Academic Blazer Chat: Cybersecurity
George Dimitoglou, director of the cybersecurity program, and Michelle Giambruno, a cybersecurity student, discuss what cybersecurity is and what students can expect during the program and after graduation.
Our program provides comprehensive education and hands-on training, preparing graduates for technical and management roles in cybersecurity.
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The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Hood College and the Center of Computer Security & Information Assurance as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE) and a member of the CAE in Cybersecurity Community.
The MS in Cybersecurity also addresses the core subject areas and skill sets identified in the Cybersecurity Workforce Framework by the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS).
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is a 30-credit program for technical and non-technical students with a bachelor’s degree. Prior background in computing is desirable but not required to enter this program. Individuals without such a background can enter the degree program by enrolling in two prerequisite foundation courses. The program's structure allows students to enter from different disciplines, providing a common foundation and the robust subject matter training necessary in today’s cybersecurity job market.
The program provides a thorough understanding of cybersecurity's technical and managerial aspects. Graduates leave Hood ready to tackle the complex cyber challenges in business, industry, government, education, health, and other fields. For students who want cyber training but not a complete master’s degree, there is a stand-alone certificate in cybersecurity.
The Cybersecurity certificate requires five courses (three core and two electives) if the applicant has a background in computing or information technology. For applicants who do not have a computing background, the program offers a two "bridge" (foundation) courses that will prepare them to succeed in the certificate. The certificate courses and options are available in this planner.
News Flash! Hood College is ranked #13 in the Top 18 most affordable online Cybersecurity programs by Cybersecurityguide.org.
View Hood Talks Elections and Cybersecurity: Myths, Risks and Realities webinar with Dr. Dimitoglou.
The demand for qualified cybersecurity professionals is strong. In the Washington, DC-Baltimore area alone, there are over 90,000 unfilled positions (Source: Cyberseek.org, 2023).
The Master’s in Cybersecurity is designed to prepare and train students to enter the cybersecurity workforce. The program is set up to enable partnerships with local technology companies and government organizations. Students are encouraged and supported to pursue experiential learning and research opportunities during their studies. The program culminates with a capstone thesis project with either a scholarly or applied focus linked to the needs of local industry and government partners. Students also work with faculty mentors and partners to develop relevant research and project questions; collect data, design systems, develop software, protocols, methods, and techniques; synthesize their findings or work artifacts into a final product; and present their findings to the partners and scholarly venues.
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity is designed with specific Program Learning Outcomes (PDF). The program is also aligned with the Hood College Graduate School Outcomes.
The curriculum deepens knowledge of cybersecurity procedures, tools, and standards. Students learn systems and network security, computer forensics, cryptography, ethical hacking, and contemporary technologies and techniques in web, wireless, and mobile security. They also explore current trends and issues, gaining valuable insights into cybersecurity’s role and impact in day-to-day business operations.
Students can complete the 30-credit program in three years by taking one or two courses a semester. As full-time students, they can take on-campus classes and graduate in 15 months. Both formats provide instruction from highly qualified faculty and adjunct instructors with proven cybersecurity experience.
The program is available in an on-campus format or entirely online. Students can choose the modality per course, providing excellent scheduling flexibility. The online access is asynchronous to accommodate students who travel or reside in different time zones.
Cybersecurity students are invited to participate in CyberBlazers, the program's ethical hacking student team. Students who join this welcoming group of students and faculty learn together, practice together, and compete in regional and national cybersecurity and capture the flag (CTF) competitions.
At WiCyS, a global community of women, male allies, and advocates, we are dedicated to bringing talented women together to celebrate and foster their passion and drive for cybersecurity. Join us to move the needle in women's underrepresentation in cyber! Explore the Global WiCyS Membership Benefits page.
Janet Hobbs Cotton ’59 and her husband, John Cotton, have given the new cybersecurity master’s program a generous gift by establishing the Cotton Cyber Lecture Series, bringing nationally and internationally recognized leaders in cybersecurity to campus to speak.
Visit our Cotton Lecture Series website for more information.
*Active duty Fort Detrick soldiers are eligible for a full tuition waiver for this program or any other graduate certificate and master's program at Hood College per our special Hood/Fort Detrick MOU.
Cybersecurity students are invited to present their Capstone and compete at the Graduate School's Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition, held annually at the end of the Spring semester. We are proud of the participation of past participants:
Hood College participates in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements.
For students applying to the master's or certificate in cybersecurity program, please submit the following to the Graduate School:
This program is designed for students with a background in computer science or related area that has prepared the students in core computing subjects, such as programming, computer architecture, operating systems, networking, data management systems and applications. Students who do not have the necessary background will be required to complete one or both of the foundation courses to ensure they are well prepared for the required coursework. The determination to take the foundation courses is based on a thorough evaluation of student transcripts and other supporting documents during the application review.
Transfer credit policy for admitted students
Students may transfer a maximum of 6 graduate credits from an external, accredited institution, or another Hood graduate program prior to the first semester of study in the current program. Please review the full graduate transfer credit policy in the College catalog.
The Master of Science in Cybersecurity, for students with undergraduate preparation in computer science or related area, requires the completion of 30 credits: 24 credits of core courses, one 3 credit elective course, and 3 credits of a Cybersecurity Capstone.
Students, without undergraduate preparation in computer science or related area, will be required to complete one or two foundation courses, designed to provide the appropriate background knowledge and foundation to succeed in the program.
CYBR 555 | Information Systems Security | 3.0 |
CYBR 548 | Telecommunications & Networking | 3.0 |
IT 530 | Applied Database Concepts | 3.0 |
CYBR 534 | Network and Internet Security | 3.0 |
CYBR 521 | Information Assurance & Risk Assessment | 3.0 |
CYBR 532 | Computer Forensics | 3.0 |
CYBR 535 | Security Policies, Ethics and Law | 3.0 |
CYBR 556 | Ethical Hacking | 3.0 |
CYBR 560 | Cybersecurity Capstone | 3.0 |
One from the following:
CYBR 537 | Applied Encryption & Cryptology | 3.0 |
CYBR 599 | Special Topics | 3.0 |
CYBR 597 | Cybersecurity Practical Training | 1-6 |
Any foundation courses required are in addition to the 30 credits required for program completion.
IT 510 | Computing Hardware & Software Systems | 3.0 |
CSIT 512 | Elements of Computer Programming | 3.0 |
Students in the Μaster's in Cybersecurity program should use this Program Planning Guide (PDF) to plan and track their progress.
Assistantships/Financial Aid
The 4PLUS program is designed for highly motivated students who have the desire to build career options into their undergraduate curriculum and earn a master's degree in cybersecurity.
Hood College students from all majors are eligible to participate in a 4PLUS program that allows for a combined, and in some cases accelerated, master’s degree in cybersecurity after the completion of their undergraduate program. The program is especially relevant to computer science majors, but it is also available to students from other disciplines.
The Cybersecurity Capstone is the culmination of the master's program. The Capstone invites students to develop further and demonstrate their ability to engage broadly and in-depth with a specific topic in the discipline. It draws diverse modes of learning into one focused area that can enhance the student’s informed cybersecurity practice. This learning and engagement with a specific topic are expected to be highly scholarly. Students are encouraged to begin discussing areas of interest and topics for their Capstone with potential faculty thesis advisors after completing 21 credits in the program.
The Cybersecurity Capstone Guidelines are posted on the Graduate School's site (Sec. Final Thesis, Projects, Capstones and Research, Departmental Guidelines).
The following are the titles of past Cybersecurity Capstone Projects:
Note: Because the work may have been conducted in an industry or a government setting, or it is based on private or internal, company-sponsored research, copies of the capstone projects are not made available. It is the author's prerogative to decide if they will share their project, and you must contact them directly to request a copy. Neither the Program, the Department, nor the College can provide former students' contact information.
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George Dimitoglou, director of the cybersecurity program, and Michelle Giambruno, a cybersecurity student, discuss what cybersecurity is and what students can expect during the program and after graduation.
Program Director
Assistant Director of Graduate Admission
FREDERICK, Maryland—Hood College has launched online programs in cybersecurity and information technology to make these programs more accessible for working professionals. Cybersecurity and information technology are ever-growing industries in the Maryland and Washington, D.C., region that need qualified workforces. According…
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