2023 Most Affordable Online Master's Degrees in Cybersecurity

Middle Georgia State University (MGSU) is a public institution offering an online Master of Science in Information Technology - Cybersecurity and Forensics to students interested in protecting complex technology networks from criminal activity and helping investigate cybercrime. Students must complete 30 credit hours, which generally takes full-time students a year. Students complete 15 credit hours in foundational core courses and the remaining 15 credits in cybersecurity and forensics-specific coursework.

MGSU delivers its online curriculum via Brightspace. Distance learners in the online cybersecurity and forensics program take courses such as Ethical Hacking, Digital Forensics, Network and Cybersecurity, and Disaster Recovery. These online courses can help students develop leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills in preparation for information technology leadership roles.

Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is a public institution offering an online Master of Professional Studies - Cybersecurity that has received designation from the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense as well as accreditation by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Graduating requires 30 credit hours of coursework, which generally takes full-time students two years.

FHSU delivers its online curriculum via the Blackboard learning management system. Courses within the online master's degree in cybersecurity include Network Security Firewalls, Linux in Networking, Research Methods in Informatics, and Foundations of Information Systems Security (CISSP Prep). Instruction helps prepare students for industry certifications, including CompTIA Security+, AWS Certified Security Specialty, and Certified Network Defender, among others.

Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is a public institution offering an online Master of Science in Cybersecurity for students interested in careers preventing cyber-attacks and keeping computer networks safe. Students choose from three tracks: (1) Information Security, (2) Cyber-Physical Systems, and (3) Policy. Georgia Tech designs this program for part-time students to complete 32 credit hours in two to three years.

Georgia Tech enables has distance learners to participate in online classes via Canvas. Depending on the track, those enrolled in the online cybersecurity graduate program take courses such as Power Systems Control and Operation, Advanced Hardware Oriented Security and Trust, International Security, and Software Development Process. Students must also complete a five-credit practicum in order to graduate.

Missouri State University is a public institution offering an online Master of Science in Cybersecurity for students eager to become Chief Information Security Officers or Chief Security Officers. This 30-credit program takes full-time students approximately two years to complete. Missouri State accepts up to 6 transfer credits into the cybersecurity program. Students can also complete a graduate certificate in Computer Information Systems or Data Analytics to increase their degree's marketability.

Missouri State uses the Blackboard learning management system to deliver its online curriculum. Distance learners enrolled in the online master's degree in cybersecurity participate in courses such as Web Application Security, Legal Issues in Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and Management of Information Security.

Columbus State University (CSU) is a public institution offering an online Master of Science in Cybersecurity Management that prepares students with skills to manage cybersecurity risk in an organizational context. Graduating requires 30 credit hours, which generally takes two years of full-time attendance. Similarly, students can enroll in GSU's online Master of Science in Applied Computer Science - Cybersecurity.

GSU delivers online coursework and instruction via its proprietary CougarVIEW learning management system. Courses within the cybersecurity management curriculum include Digital Forensics, Enterprise Information Security, Global Cybersecurity, and Foundation of Cybersecurity Policy and Management. The program helps students develop the skills necessary to work in a range of occupations, such as cybersecurity managers, cybersecurity management consultants, and information security governance specialists.