, collaborate effectively, and navigate the ethical landscape of cybersecurity. Graduates will be prepared for entry-level and some mid-level cybersecurity positions and be ready to tackle real-world challenges and thrive in today’s dynamic cybersecurity field.
Careers and Salaries with an Online Cybersecurity Master’s
So much of our world relies on the safety of personal or sensitive information, and cybersecurity professionals are needed to integrate secure computing and information systems solutions across industries, from startups to established businesses, public service and government agencies, healthcare systems, and research and education institutions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports computer and information technology professionals will see much faster-than-average growth in opportunity in the occupation from 2022 to 2032.
For competitive entry-level cybersecurity analyst positions, graduate-level education or certifications beyond a bachelor’s degree are typically required. Whether you are called to help develop safe apps and operating systems, serve organizations and their technology needs, or crave the deep strategic analysis of testing the security of software products, the online program at HCU paves the way for personally and financially rewarding roles across computer and information technology. The BLS reports that the median annual salary for information security analysts is $120,360.
Engaged Online Learning
From honing skills in approaches to network and information security to implementing research hypothesis through a development capstone course, as a student in the online master’s in cybersecurity program, you undergo the same robust curriculum and engaging work experiences as an in-person cohort, truly adding relevance and value to your toolkit without compromising your other life responsibilities.
Program Residency Requirement
Beginning in the 2025/2026 academic year, each course in the program will include a weekend (two-day) residency held at the University campus, where students will be required to attend the two-day intensive in person. This low-residency program will appeal to broad markets of students that will allow them to experience HCU’s online platform as well as in-person collaboration and networking through the weekend intensives held on the campus.
Graduate Capstone, Applied Learning Practicum and Internship Opportunities
From day one in the online MS in Cybersecurity, you’ll complete case studies and build a portfolio of security solutions to real-world problems. As the culmination of this training, the course CYSC 5310: Graduate Capstone Project provides the space to research and address an assigned issue through a comprehensive solution you’ll implement.
Starting in the 2025/2026 academic year, the Applied Learning Practicum offers students the opportunity to put their theoretical knowledge into practice through real-world experiences like internships or work placements. These experiences can take various forms: (1) alternative work/study, internships, cooperative education, (2) employment relevant to the student’s field of study, or (3) collaborative projects with faculty applying coursework to professional contexts. This course is a recurring requirement for all enrolled students, emphasizing its importance as part of executive formatted programs, ensuring students engage with practical applications throughout their academic journey.
Connections with our established professional faculty and our regional relationships with employers may allow for internship opportunities as well.
Admissions Requirements
Students will be required to have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with at least a 3.0 GPA. Students with a GPA ranging between 2.5 and 2.99 will be reviewed for conditional admission by the Graduate Admission Review Board and need to be approved for admission by either the Dean of the Graduate School or the Dean of the College of Science and Engineering. Admission into the HCU graduate school requires degree completion in Software Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field of study.
Course Prerequisites for Full Admission
Your undergraduate transcripts must include 18 credit hours of computer science or information systems coursework to receive an offer of admission to HCU’s online master’s program in cybersecurity.
Preliminary Admission Requirements
While you do not need a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity or computer science to apply, if you were a non-STEM major or do not meet the 18-credit prerequisite requirements, you must show proficiency in computer programming, computer networks, and operating systems through industry certifications or a minimum of two years of work experience.
Students with less than a 3.0 GPA or who have not completed the prerequisite courses for full admission may still gain admission to the program as long as they maintain a 3.0 GPA for the first 9 credits of foundational core courses.
Program Costs and Aid
At HCU’s Pampell Online Division, our online program tuition is highly competitive and allows you to chase after your highest calling without burdening your and your family’s finances. Review tuition and cost information for online programs.
Estimate your cost of attendance prior to any financial aid, such as scholarships or loans. You can determine eligibility for federal grants or loans by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn about graduate financial aid at HCU.
Frequently Asked Questions
Earn a Master’s Degree in Cybersecurity Online at HCU
Feel called to explore careers in cybersecurity as a problem-solver and analytical mind? Houston Christian University’s online MS in Cybersecurity degree program is the foundation for building a highly successful career.
