The M.S. in Cyber Security and Privacy (MS-CSP) provides a strong foundation and advanced technical expertise in security, privacy, and cryptography applied to computer systems, networks, and web applications. Graduates will have broad expertise across these areas, with an option to cover not only technical but also legal, policy, and ethical aspects of security and privacy. Beyond in-depth knowledge of security mechanisms, standards, and state-of-the-art capabilities, they will also be able to design new systems and infrastructure-level security solutions.
The program features an additional Cyber Defense Option that produces leaders with communication and management skills complementing their technical expertise. This option is designed for professionals with existing industry experience.
NJIT's Cybersecurity Research Center is designated by the National Security Agency, as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense recognizing the university's ability to train students in defending high-value computer networks.
Curriculum
MS Cybersecurity
CS@NJIT
Leading Faculty
Carnegie R1 Institution
Highly Ranked for ROI
Expertise
Software Security
Infrastructure Security
Cyber Law & Policy
Location
Newark, Jersey City, Online
Minutes from NYC
Open to the World
Program Summary
Demand in Cybersecurity
The cybersecurity field is experiencing unprecedented growth. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts an exceptional 32% growth rate for cybersecurity jobs from 2022 to 2032—more than ten times the average growth rate for all U.S. occupations. This surge stems from increasing cyber threats, growing organizational awareness, evolving data protection regulations, and rapid digital transformation. The rapid emergence of generative artificial intelligence is further intensifying these cybersecurity challenges and expanding the need for skilled professionals in the field.
Program Details
The MS program in Cybersecurity and Privacy requires an undergraduate degree in computing. At a minimum, such a degree must have exposed the prospective student to object-oriented languages, and to materials from at least three from the following courses:
- UCSD: Introduction to Discrete Mathematics for Computer Science
- Google Data Structures and Algorithms
- Udacity: Introduction to Operating Systems
- Coursera: Introduction to TCP/IP
For students not eligible for direct admission, NJIT offers a Graduate Certificate in Computer Science, which provides a pathway to the MS-CSP program. Earning the certificate with a GPA of 3.0 or higher guarantees admission into the MS-CSP program.
All applicants are required to submit:
- Transcripts from a prior degree in computing
- At least one letter of recommendation
Certificates of completion of online computing courses, are taken into consideration.
All international applicants are required to submit scores for the following standardized tests:
- GRE
- TOEFL, or IELTS, or Duolingo
Score reports do not have to be submitted directly by the companies that administer the tests (e.g. ETS etc.) The scores can be reported by the applicant, by either uploading a pdf with the official score report or by sharing a link to their score report.
Test Waiver: International applicants who hold a degree from an accredited US institution can ask for a waiver of standardized tests. To request a waiver, please first submit your application and then contact the NJIT admissions office, by directly emailing our staff responsible for international recruitment.
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After completing the program, graduates will be able to:
- Describe cyber security and privacy mechanisms, standards, and state-of-the-art capabilities.
- Describe potential cyber attacks and the actors that might perform them, and identify cyber defense methods to prepare a system to repel attacks.
- Perform security review of applications, systems and infrastructure.
- Design and implement system, network and infrastructure-level solutions to ensure the security and privacy of communications and data against specific security threats, while understanding the trade-offs between security, usability, and performance.
- Use standard security terminology to communicate effectively with other cyber security professionals.
- Understand the ethical and legal implications of cyber attacks.
Campus Options
- The online program is available to both U.S. residents and international students
- The online rates are available only to students fully enrolled to the online program
- U.S. residents can choose a combination of face-to-face and online courses
- The Jersey City program is not available to F-1 international students
- F-1 students can take at most one course per semester online, or at Jersey City
Tuition & Fees by Campus (based on AY 2024-2025 rates)
- Online: $34,290
- Jersey City: $34,504-$37,200
- Newark, NJ residents: $36,426-$46,450
- Newark, non-NJ residents: $44,748-$63,120
For Newark students, the ranges reflect different course loads per semester:
- Highest amount: Based on taking at most 3 courses per semester, no summer courses
- Lowest amount: Based on taking 4 courses in two different semesters
- Additional fee savings are available for summer semester courses
For Jersey City students, the lower amount assumes the student takes two courses in each of two different summer semesters.
For details, see NJIT's Tuition and Fee Schedule.
For information about cost of living see Tuition and Costs at NJIT.
All applicants are automatically considered for financial support during admission, with no need for additional communication. However, guaranteed financial support for MS students is limited and typically reserved for doctoral candidates.
After enrollment, MS students can apply for campus jobs such as grading, tutoring, research assistantships, or roles in the library and academic departments to help offset expenses.