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Master's in Cybersecurity
Defend what matters. Propel your career in cybersecurity.
Begin Your Journey Take the Next Step
Earn your MS in cybersecurity at Sacred Heart University and gain the advanced technical skills needed to protect systems, networks, and data from today’s cyber threats.
At a Glance
- Duration: 12-18 months
- Credits: 30-36
- Cost Per Credit: $965
- Modality: On campus/hybrid
- Start Terms: Fall (August), Spring (January), Late Spring (March)
- Test Requirements: No GRE required
- STEM-Designated: Yes
Learn more about tuition rates and payment options for the cybersecurity program.
Why Choose Sacred Heart for Your MS in Cybersecurity?
Cyber threats are increasing in scale, complexity, and frequency, and professionals who can defend against them are critical to organizations in all industries. From financial institutions and health care systems to government agencies and academic institutions, cybersecurity professionals are essential to protecting sensitive data and infrastructure.
Sacred Heart’s program prepares you to:
- Identify and mitigate cyber threats
- Secure networks and systems
- Conduct digital forensics and incident response
- Build resilient security systems and architectures
Professionals who hold a graduate degree command higher salaries than those who only hold a bachelor’s degree. The median salary for those with a master’s in cybersecurity is $96,000. By pursuing your master’s in cybersecurity, you’ll develop the knowledge and skills needed for leadership roles, positioning yourself as an indispensable thought leader in your field.
Upcoming Events
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Graduate Grant-in-Aid
- Veteran benefits
- Graduate assistantships
- Residence hall director positions
Cybersecurity Lab
Train in SHU’s 1,300-square-foot Cybersecurity Lab, a dedicated, hands-on learning environment where students gain experience simulating real-world cyberattacks and defense strategies. The lab supports education, research, training, and community outreach in cybersecurity and privacy.
Lab Features
- 40 workstations with contemporary technologies such as virtualization (VirtualBox, VMware) and security software (Forensic Toolkit (FTK), Password Recovery Toolkit (PRTK), Fortigate-60D UTM, and Wireshark)
- Capabilities to conduct cybersecurity exercises—including malware analysis and penetration testing—in a fully isolated lab environment
- Dedicated server room supporting a floor-to-ceiling technology rack including Network Attached Storage (NAS), domain servers, network switches, and firewalls
NSA-Designated Program
Sacred Heart University has earned the Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) Designation from the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) for its Master of Science in cybersecurity program. SHU is the first university in Connecticut to receive this designation.
A master’s degree in cybersecurity from a CAE-CD-designated university signals to employers that graduates have attained NSA-recommended cybersecurity-related knowledge units (KUs), as validated by subject matter experts in the field.
Industry-Experienced Faculty
Learn from expert faculty who bring more than 50 years of combined experience in cybersecurity, spanning academia and industry. SHU’s full- or part-time cybersecurity programs are taught by award-winning, published scholars—whose research includes network security, digital signal processing, embedded systems, cloud computing, and cyber-physical systems—as well as industry-renowned professionals and speakers in the field.
Career Outcomes
Graduates of the cybersecurity program are employed at companies including:
Lifetime Career Support
Cybersecurity students benefit from a dedicated career team with industry experience and employer partnerships that connect top talent to major companies. Students and alumni enjoy lifetime access to the Center for Career & Professional Development, where expert coaches provide personalized support with résumés, interviews, and job placement.
The most salient feature of SHU’s MS in cybersecurity program is its faculty. We had faculty who were leaders in industry and academics, a key factor for the success of the program. This paved the way for a research-oriented learning experience, which had an essence of real-world implementation—a key attribute for success. A master’s in cybersecurity from SHU opens up unparalleled access to a great future in the world of cybersecurity.
STEM-Designated Program
As a STEM-designated program, you’ll be trained in areas of technology that are in high demand with U.S. employers. This program allows international students with F1 visas to extend their OPT in the U.S. by 24 months after graduating (36 months in total).
Degree Options for Incoming Students & Current SHU Undergraduates
Incoming First-Year Students: 4+1 Dual Degree Program
Students may apply directly to the Bachelor’s-Master of Science in cybersecurity dual degree program as incoming first-year students for a streamlined path to earning both degrees. Students begin with an undergraduate major in one of the following areas:
- Computer engineering
- Computer science
- Cybersecurity
- Electrical engineering
- Game design & development
- Information technology
Through this integrated program, you’ll build a strong foundation while progressing seamlessly into advanced coursework in cybersecurity—saving you time and accelerating your path to a master’s degree.
Current SHU Undergraduates: 4+1 Combined Degree Program
Sacred Heart undergraduates can fast-track their future by earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in just five years. Work with your adviser to develop your 4+1 plan.
The MS in cybersecurity at SHU provides students with a broad understanding of today’s rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. Through hands-on learning and real-world applications, the program explores both the technical and strategic sides of cyber defense. The practical experience and advanced skills gained in the program prepared me to confidently enter the cybersecurity workforce.
Frequently Asked Questions
The job growth within the field of information security is projected to grow 29% through 2034 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, outpacing many other occupations. Demand for cybersecurity professionals will remain high as analysts play a critical role in preventing cyberattacks and protecting sensitive information. Given this demand, and strong earning potential, a master’s degree in cybersecurity is a smart investment for those interested in the field.
The 2026 median annual wage for information security analysts was $124,910 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Starting salaries for entry level roles in cybersecurity are often listed at over $70,000 per year, with the pay increasing significantly based on position level, experience, and education, making a master’s degree in cybersecurity a way to potentially boost your earning power.
There are many roles professionals take on in the growing field of cybersecurity, including:
- Chief information security officer
- IT security consultant
- Network engineer/architect
- Forensic computer analyst
- Systems engineer
- Information security analyst
- Security architect
- Incident analyst
- Cybersecurity consultant
The graduate certificate in cybersecurity program provides individuals with an introduction to networking, risk and threat management, security architecture, and ethical and security skills to effectively address the evolving threat landscape. Upon completion of the program, graduates are better equipped to enter or continue as a professional in the risk management & information security field. Courses taken for the certificate can be applied toward the MS in cybersecurity for a more comprehensive education.
Wondering whether to get a master’s or certificate? Read our blog post, “Master’s Degree or Cybersecurity Certificate–Which is More Valuable?” to decide which path is right for you.
More Information
International Graduate Admissions
Yashwanth Chitikala
Associate Director of Graduate International Admissions
Mobile/WhatsApp: +1 203-913-7896
chitikalay@sacredheart.edu
Graduate Admissions
Ed Nassr
Associate Director of Graduate Admissions
203-396-6877
nassre@sacredheart.edu
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