Frequently Asked Questions

Cybersecurity is one of the fastest growing and highest-demand job specializations available in today’s workforce. Both private and public sector organizations across a broad range of industries have recently recognized the importance of cybersecurity to their mission. They also know that the current workforce lacks the requisite skills and expertise.

Graduates of the online M.S. in Cyber Security program will be prepared to design and implement technological controls that protect an organization’s digital assets. The program is designed to serve those working on the front lines operationally all the way up to chief information security officers. Potential career fields include information security operations managers, security architects, threat analysts, risk managers and cyber security consultants.

• The program is open to students with any bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution or recognized equivalent outside the U.S.
• Applicants must meet any admission requirements set by the degree program in addition to those set by the Graduate School.
• It is highly recommended, but not required, to have either IT professional experience or a degree in a field related to computer science, computer engineering or IT.
• If the student does not possess relevant experience or a related degree, the student may be denied admission. In cases where the rest of the application is very strong and the potential for success is demonstrated, applicants may be asked to take 1 or more leveling courses. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is preferred.
• At least nine hours of mathematics and statistics at the level of calculus and above are required. Students not meeting this requirement may be asked to take a leveling course.

• All students are required to submit GRE scores or a waiver request.
  • Waiver requirements (any of the criteria below):
    • 3+ years of IT-related work experience
    • 1+ year of cybersecurity work
    • A graduate degree in any field
    • Completion of certain certifications, speak with an enrollment adviser for more information

The program is open to any students with an undergraduate degree that satisfies the admission requirements. A background in computer science or IT is not required, though it would certainly be helpful. The program curriculum covers a blend of technical and organizational concepts. Students who do not have a background in IT or computer science may be asked to take one or two leveling courses in IT and computer programming, to be completed before the end of the first semester.

Leveling requirements can be satisfied in any number of ways, so long as they are approved by the faculty director. Examples include completing traditional or online courses at The University of Tulsa or elsewhere or passing a proficiency exam after completing self-study. IT-related leveling courses are available on Coursera.

The cost of the M.S. in Cyber Security is mostly driven by tuition. For 2022-2023, the Graduate School tuition is $1,389 per credit hour, and the program requires 30 credit hours to complete. In total, then, tuition costs $41,670 to complete the program. For most students, this costs is spread over two years needed to complete the program. Students pay tuition as they are enrolled, meaning it is due at the start of each semester for the currently enrolled courses. The University of Tulsa is a private school, so there is no difference between in-state, out-of-state and international tuition. All students pay the same tuition rate.

In addition to tuition, books and instructional materials are estimated to cost $2,000 over the duration of the program. There are no additional required fees (such as student activity fees or health insurance).

Financial aid is available to qualified students. Additionally, a limited number of merit-based partial scholarships may be available. Note that the online M.S. in Cyber Security program is intended for professionals who will continue working while enrolled in the program. In traditional graduate programs, financial aid is awarded in the form of research or teaching assistantships, in which full-time students work part time in support of campus-based faculty. Students in the online program are not eligible for research or teaching assistantships. Full-time students interested in an assistantship are encouraged to apply to the regular online M.S. in Cyber Security program.

Students may be able to request partial or complete reimbursement of tuition costs from their employers, and the university can help facilitate this. Additionally, support under federal loan programs is available for U.S. students. Contact the university’s financial aid office for more information.

In a typical sequence, the program can take as few as 20 months to complete. The course sequence is designed so that students who work full-time can still complete the process.

Yes. Students can enroll in up to 12 credit hours per semester (Fall and Spring) and six credit hours in the summer. Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 12 months.

Students may begin the program during the Spring, Summer or Fall semesters. Applications are processed as they are received, and prospective students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Yes, you can mix and match. Some courses are only offered online, and some cyber security courses not intended for the online M.S. in Cyber Security are only offered on campus. If students wish to take these classes on campus based on interest and availability, they are welcome to do so.

Students who hold F-1 and M-1 visas are not eligible for the program, per U.S. immigration rules. However, international students who remain in their home country without holding such visas can complete the program entirely online.

No. Anyone who satisfies the admissions requirements can enroll in the program. Such students who are not employed full-time may prefer to apply to the regular M.S. in Cyber Security, in which they attend classes on campus and may qualify for assistantships to support their studies.

No. Work experience is preferred, but not required.

All courses in the online M.S. in Cyber Security program are three-credit hour courses, and they require the same level of time commitment as any other graduate courses at The University of Tulsa. Students are expected to devote approximately 10 hours per week per course.

No. All immersive classes are electives. Students can complete the program by taking only online courses.