About

This program allows students who are interested in technology, and especially in cybersecurity to earn two complementary degrees (MS Management Information Systems and MS Cybersecurity) at the same time in a shortened time frame. Rather than earning each separately, recognizing the overlap between the fields, credits and concepts from the program are shared, and thus students are able to complete the program with less overall credits than completing each separately. This dual degree program is geared towards individuals who want to work with technology and also want a broader view of cybersecurity as technical speciality in their skillset.

Students will be introduced to applied curriculum that instructs them to understand technological innovations and how technology can be used to solve organizational problems and further organizational strategies. On the cybersecurity side, students will compete core foundational areas in cyberanalytics, networking, system hardening, management of cyber functions and strategic alignment between cybersecurity, technology and the business. Such students would be well positioned to work in IT, cybersecurity, and more especially start a career pathway towards cyber or technology leadership in an organization.

The Master of Science - Management Information Systems (MS MIS) program prepares graduates for professional careers in the management of information technology (IT). The MS MIS focuses on the application of technology to help achieve organizational goals and solve business problems. MIS students earn competency in IT, embedded in a business context, that provides them with well-rounded preparation for occupations in high demand. Recent graduates are pursuing careers in a variety of roles, such as business analyst, systems analyst, security analyst, IT manager, and systems administrator.

The MS MIS has been certified as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) - Designated Degree Program by the Department of Education and maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. Under the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, international students who graduate from colleges and universities in the United States are able to remain in the country and receive training through work experience for up to 12 months. Students who graduate from a designated STEM degree program can remain for an additional 17 months on an OPT STEM extension. The MS MIS program code is 11.1005. This program is an interdisciplinary master of science in cybersecurity provided by the Lee Business School and the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering.

Currently, there is a demand at the local, state, regional, and national levels for individuals to be trained in the knowledge of computers, networks, and risk and security management. This has been identified by the Department of Labor and other sources as one of the most needed professions/skills, yet the traditional sources of such skills (i.e., higher education) is not producing graduates as fast as this field is growing. Students will be trained in technical and managerial aspects of cybersecurity. Further, UNLV is a recognized center of academic excellence (CAE) for cybersecurity. This is a prestigious recognition from the US Federal Government that is only awarded to several universities in the entire country.

This program builds upon the strengths within the Computer Science department in the College of Engineering, which can provide the technical expertise of dealing with data, computers and networks. This program also builds on the strengths of the management information systems group within the Management Entrepreneurship, and Technology (MET) department in the Lee Business School to provide the expertise in managerial aspects of security, compliance, and risk management.

The graduate program in cybersecurity will also enable those already in the field to hone their managerial skills and enter into the management of cybersecurity, or provide those with other related skill sets to move from a related/technical field into cybersecurity. This focus is distinct compared to an undergraduate degree in cybersecurity, which typically focuses on basic skills.

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

Learning Outcomes

MS MIS Portion

  1. The ability to interpret the role of information systems to enhance organizations
  2. The ability to manage an information systems project
  3. The ability to analyze business problems and apply technological solutions
  4. The ability to work effectively with others in teams
  5. The ability to communicate technological concepts to business executives and users

MS Cybersecurity Portion

  1. Evaluate the computer network and information security needs of an organization
  2. Assess cybersecurity risk management policies in order to adequately protect critical resources and assets
  3. Demonstrate a mastery of in-depth knowledge of cybersecurity
  4. Formulate, update and communicate regarding organizational cyber-related strategies and policies

Requirements

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Documents/Downloads

Master of Science - Cybersecurity & Master of Science - Management Information Systems

Contacts

Department of Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science is nationally and internationally recognized for research in theoretical and experimental computer science. We are especially known in areas such as real-time algorithms, information retrieval, document analysis, parallel computing, language design, software engineering, computer science education, graphics, computational geometry, networking, information customization, cybermedia, and internet security.

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Department of Management, Entrepreneurship, and Technology

The Department of Management, Entrepreneurship and Technology offers bachelor’s degrees in entrepreneurship and management as well as a master’s degree in management information systems (MIS), dual master’s degrees in MIS and hotel administration and MIS and MBA, and a graduate certificate in MIS.

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Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering

The College of Engineering provides students a well-rounded foundation in several engineering disciplines for a successful career in engineering and computer science. Through the hands-on, experiential education experience we offer, students are enabled to achieve excellence in their respective fields.

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Lee Business School

The Lee Business School advances the knowledge and practice of business; develops business leaders; and fosters intellectual and economic vitality through the creation and dissemination of knowledge and outreach.

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