{"id":11675,"date":"2016-10-26T09:07:25","date_gmt":"2016-10-26T14:07:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/web.saumag.edu\/academics\/?post_type=program&#038;p=11675"},"modified":"2026-08-11T17:16:59","modified_gmt":"2026-08-11T22:16:59","slug":"master-of-computer-and-information-science-cyber-security","status":"publish","type":"program","link":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/program\/master-of-computer-and-information-science-cyber-security\/","title":{"rendered":"Master of Science in Computer and Information Science &#8211; Cybersecurity and Privacy Option"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <strong>Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences (MCIS) with a focus on Cybersecurity<\/strong> at Southern Arkansas University is an intensive STEM-certified program designed to create elite defenders of the digital landscape. This track provides a deep dive into the technical, legal, and ethical dimensions of information security, equipping students to safeguard critical infrastructure and sensitive data against increasingly sophisticated global threats.<\/p>\n<h3>Program Format &amp; Flexibility<\/h3>\n<p>The MCIS program offers a flexible and student-centered learning environment tailored to both full-time students and working professionals.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Online<\/strong>: Complete your degree from anywhere in the United States with 100% virtual coursework.<\/li>\n<li><strong>On-Campus<\/strong>: Engage in hands-on labs and face-to-face collaboration in Magnolia.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hybrid<\/strong>: Utilize a blend of both formats to balance your career and education.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Program Duration &amp; Start Dates<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Duration<\/strong>: Typically completed in 18\u201324 months.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Start Dates<\/strong>: Rolling admissions with intakes in Fall, Spring, and Summer.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Deadlines<\/strong>: * Fall: July 20 | Spring: December 1 | Summer I: April 1 | Summer II: June 1<\/li>\n<li><strong>Accelerated Track<\/strong>: SAU undergraduates can begin Cybersecurity graduate coursework during their senior year to expedite their path to professional roles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Why Choose the Cybersecurity Track at SAU?<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>STEM Designation<\/strong>: As a STEM-certified program, international students are eligible for a 24-month OPT extension (36 months total).<\/li>\n<li><strong>Specialized Faculty and Security Labs<\/strong>: Experienced cyber security faculty, cyber range.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Cost-Effectiveness<\/strong>: SAU offers one of the most affordable high-quality graduate computer science programs in the region.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Skills You Will Gain<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Network Defense<\/strong>: Architect secure network topologies and implement robust firewall\/IDS systems.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Digital Forensics<\/strong>: Master the tools and techniques needed to investigate cybercrimes and recover compromised data.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Information Privacy<\/strong>: Navigate the legal and ethical frameworks surrounding data protection and privacy laws.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Faculty &amp; Digital Learning Environment<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Research-Active Faculty<\/strong>: Learn from professors who are experts in AI, machine learning, cyber security and cloud computing.<\/li>\n<li><strong>State-of-the-Art Labs<\/strong>: Access virtualized environments and physical labs equipped with the latest hardware.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Class Projects and Internship<\/strong>: Most courses include hands-on implementation or research projects, providing practical experience with real-world challenges. Internship opportunities further enhance learning by offering valuable industry exposure and professional experience.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Master of Science in Computer and Information Sciences (MCIS) with a focus on Cybersecurity at Southern Arkansas University is an intensive STEM-certified program designed to create elite defenders of the digital landscape. This track provides a deep dive into the technical, legal, and ethical dimensions of information security, equipping students to safeguard critical infrastructure&#8230; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/program\/master-of-computer-and-information-science-cyber-security\/\"> Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":11324,"menu_order":0,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":"","_genesis_title":"","_genesis_description":"","_genesis_noindex":"","_genesis_nofollow":"","_genesis_noarchive":"","_genesis_canonical_uri":"","_open_graph_title":"","_open_graph_description":"","_twitter_title":"","_twitter_description":"","_social_image_url":"","_social_image_id":"","redirect":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"college_department":[18307,18324,18306],"delivery":[28836,255,28834],"types":[28851,71780],"class_list":["post-11675","program","type-program","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","college_department-school-of-graduate-studies","college_department-mathematics-and-computer-science","college_department-college-of-science-and-engineering","delivery-hybrid","delivery-on-campus","delivery-online","types-graduate","types-masters","entry"],"acf":{"page_layout":"standard","landing_page_url":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/mcis\/","department_college":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/cs\/\">Mathematics &amp; Computer Science<\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/science\/\">College of Science &amp; Engineering<\/a>","badge_text":"","Number_of_Hours":"30","tuition_instate":"","tuition_outstate":"","estimated_total_tuition":"","start_dates":"Rolling admissions (Fall, Spring, Summer)","duration":"2 years","Degree Plans":"<ul>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.saumag.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=11&amp;poid=2697&amp;returnto=407\">2026-2027<\/a><\/li>\n \t<li><a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.saumag.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=9&amp;poid=2087&amp;returnto=346\">2025-2026<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>","Program_Contact_Info":"[dirswitch contacts=\"al-shami-ahmad\"]","Catalog Entry":"<h4>Core Courses (12 hours)<\/h4>\nMCIS 5103 - Advanced Programming Concepts\nor MCIS 5163 - Python Programming\nMCIS 5133 - Data Base Management Systems\nMCIS 6163 - Computer Networking\nMCIS 6173 - Information and Networking Security\n<h4>Cyber Security Courses (12 hours)<\/h4>\nMCIS 6213 - Applied Cryptography\nor MCIS 6243 - Wireless and Mobile Security\nMCIS 6223 - Vulnerability Analysis and Risk Assessment\nMCIS 6233 - Traceable Systems and Computer Forensics\nMCIS 6253 - Privacy Compliant Systems Design\n<h4>Elective Courses (6 hours)<\/h4>\n<strong>Select 6 hours from the following:<\/strong>\nMCIS 5013 - The UNIX Operating System\nMCIS 5103 - Advanced Programming Concepts\nMCIS 5113 - Web Programming: Client Side\nMCIS 5163 - Python Programming\nMCIS 5313 - Data Structures and Algorithms\nMCIS 5333 - AI Principles and Applications\nMCIS 5353 - Deep Learning\nMCIS 5363 - Generative AI and Language Models\nMCIS 5383 - Privacy, Security, and Ethics\nMCIS 5413 - Web Programming: Server Side\nMCIS 6123 - Decision Science\nMCIS 6133 - User Interface Design\nMCIS 6153 - Software Engineering\nMCIS 6183 - Special Topics\nMCIS 6193 - Special Topics\nMCIS 6213 - Applied Cryptography\nMCIS 6243 - Wireless and Mobile Security\nMCIS 6263 - Big Data\nMCIS 6273 - Data Mining\nMCIS 6283 - Machine Learning\nMCIS 6293 - Special Topics\nMCIS 6313 - Internet of Things\nMCIS 6323 - Cloud Computing\nMCIS 6333 - Data Visualization Programming\nMCIS 6913 - Thesis\nMCIS 6983 - Internship in Computer and Information Science","minor_requirements":"","Admission Requirements or Deadlines":"<ol>\r\n \t<li><strong>Online Application<\/strong>: Submit your <a href=\"https:\/\/apply.saumag.edu\">Graduate Studies Application<\/a>.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>Transcripts<\/strong>: Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions.<\/li>\r\n \t<li><strong>GPA Requirement<\/strong>: Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (Conditional admission may be available for 2.2+).<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h3>Prerequisites:<\/h3>\r\nA Bachelor\u2019s degree in Computer Science or a related field is preferred. Students with degrees in other fields may be required to complete two foundational \"bridge\" courses in programming and concepts.","careers":"Cybersecurity professionals are in extreme demand across all sectors. Graduates are prepared for roles such as:\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Information Security Analyst<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Penetration Tester<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Cybersecurity Architect<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Digital Forensics Investigator<\/li>\r\n \t<li>Chief Information Security Officer<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nMarket Demand: The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a <strong>32% growth rate<\/strong> for Information Security Analysts through 2034, making it one of the fastest-growing career fields in the nation.","faq":[{"faq_question":"Do I need a security certification (like Security+ or CISSP) to apply?","faq_answer":"No, but the knowledge gained in this program will significantly prepare you for industry-recognized certifications."},{"faq_question":"How does the STEM designation help me?","faq_answer":"For international students, it provides the 24-month OPT extension. For all students, it signals that the curriculum meets rigorous technical and scientific standards."},{"faq_question":"Is a cyber-range available?","faq_answer":"Yes."}],"Accreditations":"","Testimonials":"","student_information":"","Advisors":"","rankings":"","keywords":"","custom_tab_title":"","custom_tab_text":"","rfi_shortcode":"[gf_embed site=\"1\" id=\"88\" prog=\"MCIS Cyber Security and Privacy\" type=\"Graduate\" comments=\"true\" notify_emails=\"aalshami@saumag.edu\"]"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/11675","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/program"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/11675\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18117,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/programs\/11675\/revisions\/18117"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11324"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11675"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"college_department","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/college_department?post=11675"},{"taxonomy":"delivery","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/delivery?post=11675"},{"taxonomy":"types","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saumag.edu\/academics\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types?post=11675"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}