M.S. in Cybersecurity
Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
The M.S. in Cybersecurity program from WVU's Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources aims to prepare you with advanced technical expertise, ethical awareness, and leadership skills needed
to protect digital systems and critical infrastructure. This graduate program emphasizes
secure system design, risk assessment, and defense strategies while fostering innovation
and lifelong learning to keep pace with evolving cyber threats. You will be equipped to address the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals across
industry, government, and research sectors.
Cost:
$785 / Cost per credit hour *
Courses and Credits:
10 Courses / 30 Credits
Duration:
One to three years / 8-week terms
Dates:
Next Start: August 18, 2026 Admission Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer
Learning Format:
Asynchronous with synchronous office hours
Program Overview
Keep Systems Safe
- Blend theory with practice: Combine a strong theoretical foundation with applied skills in hardware and software security, secure system design, and critical infrastructure protection.
- Customizable learning path: Choose from flexible elective options in areas such as biometric security, cybersecurity for smart grids, cloud and mobile systems security, and machine learning for cyber defense.
- Hands-on technical focus: Enables you to design, implement, test, and critically evaluate secure systems and defense mechanisms across diverse real-world domains.
- Flexible completion timeline: Fully online structure supports part-time or full-time study, allowing you to complete the program in one to three years.
- Designed for diverse learners: Tailored for full-time professionals, career changers, recent graduates, and aspiring researchers seeking to advance in one of the fastest-growing and most impactful technology fields.
Curriculum
With five core courses and five electives that can be customized to individual career goals, you gain hands-on experience in identifying vulnerabilities, defending against cyber threats, and designing resilient, secure systems. Elective options allow students to explore specialized areas such as biometric security, cybersecurity for smart power grids, cloud and mobile systems security, and machine learning for cyber defense.
The flexible online format supports working professionals, career changers, and aspiring cybersecurity leaders, offering a rigorous yet accessible pathway into one of the fastest-growing and most impactful fields of the future. After graduating this program, you will be well-prepared to meet the urgent national and global demand for cybersecurity expertise across industry, government, and research sectors.Learning Outcomes
The objective of the M.S. in Cybersecurity program is to produce graduates with the knowledge, technical expertise, and professional mindset needed for success in business, industry, research, and government roles. After completing the required core and elective courses, students will achieve proficiency in:
- Cybersecurity Principles and Methodologies, including risk assessment, threat analysis, and defensive strategies for protecting digital systems and networks.
- Application of Security Techniques across a variety of domains such as cloud computing, software systems, critical infrastructure, and embedded devices.
- Design and Implementation of Secure Systems, with the ability to architect, test, and evaluate hardware, software, and network defenses against evolving cyber threats.
- Cybersecurity Research and Innovation, including the ability to investigate emerging vulnerabilities, develop new countermeasures, AI/ML applications, and effectively communicate findings to technical and non-technical audiences.
- Ethical, Legal, and Societal Dimensions of Cybersecurity, encompassing privacy, data protection, policy, and responsible conduct in the global digital landscape.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required
Up to six (6) credit hours can be at the 400 level
Required Courses
- CYBE 510: Advanced Cybersecurity Principles, 3 credit hours
- CYBE 520: Ethics in Cybersecurity, 3 credit hours
- CPE 530: Hardware Security and Trust, 3 credit hours
- CPE 553: Advanced Networking Concepts, 3 credit hours
- CYBE 660: Engineering Secure Software, 3 credit hours
Elective Courses, 15 credit hours
- CPE 538: Intro Computer Security Management, 3 credit hours
- CYBE 435: Computer Incident Report, 3 credit hours
- CYBE 466: Host Based Cyber Defense, 3 credit hours
- CYBE 466: Host Based Cyber Defense, 3 credit hours
- CYBE 467: Ethical Hacking & Penetration Testing, 3 credit hours
- CYBE 564: Software Engineering of Mobile Applications, 3 credit hours
- CYBE 640: Data Analytics for Secure Cyber-Power Systems, 3 credit hours
- CPE 520: Application of Neural Networks, 3 credit hours
- CPE 620: Deep Learning, 3 credit hours
- CS 693A: Generative AI, 3 credit hours
Total: 30 credit hours
Disclosure: The curriculum information contained in this section is for informational purposes only. The WVU Academic Catalog will be updated in May 2026 to reflect the 2026-2027 academic year.
Connect With Us
Katerina Goseva-Popstojanova Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources | Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
(304) 293-9691 Katerina.Goseva@mail.wvu.edu
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Program Requirements and Eligibility
- Submit a personal statement. Personal statements should be 750 to 1,000 words and double-spaced. This is an opportunity to tell the admissions committee more about your reasons to earn this degree and should not repeat the information on your resume.
- Submit two (2) professional and/or educational references.
- Submit official transcripts showing degree completion of a bachelor’s degree in computer science, computer engineering, cybersecurity, or a closely related field from an accredited University, with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) or better.
- Students with a degree in other fields of study from accredited institutions, but having at least one year experience in cybersecurity may be considered for provisional admission. One year experience should be highlighted through reference letter(s) and other documents. Provisional students will be required to complete three core courses with a ‘B’ or above. After successful completion of three core courses, the student will move to regular graduate status.
- Submit a resume that reflects your education and experience.
- International applicants must meet the WVU requirement of English language proficiency.
Admissions Process and How to Apply
To apply to West Virginia University as a graduate applicant:
- Review the requirements for the program and learn what materials are needed to apply.
- Create an account, start your application and follow the instructions.
- Pay the application fee.
- Submit your application.
Tuition, Fees and Financial Aid
The University provides a comprehensive approach to helping you finance your education.
Learn more on the WVU Financial Aid Website.
Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while
pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies, and living
expenses. Visit the
Estimate Costs and Aid webpage
to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.
Students are encouraged to:
- File the application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the June deadline to determine eligibility for funding and scholarships.
- Inquire with your employer about potential financial support for continuing your education.
Tuition per credit hour is listed on the page of your program of interest. Please
note, tuition and fees are reviewed and subject to change at the start
of each academic year.
Careers and Employment
This program exists to support professionals, recent graduates, or people who want
to change their career. The specific courses in this curriculum provide practical training for several types of roles across the industry. Possible career opportunities for graduates of the online M.S. in Cybersecurity program include:
Career Paths
- Cybersecurity Engineer
- Information Security Specialist
- Network Security Architect
- Cyber Defense Specialist
- Penetration Tester/Ethical Hacker
- Cloud Security Engineer
- Incident Response Analyst
- Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst
- Hardware and Embedded Systems Security Engineer
- Cybersecurity Research Scientist
- Risk and Compliance Manager
- Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
- Cybersecurity Consultant
- Cybersecurity Entrepreneur