Information Security and Cyber Leadership, M.S.
This program educates a competent workforce with sophisticated communication, information, people, and technology skills to meet the demands of both the public and private sectors. The curriculum covers the knowledge and skills required for professionals to better understand and integrate the critical human and sociotechnical aspects of professional responsibilities associated with the complicated technology planning, applications, and management in cyber environments. Furthermore, the program fosters leadership qualities that allow students to step into administrative positions in cybersecurity and human-system integration environments.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze human information behavior and information security phenomena in cyber environments
- Explain the structure of a cybersecurity system, implement the system, handle the system operations, and evaluate the system efficiency
- Strategically analyze the external and internal environments of an organization to create and facilitate a human-systems integration process
- Create teams for human-systems integration environments and facilitate team communication and coordination
- Develop information policies and regulations for human-systems integration and cyber information security system environments
Admissions
To apply, you'll need:
- Official academic transcripts
- Personal Statement which explains why you are applying
- CV/Resume
- 2 Letters of Recommendation
- The GRE is not required. If you have current scores and would like to submit them with the application, we will review them with the other application materials. If you choose to submit a test score, you’ll need your official score from the GRE (the USC institution code is 5818).
Exceptions may be made for those with extenuating circumstances, or who are promising in other ways.
Students who are admitted usually have:
- At least a 3.0 grade point average
- If you're an international student, you will need to take either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of at least 90 or score a 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Those with a degree from an English-speaking institution are eligible for an exemption from this requirement.
Typical students exceed these marks, but exceptions are made for those who are unusually promising in other ways, such as overcoming formidable odds or years of solid professional experience.
Degree Requirements (30 Hours)
Required Courses (12 hours)
Substitutions must be specifically approved by the student’s advisor and graduate director.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ISCI 768 | Challenges in Information Intensive Organization Administration | 3 |
| ISCI 778 | Seminar in Information Science 1 | 3 |
| or ISCI 780 | Information Networks | |
| ISCI 785 | Leadership and Ethics in Information Security | 3 |
| ISCI 787 | Seminar in Applied Information Systems for Information Specialists | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 12 | |
- 1
ISCI 778 is required unless students already have the certification level achieved in this course. If that certification has been achieved, students are required to take ISCI 780.
Elective Courses (18 hours)
Substitutions must be specifically approved by the student’s advisor and/or graduate director. The following electives are recommended for the ISCL program. Other electives approved by the advisor can be applied to the ISCL program of study.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ISCI 529 | Special Topics in Library and Information Studies | 3 |
| ISCI 534 | Knowledge Discovery Techniques | 3 |
| ISCI 560 | Data Visualization | 3 |
| ISCI 709 | Fundamentals of Data and Digital Communications | 3 |
| ISCI 726 | Knowledge Management for Library and Information Professionals | 3 |
| ISCI 770 | Design and Management of Databases | 3 |
| ISCI 772 | Strategic Intelligence for Information Professionals | 3 |
| ISCI 776 | Web Technologies for Information Specialists | 3 |
| ISCI 780 | Information Networks | 3 |
| ISCI 788 | Implementing Data and Digital Communications | 3 |
| ISCI 794 | Internship in Library and Information Science | 3 |
| ISCI 795 | Special Topics in International Information Issues (Information and Communication Needs and Assessment) | 3 |
| ISCI 796 | Independent Study in Library and Information Science | 1-6 |
| ISCI 806 | Communication Processes and Information-Seeking Behavior | 3 |
| MGSC 798 | Introduction to Cybersecurity Management | 3 |
| IBUS 744 | Managing Cyber Risk in Global Organizations | 3 |