Education & Training

CSE Cybersecurity Program

MSU is one of only 10 universities designated as a Center of Academic Excellence by the National Security Agency (NSA) in Cyber Operations, Defense, & Research, and MSU was selected to host the NSA Cyber Operations Community of Practice to lead a bottom-up overhaul of national cyber operations curriculum. As an NSA CAE school, MSU also participates in the Department of Defense (DoD) Cyber Scholarship Program (CySP), which is a scholarship program administered through the NSA that pays full tuition and education expenses but requires employment with the DoD upon graduation. MSU also hosts the fourth largest NSF Cyber Corps Scholarship for Service (SfS) program nationally, and the university participates in Virtual Institutes for Cyber and Electromagnetic Spectrum Research and Employ (VICEROY), which is a DoD-funded incentive program aimed at training future military and civilian cyber defense professionals.

MSU has three cybersecurity degree: a Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Applied Science, and a Master of Science:

• Bachelor of Science (BS) in Cybersecurity: The BS program emphasizes a theoretical approach to cybersecurity, with a strong focus on foundational mathematics and advanced programming skills. Offered in-person only.
• Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Cybersecurity: The BAS program is designed for students who already have an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree or similar qualifications. It focuses on practical applications, with less emphasis on theoretical mathematics and intensive programming. Offered in-person and online.
• Master of Science (MS) in Cybersecurity and Operations: The MS program offers advanced study and specialization in areas such as penetration testing, malware analysis, after-action analyses, and cyber operations and cyber defense concentrations. It includes both thesis and non-thesis options and caters to students who wish to pursue research or advanced practical applications. Offered in-person and online.

MSU has some of the nation’s best faculty and most motivated cybersecurity students willing and able to conduct cutting edge cybersecurity research in support of our nation’s most complex pressing national security challenges.

For information about any of the programs mentioned above, please consult the Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) Department’s Cybersecurity Program.

CCI Outreach & Training