Online Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity

We are now accepting applications for our Summer, Fall-1 and Fall-2 semester start dates. For more details on the application deadlines and start dates, refer to the academic calendar.

Program Description

The online Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity is designed for students seeking to deepen their knowledge and expertise in the field of cybersecurity. This program offers a comprehensive curriculum with two specialized degrees: Cybersecurity Policy & Compliance, which focuses on regulations and management, and Cybersecurity Analytics, which is more technically focused:

Cybersecurity Policy & Compliance Degree: This degree emphasizes the legal, regulatory, and governance aspects of cybersecurity. Students will explore topics such as cybersecurity regulations, risk management frameworks, compliance standards (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA), and strategic policy development. Graduates of the Cybersecurity Policy & Compliance degree are equipped to lead organizational efforts to comply with cybersecurity regulations, manage risks, and establish robust security policies and procedures.

Cybersecurity Analytics Degree: This degree focuses on data-driven cybersecurity techniques, including threat analysis, security data analytics, machine learning applications in cybersecurity, and incident response. Students will gain expertise in identifying vulnerabilities, detecting anomalies, and mitigating security risks using advanced analytical tools. Graduates of the Cybersecurity Analytics degree are prepared for roles such as cybersecurity data analysts, threat intelligence experts, and incident responders.

Both degrees enhance students' problem-solving and critical thinking skills, while providing a strong foundation in core cybersecurity principles. Graduates of this program are well-equipped to tackle complex cybersecurity challenges and pursue careers in industries such as government, finance, healthcare, and technology. The Online Master of Engineering in Cybersecurity prepares students for high-impact roles in both the analytical and policy-driven aspects of cybersecurity, and offers a strong foundation for those interested in pursuing further academic research or doctoral studies in cybersecurity or related fields.

Curriculum

The program consists of 10 online courses (three credit hours each), totaling 30 required credit hours. This online structure offers synchronous and asynchronous learning options. Our degree plan gives students the flexibility to study at their convenience and from any location. 

Learn More About the Courses

The program consists of ten 3-credit courses (4 core courses, and 6 degree-specific courses) that encompass essential cybersecurity skills. The curriculum is deliberately structured around high-growth and high-potential areas in cybersecurity, offering significant opportunities for graduates to enhance their career trajectories.

Core Courses

ECE 6132 Secure Cloud Computing: A comprehensive guide to security concerns and best practices for cloud computing and cloud services. Topics discussed include cloud computing architectures, risk issues and legal topics, data security, internal and external clouds, information security frameworks and operational guidelines. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6540 Management of Information and Systems Security: Information security techniques and countermeasures in defense fundamentals; critical infrastructure protection; network defense–firewall systems and IDS, VPNs, cryptographic and internet security protocols and cyber security, information assurance.  (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6543 Managing the Protection of Information Assets and Systems: Advanced topics in protection of information assets and systems, including authentication, asset control, security models and kernels, physical security, personnel security, operational security, administrative security, security configuration management and resource control. Prerequisite: EMSE 6540. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6544 Auditing, Monitoring and Intrusion Detection for Information Security Managers: Methods for detecting problems with unauthorized activity in information systems and management challenges associated with those activities. Prerequisite: EMSE 6540 (3 credit hours)

Degree-specific Courses for M.Eng. in Cybersecurity Policy & Compliance

CSCI 6012 Cybersecurity and Privacy: Overview of cybersecurity and privacy, including cryptography, authentication, malware, viruses, network security, anonymity, privacy and online privacy, risk management. Common cyberattacks and techniques for detection and defense. Policy and legal perspectives for managing cybersecurity missions supporting the private sector and government. Cyber technologies as applied to the stability of global information and communications infrastructure; government cybersecurity policies. (3 credit hours)

CSCI 6013 Security in Mobile Computing: Relationship between security strategic plan and business strategic plan. Mobile Device Solutions (MDS) to access enterprise corporate data. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) paradigm. Mobile Device Management (MDM) best practices, policies, network controls to identify countermeasures and risk mitigation strategies against common threats. Overview of mobile security solutions for classified processing and communications. Prerequisite: CSCI 6012. (3 credit hours)

CSCI 6532 Information Policy: Roles, issues and impacts of computer-based information systems in national and international arenas, focusing on privacy, equity, freedom of speech, intellectual property and access to personal and governmental information. Professional responsibilities, ethics and common and best practices in information use. (3 credit hours)

CSCI 6534 Information Security in Government: Roles, issues, and governance of cyber security in the federal government. Overview of the technical aspects of cyber security including federally developed cybersecurity standards and frameworks and government and industry initiatives. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6542 Cybersecurity Risk Management and Compliance: Cybersecurity threats and other risks to an organization’s core business; risk-based planning and risk management of cybersecurity at the enterprise level; risk assessment and modeling approaches to cybersecurity issues related to security structures, sustaining healthy cybersecurity posture, and satisfying compliance with risk frameworks. Prerequisite: EMSE 6540. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6546 Cybercrime for Information Security Managers: Information security actions related to and in response to criminal activity, including industrial espionage, back-hacking, cracking, and cyberterrorism. Transnational issues, cybercrime treaties and conventions, and cyberwar issues. (3 credit hours)

Degree-specific Courses for M.Eng. Cybersecurity Analytics

CSCI 6016 Applied Network Defense: Computer security: protection aspects of the Internet. Cryptographic tools to provide security, such as shared key encryption (DES, 3DES, RC and more), public key encryption, key exchange, and digital signature. Internet protocols and applications.  (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6560 Open-Source Intelligence Analysis: Data analytics tools and develop decision support frameworks to identify threats, evaluate capability of actors to exploit vulnerabilities, and evaluate the risk of damage. Overview of strategies for mining/aggregating data across multiple sources. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6767 Applied Data Analytics: Applied and practical data analytics. High-level theory, with primary focus on practical application of a broad set of statistical techniques needed to support an empirical foundation for systems engineering and engineering management. A variety of practical visualization and statistical analysis techniques. Leveraging Minitab and Excel to examine raw data to arrive at insightful conclusions. (3 credit hours)

EMSE 6769 Applied Machine Learning for Engineers: Theory and practice of machine learning, leveraging open source frameworks to explore the ideas, algorithms, and techniques. (3 credit hours)

SEAS 6410 Security Data Visualization: Visualization aspect of security data, including study of data analytics and scaling up information security, security metrics and security monitoring techniques focusing on industry applications. Tools for security data visualization and analytics. Prerequisite: EMSE 6767. (3 credit hours)

SEAS 6414 Python Applications in Data Analytics: Introduction to programming with Python with applications in Cyber Analytics including automating data cleaning, machine learning, text mining, time series analysis, anomaly detection, DoS attack detection, and spam detection. (3 credit hours)

Academic Calendar

Our classes meet one night a week (Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Thursdays) for nine weeks from 6:30 to 9:50 PM Eastern time.  Students enroll in four 9-week sessions. There is also an optional fifth summer session (classes meet twice a week for four and half weeks). Students may begin their studies in any of the five sessions. Please see below for the dates of our upcoming sessions.

Session	Dates	Application Deadlines
Spring-1 2025	week of 1/6/25 – week of 3/3/25	12/1/2024
Spring-2 2025	week of 3/10/25 – week of 5/5/25	2/24/2025
Summer 2025	week of 5/27/25 – week of 6/23/25	5/1/2025
Fall-1 2025	week of 8/11/25 – week of 10/6/25	7/28/2025
Fall-2 2025	week of 10/13/25 – week of 12/8/25	9/29/2025

The course order is determined by advisors based on student progress toward completion of the curriculum. Course details will be provided to students via email approximately one month prior to the start of classes.

Tuition

Tuition is $1,200 per credit hour for the 2025-2026 academic year. Tuition is billed at the beginning of each semester for the courses registered during that semester. A non-refundable tuition deposit of $495 is required when the applicant accepts admission. This deposit is applied to tuition and due the first semester. Our online graduate degree programs in engineering require no additional fees. We provide eBooks and software at no additional cost.

Admissions Process

Review the Admissions Requirements 

Review the Admissions Requirements

Ideal candidates for the programs will meet the following requirements:

• Cybersecurity Policy & Compliance:
  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  • Minimum grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher
• Cybersecurity Analytics:
  • A bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, information technology, mathematics, physics, or a closely related field from an accredited institution
  • Minimum grade point average of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher
  • Grade of C or better in one course in college-level calculus and one course in college-level statistics. Applicants who do not meet this requirement in full but are otherwise qualified may be conditionally admitted and required to take an additional 3-credit hour course, EMSE 4197 — Special Topics: Quantitative Methods in Engineering, during the first year of graduate study

International Students: If you’re applying from outside the U.S., please see international student admissions information for additional requirements.

Graduate Certificate in Cybersecurity: Applicants may also apply for a 4-course graduate certificate in Cybersecurity.  The 4 courses for this certificate are the core program courses mentioned above. Upon successful completion of the graduate certificate with a GPA of 3.0 or better, students will be admitted to either Cybersecurity Master’s degree and all certificate courses will count towards the Master’s degree.

Note: Applicants for our online programs are expected to remain engaged. Failing to respond to inquiries or provide requested materials within the designated timeframe could result in the denial of the application.

Apply for Admission and Submit Supporting Documents

Apply for Admission
 There is no application fee for any GW online engineering program.

Complete application packets include: 

• Resume or C.V.: Upload your up-to-date resume or C.V.
• Statement of Purpose: In an essay of 250 words or less, describe your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also, discuss any other related qualifications not already mentioned, such as collegiate, professional, or community activities.
• Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are required from all institutions where a degree was earned. Transcripts should be sent to [email protected] (if sent electronically), or via mail to:
  Online Engineering Programs
  The George Washington University
  170 Newport Center Drive
  Suite 260
  Newport Beach, CA 92660
   
• Letters of Recommendation: Two (2) letters of recommendation are required, and one must be from a professional reference. Begin this process by filling out this letter of recommendation form. Within this form you will share the email address of the individual providing your recommendation. Once you complete your required section, Formstack will send that individual a link to the letter of recommendation form. A letter of recommendation is only considered official when sent directly from the individual providing the recommendation through Formstack. Submissions directly from applicants will not be accepted.
• GRE Scores: GRE scores are not required but if available, should be submitted to enhance your application.

Remain Engaged in the Admissions Process

You will receive emails from us updating you as your application goes through the admissions process.

View a previously recorded info-session