Cybersecurity, M.S.

On Campus

With the vast amount of sensitive data now stored in the digital universe — everything from social security numbers to financial records and matters of national security — it’s critical that we secure and protect it from malicious interests. For vital computer networks and electronic infrastructures, cybersecurity experts stand as the last and most effective line of defense against such attacks.

At the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, our master's in Cybersecurity program curriculum is rooted in the belief that theory and research must translate into real-world solutions. To this end, we have created the NYU Center for Cybersecurity, and the Offensive Security, Incident Response, and Internet Security Lab (OSIRIS) dedicated to training the current and future generations of cybersecurity professionals.

NYU Tandon has a distinguished history of research and education in the field of cybersecurity, and our classes are taught by internationally known experts. We’ve been designated an NSA Center of Excellence in Information Assurance, a Center of Excellence in Research, and a Center of Excellence in Cyber Operations.

The cybersecurity field is expected to generate many new jobs over the next decade as industry and government continue to emphasize safe data and information systems. As a graduate of the program, you’ll be ready for a career as a developer of security products, security application programmer, security analyst, and penetration tester. You can also pursue work as a security researcher, vulnerability analyst, or security architect, or continue your studies toward a doctorate.

NYU Tandon Bridge

The NYU Tandon Bridge course is recommended to those interested in a Cybersecurity master's degree who are lacking a Cybersecurity degree or other substantial related experience.

Admission Information

Admission Requirements

You need a superior undergraduate record from an accredited institution in order to be considered for entrance into the program. Preferably, you should have an undergraduate degree in computer science, mathematics, science, or engineering. However, applicants with degrees in other fields are considered individually for admission. You must also satisfy the following:

Knowledge of mathematics through calculus
At least 1 year of university-level science
A working knowledge of a high-level, general-purpose programming language (preferably C++) and of data structures
Demonstrated ability to communicate in written and spoken English. Foreign students and others for whom English is a second language may be required to undertake preparatory work to improve their language skills before admission into the graduate program.
Statement of Purpose: You should submit a special purpose statement with your application that states your experience in cybersecurity and your motivation for applying to the program.
A basic understanding of computer fundamentals such as computer organization and operation, data structures, and computer architecture.
GRE scores

Admission with advanced standing is accepted in accordance with the School of Engineering regulations published in the bulletin. A maximum of 9 credits may be applied to the MS degree from previous graduate work at an acceptable institution.

Find out more about Admission Requirements.

GRE Requirements

Applicants who satisfy one of the following conditions are not required but encouraged to submit a GRE score:

MS Applicants without a Cybersecurity degree or similar background who successfully complete the NYU Tandon Bridge program.
Applicant completes 9 credits under Visiting Student Registration from an approved list of CSE courses and maintains an average grade of B+ or better.
Applicant has a BA or BS degree in computer science or computer engineering from NYU, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

NYU Cyber Fellows

NYU Tandon's NYU Cyber Fellows program is an affordable part-time online MS in Cybersecurity in partnership with New York City Cyber Command, with a curriculum designed in cooperation with elite corporate partners. It offers scholarships of as much as 75 percent of tuition to U.S. residents.

For more details visit NYU Cyber Fellowship

Transfer of Courses

Applications for transfer credits must be submitted for consideration before the end of the first semester of matriculation. Courses with grades below B are not eligible for transfer. Transfer credits for courses taken after matriculation at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering are rarely accepted and must be approved by the student’s academic department and by the Office of Graduate Academics before the course is taken. Grades for transferred credits or courses are not recorded and are not included in GPA calculations.

Transfers from Other the School of Engineering Programs

Qualified MS students registered in other the School of Engineering master's programs (e.g., the Computer Science master's program), who can demonstrate adequate skills in the area of cybersecurity, may be permitted to transfer to the MS in Cybersecurity program per the admissions requirements outlined on this page.

Preparatory Courses

We offer 3 preparatory bridge courses for students who do not have a working knowledge of a high level, general-purpose programming language or a background in sets, functions, relations, asymptotic notation, proof techniques, induction, combinatorics, discrete probability, recurrences, graphs, trees, mathematical models of computation and undecidability.

CS-GY 5303 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 5403 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6003 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

The 100% online NYU Tandon Bridge course prepares students without a Cybersecurity degree or other related experience to apply for select NYU Tandon Master’s Degree programs. In the course, students will learn computer science fundamentals and programming with C++. Students’ performance in the Bridge will count toward their Master’s degree application decisions. The Bridge is a non-credit certificate course, and those who complete the Bridge with a final grade of C or above will earn a Certificate of Completion, and those who earn a B+ or above will receive a Certificate of Completion with Distinction. Note: regardless of performance, successful completion of the Bridge course does not guarantee admission to any academic program.

The NYU Tandon Bridge course is taught by faculty members of the Computer Science department at the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, aided by NYU Tandon Graduate student teaching assistants. Students will participate in interactive online modules, live webinars, assignments, and tests.

NYU Tandon Bridge

Curriculum

In order to fulfill the Cybersecurity, MS degree requirements, you must complete 30 credits, as listed below, and have an overall B grade average. In addition, you must have a B average across core courses.

Breadth Electives

CS-GY 6233 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6843 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6033 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6083 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6923 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6003 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

Other CS electives approved by Advisor.

Any of the courses above may be replaced if you have taken a similar class.

Security Core Courses

CS-GY 6813 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6823 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6903 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 9163 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

Most of the required security core courses above have a project component.

Depth Electives (3 Courses)

You may choose security-related courses from the School of Engineering or from New York University, including courses in the psychology, law, and sociology departments. Selected courses must be approved by the Program Committee. All the following courses have been preapproved; others must be approved by the Program Committee.

CS-GY 6043 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6063 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6133 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6313 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6513 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6573 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6613 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6803 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 6963 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 9093 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 9223 Please refer to the bulletin for more information
CS-GY 9963 Please refer to the bulletin for more information

Research Project (Optional)

One goal of the MS program in Cybersecurity is to introduce students to the exciting research in the area of cybersecurity, and lure some of them into pursuing a PhD degree. To this end, we offer a semester-long advanced project (CS-GY 9963) in the area of cybersecurity as an electve. If you choose this option you will work under the guidance of a research professor and gain invaluable research experience.

Master's Thesis (Optional)

In addition to the above semester-long research experience, the program also offers research-oriented MS students to take up the master's thesis option. If you select this option, you will need to take 6 credits of CS-GY 9973 working with a faculty advisor on some research problem in cybersecurity in lieu of 2 out of the 3 required electives.

The research need not be original, but should adequately demonstrate your proficiency in the subject material. An oral defense of the master's thesis with at least 3 professors in attendance is required. The 6 credits of master's thesis must span over a period of exactly 2 consecutive semesters. Whenever relevant, 3.00 credits of CS-GY 9963 may be used as 3.00 credits of CS-GY 9973, subject to the approval of your faculty adviser(s).

National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity Designation Tracks

NYU Tandon School of Engineering is one of the select institutions recognized by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C). The following courses taken within the Cybersecurity Master's Degree online program qualify for the following two designations.

Students also may elect to specialize by taking specific courses in an area of concentration. Two tracks are available:

Cyber Defense