Information Assurance and Cybersecurity

Overview

Information assurance is one of the most dynamic fields in recent decades. With growing demand for computing professionals, Gannon’s Information Assurance and Cybersecurity Master’s Degree places emphasis on the development of students’ skills and continued professional growth to stay abreast of the rapidly changing technological world.

• There is no previous cyber education needed to enroll in the master’s degree program.
• This program is designed for nontechnical degree holders who are looking to improve their knowledge in cybersecurity, increase their job prospects and earning potential, or take the first step toward a graduate degree in the cybersecurity field.

Keeping our critical cyber infrastructure secure while maintaining privacy is a priority. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that there will be 3.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions globally in 2021. The Bureau of Labor Statistics has also predicted that the current number of cybersecurity job openings is on the rise. This program is aimed to fill that void. Every cybersecurity worker needs to be equipped with cybersecurity concepts and knowledge to protect and defend apps, data, networks, devices, critical systems, infrastructure, and people. It provides post bachelor’s academic credentials that lead to targeted industry-recognized certifications. 

Program Director

Dr. Yunkai Liu
liu006@gannon.edu or 814-871-7692 

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university
• A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5/4.0

Application Procedures

Candidates are asked to submit the following information to the Gannon University Office of Graduate Admissions:

• Completed graduate application (apply.gannon.edu)
• Official academic transcripts from all prior institutions
• TOEFL/other scores if English is not a first language.

Application materials may be submitted by email (graduate@gannon.edu), fax (814-871-5827), or mail (Attn: Office of Graduate Admissions, Gannon University, 109 University Square, Erie, PA 16541).

Targeted Industry Certifications

The M.S. degree in Information Assurance and Cybersecurity prepares students for the industry’s most desired professional certifications:

• CompTIA Networking+
• CompTIA Security+
• Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)
• Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Curriculum

The MS-IAC is a 30-credit professional degree program. Students may begin studies with a wide variety of academic and work backgrounds. 

Courses are presented in three general categories:

• Cybersecurity Essentials Courses: 12 credits of required coursework.
• Information Assurance Courses: 12 credits of required coursework.
• Cyber Electives: 3 credits required of upper-division coursework.

Core Courses (24 credits):

• GCYSEC 501 Networking Fundamentals
• GCYSEC 502 Cybersecurity Foundations
• GCYSEC 503 Security Leadership
• GCYSEC 504 Cybersecurity Management
• GCYSEC 605 Asset Security and Risk Management
• GCYSEC 606 Information Security Architectures
• GCYSEC 607 Security Assessment and Access Control
• GCYSEC 608 Operations & Software Development Security

Cybersecurity Elective (3 credits):

• Choose GCYSEC 609 Digital Forensics or GCYSEC 610 Network Management and Security Implementation

Directed Project or Directed Research (3 credits):

• Choose GCYSEC 698 Directed Project or GCYSEC 699 Directed Research

Project Requirement

Each graduate student is expected to conduct a directed research / development project or thesis for completion of the degree.

Plan A (Directed Research): GCYSEC 699

The student is required to complete a 3-credit independent/team IAC research project and to pass a final oral examination covering the student’s project area and related subject areas. The content of the independent/team research should be in-depth scholarship culminating in a publishable-quality manuscript. The content should represent a researched and creative expression of the student’s advanced capability as a result of the graduate program. The directed research must be proposed and approved prior to the commencement of the independent/team project work. Proposals must be approved prior to registering for research credits. Per department guidelines, directed research students register for GCYSEC 699 Directed Research when completing the research effort and after having received agreement from a faculty member to be the chair of the student’s research effort.

Plan B (Directed Project): GCYSEC 698

The student is required to complete a 3-credit independent/team IAC project and to pass a final oral examination covering the student’s project area and related subject areas. The content of the independent/ team project can be either (1) study and development of a prototype-level application culminating in a publishable-quality technical report. The content should represent a researched and creative expression of the student’s advanced capability as a result of the graduate program. The directed development project must be proposed and approved prior to the commencement of the independent/team project work. Proposals must be approved prior to registering for project credits. Per department guidelines, directed project students register for GCYSEC 698 Directed Project when completing the development effort and after having received agreement from a faculty member to be the chair of the student’s development effort.

While enrolled in GCYSEC 698 and GCYSEC 699 Directed Research, the student is required to satisfy other department-stipulated activities such as attendance at research seminars, participation in research presentations, and writing- or research-improvement seminars.