Academic Programs
Khoury College of Computer Sciences
Cybersecurity
Master’s Degree
Are you a professional or recent graduate with experience in coding/programming and basic mathematics who wants to leverage technology to build a more secure world? Help advance the field of cybersecurity, assessing and managing ongoing, information security risks to defend key pillars of society.
At Northeastern University’s Khoury College of Computer Sciences, you’ll learn with top faculty and through direct work with key stakeholders in tech, government, health, finance, defense, and more. Lean into your strengths in one of the best cybersecurity programs available, preparing you for a key information security role in a technical or management position.
Location
Arlington, VA
Commitment
Full-Time/Part-Time
Duration
2 – 2.5 Years
f-1 visa ELIGIBLE
Yes
Type
Classroom
Program Overview
Leverage technology to help build a more secure world
Designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence for Cyber Operations by the Department of Defense and National Security Agency, Northeastern offers one of the best cybersecurity programs available to help you:
- Gain technical computer science skills in information security.
- Develop a contextual and interdisciplinary foundation in law, forensics, criminology, social sciences, policy, and management to break down silos in cybersecurity.
- Hold an optional, full-time, paid co-op or internship.
- Learn from experts who are driving innovation across industries.
- Develop skills for lifelong advancement and collaboration with some of the most diverse thinkers in cybersecurity.
Develop your professional network in Arlington, VA
The program is offered online, in Boston, and in Arlington, VA, a tech-forward city with high activity across important sectors for cybersecurity, such as finance, health, law, and policy. Northeastern’s Arlington campus puts cutting-edge research at your fingertips.
- Vibrant research and development environment—the #4 Best Startup Ecosystem in the World (Startup Genome, 2022)
- Opportunity for interdisciplinary projects with other colleges at Northeastern
- Options to collaborate with businesses, governmental agencies, laboratories, and internationally recognized institutes and centers
Unique Features
- Opportunities for paid, full-time co-ops or internships with one of Khoury College’s industry partner organizations, such as Akamai, Amazon/AWS, Bloomberg, Crowdstrike, Raytheon, Salesforce, and more
- Capstone project with companies such as Rapid 7, MITRE, Partners Healthcare, Fidelity, and Raytheon
- The research resources of an R1 institution in cybersecurity, a key area of study for Khoury College, such as the Cybersecurity and Privacy Institute
- A dynamic cohort of students from a wide variety of backgrounds that provides a 360° perspective and strong network across industries
- In-depth knowledge and experience in both technical and contextual aspects of cybersecurity
Career Outlook
Give yourself proven opportunities for career advancement. Cybersecurity is one of the most in-demand areas of expertise for U.S. employers, with a 0% unemployment rate since 2016—and demand is incredibly high globally (TechGenix). Khoury College cybersecurity graduates go on to work at some of the most influential companies and organizations around the world. In recent years, alumni have a record of 100% employment in their chosen field.
- 3.5 million job openings in the cybersecurity field are projected by 2025 (Cybercrime Magazine)
- 33% job growth is projected in the United States for information security analysts from 2021 to 2031—over four times faster than the average employment growth rate of all occupations nationwide (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
- The global workforce gap for cybersecurity professionals has grown twice as much as the workforce, with a 26.2% year-over-year surge; 3.4 million cybersecurity professionals are needed (ISC2)
- Key employers of graduates of the program include Amazon/AWS, Akamai, Google, Raytheon, MITRE, Salesforce, Fidelity Investments, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and Synopsys
- Program graduates hold positions such as security engineer, cybersecurity analyst, chief information security officer, cybersecurity compliance officer, cyber risk analyst, cloud security engineer, security architect, and more
Practical Details
- Available in person at the Boston and Arlington, VA, campuses
- Co-ops and internships available
- Potential financial support is available through a combination of paid, full-time co-op or internship placements, teaching assistant and tutor positions, Federal Student Aid, and scholarships from Northeastern’s philanthropic and corporate partners
Curriculum
Curriculum built around a uniquely comprehensive skill set
This is one of the best cybersecurity programs to help you build an interdisciplinary foundation.
- Two courses in technical areas
- Two courses in contextual areas
- Either technical or contextual electives
- Optional qualifications like the concentration in criminology or a graduate certificate in engineering leadership
Master’s core courses
- Foundations
- Cyberspace Technology and Applications
- Foundations of Information Assurance
- Capstone
- Capstone Project
With a range of electives, such as:
- Applied Cryptography
- Computer System Security
- Network Security Practices
- Software Vulnerabilities and Security
- Software Security Practices
- Network Security
- Wireless and Mobile Systems Security
- Security Risk Management and Assessment
- Information System Forensics
- Cyberlaw: Privacy, Ethics, and Digital Rights
- Decision Making for Critical Infrastructure
- Special Topics in IT Security Governance, Risk, and Compliance
- Special Topics in Privacy Law
- Complexity Theory
- Cyberspace Programming
- Cloud Security
- IoT Security
- Applied Cryptography
- Cyberlaw
- Machine Learning in Cybersecurity and Privacy
- Wireless and Mobile Systems Security
- And more …
Options for Study
Customize your studies with full-time, part-time, and online options
- Customize your studies with full-time, part-time, and online options
- Options for students with a strong foundation in computer science as well as for students with more contextual knowledge (e.g., military, health, finance, etc.) who need to strengthen their foundational tech knowledge
- Scholarship for Service for students from other fields
Options for students with a strong foundation in computer science as well as for students with more contextual knowledge (e.g., military, health, finance, etc.) who need to strengthen their foundational tech knowledge
Not sure if you qualify for the Master of Science in Cybersecurity? Reach out to us.
Tuition
$53.8K
This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2024–2025 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Find detailed information on tuition and fees from Student Financial Services.
Finance Your Education
We offer a variety of resources, including scholarships and assistantships. Learn more from Student Financial Services.
Experiential Learning
Co-op makes the Northeastern graduate education richer and more meaningful. It provides master’s students with up to 12 months of professional experience that helps them develop the knowledge, awareness, perspective, and confidence to develop rich careers. In addition to the esteemed faculty, many students enroll in the master’s programs largely because of the successful co-op program.
Graduate students typically have an experiential work opportunity following their second semester. This could be a six- to eight-month co-op or a three- to four-month summer internship. Those who initially experience co-op may have the opportunity to seek an internship for the following summer, or vice versa.Student participation in experiential education provides enhanced:
- Learning, technical expertise, and occupational knowledge
- Confidence, maturity, and self-knowledge
- Job-seeking and job-success skills
- Networking opportunities within your desired career path
Northeastern’s co-op program is based on a unique educational strategy that recognizes that classroom learning only provides some of the skills students will need to succeed in their professional lives. Our administration, faculty, and staff are dedicated to the university’s mission to “educate students for a life of fulfillment and accomplishment.” Co-op is closely integrated with our course curriculum and our advising system. The team of graduate co-op faculty within the Khoury College of Computer Sciences provides support for students in preparing for and succeeding in their co-ops.
These multiple connections make co-op at Northeastern an avenue to intellectual and personal growth: adding depth to classroom studies, providing exposure to career paths and opportunities, and developing in students a deeper understanding that leads to success in today’s world.
Admission Dates
Applicants must submit the online application and all required admission materials no later than the stated deadlines to be considered for admission. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis.
FALL 2025
| Deadline for international applicants: | April 15 |
| Deadline for domestic applicants: | August 1 |
Additional information for international applicants can be found at the Office of Global Services (OGS). OGS is an active resource to over 20,000 international students and scholars from 147 different nations across the world. They provide the professional expertise and support you need to maintain compliance through immigration, academic, and your employment experiences—helping you remain a valuable member of the Northeastern community.
How to Apply
Learn more about Khoury College’s admissions process and required materials.
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