Security | News

Florida Tech Adds Online Versions of Master's Degree and Graduate Certificate in Security

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 07/17/12

The Florida Institute of Technology has begun offering online versions of its master's degree in information assurance and cybersecurity. The same institution has also started an online edition of its for-credit graduate certificate program in the same topics. The Harris Institute for Assured Information, which launched in 2009, was formed by a $5 million gift from Harris Corp., a $6 billion Florida-based communications and IT company.

The Institute, which provides education, research, and training, has been certified by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Research.

Both programs were launched to help working professionals expand their security credentials. The master of science program requires 33 credits at $740 per credit hour. Classes restart every eight weeks.

"Cyber attacks are becoming more frequent and much more sophisticated. As a result, cybersecurity specialists are in high demand," said Liam Mayron, assistant professor in the Harris Institute. "By bringing the information assurance and cybersecurity degree and certificate online, Florida Tech is opening the door for qualified professionals across the country to expand their knowledge and take advantage of these opportunities."

The new master's degree has 11 courses that explore attack models, host and application security, network security, and cryptography, among other topics. The graduate certificate has four foundational courses that can be completed, the Institute said, in as few as eight months. Those credits can be applied to Florida Tech's MSIA Cybersecurity degree as well. Students enrolling in either program will follow the same curriculum as main-campus students.