Why Drexel University?
Drexel University is a very large private research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania offering a Master of Science in Cybersecurity. The program is a collaboration between the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and College of Computing and Informatics. Applicants to the program should hold an undergraduate degree in any subject, but strong technical background is required for a competitive application.
Standardized test scores are not required, and there is no required undergraduate minimum GPA to apply.
Program Snapshot
| University Name | Drexel University |
| Location | Philadelphia |
| State | Pennsylvania |
| Niche.com Grade | A- |
| Name of Degree | Master of Science in Cybersecurity |
| School or Department Administering Program | Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and College of Computing and Informatics |
| Credits | 45 |
| Cost per credit | $1,342.00 |
| Tuition for Entire Program | $60,390.00 |
| Test Requirements | GRE preferred but not required |
| Minimum GPA | None |
| Campus Visit Required? | No |
| Typical Time to Complete | 2 years full-time; 3-4 years part-time |
| When Can Students Start the Program? | Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer |
| Program Concentrations | · Computer Science
· Electrical and Computer Engineering · Information Systems |
| Synchronous Classes | Some |
| Required Courses | · Principles of Cybersecurity
· Information Policy and Ethics · Security Engineering · 9 Cybersecurity Track Technical Electives · 3 Non-track Technical Electives |
| Does the Program Include a Capstone? | Optional Thesis |
| Does the Program Include a Practicum or Internship? | Optional Research Experience and/or Co-op Term |
| Other Features that Make the Program Unique | Taught by experte with industry or research experience; Optional 6-month co-op; Optional dual degrees with Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Machine Learning Engineering, or Engineering Management; Optional research rotations – students participate in research activities of two labs for 3 credits; Very strong research base at school incl. biomedical imaging, financial engineering, image processing, Nanoelectrics, smart grid technology, nuclear engineering; Designed National Security Agency Center of Academic Excellence |
| Program Objectives (quoted directly from the program) | The program provides deeply technical and specialized training, enabling graduates to understand, adapt, and develop new techniques to confront emerging threats in cybersecurity. Topics covered include computer networking, probability concepts, techniques for analyzing algorithms, dependable software design, reverse software engineering, intrusion detection, ethics, privacy, confidentiality, authenticity, and social networking. |
| Program Description | Consisting of 45 required graduate credits, this program emphasizes engineering topics. Students choose from among three concentrations. Students can choose to complete an optional thesis. Students can choose to participate in an optional internship, Research Experience and/or Co-op Term. The program follows a traditional course schedule |
What will I Learn?
The Drexel Cybersecurity Master’s offers three concentrations: Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, and Information Systems. In comparison with many other programs, Drexel allows students more flexibility in course choice, and a greater opportunity to specialize and develop technical skills. Graduates are prepared to adapt and develop new cybersecurity techniques as well as utilize existing technologies. The program is highly interdisciplinary, covering topics such as social networking, confidentiality, privacy, authentication, networking, software development, probability, algorithm analysis, and other subjects.
All students take Principles of Cybersecurity, Information Policy and Ethics, and Security Engineering. They take nine elective courses within their chosen concentration, and three elective courses outside of the concentration. A thesis is optional. Students can also take an optional internship course or co-op term with a government or private employer.
The program is taught by experts with industry or research experience. There is a very strong base of research activity at Drexel, on topics such as biomedical imaging, image processing, nanoelectronics, smart grid technology, and nuclear engineering. Students wishing to specialize even further may take a dual master’s degree with Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Machine Learning Engineering, or Engineering Management. Students can also participate in an optional research rotations program where they take 6 credits by working within a faculty research lab.
Drexel has been designated a National Security Agency Center of Academic Excellence.
How much will the program cost?
Most students complete the program within 2 years. full-time; 3-4 years part-time and pay $1,342.00 per credit for a total of 45 credits, or $60,390.00 in total.
How does the program fit into my life?
Some courses are asynchronous, meaning that students complete coursework on their own schedule each week, including watching pre-recorded lectures and participating in online discussion. Some courses are synchronous, requiring attendance at a “live” class at the same time each week.
No campus visit is required. Most students complete the program within 2 years, full-time, or 3-4 years, part-time. Students can enter the program in Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer semesters.
Summary
Emphasizing engineering topics, this higher-cost cybersecurity master’s is offered by a respected university. Following a traditional course schedule, students complete a flexible curriculum offering extraordinary opportunities for technically intensive specialization.
Applicants with a strong technical background and high ambitions will be attracted by opportunities including an optional thesis, optional internship, optional research lab experience, optional dual degrees, and optional co-op term. Students considering further research in cybersecurity as a career path will definitely want to consider Drexel.
